I Need Everything On Setting Up Subs

So, I wanna put 1 or maybe 2 subs in my 1994 BMW 325i, most likely they would 10" or 12", but I don't know anything about it. I don't know if this helps, but right now the only modification to the original stereo is the addition of a JVC 12-Disc changer installed in the trunk. The bass right now is really weak and basically is a must to be upgraded, but I think that the stuff I will buy will be from places like pawn shops and stuff, but not crappy material things. What I'm really on here for though, is to find out everything I need, yes EVERYTHING from speaker wires-to-enclosures-to-amps... I would also like some help with how/what would need to be hooked up to what (and I do know that the connections depend on the size, ohms, and all that crap, but still.). Anyone who can chip in a little information, THANK YOU in advance. Seriously, any bit of info will help.

"You'll shoot your eye out." Seriously though, just start reading EVERYTHING on here. Wait a little bit before you buy anything also. Odds are you will regret it and you'll just end up ditching it later. Go to some local shops and hear some different equipment.

Question 1: What is your budget? Question 2: How much volume (space) in your trunk are you willing to give up? Question 3: What is your goal with this system? Answer these, then I can help. New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

kfr01 wrote: Question 1: What is your budget? Question 2: How much volume (space) in your trunk are you willing to give up? Question 3: What is your goal with this system? Answer these, then I can help.

1: I was hoping to keep my budget somewhere between $100-200 as I was planning on not buying the stuff BRAND NEW, but rather MINT items like at a pawn shop or other places. So if your going by NEW prices, I would say it would be about $300-350. 2: Well, the trunk right now does not have a lot of space, so, I was thinking somewhere around 3 cubic feet, or roughly 2'W x 1'H x 1'L. 3: My goal in this set-up is to both learn about the whole sound system stuff AND to improve my very weak BASS that my current Stock system has. I'm not necessarily hoping to be heard a block away, but would at least like to be able to stand outside of the car with it closed and hear a decent bass pump (Mainly because I like to do stuff outside and have the car's stereo on).

3cu ft. is quite a lot, actually. Find any class d monoblock amplifier in the 300-500w @ 4 ohms range. Sub bass is all about the right match between the space you have available, the subwoofer, and the right enclosure. Can you build a simple box with a hole in it? :-) This would save you a load of $$. For the space you have available, I would buy this subwoofer: http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/tempest_classic/ In my opinion it is the single best value in subwoofers if you have ~2cu ft available. You should be able to find a cheap amp for $50-100. (ebay works) (BE SURE TO FIND ONE WITH SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS!) Built a box yourself ~$20 for the MDF + glue. Buy a subwoofer install kit (~$30) Subwoofer (new) at $150. This puts you near your budget. You DO NOT want a subwoofer from a pawn shop or used. You'd be buying some punk's abused POS. Unlike electronics, subwoofers have lots of moving parts that can be beat to death and destroyed. If you want to save another $25, go for the "12 Shiva instead and you can go with a 1cu ft box. Hope this helps, cheers. New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

rofl @ forbidden's URL. jde: If you haven't guessed, forbidden is being sarcastic. However, buying pawn IS usually a horrible idea. ebay is only slightly better. I would never buy speakers or headunit used, but would try my luck at amplifiers. New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

kfr01 wrote: 3cu ft. is quite a lot, actually. Find any class d monoblock amplifier in the 300-500w @ 4 ohms range. Sub bass is all about the right match between the space you have available, the subwoofer, and the right enclosure. Can you build a simple box with a hole in it? :-) This would save you a load of $$. For the space you have available, I would buy this subwoofer: http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/tempest_classic/ In my opinion it is the single best value in subwoofers if you have ~2cu ft available. You should be able to find a cheap amp for $50-100. (ebay works) (BE SURE TO FIND ONE WITH SPEAKER LEVEL INPUTS!) Built a box yourself ~$20 for the MDF + glue. Buy a subwoofer install kit (~$30) Subwoofer (new) at $150. This puts you near your budget. You DO NOT want a subwoofer from a pawn shop or used. You'd be buying some punk's abused POS. Unlike electronics, subwoofers have lots of moving parts that can be beat to death and destroyed. If you want to save another $25, go for the "12 Shiva instead and you can go with a 1cu ft box. Hope this helps, cheers.

I would like to know now more of what am getting when I buy this 15" sub your talking about rather than another one when it comes to Ohms, the Peak/Usage Watts, etc... I would llke to know this so I can have more of an idea of what I am getting when it comes to me shopping around. And for the record, I would probably like to go with 2 10" or 12" subs and just build a box that spans my trunk so it can be more easily/properly secured (seeing as that seems to be a big factor in the sound quality) and I think it would look better. I don't know if the 2 sub thing would sound better or not, or maybe just one bigger sub like you suggested. Although, I don't know if that would be a bad idea having them in the same box...I need to know things like the best materials to make the box, (in this case) would I have to divide it in 2, should I have a "Pro" do the "tuning" or final setting up? Thanks again for all your help

I would like to know which of all of these, or at least help me narrow it down, would be best for me: Here are some sets of 2 subs: 10" http:///.com/2-NEW-KENWOOD-TYPHOON-10-1600-WATT-CAR-SUBS-SUBWOOFERS_W0QQitemZ270022839683QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3291QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http:///.com/2-AUDIOBAHN-DUB-MAG-AUDIO-DUB100-10-SUBWOOFERS-SUBS_W0QQitemZ300023343576QQihZ020QQcategoryZ3291QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http:///.com/2-ROCKFORD-FOSGATE-P110S4-Stage-1-10-SUBWOOFERS-NEW-04_W0QQitemZ250025102586QQihZ015QQcategoryZ39774QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http:///.com/2-POWER-ACOUSTIK-10-4000w-CAR-AUDIO-SUBS-SUBWOOFERS_W0QQitemZ270022584116QQihZ017QQcategoryZ3291QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http:///.com/2-NEW-10-1000-WATT-CHROME-SUBWOOFERS-HIGH-POWER-SUB-04_W0QQitemZ250024683145QQihZ015QQcategoryZ3291QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem 12" http:///.com/2-Kenwood-KFCW300S-12-Subwoofers-1200W-Free-Air-Subs_W0QQitemZ140024203682QQihZ004QQcategoryZ18803QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http:///.com/2-12-Rockford-Fosgate-Punch-P1-Subwoofers_W0QQitemZ180023347059QQihZ008QQcategoryZ39779QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http:///.com/ebaymotors/2-NEW-1400w-12-CAR-AUDIO-SUBWOOFERS-SUBS-4-OHM-WOOFERS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38647QQihZ008QQitemZ180022499139QQrdZ1 http:///.com/2-POWER-ACOUSTIK-12-5000w-CAR-AUDIO-SUBS-SUBWOOFERS_W0QQitemZ270022850428QQihZ017QQcategoryZ18803QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Here are some single, but bigger subs: 15" http:///.com/VOLFENHAG-ZX-4715DVX-15-Competition-Subwoofer-Sub-1200W_W0QQitemZ300022097329QQihZ020QQcategoryZ18804QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http:///.com/LEGACY-15-1400-Watt-Predator-Series-Car-Subwoofer_W0QQitemZ270025290686QQihZ017QQcategoryZ18804QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem http:///.com/LEGACY-15-SUBWOOFER-SPEAKER-NEW-DVC-1500-WATTS_W0QQitemZ220022258583QQihZ012QQcategoryZ18804QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Please let me know which of these would be better and if it is better to go with the single BIG sub, or double slighlty smaller. Thanks everyone. If anyone finds some amps on eBay for less than $100, feel free to leave a link in here with a slight explanation why its good for me.