Well this all started when I was reminiscing about an old friends system. I don’t know anything about it other than it was 2 12’s and about 1000W total. And it was seriously clean bass. (Speaking as an amateur)

So this is what im trying to replicate. And I have decided on the following components.

Sundown Audio SAZ-1500D amp
1 Si MAG 12” sub
(I think this will be enough bass, but if not im thinking I could get another. I’m wandering if its ok to add another later on or if the sound changes as they have more use on them?) Another problem with a second would be that I’d have to run the subs at 0.5ohm. Is this more harmful for the sub or the amp? Would I run into problems?

Alpine W200 Head Unit
Components front ???
Coaxials rear ???
Amp for speakers ???

Maybe some of you could help me fill in the blanks. I don’t really know what I should be spending on the components. I want this to be a SQ build all the way. Im hoping I can do that without completely blowing the bank on components. Any suggestions for front speakers? Im trying to keep it under 300. Any SQ rear speakers for under $200?. I'm also conflicted on a decent 4 channel amp to power them. I was thinking JL but im hopeing i can do something a little cheaper.

Does anyone have experience with peerless? Do they make anything for the F-150? They fit my budget best.

 

IIRC that Sundown amp is only stable to 1 ohm; Im not sure if I would want to run it at .5, you might end up with a big expensive paper wieght (the amp). Might want to look into something else if you plan on going with 2 Mags. One Mag can get pretty loud though (impressive for a single sub). Quite a few people seem to be running the dual Mag/IA 20.1 setup. Run it at 1 ohm while you have one sub, then drop it down to .5 if you add another. There are tons of amps out there to choose from though.

Components? Rainbow man . And unless you have a SCrew, I say ditch the rear fill. Not really needed, one good set of comps will fill the entire cabin just fine. Plus, you will have more money to spend on better comps, and only have to buy a 2 channel amp.
I like matching amps too, maybe once you find a sub amp you can find somthing that will work for the comps. Talk to Brypink about the comps, he's buddies with a guy that is a Rainbow dealer.

EDIT-I did a little searching on that amp because I couldnt remember for sure about the stability of it under 1 ohm, and came across this-
QUOTE-
After extensive testing at NOPI Nationals I have decided to extend warranty coverage down to 0.5 ohms on the SAZ-1500D wired to non Stereo Integrity subwoofers as well as SI woofers. We ran Hoss' truck for around 10-12 hours total over the course of the weekend beating the tar out of his BM 12s with his pair of 1500Ds at 0.5 ohms and only hit protection twice all weekend as the voltage creeped down to 10.5 volts or so. So, any normal person should not have an issue provided adequate ventilation is present.

Suffice to say... they are fairly stable at 0.5 ohms nominal, so I will henceforth warranty this load on all drivers and not just SI subwoofers. This is not a recommendation to run at this load as it is a tougher load for the amplifier, but it is a notice that I will repair or replace your SAZ-1500D if it totally dies at this load.

A word of advice... leave a good bit of room around the amps at this load as they will get very hot after extended periods of time -- switchable fans may be a good idea if you have limited airspace around the unit. Pushing your unit into thermal protection due to an inadequate install is not a warranty issue, it is on you.

DO NOT try to go below 0.5 ohms. I know it's tempting to try to take it "just a bit farther," but you will void your warranty no matter what speakers you have. Loads under 0.5 ohms are absolutely untested and I do not endorse, guarantee, or advise wiring anything below 0.5 ohms to these amplifiers.

I also caution anyone attemping this load with non-SI subwoofers that I have not officially tested it on these other drivers and some drivers with lower inductance (eg: XBL^2 drivers and other low inductance designs) MAY not run properly at a 0.5 ohm nominal load. I will cover your amplifier if it is damaged, but I do not guarantee that you will not push it into thermal or overload protection on speakers that I have not tested it on -- at this time meaning anything other than the SI line.

 

That SAZ-1500D has been doing fine for a daily at .05 ohm. But, I seriously think if you build a good box (try to get 1.5 ft^3 plus) you'll be happy with one MAG. Be sure to double check all your clearance issues. Is this going under a rear seat?

About the components...I agree, dump the rear speakers for now. Use that money to buy better quality front components. Then you can get a pair of Germaniums...very nice comp set and very versatile xover too.

Good Luck!!!

