Subwoofer Project FINISHED!!! (Enclosure Dimensions Included)

[exsterminator]

Looks like I might have some free funds to get going on this project soon rather than wait until next Jan. Thoughts on this amp and sub (suggested by Crutchfield) as a combo pls!

MTX JackHammer JH300 Mono subwoofer amplifier — 300 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms at Crutchfield.com

Rockford Fosgate P3SD410 Punch Stage 3 Shallow 10" subwoofer with dual 4-ohm voice coils at Crutchfield.com

I think this is approx $365 before wiring kit but can source from eBay for approx $270.

Anyone have any links to the tweeter replacement projects???

[carlgo]

Originally Posted by exsterminator

Looks like I might have some free funds to get going on this project soon rather than wait until next Jan. Thoughts on this amp and sub (suggested by Crutchfield) as a combo pls!

MTX JackHammer JH300 Mono subwoofer amplifier — 300 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms at Crutchfield.com

Rockford Fosgate P3SD410 Punch Stage 3 Shallow 10" subwoofer with dual 4-ohm voice coils at Crutchfield.com

I think this is approx $365 before wiring kit but can source from eBay for approx $270.

Anyone have any links to the tweeter replacement projects???

Essam originally used the Pioneer because it only required a small enclosure, and several of us can attest that it does indeed work. If the Fosgate uses the same volume of enclosure, then I am sure it is a quality product and will be just fine.

Not sure what you mean about tweeter replacement projects. Many have replaced the originals with BSW units with great success. Others can be made to fit with the usual fabrication.

Just be aware that BMW uses a system that sends specific signals to each speaker, so you have to be careful if you update them. Even the most expensive and exotic tweeter might not necessarily sound good just hooked up like the original.

[exsterminator]

Originally Posted by carlgo

Essam originally used the Pioneer because it only required a small enclosure, and several of us can attest that it does indeed work. If the Fosgate uses the same volume of enclosure, then I am sure it is a quality product and will be just fine.

Thanks for the reply. When I searched Crutchfield for shallow mount 10" subs, only about a dozen came up. I went through the specs for all of them and this was the only one that had similar sealed box volume parameters: 0.4-1.0 cubic feet.

So I guess what I am asking is, as someone with NO experience or knowledge of car audio manufacturers, are this sub and amp good enough quality for the price or should I be looking at other brands?

[carlgo]

Originally Posted by exsterminator

Thanks for the reply. When I searched Crutchfield for shallow mount 10" subs, only about a dozen came up. I went through the specs for all of them and this was the only one that had similar sealed box volume parameters: 0.4-1.0 cubic feet.

So I guess what I am asking is, as someone with NO experience or knowledge of car audio manufacturers, are this sub and amp good enough quality for the price or should I be looking at other brands?

It would probably be fine. The amp is a name brand with seemingly enough power and fans. The sub is a good brand with similar specs to the Pioneer. I would still tend to go the Pioneer route only because it is now on to its second or third generation and one would think they have it dialed in. In the real world, though, it is doubtful there is much difference.

[exsterminator]

Originally Posted by carlgo

The amp is a name brand with seemingly enough power and fans. . . . I would still tend to go the Pioneer route only because it is now on to its second or third generation and one would think they have it dialed in.

Thanks again for the quick reply. Could you clarify a couple of things for me?

What do you mean by "seemingly enough power"? As I said before, I am 100% new to this and have the advice of the Crutchfield rep only.

What is the Pioneer model number for the sub so I can try and find it, as you mention 2nd/3rd gen . . .

Just to clarify: frlom an audio standpoint, I seriously think that the only changes I will ever make to my stock setup - non-nav, non-dsp, business CD - are the amp and sub as well as an iPod option. I have no desire for Sirius or XM and seriously doubt I will make any changes to any of the stock speakers. With this in mind, how does the amp look now?

[m5james]

Originally Posted by exsterminator

Looks like I might have some free funds to get going on this project soon rather than wait until next Jan. Thoughts on this amp and sub (suggested by Crutchfield) as a combo pls!

