Sub thoughts

Sorry for the mixup! I will try this onece more as I think I found the problem...

Hello All!

This is my first post. My car is a 2003 Toyota Echo sedan. I am slowly upgrading my stereo. Budget is a concern. Currently I have upgraded my stock head unit to a Pioneer DEH-P4500MP and a Pioneer CDX-P1250 CD Changer. I am very happy with the sound quality so far.

I am looking to add a subwoofer/amp to this setup. I am interested in sound quality rather than maximum sound level. How can I tell that an amp or subwoofer is known as a “sound quality” unit instead of a “SPL” system.

I find it very hard to figure out a good brand as it seems that for every person stating that Brand X is great, there is a person stating that the same brand is junk…but I do know to stay away from the Sony Xplod stuff!

Also, I would like to get some opinions from somebody who is not selling me this equipment. I feel that sometimes the salesperson is claiming that Brand X is the best but I am not sure if it is the best of what he sells, not really the best on the market!

What are your thoughts on Subs. A single 12” or 2 10” (trunk space is a concern as I still use the car for real life :) ). My research also suggests a sealed enclosure

I would also like some thoughts on suggested amp power… I was considering about 300 Watts RMS. Some of the amp manufacturers I have looked at and would like some insight to are Rockford Fosgate, Infinity, Precisionpower (maybe out of my price range).

Oh yeah, I like to listen to Rock (Pink Floyd, Zeppelin, Boston, Rush, a little Bob Marley etc.).

Any thought are much appreciated!

John

John,

A single 10" is more than enough for someone looking to add a little bottom end without waking up the neighbors or stealing too much trunk space.

Furthermore, since you've indicated quality is a concern for you I would recommend spending the money you would otherwise spend on 2 subwoofers to pick up a nice 10" driver.  Something around 300 watts is more than enough.  I only have 200watts on my single 10" sub and it certainly gets louder than I need it to.  You'll find others on this site with the same experiences. 

Check out subwoofers by Focal, Adire, Boston, Mb Quart, Eclipse, Infinity, Memphis, JL, Image Dynamics, and Diamond for starters. 
A nice 300 watt amp would be just fine.  For amps check out brands like Alpine, Eclipse, Memphis, JL, Diamond, Xtant, Zapco, MTX, Audison, etc.

Generally, unless you can listen first hand, the best bet for finding SQ subwoofers is to go with companies known for SQ and ask others (like you are) for opinions about particular products. 

I picked my Image Dynamics because it had one of the smallest possible enclosure requirements for a 10" driver while still having a reputation for decent sound quality.  I was also highly considering an Infinity Perfect driver.

Stevdart couldn't of said it better. Ata kid I'm with you on the changing of the factory soeakers. They are normally paper made and blow really quick. I don't know who makes your speakers, but there are some stock manufactures like Bose, who make decent stock. But anyways.....components are the way to go up front. Here's a link from Crutchfield on your particular vehicle https://www.crutchfield.com/S-d8DXniMKvko/cgi-bin/ProdGroup.asp?c=10&g=76400&s=0&cc=01&avf=Y&search=    

But I wouldn't buy from them. I've got some Alpine R components up front with anther set in the rears of my F150. Both sets are being pushed by Fosgate's 400s amp. I've also got 4 Power Series 12's by Fosgate in the extended cab of the truck with a 1000 bd going to each. So as you can tell I'm a Fosgate Fanatic but not too much on their components yet. But basically bro to me it seems like mostly is "What can you afford?" Do you have a champaigne (?)taste on a beer budget? In my opinion if your only going to do one sub, don't do one 10'. I feel you'll be disappointed too fast and want to upgrade to a 12. 12's give you that all around bass that you can hear as well as feel. But hey, I"m not knocking anyone who gave a post, because if you're putting in the time to help this guy out and type out your opinion, what else can you ask for? We're all strangers, but strangers willing to help out another one in need.  I do custom installs with fiberglass molded to the body to take up as little of space as possible and can cut down the wood/glass measurements dramatically. So you can still have your life....... ; ) Give me a shout if you want.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

vdubmk4 wrote:

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Wait a minute, i forgot to write in my point, ha, the point is get subs, then get new speakers cause you dont got no subs and you gots speakers, so why replace what you already have if you don't need to right away.

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Thanks everyone for the great input so far! I should have mentioned that the replacement of the stock speakers is also in the future. Vdubmk4's comment is exactly how I was thinking. I intend to replace the stock speakers and amp them seperately eventually. I am sure this could be a new thread on it's own! The stock speakers running off of the Pioneers 50W x4 internal amp sounds OK right now (I understand the 50W x 4 is probably nowhere near what is actually being produced). I need to do this slowly purly for budget reasons.

Thanks again for your thoughts! Keep them coming!

John

tomos] wrote:

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FF TOPIC:

Don't know any Boston, but heard and enjoyed the other stuff. Recommended Boston songs?

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tomos] wrote:

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FF TOPIC:

Don't know any Boston, but heard and enjoyed the other stuff. Recommended Boston songs?

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Anything from the "Don't look back" album is worthy of a listen!

John