15" RE *** or FI Btl

[Modded]

I am looking into my next sub purchase and this time I want something that I can be pushing 2000w RMS t when I want.
I have narrowed it down to these two, but now don't know which to pick. Can someone help me out.
I am also open to other 15" sub suggestions.

 

[Denali0229]

You looking for SPL or SQ? I haven't heard good things about the new RE gear. I heard the old stuff was much better. Fi, as you probably already know, is solid but more of an SQ sub than SPL. Look into DC, maybe Level 4, XL, or Level 5, Ascendant Audio Mayhem, SSA Xcon or Zcon, or Sundown Z series. You can find most of these subs on soundsolutionsaudio.com except the DC. You might be able to find a dealer for the DC at dcsoundlab.com. If I had to choose between the two you mentioned, I'd go with the Fi.

 

[Modded]

Thanks Drew. I am going to look into all of those. I see some tuff about the RE *** subs having some tinsel issues?
I do not want to start having issues with a sub after paying serious $$$ for it.
Also, I am looking for more SQ than SPL.

 

[Denali0229]

No problem. Honestly, for the money you'll spend on the ***, there are much better options out there. I'd prefer the DC or Mayhem over the ***. 2,000 watts is serious power so the options are limited, which is somewhat a good thing b/c the number of options out there can be overwhelming. I would make sure you get a good warranty with the sub and more importantly, a nice box built to spec and tuned correctly.

 

[Nickleahy23]

i had a 18 FI BTL and loved it..great sound for being a 18...i havent looked around much lately since i got my new set up, but ive been real impressed with sundown..my 2 12s get almost as loud as my 18, with half the power..plus they have great sq

 

[Denali0229]

Here's a few links

http://dcsoundlab.com/level4.html

http://dcsoundlab.com/xl.html

http://dcsoundlab.com/level5.html

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/index.php/product-information/xcon.html

http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/index.php/product-information/zcon.html

http://ascendantaudio.com/mayhem.php

 

[Modded]

Thanks for the help guys. I am checking out all of those right now and I'm starting to get confused lol.
Does it matter than I will be using a 1800-2000w RMS Rockford amp? I don't want to under power any of these, that's why I was even looking at the *** (due to its 2000w RMS rating).
I see the Ascendant and two of the DC subs ask for more than 2200. Then the DC Level 3 wants 1400 and I will be pushing more than that.

---------- Post added at 03:48 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:45 PM ----------

i had a 18 FI BTL and loved it..great sound for being a 18...i havent looked around much lately since i got my new set up, but ive been real impressed with sundown..my 2 12s get almost as loud as my 18, with half the power..plus they have great sq

Which Sundown do you have?

 

[Nickleahy23]

I just have their SA series..on a 1200 watt sundown amp..sax-1200d....gets the job done for me

 

[Modded]

Ok thanks Nick.
I am now looking at the 18" Fi BTL and DC Audio XL.
Which is better for SQ?

 

[Nickleahy23]

wish i could tell you..i know with the right box, the btl is great for being an 18..i never got a complaint on SQ out of it, and especially not from SPL lol..I had 2700 rms to it and it prolly wanted another 2700..

 

[Modded]

Damn. Now I feel like I may need a bigger amp because it sounds like 1800w RMS is overpowering these even though they are rated at approximately 2200w RMS.

 

[Denali0229]

Both are great subs. I don't think you'll be disappointed with either. I personally would get the DC. I think your amp will do fine with either sub. A normal sub takes 300-500 watts RMS. You are doing three times that. Obviously, the subs you've chosen are not "normal" subs but 1,800 watts is fine. You won't be overpowering it. You can also wire it to a higher impedance (ohm) so you're not pushing your amp too hard or you can just adjust the amp down a little. You have a great amp. I wouldn't worry too much. Just get a nice box and you'll be happy.

 

[jdpber]

Neo also remember with these higher quality and higher output subs the box selection is just as key of a component as the sub/impedance/amp combination for your final SQ output... as a vented and a sealed box can sound dramatically different.. i personally go with sealed and properly tine the amp for clipping as i prefer SQ over SPL...

just another thing for you to remember.. you are on the right track for a great deep system.. just do the research and you will be happy... personally i would go with a 15 Fi over an 18..

 

[Modded]

Thanks Drew and John. I am going to have a sub box custom built to the exact manufacturer specs that is called for by the sub I choose.
I am really liking the DC XL and Fi BTL N2 right now. Though I am leaning towards the DC because I keep reading they have better SQ than the Fi that is meant for more SPL than SQ.
Now that it was mentioned, I was also thinking of whether I want a 15 or 18.
Also trying to figure out the sealed vs. ported dilemma too. I do want the sub to be loud to the point people want to know what it is, so I'm guessing I want SQL a bit too. That is why I am leaning towards ported.

The last question I have is whether there is a reason people run these type of subs up-firing? I would prefer mine rear-firing like a normal sub. I was thinking maybe it is a space thing?
Also, do these subs last? I read they don't and often need reconing. I do not want to have to recone these because I will only have them for 2 years at the most and won't push them too hard.

 

[Denali0229]

I personally like 10s or 12s so I would say go with the 15 b/c I don't care for the larger speakers much but that's just me. I've never had a 15 or 18 but I've heard them many times and I just just felt the 10 or 12 gave me enough lows and loudness. I particularly like 12s. They are a well rounded speaker.

I would go with a ported over sealed box. They tend to be louder and dig lower. Sealed enclosures, I feel, are used when space is limited and its supposed to be better sound quality. The upfiring boxes are used when the box dimensions can't accommodate the speaker for a rear or front firing speaker. Nothing wrong with them but most people would suggest a rear firing sub. I had two 10s in a Honda a long time ago and it was originally rear firing but I put the rear seat down and let it fire in the cabin and it sounded louder to me.

 

[jdpber]

If you want people to notice te SPL you couldn't have an issue with any of these when in the correct box and proper power. 18"s are a very large speaker. And move a ton of air. Buddies older brother had 2 18s in a 80 trans am with hydrolics ( yea I know. But he thought that was cool) and I have seen those speakers shatter the T-tops before. Now that was a small airspace... But I have had 15s and 12s before. And prefer 12s the best out of any. Now I am a SQ guy over SPL. But a 15 will deliver plenty of what you are saying you are looking for. Of set up correct.

 

[Modded]

Ok 15s rear firing it is. Probably gonna go with a ported, and if it's not what I like, I will switch to sealed.
Thanks for the advice. I will make a build thread in about a month when I get all this stuff installed!

 

[Denali0229]

I found something you might be interested in. Not sure what they go for retail.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/subwoofer-classifieds/541955-fs-1-fi-btl-18-n2-d2-coils.html

Let me know how it goes.

 

[Denali0229]

Here's two DC XLs for sale. You might be able to get him to sell you just one. I just realized you decided on 15s but just in case you change your mind.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/subwoofer-classifieds/539680-2-dc-audio-xl-18s-dual-1-ohm.html

 

[Denali0229]

Another DC XL but a 15

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/subwoofer-classifieds/542996-dc-xl-15-d1-fs-ft.html