Evolution in progress...
Written: Sep 27 '01
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Pros: Same awesome balance of the last model with even more power and durability.
Cons: This isn't what you want if you're into SPL. For music only!
The Bottom Line: These 12 inch subs have just about the optimal blend of stunning good looks, high power handling, solid impact, tonal control, and moderate price.
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| mister_playboy's Full Review: Pioneer TS-W1241DVC Car Subwoofer |
I recently swapped my two TS-W1240DVCs for a pair of these brand new Premier subs, and I'm confident the money was well spent.
Premier is the upmarket brand of Pioneer, and while lots of people use their head units, neither brand is very well know for its subwoofers, which is too bad because they happen to be some of the most attractive and well-rounded subs out there. These subs are an evolution of last year's already excellent TS-1240DVCs, and have the same excellent combination of musical control and gut-twisting impact, while boasting considerably improved power handling. Stats have risen from 200W RMS/800W Max to 500W RMS/1000W Max due to a larger strontium magnet and the addition of Pioneer's patented VCCS (Voice Coil Cooling System). VCCS is the reason for that cool gold colored aluminum insert coming out of the middle of the cone. It links directly to the voice coil and transmits heat out of the delicate electrical powerplant of the sub. Aluminum has a low specific heat value, so it moves that heat energy quickly out into the surrounding air. Premier claims an average voice coil temperature drop of 100 degrees F, which translates into a significantly longer life for the sub. I never had problems with my TS-1240DVCs getting too hot, but the payoff is most obvious after several hours of play, and I can vouch that the cones felt subjectively cooler than my old subs would after about the same length of time, while the aluminum insert was REALLY hot. I got burned a bit... so don't touch after you've been bumping for four hours! Also, cooler voice coils mean more wattage is used for the tunes, not wasted as heat energy.
If you want to be technical, the efficiency has dropped somewhat because of the beefier magnet, but the increase in power handling is worth it. I had put well over 200W (specifically, 355.5W) into my old subs and they had no problems, so the increase may not be as dramatic (2.5 times more RMS power handling) as the published figures state, but it's still noticeable. I use the same Premier PRS-X720 amp I had before, and these subs have considerably more oomph, especially in the 30-45HZ range. Overall SPL maxes at 61Hz, close to the 63Hz of last years, but that extra 1 or 2dB in the lower octaves is a difference you can really feel in your gut when the bass starts thumping. Also, the surround has changed from butyl rubber to urethane foam rubber. This confused me at first, because urethane was used on the CHEAPER Pioneer subs last year, but a change in the design to a double bump suspension has apparently made it superior to the TS-W1240DVC's butyl half roll suspension. The Xmax is just about the same, put the low range output has increased, which seems to support the logic behind the switch. I must also note that the more expensive PRS Premier competition sub has also used a version of this same urethane surround, both this year and last, so perhaps I was just misinformed...?
But the point is that these subs have the same spot-on accuracy and tonal purity that made last year's Premier subs so appealing to me, with even better power handling and an improved design for longer life. Also, the TS-W1241DVC is even more visually appealing than the TS-W1240DVC, which I had already thought was just about the coolest looking sub ever. Really, the second the local dealer got these in and cranked them for me, I started saving up the cash to grab them. They also use the same small box volume of 1.0 cubic feet, so you don't have to sacrifice lots of space.
If you love tunes with lots o' bass, but you want a sub that can do more than be an air pump (actually be musical!), I would definitely give the TS-W1241DVC a try.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 230
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Epinions.com ID:
mister_playboy
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Member: Rocky Czaplewski
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA
Reviews written: 24
Trusted by: 4 members
About Me:
I'd like to think I've got some opinions worth your time to read.
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