Self powered subs?

[jjk1224]

I Just installed a cheap sony head unit today to replace, well... nothing. So after finally having a radio in my car for the first time, I got the chance to listen to my crappy speakers. Tomorrow im about to go out and replace all of them with anything I can find that seems to be decent. I plan to stick with 4" because I dont feel like modifying anything and I know that 4 inchers offers almost nothing in the bass department. Sooo on to the point... Best buy has this killer deal on the 10" Kicker Bass station, for those of you who are dont know what that is, its basically a subwoofer with the amp built into its enclosure.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Kicker+-+Bass+Station+10%22+Single+Sealed+Enclosure+with+Subwoofer/1752057.p?id=1218289379480&skuId=1752057

Does anyone have experience with self powered units or even the ones Kicker offers specifically? Im not looking to have anything that will set a car alarm off or anything, I just want something that has a moderately good thump with good quality. I like these units because they are compact and it would be easy to store other things in the trunk too.

[DriverOne]

I myself have a SoundStorm Labs 300w 8" powered sub under my seat. It does the job well.






The amp is all-in-one with a gain remote that I installed into my ash tray with double-sided tape. You can't see any of the wiring or the subwoofer since it sits directly under the seat. It's the perfect accent for the 4" speakers. You will need the Scosche 300w install kit for it.

As far as the Kicker, if you've never used the brand before, there's a reason they've been around FOREVER! Good stuff. I highly recommend it if that's the way you want to go.

[jjk1224]

Thanks a bunch, whats special about the 300w kit for your setup?

[FestYboy]

^ it's flat and fits just about anywhere. i have 2 similar units in 2 of my cars and they are great to fill in that missing bottom end. they won't POUND, but they do the job well. i also have a bazooka 8" in another car and THAT pounds, but i need to get the muddyness undercontroll on that one.

as far as 4" speakers: DON'T skimp on them. JLs fit nice. rockfords are awesome but they need clearance at the tweeter (easy mod). and also Infinity are nice if you can find the "perfects", or Referance in that size.

[DriverOne]

as far as 4" speakers: DON'T skimp on them. Infinity are nice if you can find the "perfects", or Referance in that size.

I agree. Infinity Reference 4"+1 are excellent. They come with a booster switch for the highs, which you may find beneficial for your downward-facing front speakers. The 300w install kit is so you can bring power from the battery to the amplifier without overheating small wires or overloading your battery. Here's one, but you can find them easily at Walmart. Whatever amplifier you buy, you'll want to find a wiring kit that slightly exceeds the wattage rating of the amplifier. I believe my kit was rated at 380?

[navdoc101]

Is'nt the Boss audio ones a little better? They're on e-bay for 127.00 at 900 W.

[FestYboy]

900wHAHAHAHAHA!!! ain't NO way that's 900w. likely it's around 150-200 useable watts, the 900 rating would be at 10% THD at 1kHz with full 6v input power and likely 15vdc powersupply (would sound like total crap).

i would buy one myself, but don't have a need ATM. i havn't had any issues with BOSS products yet, so i say go for it!

[DriverOne]

Jik1224, I'd like to see what your plans are for the system. Something I thought I'd mention is sound deadening. One of the members here insulated his car in a means that was a bit unorthodox but he says it works amazingly well. I think FestYboy might be able to get the link before I can... Either way, silencing the ride noise will equal turning the music up.

[navdoc101]

900wHAHAHAHAHA!!! ain't NO way that's 900w. likely it's around 150-200 useable watts, the 900 rating would be at 10% THD at 1kHz with full 6v input power and likely 15vdc powersupply (would sound like total crap).

i would buy one myself, but don't have a need ATM. i havn't had any issues with BOSS products yet, so i say go for it!

That was a little harsh! Isn't the BOSS a little better than the Sound Storm?

[FestYboy]

same stuff, and no not harsh, just a reality check. look at a known good 900-1kW amp and then look at the Boss/Soundstorm units. size alone should clue you in.

i guess the laughing could have been subdued a bit, but still the rest of the post is legit.

[navdoc101]

Yep, I know. I'm old, not stupid. And yeah laugh was what I meant. Harsh.

[bhazard]

Ive read a lot of bad things about the Boss powered subs.

I just got done installing Polk 1" tweeters in my forester, I have Pyle 6.5" midwoofers in the front doors and Polk 4" in the rear doors. The Pyle speakers are surprisingly decent, and were less than $40 for a pair. The tweeters helped tremendously, but its still a bit lacking on the low end. I'm thinking a powered sub under the passenger seat.

[rockin86ranger]

I myself have a SoundStorm Labs 300w 8" powered sub under my seat. It does the job well.






The amp is all-in-one with a gain remote that I installed into my ash tray with double-sided tape. You can't see any of the wiring or the subwoofer since it sits directly under the seat. It's the perfect accent for the 4" speakers. You will need the Scosche 300w install kit for it.

As far as the Kicker, if you've never used the brand before, there's a reason they've been around FOREVER! Good stuff. I highly recommend it if that's the way you want to go.

What are the demensions on that, I have been looking for something i can use in my truck but room is very limited because i have to have the seat all the way back.

[FestYboy]

try these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kenwood-KSC-SW10-kscsw10-150W-5-x-7-Powered-Subwoofer-Enclosure-?cmd=ViewItem&hash=item53ec0a451e&item=360442381598&pt=Car_Subwoofers_Enclosures

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KICKER-HS8-8-HIDEAWAY-POWERED-150W-SUBWOOFER-ENCLOSURE-SUB-BOX-HIDE-AWAY-NEW-?cmd=ViewItem&hash=item1e6c7158de&item=130668386526&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blaupunkt-200-thb-powered-subwoofer-8-inch-truck-subwoofer-low-profile-140-W-/130670113144?hash=item1e6c8bb178&item=130670113144&pt=Car_Audio_Video&vxp=mtr

i have a clarion unit like the blaupunkt and IIRC a Jenson unit likt it as well. no issues with either.

[DriverOne]

What are the demensions on that, I have been looking for something i can use in my truck but room is very limited because i have to have the seat all the way back.

I guess I should apologize. The unit I have is no longer in production, or so it seems. They've replaced it with a 900w unit that appears to be the same size, but I'm not sure. For the price, I'd say that the Blau that FestYboy mentioned would be the best option for your truck.