Looking for Powered Sub. Infinity basslink or power acoustik abw 10?

Question

Ok, so I don't know a whole lot about car audio, but I'm looking for a good deal on a subwoofer. I figure my best bet will be a powered sub, considering that I am looking for cheap, simple, all in one.

Now I was initially looking at the infinity basslink which has gotten a ton of good reviews. I have been able to find one brand new for $159 on ebay. The only problem is it only uses 200 watts so I question the bang factor. http://www.crutchfield.com/App/Product/Item/Main.aspx?g=51000&i=108BASSLIN&tp=114&tab=features_and_specs

Now after doing more searching I find this little guy call from power acoustik. He is the same size, 10", but he boasts a whopping 800 watts!! And I found him brand new for $136!!!! http://www.poweracoustik.com/pa2006/product_AUDIO_wof_AWB.htm (the 10" one is the second one in that link)

So now my question is how can power acoustik make something 4 times as powerful and be less expensive? I haven't been able to find many reviews for it because it is much newer. The few I have seen are very good though. ( But they haven't stood the test of time)

Anyone care to offer any opinions about this? If you know anything better I'd be happy to hear it!

Answer 1

I understand your point on trying to keep it simple for yourself, but these products are not the best. Obviously, they work well when you have limited space, but they do nothing compared to what is possible w/ even a lower wattage rated 10" and a 200 watt amp. The Big thing is... they are not built to last. There are only a cpl of them, and no matter where you go, they get the same "talk". ~Sounded alright for Awhile..~

If space is limited, I still suggest getting a small box. As big as you can go while still keeping it small. Find a ten that acomodates the mounting depth, and a simple 100 or 200 watt amp.

To keep it even easier, purchase a single voice coil sub. (Unless, of course, you know how to wire a dual voice coil subwoofer-then definately go w/ a dual voice coil.) Using one single voice coil 4 ohm sub is safe, because all amps start running at 4 ohms.

At that point, besides connecting positive and negative to the box, and then to the amp, it only takes three wires and rca cables to hook up the amp. Positive from the battery to the amp, ground from car to amp, and remote wire from cd player to the amp. Connect rca's into place, and your ready to go.

Just info in case you need it.. just wanted to cover it to save time in case you didn't. :)

Infinity is definately the best way to go as far as what you have been looking at. That Power Acoustik is way overrated, and the sound quality is not so impressive either.

Here is a link of a reliable review on the basslink...

The title reads! : "If McDonalds put speakers in Happy Meals, the Basslink would be it!"

http://www.epinions.com/content_27458539...

Hope everything pans out for you!

Answer 2

the Infinity all day

when it comes to car audio all you care about is the RMS (continuous) wattage not the max/peak

and when you look at wattages they are not all up to the same standard, you need to look into CEA-compliant brands (infinity is and power acoustics is far from it) which means that the amp has been tested and produces or exceeds the advertised RMS wattage with minimum distortion (distortion is the main cause of speaker damage) and that the subs can handle the RMS wattage that they are rated for

with the power acoustic you would be lucky to get 200watts RMS and it would more than likely be distorted (would sound like c**p)--- infinity is known for their sound quality, you wont be disappointed

Answer 3

Cheaper speaker companies have a habit of over-rating the power output of their products.  They usually list a high power but if you read the fine print, it's a peak power rating (the highest power the speaker can possibly put out without destroying itself, and for a half-second at a time).  The more important and useful number is the RMS power rating, which lists its continuous power output at a given sound quality level.   The infinity's number is RMS, meaning that it will put out 200 watts all day long.  The power acoustik sub does not even list an RMS power rating, but they do say that the 800W rating is a MAX rating, usually 3 or   so times higher than the RMS rating would be.  So really, for the $23 you're much better with the infinity anyway, because the power difference is likely very small, and it's a well-respected company that makes great-sounding speakers.  Play the power acoustik for 10 seconds at 800 watts and you will have a very large paperweight.