new subs/amps?

[coolfishy101]

Hey everyone, I'm very new to car audio. I know a hell of a lot in home audio, but they are not the same from my impression. Well, I've turned 17 and am getting a car near the end of the summer. I want to plan ahead. The car I'm getting will be a BMW 325i, 525i or 328i.

I would like to know which set up would be best in the trunk.

I will be using 2 amps (for 3 & 4, I could always upgrade)

1: 2 10" MM 2104 (Amp bridged)

2: 2 12" MM 2124 (Amp bridged)

3: 4 10" MM 2104 with less power (Amp not bridged)

4: 4 12" MM 2124 with less power (Amp not bridged)

Should I go with a ported or fully enclosed box? (I will be building my own out of MDF)

What are some good amps? I've been looking at polk's, audiobahn (I really like), and Rockford Fosgate.

Also, what is the difference between the 2104 and the 2104dvc or the 2124 and the 2124dvc?

I am new at this so tell me things like if I can blow the trunk of my car lol!

[neomagus00]

first things first - go for the 500 series if you can get it, i test drove a 300 series and was dissapointed in the lack of grunt, especially up hills.

that aside, i pick setup 2, with a mono amp such as the BX1605D from Hifonics (for 2 DVC subs). The MRD-M1005 from Alpine is a less 'value-added' choice, and is especially good if you have an Alpine headunit (for 2 SVC subs). RF is also a good choice, as is polk, though the 500.1 doesn't match particularly well to 2 12s.

i further pick no audiobahn - a bmw deserves better. that's not to say 'bahn doesn't have its place, that place just isn't in your car.

DVC versus not (dual voice coil versus single voice coil) - polk DVC subs handle twice the power of SVC (note that this is polk-specific, NOT a general rule), and allow different wiring options. for your purposes, and since you sound like an sq person, i would go for the alpine+SVC setup i listed above, if i were you. or something like it.

and no, you need far more power to blow the trunk lid (though as well-sealed as bmws are, you will get it to flex). a trunk lid popping open is not undheard of, though.

[coolfishy101]

I checked out the Hifonics you mentioned, that thing looks sweet! 550watts rms @ 4ohms.

if I install all of this, will I need a capacitor and a power inverter?

Should I use 4 guage wiring? It also seems that most people like fully enclosed boxes for polk.
thanks
-coolfishy101-

[MacLeod]

First you need to decide something. Do you want a really good sounding system or do you want to blow the lid off your trunk? Its not easy, nor cheap to have both. Polk Audio is pretty much all about sound quality. For super loud bass you may want to look at something along the lines of Kicker L series or Orion's H2.

I also say to steer clear of Audiobahn.

Other than that, I like the option 2. 2 12's in the trunk properly powered always seem to work well. And the Polk 500.1 will power them fine although not at ear splitting levels.

[coolfishy101]

I'll take your word on the audiobahns since you know a lot more than me.

I would rather go for quality. But when the occasion arises, I would like to have a lot of power.
I still think quality is much better than how loud you can get.

That's why I'm going to choose sealed boxes vs ported, it seems polk subs get better quality in sealed boxes, but are not as loud.

Polk amps seem a little pricey, I don't know if I can afford them. I noticed that the hifonics amp is 550watts and the polk is max of 400watts. That leaves 150 watts of headroom, but how will I know if I'm about to blow the sub?

[MacLeod]

You will normally be able to hear it. They will start distorting badly as theyre being pushed beyond their limits.

If youre wanting high SQ then go with a pair of MM2124's in a sealed box and then push em with this amp. (http://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX801D) This thing is a monster and built like a tank. Theyre closing out last years models so you can get this $600 amp for $250! This is a great deal.

[neomagus00]

if you want to guarantee the longevity of your subs, you'll want to set up the gains as is specified here (http://www.andrew.cmu.edu/user/dhuston/gains.html) (or will be shortly, once i'm done changing it).

[coolfishy101]

Thanks for the directions, luckily I have access to an occilloscope.

I think I will stay away from MTX, not that I mean they are bad, but I never really was impressed by their equipment.

Is that all I need subs, amps, and wires? Seems too simple to be true, what else is there?