I am trying to understand it all.....subs and amps.

[StereoInstaller1]

So Eric, what did that thing weigh? I bet 3 800a2s weigh in at 40 pounds or so, minimum...then 3 12W6s have to weigh a ton all by themselves, plus I am pretty sure you had a box....

And as far as the 17 YO OP goes, did you not notice I was not trying to sell you anything? I assure you that you cannot get a better deal on quality gear than I offer, but I am not here to sell anyone anything, except for my custom boxes...which are the most important part of the system, and mine are built better than any installer I have ever seen in my 28 years as an installer.

So, yeah, man, feel free to build your own stuff. I am currently working on a pictorial of how to build the box I sell on here. Got a tablesaw? If so, you can do this, with some skill.

And yes, your ETA has a ski pass hole. Pull your back seat out and you will see it. 2 10mm bolts on the sides make it free, go to it!

Luke

[e30pwr]

Tablesaw, Drill press, dremel, bandsaw, I've got access to it all. Sorry for taking your posts as an ad for your services.

Let the slope be open now!

[Raxe]

The ski pass is pre cut into the rear firewall, all you have to do is punch out the metal piece.

[e30pwr]

Alright. I know this is probably becoming annoying by now for you Luke, but sorry. Lets say I want this Crunch 12" for the box that you made. Its a Dual 2 Ohm. So its a DVC sub. When looking for amps how would I go about seeing the difference between the DVC/SVC type amps?

[StereoInstaller1]

OK, it is like this: that woofer has 2, 2 ohm coils, right?

There are 2 different methods of wiring the 2 voice coils to one amplifier, called "series" and "parallel".

If you series them, you have 2 (coils) x 2 (ohms) thus, 4 ohms.

If you parallel them, you have 2 (coils) / 2 (ohms) thus, 1 ohm.

These are the ONLY 2 choices there are...so you would want to find either a 2 channel amp, which you would bridge the 2 channels on the series wiring: 4 ohms (mono) = 2 ohms per channel, thus optimum loading for just about any 2 channel amp from the $50 POS at WalMart up to some $1500 giant beast of a 2 channel. Basically, take your pick. You could also use half of a 4 channel amp with that woofer, and add a subwoofer amp later.

The other option is to find a Mono amplifier...do not confuse this with "mono mode" or some other thing, this would be a true 1 channel amplifier, generally meant ONLY for subwoofers and would need to have the woofer wired in parallel to make a 1 ohm load, and an amplifier capable of being happy with a 1 ohm load, meaning most of todays "Digital" amplifiers. Look for a power rating at 1 ohm, that is the big trick.

[e30pwr]

And for the dual 4 ohms,

series = 2x4 = 8 ohms
parallel = 2/4 = .5 ohms......?

[StereoInstaller1]

And for the dual 4 ohms,

series = 2x4 = 8 ohms
parallel = 2/4 = .5 ohms......?

Huh? 4/2=2, so a DVC 4 ohm (per coil) is either 2 ohms or 8 ohms. So, either a monoblock capable of full power on a 2 ohm load or half power out of a 2 channel.

[e30pwr]

Thank you. That was really the info I was after but now it all makes sense for the ratings and whatnot.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Now I'm lost.

[e30pwr]

How so?

[einstein57]

Stop scraping for the cheapest of the cheap. Go to best buy or circuit city and get something on sale or an open box buy. I went in a couple weeks ago and saw a 1000watt kenwood for $70. And the box makes a huge difference. I went through several pre fab boxes before i decided to make my own boxes. I love the way my $45 MTX woofer sounds pushed by my 250watt alpine amp. I had systems that cost over 5 grand and systems that cost me almost nothing. Basically don't buy something you don't want cause it just makes the thing you replace it with cost that much more. I don't know the electronics market in atlanta but you should be able to get an amp and woofer that should meet your needs (which i could be wrong cause you said your not trying to rattle your trunk but your looking for 1000watt woofers?)for around $200 which is about what i pay for a kicker or fosgate setup or under $200 for kenwood, sony, or pioneer. Then put it in stereoinstallers box which a lot of r3v guys can vouch for.

[StereoInstaller1]

I would agree with all of the above. Find a 2 channel amp that has 40 amps of fuse on it, find a decent SVC woofer (or dual 2 ohm), something with a cast aluminum frame and a 2.5" voice coil, you will be quite happy with the SPL and should be quite clear enough for anyone.

Oh, and I will be making boxes again this weekend, shipping early next week. If you want one, PM me.

Luke