MTX JackHammer JH300 Mono subwoofer amplifier — 300 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms at Crutchfield.com

Rockford Fosgate P3SD410 Punch Stage 3 Shallow 10" subwoofer with dual 4-ohm voice coils at Crutchfield.com

I think this is approx $365 before wiring kit but can source from eBay for approx $270.

Anyone have any links to the tweeter replacement projects???

I got the same amp brand new off ebay for $85 and it rocks my little RE Audio 8" in the X. When I first got the amp, I used it to power my Sony Xplode 12" (POS box, but it and the subwoofer were free) and it rocked that sub also. Unfortunately I don't see any in the same price range on ebay, but I have the seller's number still if you'd like me to call her. I was visiting Seattle at the time and she lived locally like 20 minutes from where i was at.

I used a different sub than most have, but i've decided i'm going w/ a different twist on Zero's box design by deleting the gas door locking mechanism and bracket to get more subwoofer depth and a wee bit more airspace.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...installed.html

[fraktulz]

Just received my sub (the standard Pioneer as detailed by Essam). Will get my amp (Alpine MRP-500) next week (according to UPS tracking) and will be working all next weekend on the box.

I didn't get any of the cables so if anyone has any suggestions please fell free to throw them my way, else I'll wing it.

Cheers-

[X5-limo]

Originally Posted by fraktulz

Just received my sub (the standard Pioneer as detailed by Essam). Will get my amp (Alpine MRP-500) next week (according to UPS tracking) and will be working all next weekend on the box.

I didn't get any of the cables so if anyone has any suggestions please fell free to throw them my way, else I'll wing it.
-Cheers-

Did your amp arrive? How is the subwoofer box and installation coming along?

[X5-limo]

Originally Posted by fraktulz

Just received my sub (the standard Pioneer as detailed by Essam). Will get my amp (Alpine MRP-500) next week (according to UPS tracking) and will be working all next weekend on the box.

Cheers-

Yo! Fraktulz, Have you got your system up and running, yet?

I just replaced my (blown?) Alpine 350 watt amp with an Alpine 500 watt and man-oh-man, there is a difference! I can say, IMHO, that the Alpine 350 watt amp has just enough power for the Pioneer 251w shallow-sub (it's a good combination!) to make it a perfect match ie., a X5 w/ 4.8is. An Alpine 450 watt amp would be like adding a CAI to that same X5 w/ 4.8is, but the Alpine 500 watt is like that X5 w/4.8is and CAI plus a Magnaflow X-pipe and a set of
Dinan Free Flow Exhausts!!

Either one of the three amps should make a good system!

[carlgo]

Originally Posted by X5-limo

Yo! Fraktulz, Have you got your system up and running, yet?

I just replaced my (blown?) Alpine 350 watt amp with an Alpine 500 watt and man-oh-man, there is a difference! I can say, IMHO, that the Alpine 350 watt amp has just enough power for the Pioneer 251w shallow-sub (it's a good combination!) to make it a perfect match ie., a X5 w/ 4.8is. An Alpine 450 watt amp would be like adding a CAI to that same X5 w/ 4.8is, but the Alpine 500 watt is like that X5 w/4.8is and CAI plus a Magnaflow X-pipe and a set of
Dinan Free Flow Exhausts!!

Either one of the three amps should make a good system!

Isn't it always true that more powerful is better! Now I have amp envy in addition to wheel envy.

Years ago I got the original Bose 901 speaker system along with a quality 60 amp. This, Bose and all the review articles said, was way more than enough. Years later I borrowed a very expensive monster amp for a day. Wow, what a huge difference! Those 18 speakers in a little sealed box (the original design) just needed a huge amount of power, way more than most people could possibly afford. Later, Bose added ports to lower the real power requirement. Maybe the shallow sub in a small box is like that: it will work, mine sounds good, but more power makes it better.

It would be interesting if others out there have done what you did and what their observations are, in case maybe your 350 amp was defective or something.