So I just put in a new Panasonic CQ-DFX572U HU and JBL GTO 5x7 and 6x9 speakers for my 02' ES. It sounds way better than the stock system in case anyone is wondering, but it is still missing the deep bass that comes with a sub. So I do not want to take up much space in my trunk, but want some nice solid and deep bass to make my system sound more complete. So what should I do? I want to keep the cost down for the most part.

I've been looking at the Infinity Basslink. I like that it is very compact, self amplified and sounds pretty good.

Or should I get a loaded bandpass box like the Alpine SBS-1041BP or Rockford Fosgate RBP2101 and a amp. they are a little on the big side, but not to bad. alpine
rockfordfosgate

or maybe just a MTX T610A plus amp? Any ideas?

 

banpassed box's sound like crap if they are not made right, i would go with the basslink fi you want the sub to take as little space as possible. or you can get a 10" subs and make a custom sealed enclosure. keep in mind sealed is the way to go for good sounding bass and small size, banpass is louder but takes more space and doens't sound as good

 

How much would a small custom enclosure go for since I have no box building skills to speak of? Would a Q-logic sealed box be okay or is custom the way to go if I go the sealed route?

 

Hey building boxes is simple...when I started out I had NO skills whatsoever. Picked up a jigsaw and a drill and started with no clue. Most hardware stores (Home Depot!) will cut straight lines for you, so all you gotta do is cut the circle and put it together. It's actually kinda fun to do. Plus you get the satisfaction that YOU made it, and you can make a sealed box for a single sub for around 30 bucks if you already have the tools (or have a friend, that's canadian dollars too)

PS this is the first box I ever made

http://images.cardomain.com/installs...44_64_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/installs...44_67_full.jpg

 

Yeah, but I am a lazy bastard when it comes to doing much of anything other than working on my racebike or roadracing my racebike....which I do not have anymore so I am mostly just lazy. So a pre-fabricated box might be the best choice for me. I hear that the Q-logic boxes are just okay and cannot handle much abuse, but since I do not plan on stressing it to hard I figure it should be okay.

How does this sound for helping my bass and budget needs?? Yes? No???

JBL Power P-80.2 2-Channel Amp $71.16
Pioneer TS-W254C Subwoofer $40.94
Q-Logic QLH-1.0010SX Subwoofer Enclosure $54.20

and of course a amp wiring kit. 10 or 8 gauge? The amp is rated to 160W RMS when bridged.

 

Sounds okay.

But realize that a low-powered sub in your trunk might not give you the bass reinforcement you're looking for. You may need some more power.

I'm SURE that if you can give us your total buget, the audio-heads here can come up with a solid package for you.

The stuff you have listed is just under $200 when you consider the little xtras like wiring and stuff.

My opinions:

The retail on the JBL amp is $200 - you can get it for about $75 (according to your list in your post). You could get the 180.2 (retail $279) for $150 (ikesound.com - here's the link: http://www.ikesound.com/Prod_Details.asp?Prod_Id=154 ) That'll give you 360 excellent watts.

The pioneer sub - well - I wouldn't. for subs, Pioneer (along with Kenwood, IMO) are decent for low power applications, but for higher power, they don't do as well, and your money could be better spent. I would consider something better - and something that will handle the 360 watts. Possibly an Infinity Perfect 10 - it'll take the power nicely - it's not that cheap - $122 online (ikesound.com) - but it IS a very, very good sub - you'd be quite happy, believe me. and $122 for a 350 watt sub is a pretty good deal. Link: http://www.ikesound.com/Prod_Details.asp?Prod_Id=415 I had one - my box was too small and I pushed it too hard and it blew - but it is an EXCELLENT sounding sub (I have two more Infinity subs (kappa series) in my living room waiting for install - I liked the Infinity stuff so much I went back to it!)

Ikesound also has a sealed enclosure with 1.0 cu/ft airspace for $37 (all Ike stuff is shipping included, so no extra charges - nice). Probably not the greatest thing in the world, but it'll definitely be just fine for your application, and will last as long as you don't go dropping it every day . And of course - the link: http://www.ikesound.com/Prod_Details.asp?Prod_Id=483

So for about $325 ($150 for the amp, $122 sub, $37 box + some $ for wiring) you could really have some SOLID bass.

These are just examples - but IMO it would be a great system for only about $100 or so more - and it would absolutely blow away the stuff you listed - BY A LOT!

The extra $100 goes a LONG way - you get a lot more for your money. I did the $200 budget system at first, too - and even in my P5 hatch, I wasn't at all happy. It'll be worse in a sealed trunk - you might hear nothing at all! It's a good idea to TRY to do it well the first time - otherwise you'll be swapping it all out in a month, and spending the $300 or $400 on top of the first $200.

