Wiring, Stereo & Electronics Audio Components | Radars | Alarms - and things that spark when they shouldn't

alpine VS soundstream

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 6, 2011 | 09:08 PM
  #1  
Project_Reaper's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: paintsville ky
Question alpine VS soundstream

i would like your guys opinion on a choice im about to make. i need to replace my old worn out subs and a direct replacement choice is either

ALPINE SWR-1243D 4ohm DVC or
SOUNDSTREAM RXW-12 4ohm DVC

anyone have any experience with these subs? there going in a sealed box and powered by a 1000watt Picasso series D mono amp which puts out 500watts RMS @ 4ohms so it works out about perfect when there wired in series to present a 4ohm load on the amp. any help is appreciated.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2011 | 09:34 PM
  #2  
Sunsethardtop01's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

I'd go soundstream.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2011 | 09:55 PM
  #3  
Project_Reaper's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: paintsville ky
Default

thats what im thinking since its a soundstream amp, i might as well keep the brands the same. i had a nice set of Insignias but they dont make them anymore
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2011 | 02:31 PM
  #4  
Project_Reaper's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: paintsville ky
Default

anyone else? Soundstream RXW-12 sound like a good one? ive never used it so i dont want to waste money on it if they suck...
Reply
Old Aug 8, 2011 | 08:52 AM
  #5  
dragonrage's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Default

Soundstream was a really good old school brand, but like many, they were bought out by a mediocre brand. Their stuff now ranges from 'meh' to pretty good. I only know about their amps: I would avoid their cheapest lines like Rubicon (heard baaad things) and maybe Picasso (too late if so...), assuming that their site has the lines listed in order. However, their better stuff like the Reference series is higher end than Alpine.

For their subwoofers, I imagine that they are probably so-so, but I wouldn't really recommend you buy either them OR Alpine. I can give you a better recommendation than either if you give us your goals and budget. Personally, I don't understand why people buy Alpine, and I commend you for looking into a brand that's not what the guy at Best Buy told you to buy, but you can definitely do better.
Reply
Old Aug 14, 2011 | 02:25 PM
  #6  
Project_Reaper's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: paintsville ky
Default

thanks for the imput dragon, well i already had the Picasso mono amp but i did go with the RXW-12 reference subs, with the last setup i had the same amp i have now and a set of insignia 600watt RMS subs and hit a very clean ( no body rattle or distortion) 140.1 DB , i blew one sub so i got the RXW's but they seem to hit a little harder than the insignias so i think they will do fine. as for the goals and budget, as long as DB wise i stay above 140 im good but i have to have great SQ. i prefer a clean system over make ur ears bleed. plus i have an external EQ for better control of the system so it all plays out pretty well for a lower budget build. the box was pro made by subthump.com to the exact specs and airspace of the insignias which luckly are almost the exact same as the RXW's. i think for now im content. BUT dragon if you have any ideas that could further my SPL/DB but maintain or increase my SQ i will gladly listen. always room to learn! im already planning on dyno-matting the whole car to add to the SQ.
Reply
Old Aug 15, 2011 | 10:52 AM
  #7  
dragonrage's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Default

Okay, good luck with your system. Let us know what you think of the subwoofers after you've spent some time with them.

I can't really recommend much without really inspecting your system.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2011 | 08:43 PM
  #8  
Project_Reaper's Avatar
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 184
Likes: 1
From: paintsville ky
Default

well i havent tested it with a DB meter yet but they seem more crisp than the Insignias but thats probably because there new. nonetheless they are very clean all the way down to about 25-28 Hertz and super loud around 35-40 Hertz a little distortion with rock songs though they seem to have trouble with rapid transitions in hertz but im satisfied with them so far. if you budget range is around $400 for a set of 12's i would recommend them.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:20 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE