what sounds the best?

[Rodoni]

definetly not my expertise:car audio. I was wondering what size sub and number of them (2 8", 2 10", 1 12", or 2 12") sounds the best in an e30. I know there are different models and types. What are some of you running?

Rodoni

[240zs30]

What type of music do you listen to? It will definitely vary from person to person.
Do you have the rear seat armrest? Do you have the ski hole closed? rear speakers?
I run 1 10" in a sealed fiberglass enclosure I made. I would not change a thing on it.

[StereoInstaller1]

Rodoni, I own a small independent car stereo shop. I have to work for myself, because I can be an absolute dick to work with. If you don't know your shit, I will tear you to shreds. I sell top quality stuff, and I have been installing since 1980 (yes, 28 years) and I am fanatical about sound quality...but "fun" is my #1 goal. I can run virtually anything I want, as long as I am willing to pay for it.

I run a single 12 in a large vented box. The detail and clarity are tremendous, the impact and "wallop" are so impressive...but I still have plenty of trunk space left. Most people who hear my car assume there are at least 2 12's, but my box has tremendous time in planning and design, not to mention construction.

I figure I have designed and built about 2,000 boxes in my life...maybe more. I have done 4 18's, 1 8", even a single 6.5" in a Camaro that hit 119db at 25Hz. I use a single 12 more often than not. I feel it is the most space efficient, cost effective option that there is...but all of this is very subjective, 100% opinion. Keep that in mind.

Here is an installed shot of a box I am doing a group buy on:

And to show how much space is left (2 foot square):

[Rodoni]

i really dont know anything about car audio. The most i know is you need amps to power the subs, you get the most out of your speakers when you connect them to an amp also. I listen to rap and rock and my brother does his own car audio. Except his trunk looks no where near yours LOL. I am interested in your custom box, i just dont know what type of sub and amp and speakers i should buy. Ive been looking around some of the threads you've already posted in and you've recommended some manufacturers ive never heard of.

[StereoInstaller1]

Yeah, most of the shit I like no one knows. If I had money I would use Dynaudio speakers and Butler or Milbert amps. Kimber cables too.

Exile is kind of a trip. 3 guys left Phoenix Gold because the head guy got squeezed out and they started making shit. (head guy is back, BTW, so PG ought to be fine soon) so those 3 guys started their own company...I feel this is some of the best car audio out there (not up with Zapco, ARC audio or maybe Genesis, certainly not up with Milbert or Butler) that normal folk can get. IMO, it is heads and shoulders above Alpine/Kenwood/Clarion/Fosgate/Kicker etc....plus, it is really fucking pretty.

That car I posted above is not mine, but "Browntown"s car. His 2 amps together retail for less than the cheaper of my 2 amps...his system is way less than half the price of mine...but has 95% of the SQ and 90% of the SPL. I find it just amazing that such nice sound comes from such "inexpensive" gear.

I will tell you this: 99% of the magic is from the box. Not to be bigheaded (which I am anyway, but WTF) I prefer the sound of my work over anyone I have ever heard, ever.

You can take one of these boxes, go to WalMart and buy a $100 Sony 4 channel amp and a $60 Sony sub, use half of the amp to run the bass and the other half to run your front speakers and your car will sound fantastic, even with a $100 deck.

Luke

[jle30]

StereoInstaller1 you seem to be extremely knowledgeable about your profession and I agree with almost all of your opinions I have read on this forum; however, I think you would benefit from listening to the BMW X5 that Alpine unveiled in 2006. This car will open your eyes to an entirely new level of in vehicle sound quality. Alpine does make some very quality equipment and put in the right hands they can compete with all the more obscure and some what exclusive high end car audio manufacturers. This X5 can still be seen at a number of shows and the technicians are more then willing to demo their creation.

[smonkbmw]

um ok, the x5 is no where near a typical install. the majority of the parts in that car are multi thousand dollar components, some are not even available to the public. that is for sure not a apples to apples statement. also the body of that vehicle has been reconfigured to fit the components in it, there by not giving a very accurate representation of its potential in a normal car.

[StereoInstaller1]

I will go further and speculate that car has thousands of man hours in it for design alone.

I wonder just what I could do if armed with MLSSa, laser measuring devices, etc...I have thought for years about going to the manufacturing design level of this industry...but I am a 9th grade retard dropout. No edu-ma-ka-shun = no "high level engineer/design" job.

Oops goes to a much younger, cockier, $60K/yr installer named Luke...who used to know it all...

Luke