My TBSS audio plan... Need lots of help

**darkhorizon** · 10-06-2011

This is going to be a short post.... I am basically just going to list what I have, what I want, and then I need some help figuring out how to get there.

First off, what I have.

Pioneer AVIC-D3 is installed into the TBSS right now, appears to have stock front speakers running off of the headunit, rear speakers do not work at all, unknown reason.

In my other cars, I have a ton of equipment I am going to demod out of them....

2 12inch alpine S-types in a sealed box. DVC 2ohm style.
1 mono alpine amp good for 1 ohm, currently running the stypes in 4 ohm.
a slightly broken 2 channel 200watt amp.
a pile of nice 6x9 coaxials.
a component set in my GTP (I believe that would be 5 1/4?

My guess is I need to pick up a 4channel amp, and probably some speakers for the rear doors (ill deal with some coaxials back there). I can then put new tweets and stuff in to replace my stock bose stuff (if you guys think it would be a good upgrade).

So, give me some ideas... Currently I am thinking 1 vented stype 12 for solid bass, transplant the component set, keep the avic-d3, amp the front/rear speakers with a new 4channel.

My other bass option would include installing the full dual 12 setup, in either sealed or vented configuration... I am looking for CLEAN bass in this setup.. I did the loud thing, and my ears are just too party pooper now to handle the ear splitting stuff. I want something that has volume and some punch, but not so much of that 50hrz ear explosion that the full setup would do to me in my gtp.

**Fatboy501** · 10-06-2011

50Hz explosion huh? I know what you mean... my car does that from 28-30Hz. Your plan will work out just fine.... I'll recommend the APSM4050 for a budget 4-channel that performs well. The Crescendo 1000c4 is also on sale for $199.99 at the moment, and that thing is a monster. Sealed or ported is up to you... a ported box can indeed have clean bass. That is all in how it is built, and it's utilization in your vehicle. However, for simplicity, and since you don't necessarily want loud, the 2 12s wired down to 1ohm would work fine in your case, adding the little extra kick in the butt that I suspect you're after.

**darkhorizon** · 10-06-2011

I need to know more about how a sealed box works in a Trailblazer vs my car.. My car had less than desireable results most of the time with the sealed box no matter how much tuning i did.

**matt5112** · 10-06-2011

Try a sealed 18 this time.

**Fatboy501** · 10-06-2011

I'd agree with Matt... the SSA 18s do very nice sealed. What kind of response are you looking for? In an SUV, the loudest orientation, proven time and time again, is subs up/port back... but you said you didn't really want loud, which is why I didn't recommend this. Honestly, I'd try out your current box in the TBSS, and then start looking for alternatives if you don't like it.

**darkhorizon** · 10-06-2011

Thanks for the current suggestions, keep them coming! Think "SQ" not loud per say.

Recent development.... I saw some shiny chrome under the speaker grills today because it was nice and sunny out.... I am thinking they have coaxials in all 4 doors.

**Fatboy501** · 10-09-2011

Did you do anymore investigation into the speakers already present in your vehicle? Also, I will again point to matt's suggestion for a sealed 18, specifically the SSA XCon... those things are known to have some serious sq while still being able to get rowdy.

**darkhorizon** · 10-10-2011

yes, they are pioneer coaxials in all 4 doors, stock 1.5inch (horrible sounding) tweets in the dash.

**I800C0LLECT** · 10-10-2011

Hrmmm. I'll start with the sub since that's what everybody is talking about. If you want clean that you need to keep distortion down as well as transition properly with your mid. That means you want the setup to be mechanically clean. Two ways to do that on a budget:

1) Big ass speaker

Less cone movement(excursion) = less stress. Less stress = cleaner sound.
2) Multiple cheap speakers to lower cone movement. Each additional speaker adds 3db and reduces the excursion/stress of each speaker.

One thing to remember though is that excursion is physically needed based on the frequency being reproduced. So it all boils down to one thing...displacement is KING. Meaning, you want as much cone area as possible.

I think an 18" sealed is a great idea. Or go find a great deal on some cheap 12" speakers.

In the end, all you need is some decent highs installed relatively "right" and one big ass sub. Get a nice 4 channel amp to run it all, two channels up front and two channels bridged and you're good to go!

Probably only need ~400 watts for the 18" in your setup so long as the box is done right. you can always build a ported based on WinISD or a similar program and then seal it up as needed so you can get an A/B comparison of what sounds best for you.

**darkhorizon** · 10-10-2011

considering I have a pile of quality 12inch subs... do I REALLY want to go out hunting for a big single? I imagine a legit 18 is going to require a fairly large box... while my 2 12s would probably require about the same amount of overall volume... and offer me a bit more flexability on placement.

**Fatboy501** · 10-10-2011

By all means, if you already have the 12s, give it a shot. No need to go buying subs... I wasn't aware that you already had some. Just start trying out boxes.

Edit: Nvm, I see you have the type S subs... reading owns me. They should do what you need since you aren't really looking to get loud.... I'd definitely start experimenting with boxes, and box placement.

**I800C0LLECT** · 10-10-2011

Why not add a 3rd type S?

I didn't forget about the Type S speakers. You want to shoot for "symmetry" when placing the speakers in an effort to reduce any phase issues. That's the biggest positive for a single speaker setup; less tuning issues.

**darkhorizon** · 10-10-2011

I wont lie here... I am basically looking for the equal to a bazooka tube in terms of bass requirements here... I like a good thump, but REALLY want to get away from tuning out the mess that some songs create (for example, LMFAO party rock anthem has a really driving XXhrz beat, that just blows my ears up, while other stuff in that song sounds downright quiet.

**I800C0LLECT** · 10-10-2011

Unfortunately, there's a lot of songs these days that are EQ'ed when recorded to sound better in crappy stock speakers

I throw **** out the window when that happens in my car

**darkhorizon** · 10-10-2011

iPod, meet pavement.

**Fatboy501** · 10-11-2011

Bazooka tube eh? The two 12s you currently have sealed should do that with no problem. Hell, possibly one.

**darkhorizon** · 10-11-2011

the "hell possibly 1" part is what I am looking for here.... I reallllllly think I could get away with 1 in the trunk of a gtp... wouldnt a TBSS let me get more volume out of a single sealed? Was also thinking about a single ported setup... space savings would be great, as well as ear bleeding reduced on 'throw it out the window' songs.