The KING of all subwoofers
Written: Apr 22 '03
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Pros: Deep and accurate bass reproduction
Cons: Costly and not the best looking subwoofer
The Bottom Line: A great option for those car audio enthusiasts willing to pay a small premium for excellent sound quality and SPL.
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| phatnadz's Full Review: Crystal Mobilesound CMP12 Car Speaker |
Introduction
The Crystal CMP is a massive subwoofer. The unit itself weighs in at a whopping 31 pounds - that's certainly something you can brag about. Few subwoofers today can hit as loud or as low as the CMP 12 can, assuming it gets the requisite power it needs and deserves. If you're looking to buy a CMP, you will need a burly amp to push it. I had a Cadence A5HC Class D amplifier that pumped out about 600 watts, but this hungry subwoofer can take well over 1,000 watts. Usually considered an SPL subwoofer (for exclusively LOUD systems), this subwoofer worked surprisingly well in my SQ (sound quality) setup. If you're in dire need of some very deep, but also very accurate bass, the CMP is a good choice.
Features
- Underhung motor assembly
- Kevlar honeycomb sandwich cone
- Butyl rubber surround
- Rubber mounting gasket
- Powder-coated cast aluminum frame
- Dual spiders
- Woven tinsel leads
Specifications
I'm not going to go over every specification (for that, check the Crystal website at http://www.crystalmobilesound.com/), but I will touch on some of the highlights. The recommended enclosure volume for this woofer is 0.69 to 1.10 cubic feet. I would recommend using a box on the larger end of this spectrum, simply because they tend to hit deeper and more accurately.
Performance
I had one Crystal CMP 12 installed in my vehicle for a little over a year. It was nested in a sealed, one cubic foot box. The subwoofer itself sounded terrific. Deep bass notes were executed with perfection, and even the more subtle highlights were also very distinct. I've had no reliability issues with the subwoofer. The fit and finish on this subwoofer is outstanding, despite the fact that I don't really like the aesthetics of the cone. But this sub isn't really for looks anyways - it's for ground-shaking bass. This, it does very well. I've had dual subwoofers in the past, and none have hit as hard, as low, or as accurately as just one Crystal CMP.
Purchasing
The Crystal CMP 12 is an expensive subwoofer. Retail price is around $350, but this product can be had for much cheaper online. While they were selling like hotcakes when I purchased mine in 2000, Crystal seems to be restricting its distribution network, and as such, it is more difficult to find online dealers that sell it for deeply discounted prices. One reputable dealer I found that still sells the CMP 12 is http://www.mmxpress.com/. As of the date of this review, it was only $250. Keep in mind that shipping can be costly for a sub weighing in at over 30 pounds.
Conclusion
For a small portion of car audio enthusiasts willing to pay a small premium for an excellent balance of sound quality and pure SPL, the CMP 12 is an excellent choice. Just make sure you have the adequate amplification to power this baby. You will need it!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 275
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Epinions.com ID:
phatnadz
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Reviews written: 2
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