How To Pick Out Subs

[Si-Man00]

Could someone help me clarify the terms and what to look for in subs?
As in Power Range, Sensitivity, Impedance, single/dual voice coils and does it matter what kind of material it is made of?
Thanks

[Impulse]

What kind of music do you like to listen to? Some subs go for sound quality while others go for SPL and some offer a mix of both.

Sensitivity is how much sound a speaker will produce with a given amount of input power. The higher this number is the less power it needs to reacha set volume level.

Impedence is the amount of electrical resistance a speaker has.

The amount of voice coils a sub has helps in configuring your subs for different impedance loads that your amp sees.

I don't think it makes too much difference what material the cone is made out of. I have composite aluminum cones on my subs and I think they have a little better sound quality due to the cones being lighter and stiffer than other cones but it's nothing that is glaringly obvious over another sound quality sub. the coices are either some sort of paper, aluminum or some other composite cone (like JL Audio).

Just shop around and listen to different subs. That'll help you most in making your decision.

[Need4Spd]

Impulse did a good job in pretty much summing it all up. Like he said, the best thing you can do is go around to different shops and listen to subs and take note of their material, etc. Just remember that when shopping and listening to any audio equipment in a shop.. that it may end up sounding slightly different in your car. There's a ton of different variables that may affect the sound.. the type of box (sealed, ported, bandpass).. the amount of power their running to it.. these are things you need to check. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference. If you are into that deep rumble that massages your back, go for 12's.. if you like punchy bass go for 10's (again these are both variables that can be changed to a point by the type and size of the enclosure).
Ultimately, everyone's got their own opinions of what sounds good and what is 'enough' bass. Impulse prefers his aluminum subs due to the reasons he listed.. I, on the other hand, feel that aluminum subs too sound sweet, but are too "tinny" and unnatural for me.

[kabal57]

IMAGE DYNAMICS!
nuff said :)

[kabal57]

on a side note need4speed, how can you stand having 2 IDMAX's in your celi?
those things should bounce you right outta that thing :D
what kinda power you feeding them?
and also what is the thickness of your box? My local sub shop says they recommend a min. 1" mdf enclosure..
i'm thinking of ditching my IDQ's for IDMAX..

[Need4Spd]

heh.. Well, all I can say about my IDMAX's is that i LOVE THEM. :D :D :D My only complaint is their weight.. 30 lbs per sub. However, the SQ/SPL mix is just incredible. I actually have them in a fiberglass enclosure in the wheel well.. I'm not sure of the actual specs.. I left that to my shop to figure out.

How can I stand it? Well, the wonderful thing about these subs is you don't need to throw too much power at them for them to be loud and sound good at the same time.. I have them runnin off of one Soundstream Rubicon 1002.. they good take a LOT more power than that, but, trust me, it's enough. Yes, if I want, I can make my eyes vibrate, but I normally don't turn it up that loud.. mostly because when I do, my car rattles like a little bitch. I'm sure I could have gotten away with one IDMAX and still have been satisfied.

I've never heard IDQ's in person.. but I've been told that the SQ is really really good. Those I've talked to who have run IDQ's and IDMAX's in their car claim that the IDMAX sounds like an IDQ on steroids.

If you are thinkin about gettin an IDMAX, let me know.. I got them when they first came out and most places were selling it at retail.. except for one place in NY selling them for 305 shipped. I forget the name.. I'll find my receipts if you want.

[kabal57]

Ah I just had a new enclosure built for my IDQ's, What your friend said about them is right. Excellent sound quality, and they hit alot lower than I would have thought when I got them. IDMAX's are beasts compared to them. :D
I'd like to get a set, but my setup weighs too much as it is. We need weightless flat panel subs, wouldnt that be awesome?
oh ya, how do you like your focals? best damn speakers I ever heard. I got alpine components for now, they are ok, but focals are gonna be taking their place once I get the rest of my mods done :D :D :D