Most Acurate 10" SQ sub for $200 or less

[ShockTherapy]

Hi everyone! I'm replacing a set of 10w3v2 subs and looking to step up to some real sound quality drivers.

The problem I'm having is not only price but I also need no more than a 6" mounting depth. I will be running a ZPA0.5 at 4ohm (1000x1) with a balanced line transmitter.
Here are the options I'm considering:

IDQ10D4.v2 - Woofers etc, I can get 2 for $400 shipped total.
Peerless XXLS 10 - $250 shipped/pair
Arc Audio 10D4 - $300 shipped/pair

Please give me your honest opinions and consider my restrictions when giving your opinions. Thank You!

[kg1961]

Find a set of Pg RSDC you will be very happy with them
they sell for that on the forum and ebay
I heard one in toms car one 12 it was very clean and tight
i a small sealed box he was only giving it 250 watts
I know STRYKER want to get rid of his 15" clarions and use 2 RSDC12 with a ton of power
can't wait to hear that set up

[dwnrodeo]

Others you may want to consider:

SSA Dcon 10D4. There's a review of the 12" sub on the phorum. http://phoenixphorum.com/dcon12d4-vt8729.html
http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/stor ... %7DS4.html

PG RSDc 104.

[NewOldStock]

dont forget the Dayton HO 10
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdet ... er=295-462

and the Dayton HF 10.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdet ... er=295-460

the HO 10 might be closer to what your looking for from a power standpoint, and is supposed to be one of the best SQ subs available. (edited - HO can handle more power not the HF, sorry, its early morning for me still)

I am having a hard time deciding between the RSDC and the Dayton HO for my next install, but I will only be pushing 650w total into 2ohms

[Bfowler]

the dcon 12 is most certainly the flattest sub i have ever heard...


the rsdc is still my all time favorite. if you are playing electric produced sounds at all, the rsdc seems to be able to reproduce anything, even unnaturally long and low tones while still maintaining a tight quick top end. and it comes in at just under 6 inches (1/2 inch of that is a rubber gasket in the back with feet" so the pole can vent even if its all the way back. so the pole would have almost 3/4inch of clearance

if you are playing music made with just instruments, the dcon is wonderful sounding though

[ShockTherapy]

the dcon 12 is most certainly the flattest sub i have ever heard...


the rsdc is still my all time favorite. if you are playing electric produced sounds at all, the rsdc seems to be able to reproduce anything, even unnaturally long and low tones while still maintaining a tight quick top end. and it comes in at just under 6 inches (1/2 inch of that is a rubber gasket in the back with feet" so the pole can vent even if its all the way back. so the pole would have almost 3/4inch of clearance

if you are playing music made with just instruments, the dcon is wonderful sounding though

I will definately take a look at one of those.

[KUB3]

Hi OP,

I have Peerless sub at home. They're pretty decent.

I also had an IDQ 10 in my last car. And JL, DLS, CDT EuroSport. The CDT was by far the best - extremely accurate AND it drops. The rest are all compromised one way or another. My next system will be CDT EuroSport again, when I buy a new one

[stipud]

As someone who currently owns and listens to the RSDC, Dcon and Peerless every day, and who has previously heard the IDQ and Daytons, I would probably suggest the RSDC for car audio purposes.

The Peerless are incredible in my house, but I prefer my car audio subs to have a little more punch. I run a 12" with a passive radiator and they play incredibly low and transparently with absolutely no distortion. I tried it for a laugh in my car but I found it bloated and slow by comparison. My home audio towers play much deeper so I can cross them over at 50Hz to really take advantage of their smooth low end. Although a pair of 10's would definitely be a lot better for car purposes, so I doubt you would be disappointed.

The Dcon is a fantastic sub but as Brian stated it shines on some music and misses on others. The RSDC is incredibly similar, but I find it a bit better when the going gets tough. It's the only sub that has played layered sub-bass with accuracy in my car (i.e. bass guitar and bass drums distinct and not mashed together). It blends with my mediocre midbass better than any other woofer I have used. I was less floored with the 10 compared to the 12 in my install, but I am only running 250 watts to the sub. With more wattage the 10 would be absolutely perfect, IMO.

The IDQv2's are a little dated and lack Xmax compared to the new high excursion subs. Their efficiency makes up for the output, but I find the low end bass a bit cleaner out of the other subs, especially in a 10". The IDQv3's should be a lot better in this regard... I would LOVE to try them. My IDMax on the other hand was too biased to low end bass I thought, and would only work well with dedicated midbass up front.

