RViddy

Hey all. I want to add subs to my 4th Gen and I'm basically a noob when it comes to subs. I'm looking to spend no more than $500 and I really don't want to sacrifice a lot of trunk space since I need it for work. I'd love to hear some suggestions!

bksmax11203

iTrader: (1)

depending on how much bass your looking for. also, does that $500 include installation or just parts? if it's just parts i'd go with a nice cheap powerbass 10 inch due to space with a matching powerbass amp. i got 2 12 inch powerbass subs in my max with a matching powerbass 800watt 2 channel amp. the subs are wired down to 2 ohms and the amp is bridged. So if i'm not mistaken each sub is only getting 400 watts which is just about 200 rms a piece i believe, and when playing they can be heard from inside the store with easy.

RViddy

I actually went to find a quote at a shop and this one place is offering me two subs, and amp and installation for $450. Do you think that's a good deal? I just want enough bass so there's a little bump to my music. And that like a really sweet set up by the way!

Ricksi30

What subs and amp?

T_Behr904

Sundown SA-12, $200 bucks and 600 watts RMS. One of those in a good enclosure will work very well.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Like Tbehr said, a good enclosure is where you should spend your money. I am assuming you want it loud so get a ported box tuned to the frequency of whatever subs you choose. Put $1000k subs in a chitty box and it will still sound like crap. My box is worth more than my subs lol

get_max_out

Everything counts. From the box, subs, amps and wiring

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

T_Behr904

Also, sound deadening makes a big difference. Most people just add subs without any deadening at all.

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Yea I agree especially in the trunk lid/rear speaker deck. I wrapped almost my entire trunk in Dynamat. Damn spoiler rattle is impossible to get rid of though.....

RViddy

All great advice guys! The shop ended up selling me two Pioneer TS-W309S4 400 RMS and a Clarion Amp which is also 400 RMS for $250. I figured it'd be cheaper to install it myself. I just need an enclosure and amp kit now! Any suggestions for one?

T_Behr904

I like T-line enclosures, but those tend to take up more trunk real estate. You can check Pioneer's website and see what they're recommendations are.

How do you plan on wiring up 2 400 watt subs to one 400 watt amp? You don't want to overstress the amp and cause it to clip. That's bad for the speakers. You actually want an amp rated higher than your speakers and dial down the gain so as not to stress the amp and to provide good clean power to the speakers.

RViddy

Oh, I got two of the same amp. Hahah sorry I guess I typed that up a little too quickly! This is literally the only enclosure Pioneer offers.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...lles/UD-SW120D

tigersharkdude

iTrader: (20)

SAME. My subs cost ~$150 each, my original box cost me $75....it sounded "meh". Then I dropped close to $250 on a custom made box...easily the best money I spent on my stereo

ShocknAwe

iTrader: (3)

Damn those ports are sick. Worst sound in the world is the rattle you will get from cheap ports and a cheap box will always sound like you have 10's in it. In all my years of car audio I have found the box to be the single most important factor. Put JL subs in a $50 box and it sounds like crap, put $50 subs in a $200 custom tuned box and it sounds like you know what you are doing lol. I heard a box one time that was so ****ty that you couldn't even tell individual bass notes, it just molded in to one constant sound all the time.I even had a bandpass box at one point and I still go back to my simple ported box with the carpet wearing through in the corners. Anybody can do it too as the specs of every sub come in the box. It sounds overly complicated to "tune the port" but all it really is is the length, width, spacing in the rear, and the height basically tuned to the approximate frequency of the music you listen to.