Audiophiles: Subwoofer help

WRXtranceformed · 10-20-2006, 10:17 PM

So today one of my brother's friends helped me hook up my sub in the STi. We did a really good job, it looks pretty dope... but I can BARELY hear the thing, even with the other speakers blasting. He has done a ton of installs (yesterday he hooked up two Type R 12s into his gf's Explorer and it's so loud that the roof and windows flex like an inch lol) and he tells me that install wise everything is fine.

We used 8 gauge wire, the sub is being pushed by a 600W amp running @ 1 ohm. What he thinks it could be is the shitty Sony Xplod head unit I have. You can't control any subwoofer functions or a crossover of any kind, other than a setting that says "Sub" that you can turn up or down.

Could the head unit be holding it back? I've tested this sub on another amp / head unit combo and it was really really loud. Not so much now. Hrelp 8)

**Mike** · 10-21-2006, 12:32 AM

well if you've had the same setup (sub, box, amp, wires) on another headunit and it worked fine... the only variable is the head unit...

WRXtranceformed · 10-21-2006, 12:41 AM

Mike Wrote:well if you've had the same setup (sub, box, amp, wires) on another headunit and it worked fine... the only variable is the head unit...

Yeah. It was tested in a different car though with a slightly different amp (same brand, about twice the wattage though.. which won't make a huge difference at the levels it will be running at) and different wires. I'm thinking it's probably the POS head unit though.

**Jeff** · 10-21-2006, 12:58 AM

Ok, your first problem is running the amp down at 1ohm. Most amps are NOT stable down that low. Only the really high dollar ones can push a sub at 1. So, I figure that is you #1 problem. Your #2 problem is using 8ga for an amp over 300watts. I don't care what the package the wires came in or any of your friends told you...8ga is junk. Only use it in a multi amp system of for baby amps under 300w RMS (500ish peak). I am gonna assume the amp you have is 600 peak, which at 2 ohms should be about 350w RMS. That is good power to push one 10. You need to get heavier power and ground cables and rewire the speaker to a 2 ohm load. I'm thinking that will fix your problem.

EDIT- also check your RCAs. They are a common problem because most people buy a cheap set. Your Sony headunit is probably not the issue. They are junky, but there is no reason the head unit should be preventing the amp from outputting and high volume. It could be a bad output on a shitty sony...but I doubt it. If the sony has only a mono sub out and you are hooking it to a stereo input amp that could also be the problem. You need to use a y adapter and connect the two inputs together or you will get shitty low volume bass.

***ViPER1313*** · 10-21-2006, 12:01 PM

Check the crossover settings, also check that you didn't reverse the polarity of the wires between the amp and speaker.

**Mike** · 10-21-2006, 12:09 PM

ViPER1313 Wrote:Check the crossover settings, also check that you didn't reverse the polarity of the wires between the amp and speaker.

reversed polarity still delivers power, but backwards. he wouldn't notice low volume from that error, it'd just be the inverse frequency. in my experience, that still makes a lot of noise Tongue

Maengelito · 10-21-2006, 01:01 PM

Mike Wrote:
ViPER1313 Wrote:Check the crossover settings, also check that you didn't reverse the polarity of the wires between the amp and speaker.

reversed polarity still delivers power, but backwards. he wouldn't notice low volume from that error, it'd just be the inverse frequency. in my experience, that still makes a lot of noise

i've hooked up the polarity backwards before on my sub. it sounds like its cancelling out any bass put out by the regular speakers. it could be that the polarity is wrong, but thats an easy check. it sounds like its the head unit though

**Jeff** · 10-21-2006, 03:36 PM

The sub will work no matter how he has the polarity. It is irrelevant to sound performance on a single sub setup. The problem comes when using two subs...then you need to worry about polarity. I'm 99% sure he is running the amp to hard by a 1ohm load.

HAULN-SS · 10-21-2006, 05:16 PM

Did you check your ground? If you don;t have it grounded well, it's not going to work right either. Also - 1ohm is too low - arent you using a KickerL2? I dont think they're even rated that low.

WRXtranceformed · 10-21-2006, 07:48 PM

Orion 600W amp & an Alpine Type R 10".

I'll check on the grounds and stuff. Thanks for the infoz!

HAULN-SS · 10-21-2006, 10:08 PM

Also, by grounded well, I mean onto something really solid, paint scratched away, and enough gage on the wire.

Nis01 · 10-21-2006, 10:22 PM

You probably can't hear it because your exhaust is too damn loud. Tongue

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