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Comparison Kicx ICQ 301BXA vs Mystery MTB-250A

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Kicx ICQ 301BXA
Mystery MTB-250A
Kicx ICQ 301BXAMystery MTB-250A
from $145.40 up to $193.48
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from $101.92 up to $127.56
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Application areacarcar
Designenclosedenclosed
Enclosure typesealed boxvented box
Body shapeBoxBox
Typeactiveactive
Size12" (30 cm)10" (25 cm)
Tech specs
Rated power120 W180 W
Frequency range28 – 800 Hz40 – 250 Hz
Sensitivity90 dB
Impedance4 ohm4 ohm
Resonant frequency28 Hz
Bass level control
 /at 45 Hz/
Phase control
High voltage input
Gold plated contacts?
General
Remote control
Protective grille
Diffuser materialcomposite
MaterialMDF
Woofer Diameter300 mm250 mm
Enclosures dimensions358х310х378 mm
Weight13.7 kg
Added to E-Catalogjuly 2012july 2012

Enclosure type

Closed box. The simplest type of case: a box closed on all sides with a speaker (speakers) on the front panel. The advantages of such models are high accuracy of sound transmission and low cost, the disadvantages are low sensitivity and somewhat “flat” bass.

Phase inverter. A classic phase inverter is a hollow tube connecting the internal volume of the case with the outside world (however, there are other options for such a connection). The length of the phase inverter channel is chosen so that the sound waves of a certain range, passing through it, are inverted in phase relative to the waves from the speaker (hence the name). This improves (in particular, "deepens") the sound of the subwoofer and allows you to achieve good performance with a small cabinet size. On the other hand, the sound stream in the tube creates a certain additional noise.

Strip. A design that combines the features of a closed box and a bass-reflex enclosure. One of its parts is made closed, and the second is equipped with a phase inverter tube; between them is a partition, on which the main speaker is located. Unlike previous types, the speaker is entirely inside the case. Strip-line enclosures provide louder sound than boxes or bass reflexes, with sound quality comparable to the latter. The disadvantage is the complexity of the design, as a result — a slightly higher price.

Size

The size (diameter) of the main subwoofer speaker. In all types of subwoofers, this parameter primarily affects the power and depth of sound: the larger the speaker, the louder it is and the deeper the bass it can provide (ceteris paribus). However with an increase in the size and dimensions, they increase accordingly, which determines the installation possibilities. The latter is especially true in Free Air subwoofers (see "Execution"): some cars are initially equipped with "seats" for a certain size, and it is difficult to install models with other dimensions there.

Now on the market there are subwoofers with such popular sizes: 5" (13 cm), 6" (15.25 cm), 6.3" (16 cm), 6.5" (16.5 cm), 6.75" (17 cm), 8" (20 cm ), 8.25"(21cm) , 9" (23cm ), 10" (25cm ), 11" (27cm), 12"(30cm) , 13" (33cm), 15"(38cm) , 16 " (40 cm), 18" (46 cm).

Rated power

The average (root mean square — RMS) power of the input signal, at which the subwoofer is able to work continuously without negative consequences (damage, failure) for at least an hour. The rated power of the subwoofer must be greater than the power of the amplifier connected to it — in order to avoid overloads.

Frequency range

The range of audio frequencies reproduced by the subwoofer. It is believed that the human ear is capable of perceiving a frequency range of the order of 16 – 20,000 Hz, but in this case note that the subwoofer is designed to reproduce the lower frequency band (up to 200 Hz). Accordingly, in the case of the lower limit of the range, everything is simple: “the lower, the better”; the upper one should not be lower than the lower limit of the main car audio — otherwise there will be "gaps" in the frequencies, which will affect the sound quality.

Sensitivity

Sensitivity determines the loudness of the subwoofer when a signal of a certain power is connected to it: with equal signal power and impedance (see below), the subwoofer with the higher sensitivity will sound louder.

Resonant frequency

The natural frequency of the cone in the subwoofer speaker, namely the frequency with which the cone will oscillate if the speaker is suspended freely in the air and a single impulse is transmitted to the cone (for example, by clicking on it with your finger). In subwoofers, this parameter determines, in particular, the lower limit of the frequency range (see above): at frequencies below the resonant sound power drops sharply. Accordingly, for deep rich bass, the resonant frequency should be as low as possible. This parameter is also used to calculate the size of the enclosure for the subwoofer.

Phase control

The ability to change the phase of the sound coming from the subwoofer, in other words, the ability to adjust the sound from the subwoofer to lead or lag relative to the main speakers. This need may be due to the fact that the sound from the main speakers and from the subwoofer can reach the listener with different delays — due to the location of the speakers and the features of the electronics — which negatively affects the sound quality. Adjusting the phases allows you to harmonize this sound. This feature is usually found in active subwoofers.

Gold plated contacts

The presence of gold plating on the subwoofer connectors. Such a coating is not only aesthetically pleasing, but above all it is resistant to oxidation, has low electrical resistance and ensures reliable contact, thus minimizing interference from the connection point.

Remote control

The remote control allows you to control the functions of the subwoofer from a distance. This is especially useful if the device is installed in the boot or otherwise difficult to access — you can easily change settings without access to the subwoofer itself, including while the car is moving.
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