OK I got through installing a new deck, but now I want to add some good bass to my car. I already read the FAQ up there and it didnt answer any of my questions. From what I have learned, 750rms on the subwoofer is heard for about a block of a mile away. I'm looking for something less (maybe around 300rms... not trying to grab any attention or break my windows with loud bass, just need some good bass sounds inside my car). I'm thinking of getting a small solo Kicker subwoofer used, but my question is...

- Do I still need an amplifier? I have seen some cars without amplifiers... what are they used for anyway?

 

You can use 300 watts rms and still be heard blocks or miles away. Its in the type of speaker used and the enclousure. What kind of car is this going into? And yes you would need a amp to drive the sub. A headunit is not going to push the reccommened watts to push a sub. Thats were the amp comes in. How much room are you willing to give up in your trunk?

 

everything ^ said is right... Your thoughts to maybe get a used kicker sub sound good. Kicker makes solid products. For any sub you would need an amp. The amp basically just gives the sub power it needs... kinda like how your head unit powers your door speakers. If you get the sub... ur gonna need a box (enclosure) to put it in... if ur not looking to spend a whole lot maybe a small sealed box would do well. Get an amp that puts out sufficient rms watts thats within ur budget and a basic wiring kit and u should be fine.

 

its going into a 97 honda accord ex 2dr. i need at least half of the trunk so I'm trying to find the smallest sub woofer possible. the one im trying to buy is a used Kicker (6" length), already have the sub box and speakers inside them, for about $50. i dont know the specs on them so i dont really know which amplifier i should get... ill try and ask the seller.

btw, whats the difference between a regular Kicker and a Kicker Comp (CVRS) subwoofers? and what is the best way to set up a single kicker + an amp? i was thinking either drilling a hole on the bottom surface in my trunk or just hang the amp on one of the walls in the trunk.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EvenStar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i was thinking either drilling a hole on the bottom surface in my trunk or just hang the amp on one of the walls in the trunk.</TD></TR></TABLE>

ouchhh, mount the amp on the back of the seat, make sure to put it on a piece of carpeted wood first so you dont put screws touching the amp into metal..

put the sub + box right in front firing toward the rear in the center of the trunk.

 

Ditto the above. 300W is more then enough for "loud" sub bass, you will need to find out the model of the Kicker your looking at.

The diff... http://www.kicker.com/06/tech-...l.pdf
http://www.kicker.com/06/tech-...l.pdf you can read for yourself.

Mount the amp to the rear firewall, [behind seat] or under the pass. seat if it will fit, [depends on amp]. 94

 

Sweet... problem now is, how do I know which amplifier is right for me? Does it matter which brand I choose?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EvenStar &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> Does it matter which brand I choose?</TD></TR></TABLE> Yes and no, yes you should stick with brand name, [good quality] amp, you do not need "top of the line", when buying a sub amp get one from a manufacturer that makes mono block. [1 ch.] sub amps, you are getting a Kicker sub, why not get a Kicker sub amp, [Kicker has more then a few]. 94

 

So it doesnt matter how many watts I get? (300w, 600w, 1000w, etc.)? What about the HiFonics or Alpine amp connected with the Kicker? Would that matter?

 

Although I am a firm believer in "overpowering" there is a point of diminishing return buying a 1000W RMS am to drive a 300W continuous sob is way beyond "overpowering" more like overkill, a 350W-400W amp will do the job, and you will pay about the same for a good 350W amp as you would a not so good 1000W amp, the brand of the amp will not make a diff. to the Kicker sub. 94