Best sub (10 or 12") around $100 to handle 400W RMS?

benimal

Member
Folks:
Ok I'm working on a limited budget as the wife let me spend a little money on a car audio system. I plan on purchasing a set of CDT CL-61as and CL-6Xs from TheZeb. I will be powering the front components with a Hifonics Nemesis NX880 (110W x 2). The rear (door) speakers will run off the stock Kenwood HU. I plan on upgrading the big three as well, so that I don't need to run a cap or deal with dimming issues. Last but not least, I will also get some sort of wiring setup, just not sure what.

I am now torn as to what sub to get. I have about $100 for the sub (+ shipping). I don't want to buy off ebay or buy someone elses used sub. I'm looking for a single 10" or 12" sub that will handle ~ 400W+ RMS from the amp (2 channels bridged). The sub will be in a small sealed enclosure (1 cu ft or less) in my trunk. I prefer SQ over SPL. Since I will be running a single sub, I don't care if it's SVC or DVC so long as the final impedance ends up being 4 ohms. I would prefer though, to get a sub that closely matches those specs as opposed to one with a lower RMS rating where I have to turn down my gains.

So far here are the ones I have seen that might do the trick. Let me know your thoughts on these or others. I would like to stay away from the more boomy mainstream stuff (MTX, RF, Alpine, Kicker). I've owned Kicker and JL Audio subs and am now ready to try something new. I am not too inclined to try eD given all that I've read of them (as of late). I have not auditioned any of the subs below as I don't know any places around here that sell them.

Phoenix Gold Ti10[D] (can be had new for ~ $90) - requires heavy duty box (1" MDF with serious bracing) but can handle 500W RMS.

Phoenix Gold Ti12D (factory renewed for $90) - not too keen on the factory renewed part, but damn a PG Ti12D for under $100!$%^

Adire Shiva 12" ($125 + shipping) - dual 8ohm coils, but requires a bigger box (~ 1.5 cu ft based on what I've read)

CDT Audio CL-1215 (now on special at TheZeb for $100) - seems to be a good fit at 400W RMS, but can't find any reviews on them. Would be nice to have an all CDT system I suppose, but it's not the end of the world if I don't.

I'd like to purchase a simple prefab box if I can, but the quality ones I've seen are either from Subzone (ok for $50) or SubZero (nice but twice as much as subzone). I realize I could probably make the box myself for cheaper, but the fact is that I don't really wanna if I don't have to.

As you can tell, this won't be a show car... just make my commute that much more enjoyable. Since I'm only planning to spend $100 on the sub, I don't expect to get the best thing out there, but something decent would be nice.

Thanks.
Ben
 
Cant go wrong with either of your choices , Id go with the adire sub just to be different. Components are a wise choice too.
 
bonesmp5 said:
why only the 4ohm impedance -- just curious
When the 2 rear channels are bridged, they should be putting out 440W RMS @ 4 ohms (according to the specs). Actually the specs for the sub are 110W x 4 @ 4 ohms, 220W x 4 @ 2 ohms, and 440W x 2 @ 4 ohms. So since I'll be using channels 1 and 2 for the components, I can bridge the reas and power the sub.

Thanks.
Ben
 
2k3 PrO RiDa said:
hey i know this is way off topic but where do you live at benimal?
I'm in Sarah's Creek... off Wells Branch. Know where the HEB is @ 35 & 1825? Well I'm like a mile from there.

Ben
 
pimpprotege69 said:
Cant go wrong with either of your choices , Id go with the adire sub just to be different. Components are a wise choice too.
Pimp... thanks for the feedback. Yeah I've heard so many good things about the Shiva that I'm leaning towards it. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and just build a box, cause I haven't seen many 1.5 cu. ft sealed boxes. I just didn't wanna lose all trunk space, but I guess 1.5 cu. ft is better than some of the monsters I've seen in peoples' trunks.

