MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D Review
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Subwoofers are the badass way to provide your car audio system with the extra bass punch you’ve been missing for. But it is only possible when you have the right equipment, such as MTX TNE212D, at the right place.
Yup, you got it, buddy. Today, I will review the MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D, where I will try to cover all the positive and negative points of the subwoofer. Moreover, this product falls in our powerful car subwoofers for deep bass.
The data is provided after carefully testing the subwoofer with different angles. Just before I begin, let me tell you that this car subwoofer is a pretty good option for audiophiles who are looking to add tight bass to their car sound systems at a reliable price.
The First Impression After Unboxing:
Honestly, I was really amazed by the subwoofer protection when I opened the box for the first time. There are some small pieces of box and protective material around the subwoofer that ensure sharp objects won’t hit it and won’t get it easily damaged.
On opening the box, you’ll notice a sturdy MDF (medium-density fiberboard) enclosure covered with elegant black carpeting that gives it an attractive, professional look.
The MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D feels solid and well-constructed, providing confidence in its durability. About the look, there are two 12″ subwoofers on the front panel with an embroidered terminator logo at the top and a terminal cup at the back panel of the subwoofer enclosure.
MTX Terminator 12 Specs:
Subwoofer Type | Passive |
Enclosure Type | Sealed |
Dual Speaker Size | 12″ |
Peak Power Handling | 800W |
RMS Rating | 400W |
Subwoofer Ohms | 2Ω (Final 4Ω) |
Frequency Response | 37hz – 150hz |
Sensitive | 86.4dB |
Enclosure Height | 14″ |
Enclosure Width | 29″ |
Enclosure Depth | 14″ |
Box Material | 5/8″ MDF |
Box Finish | Carpet |
MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D Review:
Budget Product
For an overview, this passive subwoofer (which requires an external amplifier for full function) can be a good choice for medium-level bass enthusiasts. The subwoofer is easy to install & manage, robust, powerful, and can provide enough bass to impress your friends. However, you can read below for a complete review:
Design and Build Quality:
Let’s start with design and quality to know if it can work for long age. The sealed subwoofer enclosure features an impressive design and build quality, making it stand out from most of the other products in this price range.
However, MTX Audio could have provided us with the speaker grills to protect the subwoofer surround and cone from sharp objects. But don’t worry, as some protective grills can work for you.
The subwoofer panels are constructed with strong 5/8″ MDF, making it pretty tough regarding sealed enclosure quality. As a finishing, the aviation-grade black carpet covers the enclosure (You will feel the premium touch).
The solid construction ensures consistent performance without any resonance or vibration, allowing for precise and accurate bass reproduction.
Additionally, its compact size allows for easy installation in various types of vehicles, making it suitable for different car audio setups.
Subwoofer Speaker Construction:
Honestly, I am not gonna say the best speaker construction in the world. But after looking at the price and materials used to construct the speaker, you can call it a wise choice.
- Cone Design: Its polypropylene cone design is well-engineered, made of both rigid and lightweight material, and ensures efficient air movement, which results in enhanced bass response and improved overall sound.
- Voice Coil: Both 12″ subwoofers feature high-quality 2″ aluminum voice coils essential for accurate sound reproduction. The coils can handle the power output well and provide precise control over the movement of the speaker cone, ensuring distortion-free and impactful bass.
- Surround Material: The surrounding material plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of its cone movement, typically crafted out of foam or rubber that allows for a controlled excursion with no unwanted vibrations.
- Magnet Structure: The powerful 48 oz. magnet provides the magnetic field to drive its voice coil efficiently while improving power handling and sensitivity for louder and more bass tones. This design ensures efficient power handling and improved sensitivity.
- Dust Cap: Here, MTX Audio has played a pretty clever marketing move! You will see the company’s logo on the dust cap. While playing the subwoofer at high volume, the logo will give you a 3D look.
Power and Performance:
To understand the power and performance, please read this section carefully. It is equipped with dual 12-inch subwoofers, each capable of handling 200 watts of RMS (Root Mean Square) power.
This means you require an amplifier that can handle an output of 400 watts RMS to run this dual subwoofer. This is what you will read in the manual section. By doing some research and testing, this is precisely what I found.
These subwoofers act as 4-ohm subs at 200 watts RMS each. The MTX Audio has advertised that the subwoofer contains parallel wiring in the box, making the load 2-Ohm.
But they were not parallel wired when I opened the subwoofer box to check the wiring configuration, resulting in a 4-ohm subwoofer @ 200 watts each. Therefore, I would suggest you check the wiring configuration and do it parallel before thumping the bass.
This way, the load will reduce to the exact 2-Ohm provided by the company. The frequency response range of the TNE212D is also noteworthy – it ranges from 37Hz to 150Hz, allowing for accurate reproduction of low-frequency sounds across multiple genres of music or movies.
