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Old 06-03-2008, 05:46 PM
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Opinion on Arc Audio

Can I please get some opinions on the Arc Audio FL12 D2/D4. What do you guys think of these subs? Right now I don't know exactly what I want except that I want a sealed enclosure. Going for SQ instead of SPL. I'm also looking at the Rainbow Vanadium line of Subs. Any comments?? Thanx.
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Old 06-03-2008, 05:52 PM
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either are great options. Gor for it, you wont be disapointed. Contact Don, he's authorized to sell both companies' products.
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Old 06-03-2008, 06:15 PM
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Vanadiums will probably be better in the SQ category. Flat lines will be along the lines of IDmax's with lots of output and pretty good sq.
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Old 06-03-2008, 07:20 PM
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Yeah, I know Don has the Rainbows. I was sort of leaning that way. I just don't wanna give him anymore money. I'll be broke b4 the summer is over. I don't wanna go too big. I don't want such a huge box that it takes me more than a few minutes to take it out of the trunk by myself. Just in case I have to use all of my trunk, I.E. family rides to the beach or where ever we may go. Do you think the 8's or 10's will be enough?

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Old 06-03-2008, 07:49 PM
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I was also thinking about the FI Q's. I have been getting some pretty good reviews on them. Anyone else besides Filtor1 running FI's??

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Old 06-03-2008, 08:13 PM
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The FL has been good to me while I ran a pair, although I did favor the IDMAXs for overall tonality. However the FL was designed and will accept more abuse with no adverse consequence. Throwing the Vanadium in the mix will lack a bit in output ( NOT Substantially as some would think) and would surely take the cake for the best of the bunch sound wise. Compared to the cost of my previous and current sub, the Profi and Vanadiums will remain some of my favorites.
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:15 PM
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Do you think I would get decent output out of two 8's or 10's??
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:17 PM
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Quite substantial, yes.
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by ICEMAN76
I just don't wanna give him anymore money.
you have no choice. you are under his control now.
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:21 PM
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Muahahahaha
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:28 PM
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Hey Don, am I reading the Tech. Specs correctly that says the Vanadium 8" is a 7 ohm sub?
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:32 PM
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No sir, dual 4.
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:40 PM
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Cleared that right up for me. Thanx.
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:47 PM
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don't get the Fi Q. trust me, the SQ is wayyyyyyyyyy over-hyped (sorry chris)

it's not bad, but you would be better off with the two choices you listed first who's product is geared towards SQ. to me the Fi Q is just a solid street beater sub that will handle a bit of power with decent SQ.

Last edited by AscendantMax; 06-03-2008 at 08:49 PM.
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:53 PM
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Originally Posted by BLACKonBLACK98
you have no choice. you are under his control now.
I know, I know.
Originally Posted by Pearl96Max
Muahahahaha
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Old 06-03-2008, 08:55 PM
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icons

and if your not in a hurry they are making some 8"s with pretty much the same motor

should be able to go ib with them

<< would so throw 2 of the 8"s in the back deck
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Old 06-03-2008, 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by AscendantMax
don't get the Fi Q. trust me, the SQ is wayyyyyyyyyy over-hyped (sorry chris)

it's not bad, but you would be better off with the two choices you listed first who's product is geared towards SQ. to me the Fi Q is just a solid street beater sub that will handle a bit of power with decent SQ.
Really?? Wow, thanks alot. I guess that Don will be getting my money once again. Hopefully i can hold out for a while.

Last edited by ICEMAN76; 06-03-2008 at 09:13 PM.
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Old 06-03-2008, 09:38 PM
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Originally Posted by AscendantMax
don't get the Fi Q. trust me, the SQ is wayyyyyyyyyy over-hyped (sorry chris)

it's not bad, but you would be better off with the two choices you listed first who's product is geared towards SQ. to me the Fi Q is just a solid street beater sub that will handle a bit of power with decent SQ.
What happened to the RL-p 12s? lolz..


BTW, Elemental Design is.. or was having a sale on their 12in D4 subs, i believe 60 bucks a piece..
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Old 06-03-2008, 09:49 PM
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You couldnt pay me $60 to run 1 of their subs..Gordon has a 15" RLp not 12's...
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Old 06-03-2008, 10:29 PM
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yeah i got a RLp15. i still have it. i ain't sellin that sucker. it's a solid sql sub.
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Old 06-04-2008, 04:22 PM
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Originally Posted by AscendantMax
yeah i got a RLp15. i still have it. i ain't sellin that sucker. it's a solid sql sub.
y aint u sporting it
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Old 06-05-2008, 07:51 PM
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Thanks alot guys for all the info and opinions. I'll probably be doing 2 8's or 10's in a fiberglass enclosure. Hopefully I can get the SQ i'm looking for with this setup. Thanks again guys, wish me luck. Hey Don, when is the next GD on subs? LOL.
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Old 06-05-2008, 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by AscendantMax
don't get the Fi Q. trust me, the SQ is wayyyyyyyyyy over-hyped (sorry chris)

