Where to Start? New Sub for Car

[jcw122]

Hey everyone,

I'm very new to sound systems, but the sound and feel of bass has GOTTEN ME HOOKED! I currently drive a 2000 Cadillac Deville, and my bass speaker is alot of fun to have cranked up, but I'm thinking I want something even more powerful.

It may be a bit much to ask for my budget, but I'm hoping I can get something with enough power to be able to hear a nice big beat when people are outside of my car, I think that would be fun. Also, I own a set of Sennheiser headphones, and they have great bass response, I like to listen to Bass Tests on my computer, and was hoping to get a sub for my car that could run deep stuff like that.

...I'd like to know, where should I start in determining what new sub I should get for my car?

Is $200 or so a good budget for a new subwoofer, or is that too cheap?


Thanks a bunch!

 

[liftedcj7on44s]

if you want a good sub that hits hard but has very good response and clarity then i would opt for a JL Audio 12W7. gonna set you back more than 200 buks but just 1 is plenty!

 

[pak]

W7 for some good quality bass. Nothing beats it. If you just want some trunk rattling bass to get the girlies turning their heads, get kickers. I think they "hit" better, but the quality does not compete with a w7. Kickers are a lot cheaper if I remember right too.

--pak

 

[jcw122]

wow just checked the price on the W7....not going to happen guys lol.

 

[pak]

Yeah, did you see what kind of amp you need too? But once you hear one, youll think its worth it.

Just get some square kickers. You'll be happy.

--pak

 

[Knacko]

I'm not up to date with this years stuff, but I do know a few places you could ask:

SoundDomain - http://forum.sounddomain.com/

Ecoustics - http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/4/4.html

Either one has some knowledgable members (or at least used to) that can help you out.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Wait, are you looking to replace a stock "subwoofer", or do you allready have an aftermarket sub/amp, and want to change the sub? If it's the latter, what kind of amp do you have now?

Not to take a shot at you here or anything, but getting a new subwoofer so people can hear your outside the car is just dumb. I'd rather get a nice sub that will produce good SQ for listeners inside the car, than one that will have loose, crappy bass just so people can hear you coming.

Don't take that the wrong way though, please.

 

[/\\/3|2o]

Wait, are you looking to replace a stock "subwoofer", or do you allready have an aftermarket sub/amp, and want to change the sub? If it's the latter, what kind of amp do you have now?

Not to take a shot at you here or anything, but getting a new subwoofer so people can hear your outside the car is just dumb. I'd rather get a nice sub that will produce good SQ for listeners inside the car, than one that will have loose, crappy bass just so people can hear you coming.

Don't take that the wrong way though, please.

Ill second this, and Ill add that it pretty much says "ROB ME"

 

[shard]

With enough baffling, and matteing, you can get tons of bass inside, with very little outside.

 

[Awake77]

+1 on this - you dont want to be heard outside your car man, just asking to get ripped off. Plus, its annoying. Lots of good clean bass IN the car is what you want...

 

[jcw122]

OK, I agree with you guys. I'd rather have great quality bass inside my car, screw the outside then.

Wait, are you looking to replace a stock "subwoofer", or do you allready have an aftermarket sub/amp, and want to change the sub? If it's the latter, what kind of amp do you have now?

Not to take a shot at you here or anything, but getting a new subwoofer so people can hear your outside the car is just dumb. I'd rather get a nice sub that will produce good SQ for listeners inside the car, than one that will have loose, crappy bass just so people can hear you coming.

Don't take that the wrong way though, please.

I'm looking to replace the stock "subwoofer". And no, I didn't take that the wrong way. I'd rather have good sound quality.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

ok, well, do you know what the wattage of the stock amp driving that subwoofer is then? Might not be powerful enough to make a new sub worth it.

Also, what size is the stock sub?

 

[jcw122]

ok, well, do you know what the wattage of the stock amp driving that subwoofer is then? Might not be powerful enough to make a new sub worth it.

Also, what size is the stock sub?

Not sure of either, I'm going to go grab the owner's manual right now, and see if there's anything there on it.

 

[jcw122]

Couldn't find anything. Would I be able to find out the amp power and subwoofer size if I can get to those items? I'm not sure how to yet.

I'm 17 by the way, this is why I don't totally know my car yet, or at least how to get to the amp and sub/speakers.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Call the parts department of a caddy dealer. They can look up the size of the speaker for you, as well as the wattage of the amp.

 

[jcw122]

Call the parts department of a caddy dealer. They can look up the size of the speaker for you, as well as the wattage of the amp.

OK will do.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Don't expect much from the stock amp tho. the reson i put subwoofer in quotes is because you the stock sub speaker that comes with most cars isn't really a subwoofer, its more of a shallow, low frequency cone i guess, for lack of something better to call it. you're going to have a hard time finding an aftermarket sub that will even fit in the enclosure.

Your best bet really is to just keep what you have, or get a new amp/sub/enclosure and put it in your trunk. You will probably need a new head unit to do that though.

Car audio can get expensive fast though heh.

I was only 17 when I installed my first complete system, it's not that hard really.

 

[jcw122]

Don't expect much from the stock amp tho. the reson i put subwoofer in quotes is because you the stock sub speaker that comes with most cars isn't really a subwoofer, its more of a shallow, low frequency cone i guess, for lack of something better to call it. you're going to have a hard time finding an aftermarket sub that will even fit in the enclosure.

Your best bet really is to just keep what you have, or get a new amp/sub/enclosure and put it in your trunk. You will probably need a new head unit to do that though.

Car audio can get expensive fast though heh.

I was only 17 when I installed my first complete system, it's not that hard really.

Well, we (my family) actually uses my trunk pretty often, so I don't think I'll be able to place anything in the trunk. BUT, it could be a neat idea if it won't take up much space, because I have a trunk access door behind the rear-center arm rest thinger. I think someone mentioned one time that opening that up w/ a sub in the back helps the sound get through. Dunno.

So then I'd prolly need to replace the whole amp/sub/enclosure setup...and the head unit....great...

What's a head unit? hehe.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

haha, the stereo in your dash up front.

 

[jcw122]

haha, the stereo in your dash up front.

That sounds like another fun item to replace.

OK so say I want to have my subwoofer in my trunk, what do I do now?

-What is a good subwoofer to use, within my budget ($200)?
-Do I need to make my own enclosure? I'm reading "Sealed" are the best for car audio.
-How much do amps go for, and where will that be placed?