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Do I Really Need A Subwoofer?


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joe12volt 
Member - Posts: 17
Member spacespace
Joined: December 29, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 03, 2005 at 9:39 PM / IP Logged  

Hi All,

I've been having a problem with a slight distortion sound at all volumes on my Alpine 9821. Its not an alternator whine. I have new Kenwood 6889ies in the front and factory speakers still in the back.

I went to visit Al & Eds today since they are an Alpine dealer and tried to get help. He didn't listen to it, but suggested trying different speakers. BTW, the slight distortion is on both speaker pairs. Almost sounds like bad reception at times, except it does it on the Cd also.

He also said most speakers these days are really meant to be used with Subwoofers and an amp and not by regular speakers alone. He said they weren't really meant to produce bass.

But if he's not correct would anyone have some 5x7/6x8 speaker recommendations. Through my searching on this board, it sound's like Boston Acoustics, MS Quart, and Infinity's are some decent ones to get.

Is this true, as all I really want is a HU and four speakers for my set up as I prefer Rock and Jazz to listen to.

1993 Ford Ranger Supercab
Alpine CDM-9821 Head Unit
Alpine SPS570a 5x7 Front And Rear Speakers
Delphi SkyFi II XM Radio
auex 
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Location: Arizona, United States
Posted: February 03, 2005 at 9:43 PM / IP Logged  
He is feeding you bullsh*t.
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pimpincavy 
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Silver spacespace
Joined: May 20, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 03, 2005 at 9:47 PM / IP Logged  
The noise could very well be caused by a bad ground from the HU. Ground it directly to the chassis, rather then using the cars stock ground wire. Also try getting a crossover for the speakers.
Subs will greatly enhance the sound in your car, and I would highly recommend getting at least one 10" or 12". That said, you do not need a sub, if you are happy with the sound once you upgrade speakers. The guy you talked to was right about speakers not being meant to create much bass, thats what subs are for.
Look into CDT speakers, I have heard a lot of great things about them, and they are fairly inexpensive. Get a componet set (seperate tweeter, and a crossover) as opposed to a standard coaxial speaker for better SQ.
Whatever speakers you decide on, try to listen before you buy if at all possible. Differant companys use differant materials, which can mean drastically differant sound changes between companys.
stevdart 
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Posted: February 03, 2005 at 9:55 PM / IP Logged  

There are plenty of good, informative posts in this forum that address your issue, like this response from Rob at Forbidden.  When you want to really start enjoying your music (and want to also grow your sig line)..........invest in amplified speakers and subwoofer for all types of music.

Jazz, especially, can only be fully appreciated when powered with sufficient watts and quality speakers.  It is in that type of music that you find really great dynamic range......when the drums hit you feel it in your heart.

When you're comparing the output of a deck and a set of speakers to the output of two amps, a set of speakers and a subwoofer...........It's like comparing modern hi-fi to the tabletop 45 rpm record player of the '60s.

Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
joe12volt 
Member - Posts: 17
Member spacespace
Joined: December 29, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 03, 2005 at 9:55 PM / IP Logged  

Thanks auex and pimpincavy for the info.

I do have the ground hooked to the firewall after having it hooked to the cars harness originally. But no difference.

Can you explain how the crossover would work for my current speakers, or did you mean that for the component type? Also is there a certain type you would recommend?

But thanks again for the suggestions as I will look into them ASAP.

1993 Ford Ranger Supercab
Alpine CDM-9821 Head Unit
Alpine SPS570a 5x7 Front And Rear Speakers
Delphi SkyFi II XM Radio
joe12volt 
Member - Posts: 17
Member spacespace
Joined: December 29, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 03, 2005 at 10:00 PM / IP Logged  

thanks stevdart for the suggestions too.

Part of the problem is I have been to many car races and have played in bands so I don't want to hurt my hearing any more than I have already.

joe

1993 Ford Ranger Supercab
Alpine CDM-9821 Head Unit
Alpine SPS570a 5x7 Front And Rear Speakers
Delphi SkyFi II XM Radio
customsuburb 
Gold - Posts: 1,813
Gold spacespace
Joined: January 17, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 03, 2005 at 10:15 PM / IP Logged  

Not all subwoofers have to play loud. If you are smart and don't have the volume control cranked all day then you won't be able to lose your hearing from a single inexpensive 10 or 12 inch sub. If you are satisfied with the amount of bass then you don't have to have one though. It would allow your midrange speakers to sound better if you had a sub because they won't have to produce lower bass also.

kfr01 
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Posted: February 03, 2005 at 10:31 PM / IP Logged  
A subwoofer will not hurt your hearing. Being less than smart about volume - EVEN WITH HIGHS - will hurt your hearing.
I think for car systems a subwoofer is necessary for quality sound.
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Master Asylum 
Silver - Posts: 400
Silver spacespace
Joined: November 05, 2004
Location: United States
Posted: February 04, 2005 at 7:12 AM / IP Logged  

Yeah, subs don't kill eardrums, people do.

I'm putting enough into my car that if I listened to it high for a good while my hearing would go poop, but I know how to use that little knob thingy and keep it tolerable. (Short of when some dick pulls up and thinks he has a good system with his$200 pioneer setup, gag.) There is a reason people keep suggesting the sub, properly designed and used moderately can fill in an end of the spectrum that, well, reaches a special place. And having been in a band should only develop a further desire to get that, at least in my head that makes sense. Also if you are REALLY determined to avoid the sub for some reason, an amp will still help your speakers perform at an acceptable level.

Ok I'm done.

1998 Monte Carlo w/
Eclipse CD8454
2xRockford 5.25" Power 2-way T152C
2xRockford 6"x9" Punch 3-way FRC4369
1xMemphis 16-MCH1300 5-channel
2xKicker 12" L5 Solobaric-2 Ohm
haemphyst 
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Joined: January 19, 2003
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Posted: February 04, 2005 at 9:17 AM / IP Logged  
All good points above. But all I can say to a question like "Do I really need a subwoofer?" is
well....    yeah! Do I Really Need A Subwoofer? -- posted image.
Honestly though, yes, a properly implemented sub will allow your entire system to perform better, play louder (if that's what you are looking for) and last longer. Look into something even as simple as a Bazooka (but make sure it's the one that looks like the nitrous bottle - it'll make your car GO FASTER, too!)or even one of the Rockford tubes. If all you are looking for is a rounding out of the bottom end, either of these will work well for your answer.
It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."
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