 

brypink2,

I’m undecided on the seat, to be honest id rather loose the center 40% of the seat and still retain where the jack goes. Plus I like how it looks, but im undecided right now.

I have a regular extended cab, you still think I should forget about the rears?

Are these the Germaniums you’re talking about?
http://www.audiojunkies.com/product_...product_id=273

I don’t see RMS ratings on those rainbows, 265W?? that seems high. How many watts should be thrown at them?
What do you think about the SAX-100.2 for the components? It seems a little expensive for a 200W amp but I see a quite a few people buying them. I was hoping for a cheaper solution for the speaker amps. What’s your opinion?

I know this is a total newb question but I noticed you run a “H701”, I have seen at least one other person around these forums running one as well. What exactly does it do? What are the advantages?

 

Yes, forget about the rears for now. If you decide you want them later than go for it, but use that money on a good pair of comps up front. Heck, I still haven't put my rears in yet, because I only got them for 5.1 and haven't used it lately. My SLs are just sitting brand new in the box collecting dust.

The Germs are rated at 100 rms, but don't worry about that. Rainbow sets are very under rated. People are throwing 150+ at Germs and they are taking it. *disclosure* Set your amp properly. Also, if you decide on the Germs...let me know...I can get them waaaay cheaper for you. I just helped another member get some Rainbow Germs (and SLs).

About amps...man, I only recommend one brand for the most part. Only because I'm a loyal fan. I like Zapco amps. They are built great and run strong. Very under rated as well. Plus, I like the symbilink connections. It's a balanced line which means cleaner signal. Plus, balanced lines are higher volt, so less gain is needed on the amp which also means less strain on the amp too. That's just a couple of reasons why I like Zapco.

Zapcos new can be expensive, but used ones are just as good. Most of my Zapcos were used. A 350.2 would be a good amp for the Germs. They run about $200-$250 used.

The H701 is used for it's processing. The W200 is limited on what it can do w/o the H701. It doesn't have a EQ, xover, etc. The H701 has all that...plus it decodes DTS DD, etc. Plus more.

I feel like a salesman. lol

 

Can I run those Rainbow Germaniums at 2ohms? If so that will give me 200W for each speaker (with the SAX-100.2) that would allow for some headroom.

In my old friend’s stereo that I mentioned in my first post you could feel the base through your whole body, down to your bones.

Do you think I can get that from a single Si Mag 12?

 

Just my 2cents, but many, many, many years ago, I had a system in a hatchback with a single 12" and you could hear it from 2 blocks away. The box was built EXACTLY the correct size, and I ran 800watts rms to it. So, in answer (a long one) 1 12 can hit hard if it is in an optimum box and optimum wattage.
Also, I 2nd the opinions of Bartak and Brypink in regards to the rear fill - especially in an extended cab, as it will just make it sound like the music is behind you

 

I have been going around to audio places and listening to what they have but I have been a little disappointed in the output I hear.

Today I decided to seek out JL dealers exclusively, I figured that a JL 12W7 would be the best comparison that’s feasible for me to make locally.

So I called a JL dealer and talked to him about one 12W7 vs. two of them and after he chuckled he said that if I ran two 12W7s then I shouldn’t expect my rear view mirrors or my headliner to stay intact. He said he can’t even be in a vehicle with one 12W7 at full power.

Am I barking up the wrong tree? Would a 12W7 be a decent comparison for the SPL output of a MAG? How would they compare just as far as SPL? Have you guys run into trouble with these things messing up your trucks?


Oh, and im still wandering if Rainbows run at 2ohm is ok, if anyone knows the answer.

 

The Rainbow sets are all 4 ohm, to my understanding. You can not change anything to make them run at 2 ohms. You could hook two 4 ohms together and get 2 ohms but, even though you increase the power, the power is split between the two speakers or two sets of speakers. Kinda like this:

One set of Rainbow Germaniums gets 100 x 2 @ 4 ohm
Two sets of Germaniums gets 200 x 2 @ 2ohm but, each set still only gets 100.

Hope that makes sense.

 

I cant fathom pay $555 for some component.you can get a set of alpine comps for about 150-200. are they really that much better or are you just paying for a brand.

Blood,

 

Why not... its not hard at all to fathom.... I just ordered a set of Germaniums and SL's too... hell, I may spend more on sound deadening mat than those Alpines cost....