New Setup - Sub & Amp suggestions (I know, real original title)

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Hey guys,

So this summer I'm gonna redo my sub setup in my trunk. I'm going to build a "stealth" setup to angle-match the rear 60/40 seats. On the 60-side I'm gonna build an amp rack, and on the 40-side will be the (probably) sealed enclosure. Since these will be angle-matched flush (as possible) against the back seat, and the goal is to maintain as much trunk space as possible, I'm thinking the box and amp rack will be relatively shallow, and therefore, box space will be limited.

Well, this brings me to my questions. I've been mulling things over for a while now, and I can't decide what to do as far as products go. I'm leaning towards an SQ oriented 12 (IDMAX, if I could find one, or something along those lines) but since I'm limited on cu-ft here, I don't know what my options are.

Also, working off of that, I'm currently running 2 alpine SWE-1241's in a ported enclosure (1.7 cuft. @ 31 Htz (I think)) and they are only being powered by a MTX 421D. So each sub is seeing ~ 120 watts or so (weak, i know). This brings me to my next predicament - power. I thought 500+ watts would be a good upgrade from where I'm at, so perhaps a sub that can handle that sort of power. I see the IDMAX I mentioned can do anywhere between 200 and 1000 watts, but I don't know if thats gonna fit the bill for what I'm working with.

And then, there comes the question of a new amp to power this newfound sub. I was thinking of some Zapco amps (maybe a reference 500.1 or something) to get the power I'm after. Though since I'm limited on depth, I'm not sure what my restrictions are. In the end I'd like everything to be flush across the back seat, and give the illusion of just a deeper back seat and all that would be visible would be the magnet on the sub.

And then (yes, there's more) with that, since the magnet will be visible, I'd like something with an attractive rear end. Again, the IDMAX would would great, but I just don't know what my other options are. I was thinking something from RE, but that shit's pricey. Speaking of which, I won't be purchasing this all at once or anything, but progressively building is more likely, so the price isn't of immediate concern (though the cheaper the better usually, without sacrificing quality).

In the end, everything will be carpet matched and look near stock. Maybe to add some flare, I'll throw in a plexi window on the box and amp rack so they are veiwable from the cabin, with the seats folded down. I'll be building my own box and amp rack, so dimensions and whatnot are malleable. Anyway, who has some good suggestions here?

[Mr Marv]

If you want a great sounding sub as well as a great looking basket/magnet assembly, I'm thinking an ARC Flatline with maybe an MBQ RAA2400 to power it

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I looked @ the Flatline. Whats the damage gonna be on my pocketbook? I saw Cam had his up for ~330 shipped, is that par for the course? BNIB from Arc? Online dealers?

[cam2Xrunner]

http://70.86.17.162/~npdang/forum/sh...ighlight=diyma

Gorgeous sub, great SQ, .5 to 1.0 cu ft, .5 cu ft for a qtc of .707

200-250 shipped depending on when you buy it.

I do love my Flatline though

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally Posted by Delay_FTB

I looked @ the Flatline. Whats the damage gonna be on my pocketbook? I saw Cam had his up for ~330 shipped, is that par for the course? BNIB from Arc? Online dealers?

I was smoking crax when I was offering it for that. I love this sub and probably will never sell it.. By never I mean like for a year

[Mr Marv]

Originally Posted by cam2Xrunner

I was smoking crax when I was offering it for that.

That you were!

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Originally Posted by cam2Xrunner

http://70.86.17.162/~npdang/forum/sh...ighlight=diyma

Gorgeous sub, great SQ, .5 to 1.0 cu ft, .5 cu ft for a qtc of .707

200-250 shipped depending on when you buy it.

I do love my Flatline though

Thats a pretty sick sub! I'd be all over it in a heartbeat, but I don't feel like reading all 30 pages of that thread to find out whats going on with it (at least not right now, maybe Friday at work!). I'm really starting to lean toward that flatline the more I hear about it. Only worry is that 1000W RMS. Kinda worries me since I'm on a "budget" i guess. I know I didn't specify price limits or anything, but I'm still a poor college kid (atleast for another month).

[cam2Xrunner]

Here's a review...
http://70.86.17.162/~npdang/forum/showthread.php?t=2786

Right now the pricing is 150 plus 40-50 dollars shipping each(weighs about 45 pounds). It's gonna go up to 200 plus shipping in a few days. (It's still in the Preorder, probably about 2 months til they start shipping)

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Well, after talking to Marv, though I'm still waiting to find out pricing, I think I'm gonna go with the Arc Audio Flatline. Now the decision seems to be to get the D2 or D4 version, which then lends back to one of my other questions - what amp?

I know final impedance is a facor here, but there just seem to be so many options. Also, I want to make sure the Flatline sees "enough" power. I've been hearing that with about 500 W RMS, it will be fine, but I don't want to be underpowering it. I was thinking something around the 800 range, but I'm not totally sure. Also, I suppose the smaller the better as far as the amp goes, though that isn't a steadfast rule here. I'd like something a little more on the "quality" side of things, but nothing rediculous. Also, the amp needs to look good too (for my personal taste). I have been purusing e-bay and all kinds of manufacturer sites, but haven't found anything that I love just yet. Any reccommendations?

Oh, and Marv, if you happen to read this, I'll be giving you a call this evening on my way home from work.

Thanks guys!

[Iceman91]

Figure out how much you are gona spend on an amp then how much wattage you can get from an amp in that price range then figure out what you need. I know arc used to make good SQ amps. I had one on my old ID MAX's and it was very clean, but i am a BASS HEAD and put a BD1500 modded on them and it was insaine!!!!!

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Oh yeah, forgot price, well, still carry over from the first post. Relatively cheap sans quality sacrifice. I've been looking at the Arcs, Zapcos, US Amps, PPI (older ones), and pretty much anything on E-bay and don't mind the prices I see, I'm just mainly concerned with the actual output of these amps, aesthetics, and adequate power for the sub. I'd like to look into getting a Zapco Ref. 500.1 or an Arc KAR 1000.2T. Other options include something like this Diamond amp, new or old Alpines, something like this Pioneer, Eclipse or anything along those lines. Not looking to spend an arm and a leg, but I do realize quality costs money.

I am actually putting power requirements first, and then I'll negotioate prices later, and if need be, I'll save up, but I just want to know what would be a good choice to power the Flatline with.