Might make this a sticky.
What ohm subs and amp?When you pick out subs and an amp you need to keep your risistance in mind. Resistance being ohm load. It is probably best to pick the subs and amp at the same time so you will get the correct power and the correct ohm load. When figuring out the ohm load this is the best way I know. A dual 4 ohm sub can be wired either series or parellel. Parallel will put you at a 2 ohm load. Series will double the resistance getting you to 8 ohms. Why would you want a sub to ba at 8 ohms? Well this is for if you have 2 dual 4 ohm subs and your amp makes most of its power at 4 ohms. Run each sub in series then parallel the subs together. If your amp makes its power at 1 ohm then run both of the subs in series. Then you are at 1 ohm. When there is less resistance you will be running hotter so keep that in mind too. I prefer to be at either 2 or 4 ohms in my setups. If your amp makes most of its power at 2 ohms then you would either want a single dual 4 ohm sub or 2 dual 2 ohm subs.
What is parallel and series?
Parellel is just + to + and - to -. Easy enough
Series is for dual voice coil subs. so hook the + of vc1 to the + of the amp, Then the - of vc 2 to the - of the amp. Then hook the - of vc1 to the + of vc2.
This might be easier to read.
VC1=+ to amp, - to +VC2
VC2=- to amp, + to - of VC1
What are some good brands?
This is dependant on what you want to spend. People will swear by what they know and have heard. There are very few known brands that I have not heard. When I buy stereo equipment I look at a couple of things. Can I buy it at circuit city or best buy? If so I wont bother. When these companies sell out and begin mas producing they lower the prices and the quality of the product just to sell more. Not worth it. Alpine just did this recently. Look at the quality they have now. Garbage compared to their previous stuff. If you find it on ebay and it is a 2000 watt amp for 50 bucks you will end up with a 50 watt amp. This crunch sony or whatever stuff is garbage. You get what you pay for most of the time. Stick with the bigger names like my fav JL audio, JBL, Alpine subs, kicker, RE audio, Infinity, MTX, RF, Eclipse, Focal, MB Quart, Orion. well the list will go on forever but these are some of the safe bets in system quality. If you get some sony xplode then you wont get much out of it. Honestly you would get more from 1 decent sub and amp than you would with a pair of sony anything. Plus less weight and you wont get laughed at when you pop your trunk and show someone your system.
Sealed or ported?
This debate will go on forever. Figure it like this, Gangsta bass is better suited for a ported box. If you are a rocker or techno buff then I would go with a sealed box. Now different subs like different boxed but you will be louder and hit lower in a ported box. You will need to be sure you are tuned to the proper hz level and have enough power to run the subs, With a ported box and too little power your subs will be sloppy and actually you will hurt your subs. If you have no choice but to underpower the subs make a nice sealed box and you are good for the most part.
Where to mount the Amp?
The best place is honestly a flat spot what gets plenty of air, when you begin mounting the amps at different angles then you mess with the amps ability to dicipate heat. The #1 killer of amps is heat. Look at my cardomain page in my sig. Note the placement of my amps. Mids and highs amps tent to not work as hard as your big bass amp. Well unless you are overworking it, so you can mount these with less risk. You might also want to keep it in a place where it wont be subjested to excessive vibration. Ive seen amps mounted to boxes that broke the soldering on the inside. So the top and back of the box isn't my fav place to put amps. I have done it but prefer not to.
Facing the subs?
Just face them to the rear of the car. Look at almost every DB drag setup and you will see that is the way to go. Ive messed around with it plenty and rear facing systems have sounded louder and better all around.
If you have any questions post em and we will get it figured out.
Wiring diagrams
What ohm subs and amp?When you pick out subs and an amp you need to keep your risistance in mind. Resistance being ohm load. It is probably best to pick the subs and amp at the same time so you will get the correct power and the correct ohm load. When figuring out the ohm load this is the best way I know. A dual 4 ohm sub can be wired either series or parellel. Parallel will put you at a 2 ohm load. Series will double the resistance getting you to 8 ohms. Why would you want a sub to ba at 8 ohms? Well this is for if you have 2 dual 4 ohm subs and your amp makes most of its power at 4 ohms. Run each sub in series then parallel the subs together. If your amp makes its power at 1 ohm then run both of the subs in series. Then you are at 1 ohm. When there is less resistance you will be running hotter so keep that in mind too. I prefer to be at either 2 or 4 ohms in my setups. If your amp makes most of its power at 2 ohms then you would either want a single dual 4 ohm sub or 2 dual 2 ohm subs.
What is parallel and series?
Parellel is just + to + and - to -. Easy enough
Series is for dual voice coil subs. so hook the + of vc1 to the + of the amp, Then the - of vc 2 to the - of the amp. Then hook the - of vc1 to the + of vc2.
This might be easier to read.
VC1=+ to amp, - to +VC2
VC2=- to amp, + to - of VC1
What are some good brands?
This is dependant on what you want to spend. People will swear by what they know and have heard. There are very few known brands that I have not heard. When I buy stereo equipment I look at a couple of things. Can I buy it at circuit city or best buy? If so I wont bother. When these companies sell out and begin mas producing they lower the prices and the quality of the product just to sell more. Not worth it. Alpine just did this recently. Look at the quality they have now. Garbage compared to their previous stuff. If you find it on ebay and it is a 2000 watt amp for 50 bucks you will end up with a 50 watt amp. This crunch sony or whatever stuff is garbage. You get what you pay for most of the time. Stick with the bigger names like my fav JL audio, JBL, Alpine subs, kicker, RE audio, Infinity, MTX, RF, Eclipse, Focal, MB Quart, Orion. well the list will go on forever but these are some of the safe bets in system quality. If you get some sony xplode then you wont get much out of it. Honestly you would get more from 1 decent sub and amp than you would with a pair of sony anything. Plus less weight and you wont get laughed at when you pop your trunk and show someone your system.
Sealed or ported?
This debate will go on forever. Figure it like this, Gangsta bass is better suited for a ported box. If you are a rocker or techno buff then I would go with a sealed box. Now different subs like different boxed but you will be louder and hit lower in a ported box. You will need to be sure you are tuned to the proper hz level and have enough power to run the subs, With a ported box and too little power your subs will be sloppy and actually you will hurt your subs. If you have no choice but to underpower the subs make a nice sealed box and you are good for the most part.
Where to mount the Amp?
The best place is honestly a flat spot what gets plenty of air, when you begin mounting the amps at different angles then you mess with the amps ability to dicipate heat. The #1 killer of amps is heat. Look at my cardomain page in my sig. Note the placement of my amps. Mids and highs amps tent to not work as hard as your big bass amp. Well unless you are overworking it, so you can mount these with less risk. You might also want to keep it in a place where it wont be subjested to excessive vibration. Ive seen amps mounted to boxes that broke the soldering on the inside. So the top and back of the box isn't my fav place to put amps. I have done it but prefer not to.
Facing the subs?
Just face them to the rear of the car. Look at almost every DB drag setup and you will see that is the way to go. Ive messed around with it plenty and rear facing systems have sounded louder and better all around.
If you have any questions post em and we will get it figured out.
Wiring diagrams
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