Any suggestions on sub setup before it's installed?
 

Hey guys. I have a 2006 GS430 w/ ML sound system. I plan on keeping everything stock except I am adding (2) JL 10w3v34 subs, in a custom enclosure. I will be powering them w/ a JL5001v2 amp. This will be installed between the fender wells in my trunk at least allowing me to still have some room in my trunk.

I listen to a variety of music but mostly rap and rock. Talkin to the installers they think using my factory amp to power highs and mids etc. will be fine and I will love the sound of the 10s. But just am worried that the bass will sound good but I will lose sound quality keeping everything factory. Should this be a problem?

Also, would I be better off with a better sub, like a w6 or w7 vs. the w3. With install and everything I believe I'm around $1400. Just wondering if anyone has suggestions, if I'd be better with 1 12, better subs...whatever the case.

I love deep rich bass, but don't want it to overpower my current setup. Also, is this amp necessary to power the 10's. I think it was like $575 or something. My install is on Wednesday, but i guess I can always change up if I'm making a poor choice. Thanks

You will not lose any sound quality keeping everything else factory. You will not gain anything either. I have seen pictures of the "$200 ML speakers" posted here. You can get similar surplus speakers from Parts Express for $5 each. They are nothing special.


The W3 is a good sub as are all JL's. But in my opinion extremely overpriced. They spend a lot on marketing as well as pricing themselves as a preminum product. I don't think you will be disappointed with any of the JL's but you can get equivalent or even better quality subs for less. 10's vs. a 12 is a different story. A pair of 10's has the surface area of a single 15. If you move to a 12, I would recommend moving up to the next level. It will take a more capable sub to reproduce the same output as two 10's.

A properly set up sub will never overpower your highs. If you go pick up your car from the installer and it is overpowering, ask them to adjust it. Is that amp necessary? You can't have too much clean power. You can always adjust the gains to limit the output. If you go too small, you risk distortion and clipping if you like to crank the system. $575 for a 500w amp is right in line with JL's premium pricing. I have been looking at 1,200w class D amps in the $200 to $250 range

You asked for suggestions - if it were me wanting a sound quality system (as opposed to an SPL system), I would go with a pair of SDX-10's. The XBL^2 low distortion motor system make these subs some of the best sounding in the industry. I haven't used these particular subs but I have used XBL enabled subs from Ascendant Audio and Blueprint. For power, I'd go with an SAE-1000D from Sundown Audio. I like to pick equipment that I can reach the owner of the company or the engineer behind it (sometimes they are the same person). Bob at CSS and Jacob at Sundown are two great guys. I'll be surprised if you can get Manvile Smith on the phone if you call JL.

-Robert

It's definitely hard to reach manville smith, especially since he's the VP of Marketing. Unless you need to reach him for marketing-related questions, your calls will be directed to a tech instead, or they might refer you to a local authorized JL Audio shops. Manville seems a lot more busy now than he use to be. Awhile ago, he would sign up on forums just to reply to a single post.

The W7 is the cream of the crop from JL audio. HOWEVER, the W6v2 sounds amazing and I would even give it a small edge in SQ over the W7. The only time the W7 really shines over the W6v2 is when you're reaching near mechanical limits. The W7 has something that the W6v2 does not have, and that's a good ratio of coil in gap throughout the stroke, even near full excursion.

If you're just shooting for SQ without needing to blast your music that loud, save your money and stick with the W6v2.