All - I have found snippets of good information through search, and a few through various audio boards around the 'net. This system will be a mid-level system so please keep that in mind with your comments; I am not looking for high/upper-end "be all end all" system advice here. This is my daily driver, and I want the system to pound/sound great, but at a reasonable price point. However, finding specifics - even through our forum - on the RX7 is tough; much conjecture out there. So, in an attempt to pose some common questions - and get some useful, common-sence *and* possibly scientific answers - here we go:

(1) How do Alpine Type-R's compare to the JLAudio W3V2s? What are your experiences with them installed in the FD? I am leaning toward the Alpines as a *pair* can be had ~$190. Are they "muddy" or pretty-darn clear?

(2) SPL and SQL roughly equal in importance, would you rather have (2) 12" Alpine Type-Rs or (1) 12" JLAudio 12W6V2?

(3) Ideally, should I have 2 seperate mono amps - each one running the seperate sub (assuming I go with the 2 Alpines)? I am thinking of the Alpine MRD-M501 to each one.

(4) Can I run my stock alternator with this setup OK?

(5) Any need for a 1.0F Cap?

Notes:
Head Unit: Pioneer Premier DEH-860MP
Speakers: Fronts - Infinity Perfect KAPPA 60.5CS or may Focal 165K2; Rears - None
Amp: Alpine MRV-T420 for the fronts
Custom box work will be done

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Pictures too on mounting options.

Thanks in advance,
Chris.

 

Anyone?

 

(1) I had a 10" JL Audio 10W3v2 and it was an excellent all-around sub, however, if you can get two Type-Rs for $190, or even one for less money, I would do that. That's a great bang-for-the-buck deal, and Type-Rs are good performers.

(2) Personally, I would go with one 12" sub. Why do you need two 12" subs anyway? That's something that can be heard a block away and will blow your eardrums out when you are inside the car. How loud do you need it to be?

(3) Assuming you have two 4 ohm subs, you can wire them both in parallel for 2 ohms and power them up with just one big amp. Make sure that whatever amp you get is of high quality and is stable down to 2 ohms.

(4) Should be fine.

(5) It depends. If you play your music loud all the time and notice that your headlights dim with every bass hit, then a cap should help.

BTW, your "screen name" looks familiar. Are you on twinturbo.net? I had a '91 300ZX TT and used to hang out on that forum.

 

I have installed and listened to the type-r's and w3v2's, and from my experience, if you disregard prices, the w3 is a better sub. The type-R we had to put much more power to, to get it beating than the w3's, but when both were powered nicely, were on a pretty equal playing field, and sounded great. However that was when the type-r had more power going to it than the w3, so I would go with the w3 basically.

You could do either 1 or 2 amps, but you can generally get more power for your money in bigger 1 amp, so that'd be what I recomend, but if you can get a better deal with 2 smaller amps, do that. Same goes for the subs, even though I'd go with JL, if you can get a much better deal on the Alpine, do that.

With the power you're going to take pushing 2 12" of either, I would strongly recomend a cap. However your stock alternator and battery will do fine as long as they're both working correctly.

 

Speedking - Thanks for the feedback. I am on TTNET with the same screen name. I have a Z and a 7 so I frequent both boards. I haven't really had any practical "listening experience" of a custom sound system in a 7, so I don't really know about the relative loudness of having 2 12" subs vs. 1. My setup might be overkill I suppose.

ckyguy - Thanks for your feedback too. What bigger amp would you recommend instead of the 2 "smaller" ones I have outlined?

Keep your comments coming!

Thanks,
Eggman

 

wassup man. i just had my custom system installed. i'm runnin:

Head Unit: Eclipse CD8053
Components: Focal Polykevlars in the front and rear
Subs: 2 JL 10w3v2
Amps: Phoenix Gold Ti 500.4 (components) and 600.2 (subs)
Cap: Alumapro 5 farad

From my expericence these two 10s pound the **** outta my car...but at the same time it is very clear. Great subs...i highly recommend them. on the thought of 12s, i think thats a lil over kill way too loud (just my 2 cents after hearing wut 2 10s produce).

Germ

 

TheGermy - Thanks for the info. I was thinking of those subs as alternatives; I was wondering how much they would pound or not. The Focal's are probably what I'm going to go with too. Do you have any pictures of your setup?

Thanks,
Eggman

 

dont have any at the moment but will take some to show you if you like me too. i have a custom trunk so it'll give yah a couple ideas of setup and stuff. just lemme know and i'll snap a couple shots for yah.

Germ

 

Germ - Love to see those pics. Thanks!

Eggman