Its design minimizes distortion while retaining sound quality so that you can get tight, punchy bass notes that add depth and life to your audio experience. Overall, the MTX terminator provides great power handling.
Enclosure Size:
Here’s the enclosure dimension:
- Width: Approximately 29-30 inches (73-76 centimeters)
- Height: Approximately 14-15 inches (36-38 centimeters)
- Depth: Approximately 13-14 inches (33-36 centimeters)
By looking at the above dimensions, you can say that the subwoofer enclosure is designed to provide optimal performance while taking up minimal space.
The enclosure size is crafted to fit well in various vehicle types, allowing for versatility and ease during installation.
On average, it is relatively compact and efficiently utilizes space to house the dual 12-inch subwoofers without compromising performance.
When considering installation, I suggest that users should measure their available space carefully and compare it with the manufacturer’s measurements of the product to ensure proper fitment in their particular vehicle model.
Installation and Connectivity:
The installation process is relatively easy for this Audio Terminator Series. The TNE212D subwoofer comes pre-wired, saving you time and effort during installation. Just for clarification, the internal wiring is already set up.
Still, just to ensure, you can unmount the subwoofer from the enclosure and see if it is parallel wired (Believe me, this suggestion can be a life savior for you). Before beginning the subwoofer installation process, you should ensure you have all the necessary components, such as affixing mounting screws onto brackets to prevent it from sliding away.
You should leave the mounting screws slightly loose to adjust any shifts during use over time easily. Once mounted securely into place, connect the speaker wires from the subwoofer’s terminal cups to the high-level input of the amplifier (connect the subwoofer’s positive terminal with the amp’s positive terminal and the sub’s negative terminal with the amp’s negative high-level input).
Using an RCA converter, you can also convert the connection from high-level to low-level inputs. You can proceed with the head unit connection after connecting the subwoofer with the external amplifier.
Furthermore, I have tested the Terminator TNE212D by connecting it to a monoblock amplifier. It’s important to note that monoblock amplifiers are designed to operate as a single channel, even if they have multiple outputs.
A mono block amplifier’s two outputs are internally connected, meaning that when you connect the subwoofer to a monoblock amp, it will operate at a 2-ohm impedance.
If you were to connect another subwoofer box to the open channel of the monoblock amplifier, it would result in a lower impedance load. This would cause the monoblock amp to operate at a 1-ohm impedance.
Sound Quality:
Overall, the MTX Audio Terminator Series TNE212D subwoofer is the perfect choice to deliver an immersive bass experience and boost their car audio system.
The wide frequency response range from 37Hz to 150Hz ensures that all low-frequency sounds can be accurately reproduced, providing a full and rich sound no matter what type of music you are listening to.
Additionally, the TNE212D’s design minimizes any chance of audio distortion when cranked up at higher volume levels. This means you can enjoy your music without worrying about any muddiness or distortion in the sound quality.
Furthermore, this design contributes significantly to its overall longevity as it helps protect from external damage, such as corrosion, due to environmental factors like humidity or temperature changes.
Pros/Cons:
Here are the pros and cons:
Is MTX a Good Subwoofer Brand?
Yes, MTX Audio is a well-known and trusted brand in the audio industry. They have been producing reliable and high-performance subwoofers for decades. Their products are known for delivering immersive bass output and durable performance even under extreme conditions.
MTX puts significant effort into researching innovative technologies to incorporate them into their products, ensuring customers get the best product experience.
Moreover, they provide dedicated customer support, reinforcing their commitment to customer satisfaction. While individual preferences may vary, MTX has received positive reviews from customers and professionals alike for their excellent value for money and reliable performance.
General FAQs
What’s the Ideal Location to Place MTX TNE212D 12?
The ideal location to place the MTX Terminator TNE212D is in the trunk or behind the rear seat of your vehicle. This ensures it won’t be too close or interfere with any other parts of your car and allows it to perform at its peak potential.
Is the TNE212D Suitable for All Types of Vehicles?
Yes, the TNE212D is suitable for all types of vehicles. It offers reliable performance while providing excellent protection against harsh environmental conditions. The device is robust and highly resistant to corrosion and vibration from engine vibrations.
Is the TNE212D Easy to Install?
Yes, the TNE212D is easy to install. With its step-by-step instructions and simple wiring, you can install it quickly. All you have to do is follow the instruction manual and plug in the cables for setup.
Can the MTX Audio Terminator TNE212D Handle Different Music Genres?
Yes, the MTX Audio Terminator TNE212D can handle different music genres. It features a high-efficiency design and advanced components that provide great sound reproduction with an extended deep bass response for any genre of music.