recommended amp and box for sub?

I just bought 1 jl 12w3 and now I need a good amp to make some loud bass. I don't want to spend too much, no more than 300. What should I get?

I also need a box, but I'm not sure what to get either. I listen to hip hop, but I don't want to make the neighbors complain, just loud enough to hear from a couple cars next to me. Is one jl 12w3 good enough?

Oh and one more thing. I have an aiwa cdc-x217 and I know it isn't great, but how am I gonna install the sub if I could only find one pair of rca outputs in the back. I've also got 2 pioneers up front and 2 rear. Sorry for so many questions, but I searched the forum and I couldn't find a specific answer.

[Accord Man]

for what you described, one 12w3 is enough.

you should get a ported box, 1.9 cu ft, with the port tuned to 31hz.


for the amp, anything that can feed it 350w rms.


just curious, which specific 12w3 did you get?

http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/12w3.html

These are what they look like.
...But do i still need a head unit with 3 preouts to install my sub?

anyone know any good cheap amps that put out 350w rms?

[Accord Man]

Originally posted by jeq214
http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/12w3.html

These are what they look like.
...But do i still need a head unit with 3 preouts to install my sub?

anyone know any good cheap amps that put out 350w rms?

ok in which configuration did you get them(ohm)?

No you dont need 3 preouts.. for the HU that have 3 preouts, 1 is for front, 1 is for the rear, and 1 non fading for the sub.



one amp you can get for cheap is the JBL 300.1
which puts out a little over 300w rms. its good for you.

Dealer said they were dual 4 ohm...

Thanks for the help...but going back to the head unit, I know I don't have 3 preouts, but i'm not sure if I have one or two sets. I just know that I have front and rear speakers running right now. How would I install my sub with only 2 or 1 preout?

I'm going shopping for some jbl 300.1!!!

For the jbl 300.1 it says at 4 ohm i can only run the sub at 150 rms...is there a way to run it at 300 rms through the amp or the sub?

If i get a ported box, do I need a subsonic filter? Does the jbl have that?

[Accord Man]

Originally posted by jeq214
Dealer said they were dual 4 ohm...

Thanks for the help...but going back to the head unit, I know I don't have 3 preouts, but i'm not sure if I have one or two sets. I just know that I have front and rear speakers running right now. How would I install my sub with only 2 or 1 preout?

I'm going shopping for some jbl 300.1!!!

your speakers are running off the HU . you dont have a seperate amp for them.. right?

So, you use whaever preamp you have to give the signal to your bass amp.

[Accord Man]

Originally posted by jeq214
For the jbl 300.1 it says at 4 ohm i can only run the sub at 150 rms...is there a way to run it at 300 rms through the amp or the sub?

If i get a ported box, do I need a subsonic filter? Does the jbl have that?

the 300.1 will makes its power at 2 ohms.. so if you have a dual 4 ohm sub, you parallel the voice coils and that totals at 2 ohms.
Voila, you'll be making 300+ w rms..

Basically you should get an amp that put out 300w(or more) x 1 @ 2 ohms..


Or if you could exchange the sub for the dual 2 ohm config, you'd be able to use the Autotek SS-350.2 amp.. which put out 350w rms and costs 150$, at thezeb.com

...whats the preamp and where could i find it?

Nice!!! I'll be boomin in no time, thanks guys.

[Accord Man]

Originally posted by jeq214
...whats the preamp and where could i find it?

Nice!!! I'll be boomin in no time, thanks guys.

preamp = rca type plugs in the rear of radio, you hook these up to the amp, its what gives the signal to the amp.


You have 1 or 2.. but you dont have one dedicated for sub..

but you're ok with what you have..



Accord Man = 1 guy

ok now i know what ur saying. i was a little confused. I looked at my HU manual and it says i have one, but i'm guessing it isn't used because the speakers are running off of the skinny colored wires. so i can run rca cables from that preout to the amp that connects to my sub, right? But what if I want to power up my 4 speakers in the front and rear? would i need another preout?

[Accord Man]

Originally posted by jeq214
ok now i know what ur saying. i was a little confused. I looked at my HU manual and it says i have one, but i'm guessing it isn't used because the speakers are running off of the skinny colored wires. so i can run rca cables from that preout to the amp that connects to my sub, right? But what if I want to power up my 4 speakers in the front and rear? would i need another preout?

that right..

to have another amp for cabin speakers (since you want have any preouts left), you'd have to use those skinny speaker wires to provide the signal to the amp.. its works pretty well, obvisouly not as great as preouts.. oh and the amps must have the terminals for it.

or better yet, you could use the RCA out of your first amp and feed it to the other amp.

thanks a bunch, i learned alot here. oh by the way the jl 12w3 was out of stock so i went and bought the kicker 12 compvr. is that just as good?

I'd need a higher watt amp wouldn't I?

would u know of any good sites that sell boxes for cheap?

[guprestyle]

For cheap amp: I'd go wit a Hifonics z6000. They go for about 250 or 260.


02coupev6

[Accord Man]

Originally posted by jeq214
thanks a bunch, i learned alot here. oh by the way the jl 12w3 was out of stock so i went and bought the kicker 12 compvr. is that just as good?

I'd need a higher watt amp wouldn't I?

would u know of any good sites that sell boxes for cheap?

yes, you'Re looking at 500-600w rms.


I wouldnt buy a prefab box.. build it or have it built by someone who know what he'S doing..

ok if i build it, i'm still going to have to build the ported, right? I don't know anyone that knows how to build one so I'm going to have to get instructions from a website or something. can u help? any advice or know any websites?

[Accord Man]

if you want to be really loud, ported would be better..

But the sound wont be as clean.. The 12w3 still sounds faily clean in a ported box. However the Vr isnt as clean, but is much louder!

I've got mine in a sealed box.. 2 x 12".. And I listen to mostly Rab/RnB.. Its very loud..

I dont think you should try to build a ported box, its not that easy..

If you're going sealed, then you could build..