The Daytons I only have limited experience with. I would want to get more hands on time with one before I can give any advice with it. It's a very good sub but I haven't done a proper A/B comparison like I have with the others.

[KUB3]

My IDQ v2 10 was extremely accurate. But it was also extremely quiet and didn't drop. Which is kind of pointless in a sub, imho. It might be ok if you had loads of them? The trouble is, there are not many other subs out there with the accuracy of the IDQ! All the other subs I tried dropped, but lost the accuracy. But CDT ES does both, honestly!

[denim]

[smgreen20]

TREO TE line. They were build for SQ purposes.

The IDQ are the other subs I've heard a lot of rave about.

[Bfowler]

so your profile says seattle....im driving through seattle on sunday. feel like auditioning rsdc's ? (if your box is ready, i dont have one)

[ShockTherapy]

so your profile says seattle....im driving through seattle on sunday. feel like auditioning rsdc's ? (if your box is ready, i dont have one)

I know this is an off-the-wall question but how does the PG RSDCs compare to the older version 10w6v1 ? I have a chance to get 2 10w6v1 subs for a steal! and I built the JL enclosure that I have to spec for 2 10w3v2 subs. The 10w6 recommends the same airspace for the 2 models. This would have my subs match the custom enclosure and should give me a decent upgrade in SQ and SPL. What do you think?

[ShockTherapy]

so your profile says seattle....im driving through seattle on sunday. feel like auditioning rsdc's ? (if your box is ready, i dont have one)

I can also pick up a Focal 33KX K2P subwoofer for $200 used. It retails at well over a grand. It looks like a solid woofer and resembles the Utopia line. I would however have to build an enclosure for my truack to fit the 13" sub. I'm a little undecided... The 10w6 subs would be an easy upgrade but the Focal sub leaves me wondering.

[bdubs767]

well tech speaking if you want the most accurate sub you should look for one with low excursion. The more excursion the more distortion will occur.... in general.

I forget the price of the Seas new 10" driver but I've heard good things about it. Look at madisound.com for it. THe peerless drivers are great but tend to need huge boxes.

IMHO save your money and eq the low to your liking. Go with a dayton HO 10" or PG RSd 10". Both are great actually amazing subs. The most important thing you can do with a sub is build a proper rigid box, that is well braced, and designed properly for air movement through it and the proper air space for the driver. Don't listen to manf. specs for driver boxes IMO design your own, most tend to design boxes that are intended for the "BOOM BOOM" car audio crowd.

[ShockTherapy]

well tech speaking if you want the most accurate sub you should look for one with low excursion. The more excursion the more distortion will occur.... in general.

I forget the price of the Seas new 10" driver but I've heard good things about it. Look at madisound.com for it. THe peerless drivers are great but tend to need huge boxes.

IMHO save your money and eq the low to your liking. Go with a dayton HO 10" or PG RSd 10". Both are great actually amazing subs. The most important thing you can do with a sub is build a proper rigid box, that is well braced, and designed properly for air movement through it and the proper air space for the driver. Don't listen to manf. specs for driver boxes IMO design your own, most tend to design boxes that are intended for the "BOOM BOOM" car audio crowd.

I ended up finding 2 Image Dynamics IDQ10D4.v2 subs but after getting them I noticed that they are built like a cheapo sub. I know this shouldn't matter but it concerns me. I was curious about the sound so I installed one of the subs into an NHT subwoofer cabinet at home ans I was shocked! replacing the oem driver with the IDQ completely changed everything. This sub can get friggin LOW! I watched Pandorum"lame movie" but it sounded so good! I'm actually looking at upgrading my driver in my home theater to an XXLS 10 after hearing this. The thing I found truly amazing about these subs is that it literally dissapeared and blended with the NHT 2.3 towers. My wife is like Simon Cowell and she immediately noticed it. Now I can't bring myself to remove the sub from the cabinet and put the ole POS oem sub back in.

[ttocs]

I always found the IDQs very clean and accurate. I always thought they were a very stiff woofer that needed alot of clean power to really blow you away but I was never disappointed by them....

I could own one today.

