orange260z
10-06-2013, 06:00 PM
Hey all, just thought I'd share this. I recently purchased a BSW speaker system - the full Stage 1 setup, and the ib110 subwoofer system. Unfortunately, the rear convertible midwoofers are on backorder, so I haven't received those yet.
Note that I purchased the ib110 woofer and enclosure without the amp - I already have a Rockford Fosgate amp similar to the one BSW used to use. Although officially rated at 150W RMS into 4ohms, most of these US-made units put out in excess of 200W. I believe the RF BSW used was around 230W, and the new amp is about 250W - so I am running a little less power than the full kit.
Just for some background, I am in my early 40s, and as a former disc jockey I listen to a variety of music - my mix CDs could have Sarah Brightman after Flo Rida after Guns N Roses after Billy Joel. I do appreciate clarity in my music and like to listen to it reasonably loud. I use both CDs and a GROM USB unit as sources.
The jury is still out for me on the S1 speaker replacement. Yes, they do sound better than the stock ones. Yes, with the right quality recording AND THE RIGHT MUSIC they can sound excellent. However, at least at this time, I feel that they don't sound that great with most modern music that tends to either have distortion in the recording, or generally in music that has a lot of instruments playing at the same time - I find the sound to be very "congested". With simpler stuff - just a piano, or a guitar - they sound great. I do want to spend some more time listening before I pass judgement though, I only have a few hours in so far.
I shopped around quite a bit looking for subwoofer options, but ended up going for the BSW mainly to save on the limited trunk space. I was concerned about the bass quality and quantity - apparently needlessly so. I've been careful to keep the gain on my amp low and any bass boost turned off, but already I find the bass to be strong and hard-hitting - even with the top down at 120+ km/h. I'm VERY happy with this sub solution, and would have no problem recommending it to anyone who is not a hard-core basshead.
I'll provide some follow-up in a couple of weeks after some more seat time.
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Note that I purchased the ib110 woofer and enclosure without the amp - I already have a Rockford Fosgate amp similar to the one BSW used to use. Although officially rated at 150W RMS into 4ohms, most of these US-made units put out in excess of 200W. I believe the RF BSW used was around 230W, and the new amp is about 250W - so I am running a little less power than the full kit.
Just for some background, I am in my early 40s, and as a former disc jockey I listen to a variety of music - my mix CDs could have Sarah Brightman after Flo Rida after Guns N Roses after Billy Joel. I do appreciate clarity in my music and like to listen to it reasonably loud. I use both CDs and a GROM USB unit as sources.
The jury is still out for me on the S1 speaker replacement. Yes, they do sound better than the stock ones. Yes, with the right quality recording AND THE RIGHT MUSIC they can sound excellent. However, at least at this time, I feel that they don't sound that great with most modern music that tends to either have distortion in the recording, or generally in music that has a lot of instruments playing at the same time - I find the sound to be very "congested". With simpler stuff - just a piano, or a guitar - they sound great. I do want to spend some more time listening before I pass judgement though, I only have a few hours in so far.
I shopped around quite a bit looking for subwoofer options, but ended up going for the BSW mainly to save on the limited trunk space. I was concerned about the bass quality and quantity - apparently needlessly so. I've been careful to keep the gain on my amp low and any bass boost turned off, but already I find the bass to be strong and hard-hitting - even with the top down at 120+ km/h. I'm VERY happy with this sub solution, and would have no problem recommending it to anyone who is not a hard-core basshead.
I'll provide some follow-up in a couple of weeks after some more seat time.
__________________