Completely new to Subs

[todd5854]

I just got a 12 inch JL Sub from a friend for cheap. Now I know from previous experiments with speakers that cabinets have to be a certain size. for a 12 inch JL Audio that is 1.5m3

I'm putting the cabinet from the back end of my '97 LS to the wheel well on the right side, since on the left is that little light in the trunk. The speaker can handle 300 watts peak, and 125 constantly. I'm fine with all the technical stuff.

But my question is, how do I wire the amp to it from the battery located in the front? Where's the best place to run the wires through. I've seen people put them under the inner door sills, but I'd like the best place.

For a 125 watt speaker do I even need a capacitor? What gauge wire should I use? Also my head unit has a sub out, with 75 or 125hz filter. The sub out could also be a rear out, its switchable. So if I don't like those filters I can set my own from an amp.

The JL Audio 12w0 that I have runs at 4 ohms. I found an amp that runs that for cheap. What do you guys think of this amp? Cheap, I know but I only want one sub.
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_16644_Pioneer-GM-5400T.html

And I also see its a two channel amp. Going out of the amp should I bridge the left and right signals so it combines to a mono? Or do I NEED a mono amp?

 

[jcrabb13]

cabinet = box. that threw me at first. lol if you want something with a clean look over on the side get someone to fiberglass something over there. make sure you can still access your taillight to replace bulbs afterwards.

I ran mine under the door sills, works fine.

0 gauge wont hurt, and go ahead and get enough for the big three upgrade under the hood.

capacitors are a waste of time. use the 75 filter. mines set to like 80 on the amp.

you dont NEED a mono amp, bridged will work fine. i use to rock this amp;

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_11901_Clarion-APX290M.html

and it hit hard. i wanna say it was pre-wired for the bridge mode...cant remember.

i think that answers all your questions.

 

[todd5854]

Nice amp! I have an idea what I'm going to do. Definitely looking into fiberglass though. Im pretty close to just buying one though, they aren't that expensive. I can work the fiberglass around it to make it look clean.

I asked about the capacitor because my Polk speakers make my lights dim at high volumes. Only when the engine is off, though. I'm guessing I would kill a few batteries running this with the ignition off for more than 2.4 seconds.. lol ..

Also how is the amp turned on? I read about a "power on" wire that goes from the head unit to the amp.. is this true? How reliable is that? Don't want a dead battery.. I read that i think its a white and blue one but not sure.

 

[Prozon]

Your speakers make your lights dim? My lights do not dim even with the subs bumping.

Edit:
Actually I don't know if it does with the engine off, but I know i've listened to the music with subs bumping for several hours with the engine off and it never killed my battery. (Two 10's, only about 600w..)

My amp is wired to a signal wire on my deck. I BELIEVE it's also hooked to my auto antenna, but I could be wrong. If you can't figure anything out you could always hook to the accessory wire. (Red wire on the deck.) That should be the "Key On" power. But like I mentioned there should be some sort of signal wire.

 

[BeatBox]

cabinet = box. that threw me at first. lol if you want something with a clean look over on the side get someone to fiberglass something over there. make sure you can still access your taillight to replace bulbs afterwards.

I ran mine under the door sills, works fine.

0 gauge wont hurt, and go ahead and get enough for the big three upgrade under the hood.

capacitors are a waste of time. use the 75 filter. mines set to like 80 on the amp.

you dont NEED a mono amp, bridged will work fine.

i think that answers all your questions.

x2 what kind of sub do you have exactly? gotta make sure you wire it to the right ohm load, that piooner amp is not worth it IMO, how much are you looking to spend on an amp? this would be a good option, i was gonna buy one for my highs similar to this http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_33008_MB-Quart-FX1.600.html

most subs will need a different eclosure depending on what sub it is, i usually make my own the prefab suck and for half the price you can make something way better

you can get a 4g amp kit and you would be fine for what you are running, after market deck would be good to have too, the remote wire goes to the blue wire on the after market deck and it turns on your amp

hope that helps

 

[DAWGSwlms22]

and the "power wire" you mentioned, are you talking about the remote wire?
assuming its the same thing, its just a wire that run from your head unit to your amp. it's usually a small wire (not sure what gauge though) that just sends a small current to your amp to turn it on when your headunit is on. some people put a switch on the wire, so they can turn the subs off whenever they're playing songs that just don't need subs. i have mine straight to the radio.

 

[jcrabb13]

my lights dim sometimes, but its not bad. the big three upgrade will help with that. google is your friend on that one.

 

[ricardofavela11]

my lights dim sometimes, but its not bad. the big three upgrade will help with that. google is your friend on that one.

Don't pay attention to the PEAK POWER...concentrate on the RMS. The RMS is the real number you are looking for. So don't buy a big ass amp so you wont blow out your sub. JL Audio is my favorite brand so your pretty much good to go..

