subs narrowed down

[SST]

In my ongoing install to achieve a decent sound, I NEED a new sub. 12" this time.

I'm driving this with a Rockford amp that pushes 110watts rms (a bit higher actually) into each channel @ 4ohms. Bridged to a sub @ 4ohms it drives
425 watts rms. At 2ohms each channel is driven @ 233 watts rms.

I've narrowed it down to:
Infinity Perfect 12.1 12"
Polk Momo 12"
Rockford Fosgate HX2 12"

These are all dual voice coils. Has anyone had REAL experience with these subs in comparison to each other or any 2 compared to each other?
Which do you prefer? Also, if you have a preference in what configuration was the sub in question used.

I prefer sound quality over total volume. However, with the way BMW seals up those trunks, I need SPL as well to get the better sub sound into the car.

My preference is for Infinity over the Polk Momo as I heard them in a Circuit City and was very surprised that the Infinity sounded better than the Polk.

Any comments? Please post.

TT

[learthworml]

Infiniti out of those three. Id still choose an IDQ over those though. good luck with ur decision.

[boynix]

check out adire shivas.. elemental design k series.. :D

[XcvX]

You def won't be pushing enough power for the HX2s

[SST]

The problem with the HX2 is that they are not very efficient as they rate
around 88db whereas the Infiniti rates over 92db. That is an extreme
difference.

Nominal power for the HX2 is around 50 watts rms I believe.
425 rms should be able to drive them nicely considering that they rate
at 250 watts rms per coil, 500 watts rms total.
I'm really not worried about power.

I am concerned about sound quality though. Anyone have a description of what they like about these subs? Is the Infinity more "musical" in nature than the others? I've Polk in the past and I really like them.
Currently I'm using a 10" Rockford HE. It puts out decent volume but it's not a satisfying sound in terms of audio quality.

I would definately get a better return in power from the Infinity sub due to their amazing efficiency compared to the Polk and Rockford.

BTW, I removed the 6.5" rear deck speakers and the bass is MUCH improved as there is a way for the air to "move" into the cabin now, nice. :)
I do detect a bit more road noise now when the audio is at low volume.
It ain't that bad just a little noticeable. I'll take the better bass and put up with a little bit of increased road noise though.

TT

[SST]

I've never heard of "IDQ" or the "Shiva" subs.
How much $ ?

I can get the Infinity Perfect 12" for about $140 shipped with the Polk being a bit more and the HX2 being a bit less.

TT

[learthworml]

forgot about shiva. shiva is good too. id go with IDQ. they usually go for like 140 online. try www.purecaraudio.com
do NOT go with RF, they do not make good products. if you can't find or choose not to go with IDQ's or shivas, get the infiniti's.

[:. RaFFi .:]

Elemental Designs e12a

[bbh03]

You will get great sound from the infiniti - even at lower power. Use a sealed box and point the driver through the rear armrest panel to get more sound to the cabin. I would avoid the RF. I have never heard the polk...

[boynix]

he won't have enough power to power a e12a.

but here are some websites to check out.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/
http://www.adireaudio.com/
http://www.imagedynamicsusa.com/

i would definitely consider these over some of the subs you mentioned.

[MyXi]

e12a is a great sub i love mine, great SQ also

[rusty1702]

lol all those subs are no good if i want serious bass i would go with IDMAX subs w7s alpine type Rs, polk lol what r u buyin um at circuit city? junk and a decent 1000w amp will slam um maybe a bd1000 i have experience with my 2 12in type r 12s slamss so loud in my camaro conv with the top up bd1000 is great i slammm it to the max everyday it has never cut out overheated or anything in a year and i SLLLLAM It everyday

[boynix]

. <= it is used to divide sentences

[SST]

Yeah Ok. Polk makes poor quality products now. Gee, I didn't get the memo.
Sweeet, you have convertible CAMARO. Now, THAT'S quality.

Thanks for your "opinion". :)
And, thanks for stopping by.

