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What subwoofer should I buy?

Need help knowing what amp to buy for my alpine type R 12" subwoofer (car audio).?

  • my current amp for my subwoofer has run into some problems recently. i went to best buy to try and ask questions to replace it. and the guys who work there don't even know **** about car audio... its bad when i know more than they do and i don't know **** myself. bestbuy said "buy kenwood because with alpine you are only paying for the name" which i think is a HORRIBLE answer. anyway. i am torn between two amps, because i really don't know for a fact what would be better. so please if you know or have a recommendation and a good reason why one is better than the other for my subwoofer. please speak up! much appreciated! XD i figure yahoo answers would be better than the guys helping me at best buy. thanks again! -------- Alpine Type R (my current sub): Handles up to 1500W peak power (500W RMS) KEVLAR-reinforced pulp cone, oversized parabolic dustcap; HAMR surround and concealed mount gasket (KEVLAR is a registered trademark of DuPont) High-strength brass voice-coil bobbin; 50mm voice-coil diameter Dual progressive oversized Nomex spiders with integrated tinsel leads for added stability Dual stacked magnets Custom cast aluminum frame with integrated heat transfer plate; radial vented VC heat sink and airflow management system 11" top-mount diameter; 7-3/4" top-mount depth Magnetically optimized motor structure Frequency response: 25Hz - 500kHz Sensitivity: 85dB Impedance: 4 ohms ------ now here is the amps i am choosing from: ------ (just copied and pasted off bestbuy.com) for $210 Alpine MRP-M500: 500W RMS (continuous) power x 1 @ 2 ohms, 14.4V, 20Hz - 20kHz, <1% THD 300W RMS (continuous) power x 1 @ 4 ohms, 14.4V, 20Hz - 20kHz, <1% THD MOSFET power supply delivers clean power with minimal heat dispersion; thermal management control helps prevent overheating Adjustable low-pass crossover EQ and bass EQ controls for customizable audio; continuously adjustable gain control Gold-plated RCA inputs; speaker level inputs Top-mounted blue LED power/status indicator STAR circuitry Overcurrent, overvoltage and thermal protection Signal-to-noise ratio: 100dBA or for $150 Kenwood KAC-6104D: Handles up to 600W peak power output @ 4 ohms For powerful sound. Handles up to 200W RMS power output @ 4 ohms To ensure continuous power delivery. Variable 50-200Hz low-pass crossover For rich bass sound. 20Hz - 200kHz frequency response Covers a wide range of sound. 94dB sensitivity Ensures powerful sonic delivery. Speaker-level inputs For easy integration with a factory stereo. Cast aluminum heat sink Helps keep your system cool.

  • Answer:

    Haha well asking here isnt much better than asking at pathetic best buy... those guys spout off myths and wrong answers like no tomorrow. The alpine is much better. You are not just paying for the name. You are paying for better quality. Kenwood is pretty mediocre IMO. That alpine amp is PERFECT for a single dual 4 ohm type R.

Jeremy at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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Well it really depends on if you have the type r dual 4 ohm or type r dual 2 ohm. If you have the Alpine type r dual 4 ohm, the alpine mrp would be the best match. What you will need to do if its the dual 4 ohm version is wire the sub like this: http://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/woofer_configurations.asp?Q=1&I=42 option 1 for the 2 ohm load then get the alpine amp and you would be set. BUT, if the sub is dual 2 ohm, that means that amp wont provide your sub with enough watts to see its potential, if it is the dual 2 this is what you need to do: Wire the sub to a 1 ohm load, (option 1) http://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/woofer_configurations.asp?Q=1&I=22 and get any of these amps: http://onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=20576 http://onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21135 http://onlinecarstereo.com/CarAudio/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=19737 or any other amp that will supply at least 500w rms at 1 ohm

CJB

Well best buy sells almost the same stereo Equipment as wal-mart so you can't expect much. Brands like MTX or Memphis run very cool and if you get class D (mono block) amps they are more efficient, and take up little space. High end brands usually underrate their true wattage. My MTX was rated at 400 and ended up around 490rms.

joel

While I think Kenwood makes some great products, their amps are not included. They're generally lower powered, have a tendency to run hotter, and are just not the same quality as the Alpine. And the specific one you are comparing to the Alpine is like comparing apples to oranges. The Alpine has a higher output (it exactly matches your Type R), has a small footprint and runs cool. The Kenwood only outputs 300 watts RMS into 2 ohms. It'll run the Type R, but the volume will be low. Most car audio installers would probably recommend the Alpine. Read a few of the online reviews at www.crutchfield.com to see why. And right now, Crutchfield sells the MRP-M500 for $199 (it was $179 but so many people liked it so well they increased the price). If you are a first-time purchaser at Crutchfield you can get a $20 discount off a $200 order if you use a "friend referral code" such as mine, which is: p7sdj-hrx8q-9800g, plus free shipping. Oh!, I get a $20 merchandise credit too.

PimpMyRide

In general Alpine makes great amps, and you cant go wrong. Especially for what you had before i think that the alpine would be the best choice.

Riley

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