Frusterated..

[Crazy 13immer]

Bear with me, I'm an audio noob
Problem 1:
I have a 15" Kicker L7. I was going to get a sealed box for it, but then some people tell me that a 15 won't sound as clean as a 12. And I want good clean SQ. I would rather have an accurate clean punch than "use sound waves to peel off your face" bass. I could keep the 15, get a 12, or even (and I'm not sure about this) get 2 10"s.
Problem 2:
I don't really know anything about amps. Umm.. I don't know what I need. I only want a sufficient amp (plenty of power, but nothing over the top). I don't know if I need a multi channel amp, and I don't know what power/ohm rating either. I know it depends on which sub I get, I'm leaning towards a 12. Would I have to worry about powering any speakers in the car, or does the amp solely power the sub?
Thanks for the help, I'm more or less thinking out loud here so any comments would be apperciated.

[carstereopro]

What is your budget like?

Let me know the following and I will be happy to give you some recommendations for equipment to look for:
*what you have to spend (total budget)
*if you are doing your own install
*your taste in music
*what do you have for equipment now (raw components and items installed in car already)
*do you have installation accessories and wiring

[Crazy 13immer]

Um. I'm on semi-tight budget. I would like to spend less than $800. I think that I've decided on a single 12" in a sealed box. I was looking at the alpine type-r's. I think that they sound clean and give a good punch. Other than that, I'm not really sure. I need an amp but I know absolutely nothing about amps.

[IanBMW]

Well post the complete specs of your sub that you want here and we can make some recommendations. It's usually pretty easy to understand, match up the ohm of your sub with your amp. You always want more RMS power from your amp to your sub, or atleast equal. Look into either mono-block amps, or 2-channel amps and bridge the 2 channels to one. Oh and do a google search. There are loads of info out there. If you want a good system you need to know what RMS, Peak, OHM, and other various terms stand for and how they work.

[carstereopro]

Originally Posted by IanBMW

If you want a good system you need to know what RMS, Peak, OHM, and other various terms stand for and how they work.

Not to bust your balls, but do you know what these terms mean?

Imo these terms are not as important as the following:

a. what are you trying to acheive with your stereo system?
b. what are your budget constraints?
c. what are your vehicle constraints?...ie. Space, location, etc.
d. who is doing the install? and are they experienced at working with the equipment in question?
c. (even more important) do you trust them with your car?

With these questions answered I can design a system for anyone from a poor highschool kid, to Donald Trump.

Unfortunately Audio is very subjective, what looks or sound good to you might not to me. What I consider to be neccessary, you may not.

Anyways, I'd be happy to help if you give me some more info.

and again, IanBMW, I'm not trying to bust your balls, Just letting you know that a 14 year car audio veteran and professional installer has a different approach to car audio, (thus my name on this site)

[LordofMpower]

carstereopro you seems extremely knowledgeable but its hard for me to read your posts because i can't stop staring at your avatar ...... DAMN I LOVE TITTIES!

So hopefully I'll be doing a complete ICE system shortly on a 95 M3 do you mind if I PM when the time comes?

[///M3UT]

maybe too late, but i have a recomendation:

1 JL12w6v2 and a Kicker or JL 500.1 amp

With this stuff your set, this is the best equipiment on the market right now IMO

[LordofMpower]

Originally Posted by ///M3UT

maybe too late, but i have a recomendation:

1 JL12w6v2 and a Kicker or JL 500.1 amp

With this stuff your set, this is the best equipiment on the market right now IMO

odd thats whats in my trunk, and its Killer