TT

[drgalleg]

While I don't have experience w/ the current versions of these subs, here's my opinion (take it with a grain of salt, like everything else)..

The Polk Momo's are nice subs - Polk still knows how to make great speakers, but now that they're running w/ the MoMo brand, I feel they're overpriced for the same amount of quality.

The older Perfects were good SQ subs, but I don't really consider Infinity up there w/ speaker manufacturers.

The RF used to make good subs and amps - now I'm not so sure. Heard really bad quality issues in their last couple generation of product - beware.

I'd 2nd looking into IDMAX and Adire, and of course there's the standard JL audio fare. I'm a JL *****, so that's my vote. If you can swing the space and $$, get a w7. I've also heard really good things about the NEW alpine Type Rs, which is pretty much heresy coming from a JL *****.

SST: are you a member of Euroteknik.com? If not, I'd suggest checking us out, since we're based in Chicago. Some of us, including myself, are into the car audio scene. You might be able to get some ideas during our weekly meets.

My 2 cents

Davin

[dan4081]

I just ordered a e12o about 5 minutes ago! yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SST]

I heard the Alpine Type R and they sound very nice. I compared it to the Polk Momo and like the Type R better. But, the Momo sits in an awful Polk/Momo box which looks to be designed for looks first and sound second. The sales guy said he had heard the Polk sub in a "proper" box and it was very nice, better than the Type R.

I disagree on Infinity. They make excellent quality speakers. They get a bad rap because they choose to make money by selling their name to car manufacturers who put in sub-par OEM stereo's and slap the "Infinity" name on it. If someone feels that those OEM systems actually represent the tru Infinity sound, then they've bought into the hype and marketing just as much.

As far as Rockford, I'm not a fan of the subs. I've heard them and am not impressed. But, those who are fans of high SPL would probably like them.
I prefer music over volume. Rockford makes great component speakers.
I had a set of Fanatic X in a previous setup. Very clean, detailed sound with awesome mid-bass punch. Rockford is another company getting beat up because they choose to be profitable. Just because Circuit City or Best Buy sells your brand does NOT mean it's crap. Circuit City sells Alpine, is it crap?
I don't care where it's sold as long as it sounds good. If IDmax and Adire, etc... make great sounding products, well I'd never know. I have never heard of these makers. How would I know if they sound good?
If they can't get themselves to the public ear then it's a hard sell.
They "look" to be well made though.

As I said, I went with the Infinity Perfect 12.1. The only way to know is to try it. Audiobahn is a hit and miss company as well. Many people swear by them and many think they are crap. I decided to try a set of components.
They are still breaking in. I'm not sure what to think yet. On certain types of music, the speakers are "revealing". I hear things I've not truly heard before. But then, on other types of music things get muddled.

Ah the beauty of "car audio". I love it and hate it at the same time. :)

I am on the Chicago forum. My system is plain, just product in the trunk.
I won't be doing any customizing for looks. I plan on selling this car in 3 years so for now the sound is more important to me than looks.
Also, I want to have some trunk space. :)

TT

[Temonio]

I waited a few days before I chirped in on this. A lot of people won't agree with me, but how good a sub sounds is all up to the person. Some people like'em loud, some like'em deep, etc. It's all a matter of preference. I have a friend that has two Kenwood 15's and he thinks that his car is the sh!t, while I think they sound sloppy.

I personally think that unless you're constantly comparing how your car sounds to someone else's (meets or comp) than any of these three will get the job done. They're all in the same price range and they all have more of this and less of that. There's little difference in them to an everyday, I just wanted some bass in my trunk, kinda guy.

Don't get me wrong, there are some pretty sh!tty subs out there, but choosing between these three is just a matter of personal preference.

[SST]

There is MUCH truth in your statement Temonio.
There were subtle differences in these subs but not enough to make one go,
"wow, that is sooo much better". However, the Infinity 12.1 Perfect is quite a bit better than the 10" Rockford HE it replaced. :)

TT