I've got an MTX Thunder 5400X 5-Channel amp
For the sub channel, the amp will be putting out:
12volts:
100watts RMS into 4 ohms
200watts RMS into 2 ohms
14.4 volts
150watts into 4 ohms
300watts into 2 ohms

- what should i look for that will sound
good? i plan on building an enclosed box

I've heard alot about the alpine type-r's but i'm not certain if the low power will make it sound good

 

my 12" type-r DVC is getting 300 watts max and pounding hard, so i think you should be fine. HOWEVER, do no try to compensate for lower volume by increasing the gain. you will blow the sub. this is commonly done when people are discouraged at the volume. if you set the gain right, you'll have nothing to worry about.

 

throw a JL Audio 12W3 in the back, its rating is 250w rms, and these subs POUND, u can get one off the net for about 165, but they wont include a warrenty cause JL doesnt authorize online sales

 

"If it were me I would get 10W0's" That's what the JL rep told me when I called to get a reccomendation on wether to run 2 W-3's or 2 W-0's with 200 watts each. I've got just one hooked up to 200watts and it sounds great. It's in a sealed box at .625 cu.ft. You can find them for $100 each at an authorized dealer. I was also told from the JL guy that all of the W-0, W-1, W-3 and W-6 have the same sound quality. The only difference is power handling. That and the W-0's have a cool rubber gasket instead of the old cardboard stuff that would get messed up and fall off. I think for the money these are awesome subs for anything up to 200 watts.

 

Look for subs with a high sensitivity rating. Anything above 90dB will be a good place to start. This will totally rule out all high excursion subs with the 20000lb magnet and 4" rolled surround. Small-box subs are out of the question too. I'd suggest JL, Oz Audio and especially Cerwin Vega's Vega series. Those are some of the most sensitive subs out there, so they'll pound with small amps.

 

who ever told u that all JL subs sound the same is a liar, i listened to 2 10W0s and 2 10W3s on a board with the same amp, the W3s sounded so much cleaner, and they are way louder, they are better all around, thats y the 10W3 is like $200
and the W0 is only $100, you would be so much happier with a W3 sub

 

The W-3's have the potential for being louder, but they won't be louder at 100 watts! BTW, if you're paying $200 for a W-3 you're getting ripped off.

 

well i went and listened to what the local place has in stock, and i think i'm gonna go with the rockford fosgate punch he 10 inch - just one for now - originally i was gonna do a sealed enclosure, but the sales guy sorta convinced me that a ported box might benifit me alittle more - so what do you guys think?

 

I think you should find a sub with a higher sensitivity rating. Like I said above, those high excursion subs need a lot of power.

I do agree that a ported box may not be a bad idea, because it'll help boost low frequency sensitivity.

 

If you want the subs loud than I'd take Jim85IROCs suggestion and take a look at the Cerwin Vega Vegas. The downside is that pure SQ can be much better from other subs (although they sound pretty good if you build the box properly) and that the box requirements for these subs (must use ported box) is large.

 

are the cerwin vega stealth series any good? i can get the stealth 12" for $78 is it worth it?

 

I have very little experience with the stealth, but for the most part, they're cheap subs.

I've always been extremely fond of the Vega model line. The damned boxes are huge 2.5 cubes for a single 12" which is the only reason I don't have them. I've always absolutely loved the sound of those subs. They seem to be able to pound out lower octave sound very cleanly.