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[rexroadj]

I have been a fanatic of 8" subs for a LONG time. I have used countless over the years. From the kicker solo 8s (yinyang) SS velvets, Quarts, Focal, JBL, ED, Boston, ID, Crystal, etc.......
Some of the newer ones I have not used, sundown, and a few others.

The box-
I had a 1.3 cuft ported box to 30hz (was supposed to be higher but I made a gramatical error) already made (center console) for my Boston Acoustics G5 10" single 4ohm. I just put a new baffle over the old one for the two eights. I did this for two reasons, one is that I hurt my back real bad and have been in a ton of pain/bed rest but had to take a break, and two I assumed that I would want to build a better more permanent box for the 8s (or so I was hoping This is a downfiring box with the port aiming at the dash.

Power-
I have a Boston Acoustics GT2200 running a 2ohm load with the two subs pushing a (in my opinion a perfect match) 900 watts. I love these Boston amps.... Small, clean, and extremely powerfull amps!

The rest of the system right now consists of a Mcintosh 425 on the tweets and 427 on the mids (2x50 and 2x100) running biamped through the passives that came with the system. The components are Boston Acoustic SPZ60's with the mids in the doors and tweets in the apillars. Source is from a Kenwood DNX8120.
I listen to a WIDE variety of music and the source materials for the test were mostly all cd/dvd with a little ipod for the sake of ease.

When I get a new box put in I will really focus on individual tracks with notes and scores based on my opinion and nothing more!

Here are just some quick notes about response, both low and high, as well as impact, overall spl, articulation, just first impressions and its ability to get nasty and ability to blend.
I will start off by saying this (for those that dont want to read to much of my crap....dont blame you
These are the absolute best 8" subs I have ever been around in my life.
Are they the loudest? NO, I am sure the DD or L7 could take that clame to fame, or something in that realm.
Are they the absolute best sounding? I cant say for sure. I found the ED 9kv.2 some of the most musical subs I have used (in any size).

Now the Alpines....... They are as loud as I will ever need/want and some how maintain accuracy, and articulation across the board, be it low low freq. up to the 100's (which in my box is a stretch to say the least). I couldnt get them to distort or sound muddy, snap crackle pop, etc.... Makes me wonder...and makes me very intrigued to see what they can really handle and how much more the can put out? Cant imagine more!

They were as detailed and transparent on acoustic material as any sub I have ever used. The note are there but should never be over powering or something that can be picked out...its an extension of the rest of the music (at least with the material I was using) and these two 8s were amazing in this realm. Which to be honest I kind of expected and this was the first music I was listening to so I instantly started to wonder about the total output capabilities....My thoughts were cured shortly there after
On live tracks with some pretty fast and all over the place drum solos (dave mathews dvd....carter is INSANE!) it was a whole lot more of the same....It blended with the mids like it was part of a 3way system but when it came time to hit....HOLY HELL it hit. I was shocked....in a good way!
Well I went through several other songs from clapton to zac brown and it was just amusing. I couldnt resist...I had to throw in some old school stuff to see what they could do and to tame the old school bass head in me (mid 90s and through in some snoop, dre, warren g, etc.... Regulate from Wg was GREAT
To me these woofers are like the w7 made love to a dyn md190 and this was the love child! Its really the best of all worlds in one package. You could really rock someones world with 3-4 of these in a ported enclosure. I would love to play with these in a sealed box. I bet they could be some really top of the line sq subs, not that they cant be top of the line sq subs in a ported box...when I am done I am sure my new box will really be ideal for these.
Whats amazing to me...and I know people say this all the time....YOU WOULD NEVER GUESS 8's if you heard them. Super low with authority, no break up, consistent volume across the frequencys allowed through them, and just shear volume with ease....
I think in a sealed box you could easily impliment them in 3way setups if you like ass beating midbass but will CLEARLY fit in just fine as your dedicate low end.... I have used most all the subs from the "great 8 challenge" and if it were to be done again....this is the new winner. My brother in law has the cmp8s installed now (even has an extra and I have also spent some serious time with them in my truck prior to him (not sure how it won anyway?). At this point I have no reason to change.....at least till someone else puts out the "next best thing" Seriously .... every 8" recommendation thread on here..... Just get the type R and get it over with! It does nothing wrong, has outstanding output and is as musical and impactful as any other sub on the market, can fit in TINY enclosures and can run on small amounts of power or huge amounts... Its a win win! I am officially on the alpine bandwagon! Hope the w910 and h800 are on par? I havent been singing alpines praises like this since like 2000?
THANK YOU JIM and the fine folks at ALPINE for this jem...I know it means nothing from a random no one like myself but you guys really hit this one out of the park IMO of course!!!!!!!!! THIS IS THE NEW KING OF 8s
I will post pics later too.