Im looking at getting sub bass in my '91 Accord. Have talked extensively with my preferred installer and this is what we've come up with. I'm going for an all out Alpine setup as I like to keep to themes. Will also match cosmetically with the car.

Alpine MRD-M500 monoblock
2 x 12" 4+4ohm Type S subs
Sealed box enclosure firing into the back seats

I have a round figure that Im able to play with budgetwise but what I'd like everyones opinion on is this. Type S subs are rated around 200wRMS a piece. That Alpine mono kicks out over 600 at 2ohms (saw a birth sheet for one).

Just how much better are the Rs over the S types? Basically is it a better option to give the S pair their absolute MAX power, or go for the more expensive Rs and feed them with slightly less than they can ultimately handle.

g'day,
i have two alpine S types, SVC. i'm feeding them 380w rms at 4ohm off a pioneer amp (i swear they underrate these) and mine absoloutely cranks. i reckon go with the type S, from what i've read and heard. the type r's are good but for the price you can better.
so, from saying that i'd either get two type S's and overpower them (these can take a real beating) or i'd get subs that are better than the type r's, like jl's or something.
hope this helps.
cheers.

Well, if you have the budget to get 2 Type Rs, you might as well get one IDMAX. TypeR - rrp 399 each IDMAX - rrp 849.

It isn't absolutely clear in your post but ensure you buy two woofers that each offer a total impedence of 4ohm (either single 4ohm coil or dual 2ohm coils), as this will arrive at a 2ohm load when paralleled for your MRV-M500.

The new Type S woofers that are just about to be released look like a great improvement in a couple of areas, so make sure you check these out before buying.

I bought 2 x Alpine SWS-1241 subs with an MRD-M300 in a prefab box. While I can impress those with less, I'm not happy with the sound.

I should probably have got the R series with the MRD-M500.

Just to give me some headroom, I'm going to get 2 x Focal 33KX with an MRD-M1000 this time.

Stupid me - I though $4k would get me all I wanted - should have spent a few more $k......

one of my friends mun runs 2 type s 12 s off an mrd 500 and she got second in a sound off we had a few months back. my rfriend runs 2 type s 10s off an mrd 1000 and he wone. i have just brought the dvc type s 12 and an mrd 300 and the quality i get out of it is realy good for the price. i carnt be heard comeing from long distances away but when you get in you can feal how smooth it is.

hope this helps.

yea and the new type s 12 are comeing out so wait for them

dude, how old are you?? that was a mismash or typo's and who knows what else... sorry man... I'll go to bed now

What is your excuse then SkinnyGuy? Shift keys are broken? :roll:

Back on topic though. What are your preferences - SQ? How much SPL do you really want? For SQ, its quite possible that a single 12 will be perfectly loud, but there are some times when you may just want a bit of a strong back massage at the sacrifice of SQ. It depends on your preferences.

I personally would prefer Type Rs for a SQ install, but... Not to mention other subs...

Alpine subs are quite common, it may be possible to actually go out and listen to them in various cars before choosing. Who knows where you are located though because you haven't filled in that bit of your profile. If the amount you are spending is not just pocket change, then I would suggest taking your time and actually demoing subs in cars to get an idea of how they sound. (also taking into account the install and the large contribution that front stages make to punchy kick drums and musical basslines.)

so you definatly want an all Alpine set-up?

Good advice that.

Mostly :wink:

Only thing that wont be is the headunit - an Eclipse 3421. Thanks heaps for the info so far guys. SQ is definately what the system will focus on.

You should get a type R 15" and an MRD-1000. This will give you far better sq than the type s's and should be just as loud.