Need Car Audio Advice

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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So I have a 97 civic coupe with Alpine Type S components and type s rears with a 4 channel amp that does 40 watts rms x 4. I found out one of my rears blew at some point before the amp install and am now considering just ditching the rears altogether. I'll be replacing them with a sub (probably a 10") in the trunk and was wondering if 1 sub is enough. I'll bridge both channels 3 - 4 on my amp together to power the sub giving me about 100 watts rms to the sub. It'll probably be this:
Text
What do you guys think?

edit: Correction to some wattages.
 

LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
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yes that's fine
you may be able to find a sub with higher sensitivity, though
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: Aimster
how much r u gonna pay for that sub setup

Not sure, probably shop around to find a decent price for the sub and an enclosure
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: LS20
yes that's fine
you may be able to find a sub with higher sensitivity, though

Although I would like to stay within the Alpine product line (not a fan boy, just thought it'd be nice to have all matching components. Plus, it sounds great so far), can you recommend one that has a great range that wouldn't need more juice.
 

jtvang125

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 2004
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One sub is enough but I would go with a little more power. I would say atleast 200w to be optimal. At 100w or so a lot of the bass won't be audible until mid to high volumes.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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it's 100 W given 4 ohms. But if I hook up the voice coils in parallel then it'll show up as 2 ohms. Maybe the amp will give close to 200 W?
 

daveshel

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Good plan. I used to use the 4 X 25 Alpine amp with the rear channels bridged to drive a single 8" sub. I wasn't looking for hip-hop bass levels or extreme volume, and the result was very well balanced and satisfying.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: daveshel
Good plan. I used to use the 4 X 25 Alpine amp with the rear channels bridged to drive a single 8" sub. I wasn't looking for hip-hop bass levels or extreme volume, and the result was very well balanced and satisfying.

Yeah, I'm not looking to have a block party with my car (nor do I have the money to invest in just my car). So if it's well balanced, and decently loud then I probably wouldn't mind ditching my rears for a 10" sub. Anyone else have experiences with this kind of setup? Thanks for all your opinions. :)
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Also, would a Cap need to come into play at this point? It's not like I'm exceeding 1000 watts or anything so I wouldn't think so.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
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noisy cars those civics, wind/road noise that is. not sure i'd ditch the rears.
 

jtvang125

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 2004
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Originally posted by: NaOH
it's 100 W given 4 ohms. But if I hook up the voice coils in parallel then it'll show up as 2 ohms. Maybe the amp will give close to 200 W?

Most amps will not handle a 2ohm load when bridged and I'm almost positive yours won't be able to. Maybe a 8" would be more suitable for 100w.
 

daveshel

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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Originally posted by: NaOH
Also, would a Cap need to come into play at this point? It's not like I'm exceeding 1000 watts or anything so I wouldn't think so.

My amp had an active crossover, and I used a coil in to sub as well so I would get a very steep slope.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
noisy cars those civics, wind/road noise that is. not sure i'd ditch the rears.

True. I'm probably not going to be doing any dynamatting either. I don't know, I could just replace my rears (maybe with the type R). That would be the simplest solution. Then maybe down the line add a mono amp and subs. I don't know if an 8 inch will suffice.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
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Originally posted by: jtvang125
Originally posted by: NaOH
it's 100 W given 4 ohms. But if I hook up the voice coils in parallel then it'll show up as 2 ohms. Maybe the amp will give close to 200 W?

Most amps will not handle a 2ohm load when bridged and I'm almost positive yours won't be able to. Maybe a 8" would be more suitable for 100w.

That really depends on the sub itself. I've got an 8" in my Accord that's only happy with no less then 300w(it's very boomy, though. Stupid bass-reflex box). On the other hand, the 10" in my mom's car is perfectly happy with 150w. Just match your sub to your amp (average power handling to watts RMS) and you'll be fine.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: Raduque
Originally posted by: jtvang125
Originally posted by: NaOH
it's 100 W given 4 ohms. But if I hook up the voice coils in parallel then it'll show up as 2 ohms. Maybe the amp will give close to 200 W?

Most amps will not handle a 2ohm load when bridged and I'm almost positive yours won't be able to. Maybe a 8" would be more suitable for 100w.

That really depends on the sub itself. I've got an 8" in my Accord that's only happy with no less then 300w(it's very boomy, though. Stupid bass-reflex box). On the other hand, the 10" in my mom's car is perfectly happy with 150w. Just match your sub to your amp (average power handling to watts RMS) and you'll be fine.

Well the sub can handle 50w - 300w rms. My amp says it's rated for 100w bridged at 4 ohms. If it's not possible to do 2ohms then I guess I'm stuck with 100w.
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
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hold on ... you are ditching your rear speakers completely and putting a sub in there instead?

if i'm getting you correct and that's waht you are doing, then no, that is not a good idea at all.
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: purbeast0
hold on ... you are ditching your rear speakers completely and putting a sub in there instead?

if i'm getting you correct and that's waht you are doing, then no, that is not a good idea at all.

Based on what? Rears are usually just meant for fill.
 

jtvang125

Diamond Member
Nov 10, 2004
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Originally posted by: purbeast0
hold on ... you are ditching your rear speakers completely and putting a sub in there instead?

if i'm getting you correct and that's waht you are doing, then no, that is not a good idea at all.

Rear speakers are not necessary. Many audiophiles prefer no rear speakers in a car environment. They usually rely on quality component speakers up front with proper imaging and 1 or 2 subs for the bass fill.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
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Originally posted by: NaOH
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
noisy cars those civics, wind/road noise that is. not sure i'd ditch the rears.

True. I'm probably not going to be doing any dynamatting either. I don't know, I could just replace my rears (maybe with the type R). That would be the simplest solution. Then maybe down the line add a mono amp and subs. I don't know if an 8 inch will suffice.

get a sub first, anything is enough to fill, unless you want the neighborhood to know your there, but thats not sound quality:p replace blown speaker, leave others to replace if still disatisfied
 

LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
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Image Dynamics' 10" has same power rating range at 50-300w
pioneer has w251r w/ 90dB sensitivity
JBL has 2 with 90+
Infinity lists high sensitivity , too

though I would end up going with all Alpine just like you to satisfy the obsessive compulsiveness....
 

LS20

Banned
Jan 22, 2002
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by the way, i run an 8" image dynamics sub off 280w with no dampening and it more than suffice....
 

NaOH

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2006
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Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
Originally posted by: NaOH
Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
noisy cars those civics, wind/road noise that is. not sure i'd ditch the rears.

True. I'm probably not going to be doing any dynamatting either. I don't know, I could just replace my rears (maybe with the type R). That would be the simplest solution. Then maybe down the line add a mono amp and subs. I don't know if an 8 inch will suffice.

get a sub first, anything is enough to fill, unless you want the neighborhood to know your there, but thats not sound quality:p replace blown speaker, leave others to replace if still disatisfied

I am confused with your response lol. Sorry
 

Preyhunter

Golden Member
Nov 9, 1999
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That's a 2 ohm DVC you linked to, you'd have to wire the VC in series to obtain the 4 ohm load you'll need to keep the amp happy. You'd be better off getting an 8 ohm DVC and wiring the VC in parallel or a 4 ohm SVC.