5SpeedP5

Does that look like something that should be hitting 162dB?
Sure as hell doesnt! Hell, im surprised it doesnt fall apart from that much bass/sound. But surpisingly, the thing holds tight, and has no major rattles (other than the general ones, like the whole damn car )

But, this is how it goes. My friend started out with a regular old pioneer headunit that the car came with, pretty plain headunit... but it works well! He went and added 4 new speakers to replace the stockers, all which were blown from the 50x4 h/u... so in goes some good kenwood 2 ways, at about 5inches around (they are small, but loud, and clear), costing him only 50 dollars. First priority for him: Cap them off for treble and mids. Once they were installed this was basically his system for the past months, but it was sure good sounding, very sweet and clean, but it was missing that low end, not having any bass and all .

Then last week, he got a nice paycheck, and we both had the week off. So it was car audio hunting for us!

We ended up talking with a guy we knew from school who's dad owned a car audio shop in town. He hooked us up with great prices and some great products:

2 12inch Kicker Impulse subs (not a new model, but still new in the box) $100
1 Bandpass box, to hold 2 subs each $20
2 Polk audio 6x9s (to go in 2 custom boxes we built) $40
1 75x2 Jensen amp (to power 6x9s) $40
1 400x2 Jensen amps (to power subs) $100

So about 350 dollars later (including those kenwoods) we have everything to make a kick *** system for him (not the greatest out there,but exactly what he wanted).

So we had everything by wensday and basically spent everyday til last sunday working on it on and off (though we had it hooked up and running on friday). He had his own way of wiring it all that took longer, but in the end it worked out better.

With everything installed and exactly how we wanted it we finally sat down and listened. And, WOW i havent heard anything as clean and hard hitting as that system, and ive heard a few decent car stereos in my day. Out of such a low end line of products that he used, he managed to get great sound quality, hard hitting bass, and a massive sound.... not to mention 162dB

Oh and if your questioning the 162dB (which i even do), it was tested with my best friends dB meter while i wasnt around, so i was just told that number...... but i will get confimation (photos), and photos of this install soon


Just a bit of reading for you guys

onehawaiian

162db is quite impressive for any system. but i'll be the first to admit that kicker has been awesome in recent years (even their impulse line!)

and no rattles is always a plus...

Shawn

I don't want to sound cruel but I wouldn't believe that 162 db number. Even though it's a bandpass box, he is not running a whole lot of power. Certainly not enough for 162 IMO. Someone's personal db meter is probably not too accurate or reliable at those really loud extremes either. The ONLY db reading that I will ever trust is an official reading at a db drag or equivalent event.
I'm sure it's still a great install though

pimpprotege69

I really wouldnt Doubt this, my friend has a 92 Ford Tauras Gl.

He has these exact same subs , 2 12 inch Kicker Impulse subs in a ported box.

I swear he is reaching 150 maybe. This is running off a Sony 300 watt class D amp.

I have 2 12 inch kicker Comp vr's running off a Xtant 300 watt amp and It's not nearly as loud as his setup.

162db might be a stretch but im starting to believe in these woofers. They are louder then anything ive ever heard for 2 12's and they are old models from years ago.

If you want IM him at lumpmoron2. He has pics and everything , he will make you a believer.

naki831

There's a BIG difference between 150 and 162dbs. No way in hell he's hitting a legit 162 with that setup and equipment.

bigwoofer

Ohhh, I just have to answer this. There is no way you are hitting 160db. Forget about 150db while you are at it. With 2 12's in a ported box, and a 400 watt jensen amp, you'll be lucky to hit 135. Now you may ask what basis I have for saying this, around 9 years competing in db drag.

Now the reason I know you aren't hitting 160's is that the highest scores currently being hit in the WORLD with 1 amp and 2 12" subs is still only in the mid 150's. And these are subs that cost over 500US each and most of the heavy hitters are using a single Zapco 4k amp which puts out around 6000 watts and costs 5000 US dollars.

Ask your friend what kind of meter he used, and where did he take the measurements...



This is the CRX in my driveway 2 years ago. There are 4 1000watt fosgate amps and 2 15" subs in a wall behind the seats. Best score was 157 db.

Oh just so you know, going from 140db to 143db is equivalent to twice the volume. In theory, you need to either double the cone area, or double the power to get a 3db gain. There are other "special" ways to get extra db's, although at the expense of ALL sound quality.

Also, my car with 500 watts per sub, and I'll take my w7's over those kickers every day of the week, only meters in the low 140's. Of course it is tuned extremely low and for SQ only. The gains are off, but the best I could ever do with my current SQ setup might push mid 140's.

Not to crap all over your friends system, but tell him to lose the Radio Shack meter or whatever he is using. I use a termlab meter calibrated to 175db to do all my measurements. You only have to fork over 3,000 dollars to get a set. If he is using a generic meter, there is usually alot of error in those units.

bigwoofer

Here again are pics of a few systems, and their CERTIFIED SPL, just so you can get an idea....

Here is Dave Jennings who is certified at 162.9db



Thats alot of subs and amps to get into the 162 range.

bigwoofer

Here's the same car as your friend (or one really similar) with a few more amps and 2 15" subs. Certified at 159.9db

bigwoofer

And the top dogs...

Steve Cook. 10 subs, 20,000 watts of power, and 174.9db certified!!!


Mike Hughes, 5 15" subs 20 amps and 24,000 watts of power. 174.7db certified.


Benjamin Sams. Certified 174.1 with 4 18" subs and 34,000 watts of power.




I just wanted to show you guys what I used to be into. Lots of fun, but got waaaaaay to expensive to compete.

pimpprotege69

Yeah , your right .

Maybe his meter was screwed.

Yeah but does 130 DBS , make you want to get out the car cause you can't breath or think??

bigwoofer

130dbs is fairly loud. Depending on the note you are playing it'll make you feel it in your stomach. If you want to get an idea of how much say 140 is, check out Db Drag Racing to see if there are any shows in your area, and go check them out. Most of the competitors will let you listen to their stuff. Guaranteed to open your eyes.

pimpprotege69

How loud would it be when , your mirror flies off and you have a pounding head ache after 5 minutes and breathing becomes hard???

onehawaiian

hehe, 5speedp5's post was probably more of a "these old kicker lines rock in a tracer" than a "we hit 180db with a pyramid sub". but like i said earlier, 160db is quite impressive for any system.

i'm sure the meter may have been off, but it must have still been pretty loud.

bigwoofer

I used to have a Camaro with a wall where my backseats were. I had 4 18" subs with 1000 watts per sub. I could hit a certified 150db at around 40hz. Now that would easily give you a stomach ache. But to get a headache, that usually takes distortion. I remember sticking my head in this kids car, he could barely hit 135db, but his mids and tweeters were so distorted I got an instant headache.

bigwoofer

Hawaiian Hey I couldn't agree more. I find alot of people have NO clue just how loud 140, 150 or even 160db is. Myself included since I have never had the pleasure of seeing a system that could break 160db. The closest I have gotten was a 157. I'd give my left nut to watch someone hit 170db.