Need help picking my next subs

Okay, so I run a JL HD1200.1 sub amp. I have a sub box behind the rear seats of my DC that is a shared space 2 cu. ft. box. Up until a couple days ago, I had 2 Alpine Type-S subs. Now, 6 months after buying them, I have 3 burnt voicecoils. I need subs that are no more than 6 1/4” deep, and can take the abuse of my JL amp. I’m opening it up to suggestions, as I’m not sure where to go.

Regards,
A dedicated basshead.

 

Are your cutouts for 10” or 12”

 

Forgot to mention that, thanks. Cutouts are for 12”s.

 

If you’re trying to stay in a budget, kicker CompR is probably your best bet, but they’re only 500w each

 

there's something else going on wrong in your setup if you're burning voicecoils. we need more info on gains, crossovers, and eq used.

i've ran a 200w max sub on a 600w rms amp for years with zero issues. i've done the same across 3 vehicles for midranges and tweeters, never a problem.

i've blown exactly 3 speakers in my life, despite all my sound systems literally being setup by the book to blow everything. all 3 were 2-5 watt small speakers i pulled from the garbage and then hooked up to a 100w rms amp that i turned up until they smoked. for funzies.

 

SD-4 12 D4

 

Thanks guys. Gains were set using the instructions from JL. I turn it up to 35 on my deck, a Kenwood DMX906s. Gains were set using a multimeter to 69.3V for a 4ohm load. Then, because I didn’t like the way it sounded, I turned it down to an even 60V, smooth. Destin, budget isn’t the problem, so I’ll pass on the CompR’s, but thanks for the suggestion. dolbytone, I assume you mean the Sundown Audio SD4-D4’s. Aren’t you running those? What’s your impression?

 

Yeah I’ve got 10” SD-4s on the same amp. My box has to be smaller, but the 12” calls for up to 1ft ^3, so it seems like the right fit for what you are doing so I figured I’d mention it.

I had to EQ mine a bit because the response didn’t end up flat but they definitely take a beating and reproduce strong bass.

I think I set my amp at 69VAC, but I’ve got sub set to -3dB (maybe -5dB) because I have Accubass active, and I cut 63Hz like 4dB.

 

Nice. Thanks for the info. They definitely sound like a good fit for me. Now to find them in Canada.

 

Personal experience, if you’re burning up coils you’re either wildly overpowering the subs, running in too small a box (limiting excursion/stroke and therefore cooling), or clipping. I question your amp gains, regardless of JL’s instructions.

Is your box ported or sealed? I’m assuming sealed (2 12’s in 2 cubes ported doesn’t sound right) but I hate assuming.

 

Box specs fit the subs. I’ll try setting the gains differently, but I’d think JL knows what they’re talking about. Box is sealed, not a fan of ported.

 

In your shoes, I’d look at Sundown SD4’s.

Not arguing those might be JL’s instructions, but nowhere is a multimeter capable of detecting clipping. I’d hate to see you throw new subs in and smoke them too.

 

Appreciate it. I don’t want that either.

 

I ended up ordering from WoofersEtc. IDK if they ship to Canada but even through their site is 14% sketchy, it turned out the service was excellent.

I’d say the burned coils was caused by heat. Kenwood receivers are pretty good about not putting out any distortion (the XR models don’t at full volume). You can verify with a scope or something like the DM-RTA. The JL HD amps don’t have that dummy light unfortunately.

The Alpines have a deeper mounting depth than SD-4 subs, IDK how tight they were but they do have a pole vent through the magnet that might have been struggling.

 

i honestly don't put much stock in the gain adjustment. i've never actually tuned my amps with a meter. i play with the gains based on how loud i want it.

what are your filter/phase/eq settings for both the deck and amp? have you checked that the subs aren't trying to run in reverse polarity by accident? are you feeding the amp with a dedicated rca line or high level inputs? do you have the infrasonic filter on the amp turned on?

if you're popping coils, it won't matter what sub you change to if you don't fix the reason for the coils burning in the first place.


oh, and you said you had them wired for a 4 ohm load, what ohm rating were the type s as ordered, and how did you have them wired?

 

Filter is 12db, crossover at 80Hz, flat eq no extra sound “boosters”. Amp is fed with dedicated RCA inputs. Polarity was fine. Subs were wired to 8ohms each, then tied together for a 4ohm final load. No infrasonic filter on the amp. Might have been the problem.

 

sundown sd4 or sld both are shallow but take a beating

 

Alpine type s fits right in my Mr Marv boxes that were designed for the sd4

 

OP: get one of these:

SMD Distortion Detector DD-1

https://www.amazon.com/Meade-Designs-SMD-DD-1-Distortion/dp/B00802PJ7O

Then take a look at the JL 12TWs.....

 

OK?

The mounting depth is close, but SD-4s are more shallow and don’t have a pole vent.