AW1200Q subs [UPDATED!]

[Naswhodi17]

Are these subs any good? I'm lookin for 2 new 12's since my last ones blew. Do you guys think that I would be underpowering those subs using a sony 1200 watt amp? They are 700 watt rms, my last subs were 450 rms and they worked well with the amp until they blew (lasted about 6 months). Im just looking for some good subs that wont blow using the amp that I have. My main concern with these subs is that I would be underpowering them with the amp I have. What do you guys think?

[ March 09, 2004, 09:39 PM: Message edited by: Naswhodi17 ]

[user1101]

"Underpowering" is a roundabout and innacurate way to describe what you're interested in. Instead, you should be asking about sensitivity and efficiency ratings. If the audiobahn's numbers are higher, you'll see better performance using your existing amp.

Besides warranty purposes, the RMS and peak handling specs are less important to your underlying question. Quantifying these values is as much of an art as it is a science. The vast majority of manufacturers just set their peak wattage rating to twice the nominal rating -- these numbers are not terribly fine-tuned. (i.e. a 400W RMS driver doesn't magically perform best when exactly 400W is applied) If a manufacturer sets the nominal rating too low, it's perceived as a low quality product. If he sets it too close to the peak rating, he'll be losing his a$$ to warranty claims.

Here's some simple, straighforward advice:(firebird311 or freeser can chime in if they have another opinion)

1) Determine what configuration your going to run your system in and the resulting nominal impedance (i.e. series/paralell at 2 Ohms)
2) Locate a range of subwoofers that meet the following criteria:
a) satisfy your desired configuration (i.e. number of voice coils, diameter, mounting depth)
b) are rougly equivalent to your amplifiers specs (which are usually WAY off anyway, but that's another topic)
c) and most importantly - are rated to perform in the given enclosure volume. Efficiency is terribly dependent on your enclosure configuration
3) Select a model that has high efficiency and sensitivity numbers, and that you like the looks of.

We generally recommend eD's, ID's, Infinity's, and Audiobahn's around here. I'm not sure how the warranties stack up, but I think eD's have the highest with a 24 month contract. Someone might correct me on this one though.

Happy thumping.

[Edit] Or you can collect votes from people who post messages like "audiobahn [img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img] " and buy a driver based on a popularity contest.

[ February 29, 2004, 04:54 PM: Message edited by: user1101 ]

[TheBeast]

If you are looking for a pair of 12's look no further than the Adire Audio Shiva. I've got a pair powered by a JBL bp1200.1 and it is incredibly loud. I constantly have to readjust my rearview mirror from the bass because it completely knocks it around even at below-max volumes. They're relatively cheap too, I think about $99 per sub is right. SQ and SPL are great.

http://www.adireaudio.com/mobile_aud...vers/shiva.htm

[96firebird311]

Tell us what type and size of box you'll be using before I recommend anything. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[y87inside]

The 1200q's are exactly what i have. There in a prefab camaro box hooked up to 1200 watts @ 1ohm. I hit 146.9 decibels with my old radio with no subout. There nice subs decent SQ and they pound.

[Naswhodi17]

It is a homemade box, sealed, i dont know the exact size but it fits the trunk space fairly tight, so that might give you a slight idea of the size. My amp's maximum outputs are 600W @ 4ohms, and 1200W @ 2ohms. Its rated outputs are 300W @ 4ohms, 600W @ 2ohms, and 1000W @ 1ohm. Its speaker impedance is 1-8 ohms. I hope this gives yall an idea of what im workin with. Thanks for all the help!

[Naswhodi17]

Any more suggestions?

edit: i did the math, box has about 1.08 cubic feet of volume per sub.

[ March 02, 2004, 09:13 PM: Message edited by: Naswhodi17 ]

[user1101]

If I were in your shoes, I'd look into a single 12" Adire Brahma or a pair of Elemental Designs O Series.

Why only one Brahma? Cause they're huge and expensive. Watch this brahma make some quarters dance.

I've got a pair of ED's in my trunk, so I'm a bit partial. But both would work nicely with your existing equipment.

[Freeser]

I would have chimed in on this one earlier but 1101 said just about everything that I was gonna say anyway. Also I have very limited experience with audiobahn equipment, but I will add a few things.

We generally recommend eD's, ID's, Infinity's, and Audiobahn's around here.

:mad: Can't forget JL. I have JL amps and subs and I couldn't be happier. I mean I never have put quarters on my roof, but my car does set off alarms like nobody's business. :D

However, I must say that subs are not speakers need to make a complete system. For example, my friend has a 10w7 with stock speakers all around and the sub just dominates the speakers. I have also noticed that my kappa's have a real tough time keeping up with my 2 w6v2's (lucky my eurosports will be here tomorrow). So the point of this is that if your gonna get some high powered subs then I would definiatly look into some nice aftermarket coaxials or components (if you don't already have them).

Matt

[user1101]

Originally posted by Freeser:

Can't forget JL. I have JL amps and subs and I couldn't be happier.

Yes.. yes.. nothing wrong with JL either. I never recommend them to anyone because I have a personal grudge toward JL. I don't like them because every punk kid ends up at their local car audio shop after they turn sixteen and buys the same damn thing: a pioneer/sony HU, an RF amp, a pair of JL's, a streetwires kit, and a grey MTX box... and it all ends up in their grey '93 grand am.

JL drivers are quality -- I just get tired of seeing the same setup. Irrational? Yeah. But I'd like to see some of other quality subs out there get some airtime too. To each his own, right Freeser?

So did i offend anyone that's 16ish? :rolleyes:

[ March 04, 2004, 11:38 PM: Message edited by: user1101 ]

[Naswhodi17]

Well after nobody replied in three days I got a little antsy and ordered the audiobahns. Plus the subs yall are suggesting are a bit pricey, considering I ordered the AW1200Q's, new, at $119 each. As soon as I get them I will let yall know what I think of them. Thanks again for all the help!

[user1101]

let us know how they work out.

[Freeser]

You know 1101 I couldn't agree with you more about the JL gear. As a matter of fact you rarely see me recommend JL gear on this forum. This is due to the fact that most of the time you can find something equivilent for a cheaper price tag. However, I like my setup due to the fact that it is original. Name me one person that has 2 10w6v2's in a milhouse will matching JL amps on the rear amp rack. Also, I found my way around the high price tag and got both my v2's for 280 shipped and my 500/1's for 475 shipped. That is a very hefty chunck out of the outragous JL MSRP. So my general concensus is that if you can shave the retail price they are definiatly worth it. Just my .02

Matt

[user1101]

Right on man. Sounds like a sweet setup. I'm sure it's bumptastic.

[Naswhodi17]

OMG!! I just got the subs in this afternoon, installed them and WOW! So much better than my last Sony subs. The sound quality is definitely better. The amp is turned up 3/4 of the way now, and with my Sony's I always had it turned up all the way, and the new subs are still louder! (of course this may be because I am running a 1 ohm load which I did not do with the sony's). Regardless, I've had them for three hours and already love them!