Protagnist

I am an idiot regarding audio setups. I have a an amp with the specs below. I already have purchased a head unit and was given the amp:

Pioneer AVH-P4300DVD: MOSFET 50 Watts x 4 peak power with three 4V RCA preamp outputs

Amp Specs (Lighning Audio / Bolt)
• Power Rating: 75w x 2 @ 4ohms
100w x 2 @ 2ohms
200w x 1 @ 4ohms
• Input Sensitivity: 150mV - 4V
• High Level Input: 1.5V - 14V
• Signal to Noise Ratio: > 90dBA
• Channel Separation: 50dB
• Crossover: High/Low/All Pass switch
• Crossover Type: Variable 40~400Hz
• Amplifier Fuse Value: 30Amp (1)
• Chassis Size: 2”H x 11.1”W x 7.5”

I am looking at putting a 10" enclosed sub in the trunk, but am clueless as to which type of sub to buy. I don't know if a 2ohm or 4ohm is best with this amp. I have heard that the Fosgate 10" P3 is a pretty good speak for the money.

Any help or guidance would be appreciated. Funny thing is, I am an engineer.

Robert_J

You want a single voice coil 4 ohm sub, or a dual voice coil where each coil is 8 ohms or 2 ohms. All 3 options work because their all can yield a final impedance of 4 ohms.

There are a lot of good speakers for the money but what is your budget?

Shibumi1

agreed on the single 4ohm sub.. i prefer the new pioneer shallow mount... lots of bass 1/3 the space

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...TS-SW2501S2|S4

Protagnist

Thanks for the responses and feedback. I'd like to keep the 10" sub under $150. I will eventually replace the amp. It was free, but I'll definitely upgrade it.

Do I need to keep the sub under some specific wattage or does it really matter? I.e., I buy a 1000w max 4 ohm sub. I like the shallow mount mentioned above, but I already have a box tailored for full size.

Here is what I have on my short list based on recs above. I'm really just looking to enhance the sound and add some depth. Not looking to rattle my rearview. I'm old.

Fosgate P3 10 Dual 2 ohm
http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-Fosga...1581319&sr=1-2

JL Audio 10 Single 4 ohm
http://www.amazon.com/JL-Audio-10W3v.../ref=pd_cp_e_1

Alpine Type R Dual 2ohm
http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-SWR-102...1581252&sr=1-2

nervekiler

the fosgate p3 and alpine type r are both power hungry subs. they are great subs! but your power output is extremely low from a very low end brand. i would not reccomend either of those subs because you would pay more than you are actually getting out of it.

with 200w at 4ohms i would not even reccoment the jl audio w3... its way MORE sub than you actually have power for. The JL Audio W1 4ohm would be more appropriate for the amp you are running.

If you want a shallow option. the pioneer shallows i have used with great success, however the output is extremely LOW and the quality is even lower compared to other shallows. for the price, it is your only option really. if you can afford $200 for the sub then i would reccoment the Exile XT10. it is the BEST shallow show in that price range. there is no comparison.

to be perfectly honest, the sound you want out of the entire system is mostly determined by the enclosure you put the sub in, and sub placement and what type of car it is going in.
the subwoofer is just a voice coil and a cone. it just moves air. the box determines frequency range, and the amp determines power output and control (damping factor which usually cheap amps will not even list).

JL w1 is a good cheap sub to use and with your amp will give you the best results. trust me i've been down this road about 700 times.

nervekiler

and to answer your question about wattage. always look at RMS wattage at the appropriate resistance (4ohms in this case is listed as 200.. but does not say RMS @ certain distortion or if its max...) 30amp fuse at 14.4v leads me more towards to 200RMS.... which is a decent amount of power. definately will get a good sound if its installed right.

2nd2none

iTrader: (4)

Go with a Rockford R2 series sub. You don't have a ton of power on tape so I agree with the poster who suggested a JL Audio W1 as well. Here is a link to the rockford sub if you are interested in it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ROCKFORD-FOS...item53ea05c635

Shibumi1

check out the Diamond Audio D3 10 D2... awesome sub better than others mentioned, inexpensive, musical, etc

http://www.diamondaudio.com/content/view/133/147/

http://www.google.com/products/catal...ed=0CDEQ8wIwAA

nervekiler

that diamon is a nice sub, but its reccomended power is more than the amp can produce, and its a dual 4 ohm voice coil. i would not reccoment running that lightening audio amp at 2ohms. if your gonna do dual voice coils try to make it doin 2 ohms so you can wire back to 4.

Protagnist

Thanks for all of the input. I purchased the JL Audio W1 as was rec'd. I plan to upgrade the sub and amp in the future. Should get it put in with all of my other stuff next weekend. Thanks again for the advice.

Shibumi1

if look at what i post.. i said the D3 10" D2 (for dual 2ohm) as for rec power handling thats jus a recommendation... less power is fine (but is determined by ur listening taste) but he also said an amp upgrade maybe down the road.. so the D3 is perfect...

just because a car can do 200mph doesnt mean it suffers @ 60mph..
quick lesson.its not power that blows speakers its distortion!! 100watts of clean undistorted power (or signal) ALWAYS beats 1000watts of distortion.. learn to listen for the difference an u'll never blow a speaker again...

some subs (who shall remain nameless) can handle ridiculous amounts of power NEED that power to perform... so its a question of efficiency.. how much power is turned into sound an how much is wasted as heat....ex: which is louder 1 JL 13W7 1000watts of power or 4 diamond audio D3 10"s 1000watts of power?