is this true about subwoofers?
 

i was told the bigger the magnet on a sub the better it is. Im just curious, what is everybodys opinion. And how do u truely determine if a sub is good.

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

The magnet size usually just indicates that it can handle more power but I don't think it's a great rule of thumb, if you didn't know anything about subs then I'd judge them by that but the best way to determine a good sub is simply research

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

The magnet doesn't indicate the quality of the sub. Research is a good first step, make sure you build or have built for you the proper box for the sub you choose, a cheeper sub in the proper box sounds better than the most expensive one you can find in the wrong box. Dont skimp on cable or amplifier power.

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

i'd never look at magnet size as a gauge for the quality of a sub. look at audiobahn subs: big magnet structures, yet they sound like ass, and can't handle the power they're rated at (i sadly speak from experience).

i'd ask opinions on specific models, or let us know what your goal is and then look for recommendations. if you really want to get into it, you can read up on the different T/S parameters and that can help give you an educated guess as to how the sub will sound.

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

Magnet is not a good indicator of quality. Try comparing a speaker using neodymium to a regular magnet. Neodymium is only magnetic with current, but when used in an electromagnet, it is 5 times more powerful than iron for its weight.

Look at S/N level, wattage ratings and consumer reports. Also, as mentioned, the box makes a huge difference.

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

If your looking for suggestions:
Id recomend the Alpine Type R series. Ive got the 12" in my trunk and its great. Hits hard and the bass lingers too. i paid a little more than 100 bux for mine.

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

S/N isnt a rating of a sub. That would be for amps and receivers.

I dont look at specs much at all. Virtually all QUALITY brands will have specs very close to each other enough that there wont be an audible difference.

Granted some will be geared more to SPL while others for SQ.

The only spec I worry about is power handling.

The T/S parameters are good for finding out what the ideal box size and type would be but not really for how itll sound. The best way to find out how a particular sub sounds is to go listen to them.

And no, the magnet size has nothing to do with sub quality.

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

oh yeah .... sorry, what I meant was sensitivity [db/W] also frequency response is important.

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

if you want better response buy a capacitor

RE: is this true about subwoofers?
 

A capacitor would only help if youre charging system wasnt up to snuff and even then it would only help marginally. Caps are more like a band-aid than a solution. Theyll help take up some slack of an inadequete charging system but only slightly.