it's not bad, but you would be better off with the two choices you listed first who's product is geared towards SQ. to me the Fi Q is just a solid street beater sub that will handle a bit of power with decent SQ.
No reason to appologize bro. I would happen to agree with your assesment. It is definitely a solid daily sub. There are a ton of subs that sound better but lack the output I like. Just b/c it was a fit for me doesn't mean it is a fit for everyone.
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Old 06-05-2008, 08:09 PM
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^True. This why I like the org. We got honest folks trying to help each other out!
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Old 06-06-2008, 08:29 AM
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For 90% of the audio community, the Q will suffice. Most people that get in my car just want to see how loud it is. They don't care about SQ, regarless what they say. Most wouldn't be able to distinguish between two drivers with similar output and SQ capabilities. For the DIY or distinguishing audiophile who desires straight SQ, More is required. There are tradeoffs with respect to each. Design your system to meet your needs and you will be fine.
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Old 06-06-2008, 08:47 AM
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Just get 8's in the front doors--much better than having a sub wwaaaay back in the trunk and the rest of the frequencies right in front of you
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Old 06-06-2008, 08:58 AM
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Originally Posted by ElVito1981
Just get 8's in the front doors--much better than having a sub wwaaaay back in the trunk and the rest of the frequencies right in front of you
I can have subs in the trunk and still get upfront bass, you just have to know how to set it up.

Give me one good reason why your approach is the best?
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Old 06-06-2008, 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by nismos14
I can have subs in the trunk and still get upfront bass, you just have to know how to set it up.

Give me one good reason why your approach is the best?

so all sound is coming from in front of you
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Old 06-06-2008, 09:05 AM
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Why? Bass is non-directional, and on top of that can be corrected with TA.

Still need a GOOD reason.
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Old 06-06-2008, 09:14 AM
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so you can be awesome?
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Old 06-06-2008, 09:22 AM
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Originally Posted by nismos14
Why? Bass is non-directional, and on top of that can be corrected with TA.

still not as good as if the sub were in front of you
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Old 06-06-2008, 09:22 AM
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You have no proof of your claim. T/A and phase shift will take car of that, and it's STILL non-directional. A sub does not physically have to be in front of you for upfront bass.

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Old 06-06-2008, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by travmaximas1998
y aint u sporting it
i like my trunk space. maybe i'll throw it back in one of these days...

Originally Posted by filtor1
No reason to appologize bro. I would happen to agree with your assesment. It is definitely a solid daily sub. There are a ton of subs that sound better but lack the output I like. Just b/c it was a fit for me doesn't mean it is a fit for everyone
yep a lot of people were impressed with it's output when i demo'ed at this audio shop. they loved how a single ported 12 was flexing my rear window and roof!

Originally Posted by nismos14
Bass is non-directional
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Old 06-06-2008, 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by nismos14
Why? Bass is non-directional, and on top of that can be corrected with TA.
The frequencies are non-directional anechoically. Unfortunately your car is far from a dead chamber. Proper deadening practices should be followed first, the T/A.

That said, nothing wrong with 8s up front regardless
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Old 06-06-2008, 10:32 AM
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No, but there is also nothing wrong with them in the trunk. I will have a pair in the doors and in the rear deck, but thats not my point.
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Old 06-06-2008, 12:11 PM
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Originally Posted by nismos14
No, but there is also nothing wrong with them in the trunk. I will have a pair in the doors and in the rear deck, but thats not my point.
There should be only one sub, not two. Stereo is 2.1, meaning a left channel, a right channel, and a subwoofer. (the .1 is for the sub). And everything should be in front of you, like at a concert. Yeah time alignment can help a little, and having a sub in the back isn't as bad as having mids/highs in the back like with rear speakers; but ideally you shouldn't be surrounded by any sound when listening to music. I may be a newb when it comes to installation and some of the complex stuff with tweaking settings, but I know some ****. =)

Last edited by ElVito1981; 06-06-2008 at 12:14 PM.
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Old 06-06-2008, 12:43 PM
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NOTHING wrong with running multiple subs.

i guess don should have fiberglassed his sub right onto his dash so it's right in front of him eh?
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Old 06-06-2008, 12:54 PM
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Originally Posted by AscendantMax
NOTHING wrong with running multiple subs.

i guess don should have fiberglassed his sub right onto his dash so it's right in front of him eh?
Hmmmm
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Old 06-06-2008, 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by ElVito1981
There should be only one sub, not two. Stereo is 2.1, meaning a left channel, a right channel, and a subwoofer. (the .1 is for the sub). And everything should be in front of you, like at a concert. Yeah time alignment can help a little, and having a sub in the back isn't as bad as having mids/highs in the back like with rear speakers; but ideally you shouldn't be surrounded by any sound when listening to music. I may be a newb when it comes to installation and some of the complex stuff with tweaking settings, but I know some ****. =)
There is absolutely nothing wrong with multiples. In fact alot of times more can benefit from it. This is not home/commercial - despite the fact that even in that arena its not that abnormal.
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Old 06-06-2008, 01:06 PM
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i would think 2 speakers playing mono from the same location would be considered the same as a single driver.

look at multiple driver ht towers. they dont call that 16.1...
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