i know close to nothing about audio systems, fuse boxes, wiring etc.

i want to install a sub with an amp to make it sound better, my car has close to no bass. i want one 12'' apline type R sub. thats about all i know.

1. what amp should i go with it?
2. should i get a ported or sealed box? and why?
3. how hard is the install? i've installed a CAI and thats about it, im no auto guru.
4. should i just leave it at a shop and have them handle it?
5. also how much do installs normally cost? i will be buying the goods off the net.

car = 06 civic coupe lx.

 

1. My personal experience with amps is limited, my recent one a pyramid, puts out gorgeous sound but is a piece of crap because it "breaks down" if you will all the time. My suggestion is look around the thread.

2.I would recommend a sealed box if the subs are going in a trunk, a ported box if they're going in something big like an SUV. Sealed for a trunk because the space is confined and the air displacement will suffice for good sound, Ported for an SUV because of the large room where they'd be sitting, you have to have a confined space for the air displacement.

3. The first time you install a unit it's a pain in the ***...ish. The hardest parts would be the routing of power through the firewall, and removing a lot of the interior to hide the wires if you want a nice clean final job. But if you take your time and have patience, you can work through it.

4. I personally wouldn't do a shop unless you really are 100% confident that you would expletive it up. Unless you can find a good deal, most shops I am familiar with will rip you off.

5. The shop nearby me, wanted to charge over 200 bucks just to install an amp and sub, expletive that. Try to find a friend before going to a shop.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by M1K3 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i know close to nothing about audio systems, fuse boxes, wiring etc.

i want to install a sub with an amp to make it sound better, my car has close to no bass. i want one 12'' apline type R sub. thats about all i know.

1. what amp should i go with it?
2. should i get a ported or sealed box? and why?
3. how hard is the install? i've installed a CAI and thats about it, im no auto guru.
4. should i just leave it at a shop and have them handle it?
5. also how much do installs normally cost? i will be buying the goods off the net.

car = 06 civic coupe lx.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you are going with the Type R, then you need to decide if you want the D2 or D4. With D2 your wiring options are 1ohm or 4 ohm (or 2ohm x 2). With D4 the options are 2ohm or 8ohm (or 4ohm x2)

I'd suggest looking for an amp that does around 600-700WRms at whatever load you choose. Many many amps put 600-700WRms at 2ohm so the D4 would work that way .

As far as sealed vs. ported. Ported is typically louder; 3dB louder near the tuning frequency. Sealed has a flatter response and *generally* sounds better b/c of the flatter curve. So if you just want ***** to the wall loud then, go ported around 45Hz yet you will have horrible low end response. My suggestion is to just tune to around 30Hz; Nice mixture or SQ and SPL.

Installation is not hard at all. The hardest part is running the wire through the firewall and to the trunk (or where ever the amp(s) are mounted).

Typically, installs run $50/hr. So if it's just one sub and one amp, you are probably looking at $100-150. Good shop would be $100 if they aren't busy.

 

took a trip to best buy, ended up with some infinity ref1252 12" buy one get one free, cost me $120. :D

probably going with an infinity amp that i had my eye on, i can get it online for 50 bucks cheaper than best buy though, bidding on a 12" dual enclosure made from 3/4" MDF wood or something. bestbuy charges 100 for a box.

looking now for an amp kit and a capacitor, and best buy is chargin me 70 for install.

tis the season yo.

 

Audio car shops are way too overpriced. Go to Best Buy or Circuit City and get a price quote from them to install third party subs and amps. They only charged me $65, but it may vary around your area.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EvenStar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Audio car shops are way too overpriced. Go to Best Buy or Circuit City and get a price quote from them to install third party subs and amps. They only charged me $65, but it may vary around your area. </TD></TR></TABLE> You get what you pay for. 94

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by fcm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> You get what you pay for. 94</TD></TR></TABLE>

True that.

M1K3 I'd recommend taking it to a shop if you're unfamiliar with how to do things. I've seen too many "buddy installs" that are ghetto and just plain unsafe.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by misanthropist &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

True that.

M1K3 I'd recommend taking it to a shop if you're unfamiliar with how to do things. I've seen too many "buddy installs" that are ghetto and just plain unsafe. </TD></TR></TABLE>

would that include running power wire through door jambs, etc?
hahah, as i have seen way too many horrible, unsafe installs as well

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by LSRracing95 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

would that include running power wire through door jambs, etc?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

The classic "over the fender" approach? Why, yes