Why am I not getting the bang!!?

Question

So I'm a fan of the Hifonics series and have been for a while. I came off of a HF 1500 series in my old grand prix and it Slammed! I must have played songs like late night tip a thousand times. Any way, car turned to crap so I took the subs (2 12's pioneer champion series pros) in the same enclosure and everything and switched to the the brutus line and up'd it to 1700 watts. Now I have an SUV and you would think that it would slam harder.... not the case. So I switched out the subs for some Kicker l7's and went ported this time, but it still didn't measure up. Can anyone throw out some suggestions of what needs to be done, becuz I know for a fact that this amp can do more than it's doing. 

Couple of installment facts: Radio sub frequency tuned to 100 hz and I tried to match it on the amp as close at possible. Zero awg running through the car to a battery cap but no big three upgrade (but I don't have a dimming problem even when I took the cap off so I don't think it's an energy problem) stock everything else, battery, door speakers, and alternator.

k3n12ock · Accepted Answer

You have an SUV now, that right there is the main factor. You went from a trunk car where everything is basically sealed up and limited to that area so the "bang" is gonna be louder. Now you have an SUV. you have much much more surface area to factor in and all. With that, you'd have to retune your amp. I went from an Impala and straight swapped to an MDX and it was the same ordeal, much more airspace and the waves reflect differently.

As for the new amp, its, well, new. You have to retune everything as well. New subs? Gotta retune again. LPF on the HU can stay at 120hz (I like 125hz but whatever). On the amp, LPF should be about the same. Check your subsonic filter as well and your wiring.

Also, how are your subs firing and where is your box location? I figure the box is right up against your back seats? With that the subs/box has no loading wall, or one that's too far for the waves to bounce off of. You could try subs/port upfiring. Most if not all SUV vehicles I've seen have subs up with either port up or port back. Though with port back, their boxes are huge with like (4) 18s or if smaller, they are pushed back closer the the hatch. We usually like boxes 6-8 inches from the hatch so, as mentioned before, there's a loading wall for the waves to bounce off of. Anyways, I'm rambling..

ATLlove · Answer

how do you have the subs wired? that HF amp does RMS Power Rating (@ 14.4V):
4 ohms: 600 watts x 1 chan.
2 ohms: 1200 watts x 1 chan.
1 ohm: 1700 watts x 1 chan.

now, i now that amp does close to rated because it is CEA compliant, so you have plenty of power for those subs which handle around 700w rms. what ohm rating do you have them wired too?
another thought, is that ported box a prefab box or custom built? the l7's like most any enclosure but if the tuning is way too high then there is your issue.

Kirk · Answer

Just a Guess: The SUV has a lot more Sound-Deadening material than the old Grand Prix.

Why am I not getting the bang!!?

3 Answers