Bass for the specialistDiscrete bass solutions offer the specialist to maximise profit potential from a sale. A lot of car owners will look to adding bass to their vehicles as an introduction to a full-blown sound system. There are several ways to achieve this. Last month we looked at a number of active bass boxes which provide a handy one-off plug and play sale.
This month we look at some discrete bass solutions which offer the specialist an opportunity to add installation fees to the equipment. This not only makes you more money but gives you extra opportunity to delight your customer and tempt them back for further work at a later date. An additional major benefit to the discrete equipment approach is that it enables the installer to conceal or at least install the equipment in a more space efficient manner by installing equipment in separate locations.
Cerwin Vega
Cerwin Vega has been around, in the USA anyway, for 40 years. Having a heritage which includes pro and home audio, they are a brand synonymous with high quality and big noise!
UK distributor, Pro Plus has packaged the V500.1 Amplifier with 2 X Vega 122 subwoofers as an entry level discreet bass package.
The V500.1 is a mono block amplifier with a class A/B circuit topology capable of driving 500 Watts RMS into 2 ohms or 300 Watts RMS into 4 Ohms. A variable 50 – 250 Hertz low pass and high pass filters, subsonic filter and 0-12dB of bass boost allow a good level of fine tuning.
Vega 122 dual voice coil 12” subs will run at 200 Watts continuous, handling up to 400 Watts peak power per 2 Ohm coil. Alternatively you could run two subs from the same amplifier as shown in the adjacent image. Each sub can run in a 1 cubic foot enclosure or 1.75 cubic foot vented box.
Contact Pro Plus: Tel. 01707 650 140 Fax. 01707 645 543 - Email. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Diamond
Diamond is another company from USA with a long heritage in car audio. This dual subwoofer package put together by UK distributor Pro Plus, features two D112D4.2 subwoofers and a D400.1 class A/B mono block amplifier.
Diamond D112D4.2’s are dual 2 Ohm voice coil subwoofers capable of running at 250 Watts continuous or 500 Watts max power. With a mounting depth of just 5.1 inches, the subs can be mounted to satisfy those who feel their systems should be heard but not seen. However, the attractive, titanium finish used on the injection moulded poly propylene cone would suggest they were built for display!
The D400.1 class A/B amplifier is capable of driving 400 Watts RMS into 2 Ohms. With 12dB of bass boost available a continuously variable filter from 50 – 250 Hertz and copious amounts of circuit protection, the amp is specified as a rugged warhorse and looks the part also. There is a straight through line output allowing multiple amps to be easily daisy chained which is a feature many installers look for these days. The combination of these products should satisfy both those looking for sound quality or sound pressure level in the bass register.
Contact Pro Plus: Tel. 01707 650 140 Fax. 01707 645 543 - Email. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Kenwood
Kenwood continue to provide huge amounts of brand desirability to young car-hi-fi fans. However, the combination of a brand new class D amplifier and carbon/fibre glass coned subs should attract many more experienced fans in search of musical bass reinforcement.
The KAC-9105D amplifier is a mono block capable of driving into 1 Ohm which makes it very flexible when designing systems containing multiple subwoofers. A high level speaker input with auto signal switching adds flexibility to those wishing to preserve the integrity of their dashboard!
Capable of driving 500 CEA rated Watts into 4 Ohms, this powerful amp offers up to 18dB of bass boost at 40Hz with a variable frequency, low-pass and infrasonic filter on board.
The Kenwood KFC-XW1224D is a 300mm dual voice coil subwoofer featuring a carbon/glass fibre cone. This combination offers an extremely rigid yet lightweight cone for fast bass and minimal cone break up. Other features include a super linear spider, high excursion high-roll butyl rubber surround and a dual magnet drive.
Rated input power is specified at 300 Watts + 300 Watts and the unit has gold plated screw lock terminals. The woofer is suitable for sealed or ported enclosures and features an aluminium die-cast basket.
Sensitivity is quoted at 84dB/W/m and frequency response 32Hz - 500Hz
Contact Kenwood: www.kenwood-electronics.co.uk
JL Audio
Distributed for many years by BBG, JL Audio is one of the UK’s most famous independent ICE specialist brands. With Celsus now at the controls, there is no reason to expect any change in JL’s mainstream appeal.
The marriage of the JL 12W7 subwoofer with the HD750/1 Class D Mono block amplifier adds power to class leading sound creating a package which would proudly grace any proper car hi-fi system.
The JL Audio 12W7 300mm subwoofer boasts no less than six patents. Designed to deliver both high pressure levels and hi fidelity. The cone has a unique “W-Profiled” architecture which makes for great rigidity even at extreme levels yet is made up of ultra light-weight polypropylene. Coil windings are also given the lightweight treatment using aluminium alloy rather than traditional copper wire. With power handling capability up to 1000 Watts and an efficiency figure of 86.2 dB SPL the sub delivers great fidelity at all volume levels.
JL Audio’s HD750/1 Class D Mono block amplifier is rated at 750 Watts RMS making it a perfect match for the 12W7 subwoofer. It can drive into 1.5 ohm loads without difficulty. Accepting an input of up to 8V RMS the amplifier with handle speaker level outputs from most factory fit source units if required.
With selectable 12dB/octave or 24dB/octave crossover and a phase reverse switch on board, the amplifier is as flexible as any on the market.
Contact Celsus: 01202 664390 – www.celsusice.co.uk
Hertz
Hertz from Italian manufacturer Elettromedia has gone from strength to strength in the hands of UK distributor FOUR. Committed to continuously developing their range of products to bring a smile to the face of all car audio fans, the pairing of the Hertz SPL Show subwoofer with the Hertz EP 1D mono block amplifier should continue their good work.
The EP1D amplifier will deliver 1000 Watts RMS into 1 Ohm and if that is not enough, a unique linking system called EP link enables two or more amplifiers to be strapped together. Containing 24dB/Octave sub-sonic and low-pass filters an optional remote sub-bass control is a highly recommended add-on. Automatic input sensing for remote turn on and a speaker input sensitivity of up to 24 Volt RMS enables simple connection to OEM head units.
Hertz SX 300D SPL Show subwoofer features a triple stacked magnet assembly and features dual 2 Ohm voice coils. Rated at 3200 Watts peak power or 800 Watts continuous this sub offers an eye brow lifting 91dB/SPL efficiency rating. Hertz stick with the traditional pressed paper cone for audio integrity and add plenty of cooling and long throw excursion features to provide exceptional audio quality at high levels. The distinctive orange badge should once again be a prevalent feature in many of the new season’s installs.
Contact Four: 0845 450 1594 – www.fourcars.co.uk
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