 

[BeatBox]

Don't pay attention to the PEAK POWER...concentrate on the RMS. The RMS is the real number you are looking for. So don't buy a big ass amp so you wont blow out your sub. JL Audio is my favorite brand so your pretty much good to go..

yup thats what you wanna look at, some subs can handle more than what they are rated for too
you can always bet a bigger amp than you need but it still would, make sure you get you setting right and DONT TURN THE GAIN ALL THE WAY UP

 

[ricardofavela11]

yup thats what you wanna look at, some subs can handle more than what they are rated for too
you can always bet a bigger amp than you need but it still would, make sure you get you setting right and DONT TURN THE GAIN ALL THE WAY UP

I have my gain at -3 so never turn it up, and you are right. The ppl who are selling the product want the customers to see that the sub cant have a PEAK power at 1,000 watts but RMS at 250. They just do that to trick you in thinking that the sub can produce that much power, I mean it can but thats the limit line to where the sub will pop haha..tricky bastards lol...

I have the gain at-3 and my bass knob right under half ways and rattles the shit out of my teg hahaha, you only need one sub since they are hatches...

 

[BeatBox]

I have my gain at -3 so never turn it up, and you are right. The ppl who are selling the product want the customers to see that the sub cant have a PEAK power at 1,000 watts but RMS at 250. They just do that to trick you in thinking that the sub can produce that much power, I mean it can but thats the limit line to where the sub will pop haha..tricky bastards lol...

I have the gain at-3 and my bass knob right under half ways and rattles the s*** out of my teg hahaha, you only need one sub since they are hatches...

yeah they do the same sht with amps "ohh its a 2k watt amp but it does 1200 rms" WTF lol

i had two 12's in mine but i have 2-3 layers for FatMat (like dynamat) all over it so it sounded clear
im going for something alittle bigger now

EDIT: what kind of amp do you have for you highs?

 

[ricardofavela11]

yeah they do the same sht with amps "ohh its a 2k watt amp but it does 1200 rms" WTF lol

i had two 12's in mine but i have 2-3 layers for FatMat (like dynamat) all over it so it sounded clear
im going for something alittle bigger now

EDIT: what kind of amp do you have for you highs?

Yea Dyna Mat makes a bigg asssss diference. Adds a lot of weight, but big difference.
Yea that amp sounds good enough, BUT what kind of amp is it? And what 12's were you bumpin?

I have two amps. One Audiobahn 1300HCT Mono for the Sub, and Power Technique (kind of ghetto brand) 1000 watt amp to my fronts and 6x9's. The highs are fucking amazing but I wanna get some higher end component speakers. My driver side 6.5 is blown But it still sounds good hahaha...

 

[BeatBox]

Yea Dyna Mat makes a bigg asssss diference. Adds a lot of weight, but big difference.
Yea that amp sounds good enough, BUT what kind of amp is it? And what 12's were you bumpin?

I have two amps. One Audiobahn 1300HCT Mono for the Sub, and Power Technique (kind of ghetto brand) 1000 watt amp to my fronts and 6x9's. The highs are f***ing amazing but I wanna get some higher end component speakers. My driver side 6.5 is blown But it still sounds good hahaha...

ahh I C

i was just using that as an example thats what shtty amp companies do to sell their crap

my build is in the link

im just doing a Crescendo BC5500 does 5600 rms at 13volts on 2-18in DC audio subs
i have 2 sets of Infinity components up front one set in the front doors and another sick in the kick panels

back OT, post what model JL audio sub it is when u get a chance

 

[todd5854]

The sticker on the bottom of the 12 inch JL Sub says 12w0, so i'm assuming that's what it is. 125 watts RMS. I don't need it to shake windows, or anything. I picked the pioneer because walmart sells it for $58. I'll look at the sub more later. There's a serial number and Im on this site at school.. lol. really i don't care what kind of amp it is as long as it does its job... looking at used ones too, not too much luck on craigslist. maybe an ebay refurbished unit would do alright.

My radio actually shuts off due to lack of power when i turn my speakers up real loud. i might need a new battery, im not sure. just bought the car so it's possible. takes slightly longer to start on cold days too.

yeah i mean the remote wire. What color is it? how do i know which one it is..? i bet its the same one that makes the antenna go up and down, because that same color (ASSUMING its the one that i think it is) on my truck didn't have a connector for the ford wiring harness.

 

[todd5854]

What do you guys think of these?

DUAL 580watt
http://cgi.ebay.com/DUAL-580-WATT-2-1-CHANNEL-AMP-CAR-STEREO-SUB-AMPLIFIER-/380318398018?pt=Car_Amplifiers&hash=item588cbe3642

PYLE 400watt
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-PYLE-400w-MARINE-2-CHANNEL-STEREO-SUB-AMPLIFIER-AMP-/200592257768?pt=Car_Amplifiers&hash=item2eb43af2e8

Which of these is crappiest? I'm guessing dual is junk because their subs sell for $30 at walmart. I'll probably buy that Pioneer at walmart for the $58 honestly. didn't see any bad reviews on it.