33 replies to this topic

[TERRA Operative]

I am currently planning a system for my Ford Cortina.

Here is the layout so far:
Alpine SPX-177R splits in 15 litre vented door pods driven by a PDX-2.150 amp
and
Alpine SWX-1242D 12" 4 ohm DVC sub in a sealed ~40 litre enclosure driven by a PDX-1.1000 amp
I havent decided on source unit yet.

My question is, is the SWX-1242D any good for SQ? I've seen a bit of talk about the R-series, but not much on the X-series. Is the SWX any good, or should I go for the SWR?

[~Spyne~]

the type x subs are supposed to be very good for sq, i believe they are the sub of choice up in queensland (or it would seem many sq competitors use them)
the only drawback for the type x is it's low efficiency - it takes a fair bit of power to get it pumping (compared to other subs)

from what i hear, i would think the type x is streets ahead of the type r in terms of sq

[TERRA Operative]

Awesome, looks like I'll end up with the rest of the pack up here then. I'll be driving it with the 1000W RMS amp and it's in a small cabin, so the efficiency shouldn't be much of a problem.

Any idea on pricing?

[mommers188]

SWX-1242D RRP: $699. Street prices are generally a fair bit lower.

[~thematt~]

May I ask why the 2-channel PDX??

IIRC its only an extra 150-200 for the 4, both have same power per channel ratings, yet the 4 can be bridged to boot some serious numbers (No-one can really sneeze at 300x2at 14.4) or you can run active two-ways, rears....etc.....the upgrade abilities are so much more diverse....

Personally Id tag the 4 (but thats just me of course)....and Im curious as to why you didnt......

Plus, how do you intend to setup a 'vented' front stage?

The X is a nice woofer. Defintely SQ material IMO, whereas I have always found the R to be more SPL or just plain 'loud' (My brother has a propensity for them...). Though, like Spyne said, they do require some power (sensitivity is only 83dB) but seeing as you want the PDX1.1000, I doubt you will find such power lacking. Unless of course you start comparing its volume with other woofers.

rrp's across the board are 699-2ch, 899-4ch, 1199-1ch, with the Type R about 399-ish and the X about 699-ish. Someone on here could confirm/correct these for you.

Now the big question. Have you thought of any other brands for your gear?

Edited by ~thematt~, 09 July 2006 - 12:47 AM.

[TERRA Operative]

I just decided on the 2 channel because I won't ever be using rear speakers in the car (It will be a stripped out street legal track car), and hence the sub enclosure, as well as the door pods will be removeable for weight reduction. Also the Cortina is a small car, hardly needing rear fill for anything but competition use. (I had a Fusion system when they seemed good, with similar setup in my old Cortina as proposed, albeit less power and no door pods...)
You make a good point on active 2-ways... may think some more on this.

I am more into SQ now, I'm past the 'Hektic sub uleh' stage. My brother has an 8 speaker Fusion system that I can get my loud fix in anyway, SQ is all I want now.

The front stage will be in fibreglass enclosures (Carbon fibre if there's any left from the custom bonnets etc... ) Made to around 10 - 15L. A single 2.75cm 4cm long port per enclosure will be added to create a tuned frequency of around 46Hz (@ 15L). It will be crossed over to the sub at 150 Hz as the port air velocity rises to 16m/s as you approach 50Hz (don't want any port noise...), also there are two large impedance spikes at 70Hz and 30Hz. Power handling seems to drop off after 120Hz also, possibly due to the enclosure approaching the port tuned frequency.
I want to try to get as close to 15L as possible as the 1st port resonance is at 4300Hz at this box size/port length combination, well above the crossover to the tweeter (the crossover in the alpine specs varies with driver placement, but doesnt go over 3500Hz). So basically I am trying to tune any inconsistencies in response to frequencies the speaker won't see.

Is 15 Litres too big for a door pod? I have a mental image of it being about the size of 2 shoe boxes. I'll be moulding it into the door as well as out, to get the maximum size possible.

I have had a bit of a look at other brands, but haven't been in 'the scene' for a while, (I can remember when Sony once made passable subwoofers...) I don't want to spend super uber dollars (DLS 3-ways are above my price range) but I want something good. I'll have to go audition some Focals and whatever else. Any suggestions? I would like to stick with the Alpine amps however, as their small size and weight suits my application.

Thanks heaps for the help. This is my first 'serious' car audio system, so I want it to be good.

[LordWorm]

mommers188, on Jul 9 2006, 12:43 AM, said:

SWX-1242D RRP: $699. Street prices are generally a fair bit lower.

Curious as to a guestimate on "street prices".. I've done some ringing around for simillar equipment for my setup (still tossing up between 2 Type S subs with Type X componants, or 2 Type X subs and hte noodle diet for a month) - and they all quote the RRP.

By "fair bit lower" can these things be had for around the $500 mark?

[mooingchicken]

no shop will give you there lowerest price over the phone u have to go in and even do abit of bartering to get "street prices"

[HooDs]

2 Type X 12's is an overkill.

[LordWorm]

mooingchicken, on Jul 9 2006, 07:01 PM, said:

no shop will give you there lowerest price over the phone u have to go in and even do abit of bartering to get "street prices"

But of course. However, I wanna know what kinda price they are gunna gimme i.e. whats a reasonable "street price" =)

Considering i'd be buying lots of stuff i'd be expecting a reasonable discount... however, i'll probably be expecting too much - so an estimate would be great =)

HooDs, on Jul 9 2006, 07:03 PM, said:

2 Type X 12's is an overkill.

Care to explain why? I've always been told (and have always read) that 2 is better than one, 3 is better than 2 and so forth.... I thought it was a question of as many as you could fit, and not have to drive the subs at anywhere near their limits - thus ensuring crisp clean bass.
I'm by no means an expert though..and would love to know why...perhaps in a PM so as not to hijack TERRA Operative's thread.....

[TERRA Operative]

Hey Lordworm, fancy seeing you here...

Post here on the dual subs thing, I'm interested.

[TimothyB]

2 will be louder, but will cost more and will take up more space and plus 1 $800 sub will outdo 2 $400 subs. Something like that anyway, I'm still a n00b

[LordWorm]

TimothyB, on Jul 9 2006, 09:17 PM, said:

2 will be louder, but will cost more and will take up more space and plus 1 $800 sub will outdo 2 $400 subs. Something like that anyway, I'm still a n00b

Volume is what the volume knob is for....just because you have 2 doesnt mean you drive them at anywhere near the same volume.. the way i understand it, for the same volume, they need to do half the amount of work, or something like that.. more control.

85L box or something in that ballpark is fine for my car.

and, a $800 sub might sound better than 2 $400 subs, but then would not 2 $800 subs sound better than 1 $800 sub?

I dunno, i'm a n00b too...TERRA Operative isnt...let him explain

[TERRA Operative]

Ah, no. Not this again.
Ok, I'll just have to copy and paste from the Astina forums....

At the moment, I think the only thing stopping LordWorm from aquiring 2 SWX subs is his girl...

Stuff it, here's the link to the thread. I'm pretty sure what I wrote is almost correct...

Linky

[LordWorm]

TERRA Operative, on Jul 9 2006, 09:29 PM, said:

Ah, no. Not this again.
Ok, I'll just have to copy and paste from the Astina forums....

At the moment, I think the only thing stopping LordWorm from aquiring 2 SWX subs is his girl...

Stuff it, here's the link to the thread. I'm pretty sure what I wrote is almost correct...

Linky

Just put the girl in the sub box, where i cant hear her complain over the bass =)

kidding - of course =)