Hope this helps some - get the MOST you can possibly afford, or you'll probably be disappointed.

~HH

 

Ah - thankyaverymuch, Blue.

~HH

 

Yeah $300 should be do-able. I may get the evil eye from the fiance' as we are saving up for our wedding, but I think that is within my budget.

Thanks for the advice so far. I've never had to deal with a sub in my car before so this is all new to me....

If I was powering a sub with 360W would it overpower the rest of my system. My HU is rated at 50W or 25W RMS and that is all that is powering my fronts and rears right now. I'd like to keep things fairly balanced.

 

Because your sub will be in the trunk, you should be great. I think your balance will be pretty damn good, actually. I used to run just deck power, with a 400 watt sub system in the trunk of a prior car, and the balance was actually outstanding.

And hey - if it's too loud, turn the gains on the amp down some!

Should be fine.

Oh - hey congrats on the wedding! Mine is this SUNDAY! Three frigging days of bachelor-hood left. Don't let the details of your wedding get in the way of fun - after all - it's just a party, and the object is to have a good time! My fiancee and I just let the details go - who gives a **** about the color of the frigging tablecloths? What do I care what kind of plates are on the tables? Centerpieces? You're the flower guy - throw some stuff in a vase and make it look nice! That kind of ****. Our planning was easy as pie - and the catering hall LOVES us for not running them ragged. And not worrying about every little detail means we're gonna enjoy ourselves that much more.

Good luck!

~HH

 

Thanks. I am hoping that things go well with minimumal fuss. My fiance' worries a little to much about trivial things so I'll see what I can do to keep her in check. I ended up giving up my motorcycle roadracing for a couple years so we could focus on this wedding and getting a home. Hopefully I'll be able to start up again as I was a pretty consistant top 5 finisher and racing is my #1 love outside my family.

Congrats on your wedding. Sunday...damn that is close. Our date is not until May31st. Good luck and enjoy..the tax and insurance savings benifits! = )

Hey hihoslva. How should I mount the amp? To the back of the rear seats, under the front seats? How about the sub? I do not want the enclosure moving around under aggressive cornering. Should it be screwed/latched down somehow?

 

Back of the seats, under the front seat(s) - really it's all opinion. I find that mounting in the trunk makes the install a little easier, because all the wiring can be run to "one place". But under the seat isn't too bad, either. I've always put my stuff in the trunk/hatchback. Just the way I like to do it.

As for the sub box - here's an awesome idea, and needs no drilling: Hopefully, your trunk is carpeted (and I'm guessing it is). Get some large velcro sheets, and put the "hook" side on the sub box, in ANY area that will contact carpet - you can just staple it on if it won't stick. If the carpet is anything like interior carpet, the velcro will stick like glue, and should hold your sub box in place under most conditions. If the carpet in the trunk is not thick enough to hold the velcro, you might have to screw a few brackets in place instead. A couple of small "L" brackets should do the trick just fine - it won't take much to hold it down. Just be careful with the screws - make sure of what's under the metal you drill them into before doing it.

BTW - the velcro trick also works GREAT for amps mounted under the seat - you might not even have to remove the seat to get the amp in. Just run the wires, hook 'em up, chuck the amp under there and press down to set the velcro.

Keep posting questions as you come up with them - we're all here to help!

~HH

 

For a budget sub, do check out the Ultimate Sound PSB1000 available for $100 from www.thezeb.com. That's together with an enclosure!!!

Direct link

They give pretty good SQ. I highly recommend them.

Was wondering if anyone knows how good the JBL GT100 GTO Series subs are? They're like $50 and has 12mm Xmax and dual 40oz stacked magnets!

 

I was just about to mention what douggie just said. But you can get the PSB1200 for only 10 bucks more then the 10" sub.
I am looking at this sub and a JBL amp (JBL600.1) for my system right now.

But after reading this forum, I may end up making my own box, and putting a JL Audio sub in it.

 

Hey how are the US Acoustics USX2080 amps? The price is right and they appear to be getting good reviews. Bridged it puts out 280W and it is only $84 which keeps things closer to my intended budget.

 

Congratulations HiHoslva!! That is great news! I wish you and your wife to be the very very best. I would never ever trade the time I had with my wife for anything in the world, and she is the mother of the greatest blessing in my life, my daughter.
Enjoy and savor your time together, and love and cherish her!
All of my best thought and wishes go out to you and her-
Dave