I have a 3.5 cu/ft box ported at 33 hz with 50 sq/in of port area. I really dont want to build another box because this fits my trunk flush and perfectly. I have cadence zrs-9 amp which is 2k watts at 1 ohm. My question is which sub will perform better in that box and be able to handle 2k reliably. I like the sub getting low and reason im asking all this is the 3.5 cu/ft box is on the small side for the btl but on the big side for the bl but my power is on the high side for the bl.

Any suggestion is much appreciated

Edited June 24, 200718 yr by Wesh

I have a 3.5 cu/ft box ported at 33 hz with 50 sq/ft of port area. I really dont want to build another box because this fits my trunk flush and perfectly. I have cadence zrs-9 amp which is 2k watts at 1 ohm. My question is which sub will perform better in that box and be able to handle 2k reliably. I like the sub getting low and reason im asking all this is the 3.5 cu/ft box is on the small side for the btl but on the big side for the bl but my power is on the high side for the bl.

Any suggestion is much appreciated

I would go the bl root, there is nothing better than headroom. the Btl will laugh at 2000 watts, it is like taking a 400 lb guy and feeding him salad. Will he get fed, yes... but will he be happy?

I would agree with audio-neon. To me it depends on your ability to back off on the amp. If you are going to go all out often, the BTL will handle it better. If you are responsible with the gain and want some headroom the BL will be better. What are your personal preferences music/application-wise and how are you going to treat it would determine my pick.

I would agree with audio-neon. To me it depends on your ability to back off on the amp. If you are going to go all out often, the BTL will handle it better. If you are responsible with the gain and want some headroom the BL will be better. What are your personal preferences music/application-wise and how are you going to treat it would determine my pick.

Well i'm not new to car audio, just to this forum. I want a sub that can take the full power at times, aka i will set the gains to max (by max i mean for true 2k output, not gain knob set all way up lol). But i do not listen to music at full blast all the time, my amp has a remote which basically just a remote for the gain and i usually turn it down to blend better for daily use. I listen to everything rock, rap, jazz, country. And with all those but rap i keep everything leveled for sq, but on rap i do like to have the amp pushing its most for a couple of songs.

I hope that helps, just with the bl how long could it take the 2k at a time, i mean clean unclipped signal.

I would agree with audio-neon. To me it depends on your ability to back off on the amp. If you are going to go all out often, the BTL will handle it better. If you are responsible with the gain and want some headroom the BL will be better. What are your personal preferences music/application-wise and how are you going to treat it would determine my pick.

Well i'm not new to car audio, just to this forum. I want a sub that can take the full power at times, aka i will set the gains to max (by max i mean for true 2k output, not gain knob set all way up lol). But i do not listen to music at full blast all the time, my amp has a remote which basically just a remote for the gain and i usually turn it down to blend better for daily use. I listen to everything rock, rap, jazz, country. And with all those but rap i keep everything leveled for sq, but on rap i do like to have the amp pushing its most for a couple of songs.

I hope that helps, just with the bl how long could it take the 2k at a time, i mean clean unclipped signal.

my brothers takes a bxi2006d for as long as he wants, but he still rarely listens full blast. do you compete at all, or plan on upgrading amps?

my brothers takes a bxi2006d for as long as he wants, but he still rarely listens full blast. do you compete at all, or plan on upgrading amps?

I plan on competing locally just for fun. And i dont want to bash the bxi amps cause there good for the money but there over rated and at 14.4v. My amp is rated at 13.8v and puts rated power. In my environment theres going to be a decent amount different in power i'll be sending compared to bxi. Again didn't post that to bash just for more information so i can figure out what sub is best for my needs.

I would still go bl. As long as you are responsible and don't clip your signal too badly the bl's should be happy with 2000 watts rms as music is dynamic.

BTL.

Will get LOUD on RMS wattage, and will be more resistant to slight abuse.

BTL.

Will get LOUD on RMS wattage, and will be more resistant to slight abuse.

^That's my feelings. It'll also give you some room if you ever get a bigger amp or get more serious towards competing. That's my thoughts.

I'm just curious that with a 3.5 cu/ft box if id get more lower extension off of a bl, compared to the btl. Just from looking at specs.

My BTL with 4 cubes doesnt like much below 30hz...but it's tuned to 31hz so...

If you're looking for LOWLOWS go with a Q or 2 sealed. If you want a ported 15...and you have 3.5 cubes...you aren't going to get the lowest of the lows....

Sorry, the laws of thermodynamics DO apply.

And a BTL will handle 2kW more reliably than a BL...ceterus parabus