[kg1961]

if the focal was the 15 i would buy it
i have the older 15"kx spl for my set up from Joerg.
focal are not as loud as some but very clean. the 10w6 the only problem is run your finger on the foam press they start to crack when they get older. if they are fine
i would but them
they will have allot more output than the focal
i have a littly used orion hcca10 the first ones in 1999 dual 2 ohm
very nice sub but i don't know if im going to sell it as i also have a hcca 225r and hcca250r the 250 is minty the 225 has a large mark on the heat shink

[ShockTherapy]

I always found the IDQs very clean and accurate. I always thought they were a very stiff woofer that needed alot of clean power to really blow you away but I was never disappointed by them....

I could own one today.

They are very nice sounding subs indeed! I feel like I'm being irresponsible but the idq is staying in my home subwoofer enclosure... I have literally fallen in love with the sound of my home theater again. *sniff sniff*. I am selling my other idq to my friend to replace a 10w0 in his truck... he's going to be impressed.
I was up last night weighing the pros and cons of subs to make a decision. After a lot of consideration I ordered 2 Peerless XXLS 8ohm subs to run at a 4ohm load with my ZPA0.5. I came to this conclusion after noticing that all of the measurements and requirements matched my enclosure perfectly. I figure that the ZPA is a little much for them but I will dial it in so to protect them. I'm VERY excited to get the subs... I have heard great things about them. I am in the middle of my install and at this point its a waiting game. here's where I'm at so far.

[ShockTherapy]

if the focal was the 15 i would buy it
i have the older 15"kx spl for my set up from Joerg.
focal are not as loud as some but very clean. the 10w6 the only problem is run your finger on the foam press they start to crack when they get older. if they are fine
i would but them
they will have allot more output than the focal
i have a littly used orion hcca10 the first ones in 1999 dual 2 ohm
very nice sub but i don't know if im going to sell it as i also have a hcca 225r and hcca250r the 250 is minty the 225 has a large mark on the heat shink

If that's the case you will like these beautiful subs. The Utopia 15 made me strongly consider a DIY home subwoofer with a nice plate amp.

http://cgi.ebay.com/BRAND-NEW-FOCAL-K2- ... 35a691fdd4


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ink:top:en

Someone better buy that Utopia! My wife's upset because I keep getting a stiffy every time I look at it.

[kg1961]

i got matt to look into it for me now im watching the 16"

[smgreen20]

Allen,

Here's what I did for the amprack in mine. I see you are set up similarly so I figured, why not?

[davidc81]

I ended up finding 2 Image Dynamics IDQ10D4.v2 subs but after getting them I noticed that they are built like a cheapo sub. I know this shouldn't matter but it concerns me. I was curious about the sound so I installed one of the subs into an NHT subwoofer cabinet at home ans I was shocked! replacing the oem driver with the IDQ completely changed everything. This sub can get friggin LOW! I watched Pandorum"lame movie" but it sounded so good! I'm actually looking at upgrading my driver in my home theater to an XXLS 10 after hearing this. The thing I found truly amazing about these subs is that it literally dissapeared and blended with the NHT 2.3 towers. My wife is like Simon Cowell and she immediately noticed it. Now I can't bring myself to remove the sub from the cabinet and put the ole POS oem sub back in.

WHOA! we have the same tv stand. SWEET!

[ShockTherapy]

I ended up finding 2 Image Dynamics IDQ10D4.v2 subs but after getting them I noticed that they are built like a cheapo sub. I know this shouldn't matter but it concerns me. I was curious about the sound so I installed one of the subs into an NHT subwoofer cabinet at home ans I was shocked! replacing the oem driver with the IDQ completely changed everything. This sub can get friggin LOW! I watched Pandorum"lame movie" but it sounded so good! I'm actually looking at upgrading my driver in my home theater to an XXLS 10 after hearing this. The thing I found truly amazing about these subs is that it literally dissapeared and blended with the NHT 2.3 towers. My wife is like Simon Cowell and she immediately noticed it. Now I can't bring myself to remove the sub from the cabinet and put the ole POS oem sub back in.

WHOA! we have the same tv stand. SWEET!

Looks good! Those look like Definitive technology towers... VERY NICE! The stand is from Walmart.. around $250. The house I'm in wont allow me to hang the tv on the wall in the area i want so this is my temporary alternative.

[ShockTherapy]

i got matt to look into it for me now im watching the 16"

I'd love to see what you do with the sub. It's a real work of art. I was considering a DIY home subwoofer with a 1000 watt plate amp. I was daydreaming about acoustic dampening panels and kimber kable. I just ordered 2 Peerless XXLS 10" subs to handle my low end. I'm fired up to get them. They are the 8ohm models so I'll be running a 4ohm load. ZPA0.5 baby!