Thanks again.
Ben
 
benimal said:
Pimp... thanks for the feedback. Yeah I've heard so many good things about the Shiva that I'm leaning towards it. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and just build a box, cause I haven't seen many 1.5 cu. ft sealed boxes. I just didn't wanna lose all trunk space, but I guess 1.5 cu. ft is better than some of the monsters I've seen in peoples' trunks.

Thanks again.
Ben
Have you considered image dynamic?
 
I'm in Sarah's Creek... off Wells Branch. Know where the HEB is @ 35 & 1825? Well I'm like a mile from there.

Ben<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->
o ok.I live in blackhawk and was just curious because someone just moved in down the street from me with a black msp.Im not sure what color car you have though.
 
pluto316 said:
The more I hear about eD, the more I am going Image Dynamic next time.

(bang)
Well rest a bit easier, the only one that has ever really insulted there perfomance is me. Most everyone else likes them. Its their reliability, customer support, and especialy warrenty issues that are of major concern.
 
1sty said:
HOws your sub by the way?
Did reseating it help?
Haven't even gotten to that yet...reseating it will be a pain in the ass too...I may as well just build a new box for it. I keep thinking about going FG and taking that false floor out. On a side note...I went to a Tweeter hiring event tonight...might be getting a sales job at my local store. Go in there, make some money, and drop some knowledge. :)
 
pluto316 said:
The more I hear about eD, the more I am going Image Dynamic next time.

(bang)
I'm seriously considering it when I get some cash up. The ID Chameleon components seem very nice and an IDQ sub would go great with my 250/1. I want to hear the stuff first if at all possible, though. :)
 
1sty said:
Have you considered image dynamic?
1sty, Actually I had considered ID, but I didn't know if any of their subs in the $100 range would meet those specs. Since I was gonna be running about 400+ W RMS to the sub, I figured I'd need an IDQ at least. From what I've seen, a 12" IDQ runs at least $160... a bit above my price range. If you know of some place cheaper to get them please let me know. I've heard only good things about ID.

Thanks.
Ben
 
2k3 PrO RiDa said:
o ok.I live in blackhawk and was just curious because someone just moved in down the street from me with a black msp.Im not sure what color car you have though.
Wife and I were considering BlackHawk for our next house. Trouble is that SH45 might be too close to that area for our comfort.

I have seen a couple other black MSPs - one a couple weeks ago on 183 & Pond Springs. The guy waved to me. I've also seen some in a parking garage right by my work. BTW, mine is a *dirty* black MSP. My baby needs a bath, but I can never wake up early enough on the weekends to give it to her.

Ben
 
servoeyes said:
Haven't even gotten to that yet...reseating it will be a pain in the ass too...I may as well just build a new box for it. I keep thinking about going FG and taking that false floor out. On a side note...I went to a Tweeter hiring event tonight...might be getting a sales job at my local store. Go in there, make some money, and drop some knowledge. :)
You may want to leave me off the reference list. Kyle too.
I don't think we'll help :D
 
servoeyes said:
I'm seriously considering it when I get some cash up. The ID Chameleon components seem very nice and an IDQ sub would go great with my 250/1. I want to hear the stuff first if at all possible, though. :)
I called Image once to get a list of dealers and they tell me that the closest is in CT. I asked who's the north east Rep. They said they didn't have one. I asked if that was why they only had one New England store. The woman on the phone actualy said...."hmmm, I guess it is".

I've heard the Camelians a few times and really like them.
 
benimal said:
1sty, Actually I had considered ID, but I didn't know if any of their subs in the $100 range would meet those specs. Since I was gonna be running about 400+ W RMS to the sub, I figured I'd need an IDQ at least. From what I've seen, a 12" IDQ runs at least $160... a bit above my price range. If you know of some place cheaper to get them please let me know. I've heard only good things about ID.

Thanks.
Ben
Simple to solve, get a less powerful amp and save some money :D
Or simply turn the gain down. The reality is that basicly NO $100 sub is going to live a long life with a real 400 watts rms on it. If it does then its not going to have a warrenty from the manufacturer or will be from an online vendor that has warrent loops holes so to speak.
 

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