The best amp and subs on the market?

[Doc Matt]

Is JL Audio one of the best makes of subs? do they do amps too?
I'd like to purchase some amps and subs and would like to choose a recommended make. :) :)

I thought vibe was good, its just they use excellent marketing and their products are not the best :mad:

[BigFas]

Vibe is junk. It's aimed at the "max power" crew which in itself isn't bad but, it's more show than go, for people who think bigger is better.

JL Audio is certainly one of the class leaders, they do the entry level W0 range, through to the ultimate W7's with amps to match each appllication.

I'm running 2 JL 10's (W3's) with an amp powering each. In my convertible it thumps hard, you can have a listen on Sunday.

[MistaSmiff]

Vibe! no!, don't even think about putting VIBE in your M3!!

JL make this http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/10w7.html it's an incredible sub that plays well throughout the bass range, one of these is enough if your limited for space, if your not then go for the 12" version :eek: . You'll need a decent amp to drive it, me tuppence worth. :p

[peppernick]

When it comes to ICE, there's nothing as the best. To each his own, what sounds brilliant to you may sound mediocre to another. Also, how much you want to spend.

I realised that with ICE you can't single out a piece of equipment and call it the best. Every single piece that make up the install contribute in some way to the overall performance; and that even includes which type of wood you use to house the speakers and which sound deadening material you choose!

Best thing is, go out and listen for yourself. Only you can judge. I'm still very new to ICE and hence the approach I took.....spend more on the install and get a feel of things before splashing out on more expensive hardware, after all you can easily rip out the old amps/speakers to put in the new but a lot more difficult to change RCA cables to better quality ones without ripping half the car out.

[Afif]

As for a best sub people say its personal preference. Yes and No. There are subs which are mechanially and acoustically VERY good at reproducing sound regardless of people opinions. Its whether your ears are accustomed to listening to better quality music. I know people who dont like the sound of quality reproduction and rely simply on how loud it gets. The fact is alot of people wouldnt be able to hear the differences between alot of subs anyways.

JL is a safe bet. You pay the price tag but there stuff is usually a safe call for sure. Like nick said the install is very important. You can make even a W7 sound like crap if you dont install it properly (even though it would take some doing ;) ).

if your on a budget decide what your after. SPL (basically how loud it goes) or SQ (The actual quality of the reproduction). Then chose a subwoofer/amp combination to suit that better or if you go for something like the W7 which gives great quality but still in the right box can seriously bump :D. I think the W3's that JL do are pretty impressive after hearing Fas's and steves. I couldnt comment on how loud they get though since havent had the chance to hear them at really high volume! ;).

Im definately not a fan of vibe from what ive heard of their woofers. The problem although is everytime ive heard a vibe sub it has been poorly installed in a lesser sealed car without any dynamatting so you get things like rattling which makes it hard to judge the quality of the actual sub.

Some basic things you may want to take into consideration is the fact yours is a very limiting boot space aswell as amount of bass that gets through ect... but Fas will be in a better place to comment on that stuff :cool:.

.........anyways sorry for the essay but just taking a break from thinking about my exam in the morning [bang

[Raj]

Couldn't agree with you more guys. It really is personal preference. There are some great makes producing some great components. Orion, Soundstream, JL, Boston Acoustics are to name a few. It depends heavily upon budget and what type of music you listen too.
Matt, I have a very good friend who does all my fitting in Brum. If you want, you can always go down and have a chat to him as well.

[benny boy]

i agree jl rocks but audiobahn do a nice range of subs and also rockford fosgate vibe entry range isnt all that good but have you the top end of vibe is quite good but not as good as jl w7 is the best [ok

[330-Singh]

I can highly recommend Kicker, I used to have a Kicker set-up in my old E36 and I was well impressed. The Solobaric Square Subs are absolutely wikid....they drop some serious bass due to being able to cover a large surface area (being square). Not mention they have the sexiest looking subs I have seen! :D

Like already mentioned, JL are very rated too. Along with Rockford Fosgate etc.

[Doc Matt]

Thanks for the info. Just one more question....

I have heard that there are subs that don't need boxes, and are designed to work by them selves in just the boot kind of independantly is this right and are they more expensive?

thanks

[MistaSmiff]

Doc, a few options for you.

http://www.autoacoustics.com/sb-cb392c.htm
or
http://www.autoacoustics.com/sbo-e464.htm
or
http://www.autoacoustics.com/sbn-e464.htm

:D :D

[BigFas]

Thanks for the info. Just one more question....

I have heard that there are subs that don't need boxes, and are designed to work by them selves in just the boot kind of independantly is this right and are they more expensive?

thanks


They're called "free-air" subs. Not necessarily more expensive, but very clever in their design in that they use the boot as the enclosure and are very effective. Harsha has a friend who has recently installed an 8" free air sub and mono amp into his M3 convertible, (JL Audio items) and it's bloody effective.

[benny boy]

never been a fan of free air subs due to the installs have seen with free air have been crap but some people like free air :D

[Shuriken]

How do free air subs work then?! My limited knowledge of ICE has me confused..

Shuriken.

[benny boy]

free air subs are normally put in a parcel shelf or simlar type of thing and use th air around sub to get bass i think any way [hmm but what ever you mount the sub into has to be soild as a rock