Daveskii

Lookin to put a new sub(s) in my car and was looking for recommendations. Currently I am looking at a JL W7AE 13.5in sub and undecided on which amp to power it with.

I am looking for something of quality (like JL) that sounds clear but also can hit those deep bass notes loudly. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks

AkaSigFreak

I would look at any of the JL XD, HD or Slash v3 amps. The best value/performance amp is the XD 1000/1. I had the XD 600/1 in my FJ Cruiser and it was amazing. Are you sure you want the W7? That is a major heavy hitter for a coupe.

MFDONTRON

I was bumpin some Orion HCCA's in my car with these old school JBL amps. Forgot which model but they were some monsters.

Daveskii

I love the bass haha but if you have another suggestions on any JL or other subs thatd be great. The stock subs are not that great and I want something that bumps. Do you really think the W7 would be too much?

Daveskii

Also is the 1000/1 XD amp the same as the XD 1000/1v2? Im not quite sure. This is what is says from the jlaudio website.

"The XD1000/1v2 also features the v2 Spec feature set, which consists of automatic turn-on capability (via signal sensing or DC-offset sensing), and a dual-range differential-balanced input section able to handle a wide range of input voltage levels. "


Also would it be best to get a custom built enclose for the W7 if i do get it?

http://www.jlaudio.com/xd1000-1v2-ca...plifiers-98257

AkaSigFreak

I have heard many high-end installations which used the W7s. I have never really been able to justify the amount of space required and the price. I had two 12W1v2 (silver cone) in my Iasca competition car. Everyone was surprised I was running such an inexpensive sub in the car. My RTA score was the same as Gary Biggs and another top competitor at Spring Break Nationals in Daytona Beach. With the exception of the lower lines (W0/WX)- the JL subs (W1,W3,W6 and W7) have very accurate, tight bass. The big difference is the power handling.
Is there a reason you are choosing the W7/13? If you don't mind loosing the trunk space and spending a butt load of money- it's a great choice. But I think you can get amazing results with a pair of W3s and the XD1000/1v2.

Glyn M Ruck

Stick to JL Audio. They are excellent, only equalled or bettered by Velodyne who no longer produce for car audio. Don't go too large or it will boom instead of thump in the hostile acoustic environment of a car.

Depends on whether you want ghetto blaster vs. refined & accurate bass.

EDIT: Two small are better than one large if you want to keep distortion under control.

Daveskii

The thing is that I am not looking to compete with these subs. The reason i chose a W7 is because ive heard a w712 in person and it was beautiful.I dont want to put anything cheap in my car or anything that wont last me. I dont mind spending the money if it makes a difference. I did some research and a w710 would put out 750continuous RMS which is more than enough for me (And the poor car ).

It looks like im leanin towards the 10 incher simply because I wont use the other ones to its fullest. Do you think this is a bad idea? If you had the option over 1 W7 over a pair of w3s with the same amp, what would you recommend? Wouldnt 2 w3s take up more space and weigh more?

Oh by the way my car the harmon kardon audio package if that makes any difference.

Daveskii

Definitely do NOT want a ghetto blaster haha. Thanks for the advice

Glyn M Ruck

I would go one 10". More than enough in a car.

Daveskii

do you also recommend using the JL XD 1000/1v2 to power the one 10? Seems to be the popular amp selection.

Glyn M Ruck

Yes! Matched.

AkaSigFreak

One 10W7 would be amazing with the XD1000/1 amp, but it will still take up a considerable amount of space in the trunk due to the massive depth required for that sub. I understand you will not be competing, but the point is you can use smaller, lower powered subs and achieve accurate, tight bass. This is my 2003 Corolla with the JL 12W1v2 subs. Notice the amount of trunk space left. I had incredibly accurate sound reproduction and could still put luggage or groceries in the back.

Daveskii

Thanks for all your input, but at this moment Im still leaning towards W710 w/ XD1000/1. I dont see how it could possibly take up more space that in your picture. Trust me I get what you're saying though and am taking all that into careful consideration. Im going into an audio shop soon and ill see what their opinions are. I hardly use the trunk as it is honestly, only for grocery shopping.

Daveskii

http://www.jlaudio.com/galleries/Mob...1=Mobile+Audio

Check this out. This guy has 2 W710s in his C class. Looks like theres a decent amount of room left after putting in the enclosure.

AkaSigFreak

Wow! Those W7s would shake the crap out of that car. I'm amazed they fit.

Daveskii

He's gonna shake the hinges off his trunk haha!!

Daveskii

I think im gonna go with the W7 10 and the XD 1000/1v2 amp. Its a pricy job but luckily the auto shop is authorized JL dealer (which means extra year warranty if they install it) and they can also get any JL product over night. Youd be amazed at the number of W7 13.5s sold in comparison to the 12 and 10 at this shop. They stacked up empty boxs that they sold of w7s and there was probably 20 13.5s sold 7-10 12s and like 5-10 10s. Probably will do it next thursday or friday so ill update with pics. He said they could finish it in 2 hours.

AkaSigFreak

They said they can install in 2 hrs? Does this include building the enclosure or are they using prefab? I can't imagine them running the wires from the battery, mounting the amp, loading the enclosure and cleaning up within 2 hrs.

Daveskii

Yes 2 hours. He even said I could wait around the shop while they did it. And I was concerned and repeatedly asked if it would be world a top notch professional job with no wires showing anywhere to which he said when you open the trunk all you will see is the sub. Said to mount the amp somewhere where it is less obvious like on the side of the trunk. Apparently the XD amp is very small. I think Im gonna get the prowedge with the w7 so that takes care of the enclosure since thats an all in one kinda dealio. That enclosure is built exactly what JL think are the best dimensions so I cant see that being a bad choice. And they said that they can use the battery in the trunk to power it and ground wire it and access the head unit from the trunk also somehow. They dont even touch the headunit from my understanding. I was amazed to say the least. I asked to see the size of the power cable they use and it was almost the thickness of a rope.

The last review is from a guy who had his 996 Porsche done by them and he said the install looks factory which I guess meaning unnoticeable.

Glyn M Ruck

Enjoy! ~ I'm sure you will be happy.

AkaSigFreak

This is the shop that installed my Infinity BassLink in my 2008 C300. They are known to do incredible high-end installs for celebrities.
http://www.ultimateauto.com/
When I asked them about tapping into the SAM in the trunk- they said they never recommend that and the power cable should be run directly from the battery. Grounding in the trunk is fine (there are multiple ground points).

I would love to have an installation like this:

Daveskii

Check out this one. Even nicer!


And the power cable should run directly from the battery in the engine is what you mean? Not quite sure what you mean since there are 2 batteries. Ive heard tapping into the stock subs/amp isnt that uncommon in MB and bimmers so im not that worried. I can see on even more luxurious cars they would take even more precautions.

If i was in orlando I would consider this place but seeing as how Im 3000 miles away that doesnt work haha.

edit: just found out this place is only like an hour away from me. Maybe will look into them.

AkaSigFreak

Are you sure you have 2 batteries? I've heard the diesels have the battery in the trunk near the spare tire but there is only 1. I still like the simple install- not a huge fan of plexi since the 90's. You will get better low end extension by facing the subs towards the back of the vehicle like my pic and the other I linked to.
Please don't think I'm trying to talk you out of using the shop you chose- just shop around and research what they are telling you. I'm not an EXPERT but I'm not a fool either. I did, however, pay way to much money having this shop install a simple self-amplified subwoofer because I was recovering from shoulder and knee surgery.

ONE-9-T

Ruined CL63