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How to make my bass better?

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=56500
Printed Date: April 26, 2024 at 8:33 AM


Topic: How to make my bass better?

Posted By: marlinspike
Subject: How to make my bass better?
Date Posted: May 26, 2005 at 8:19 PM

Hello, The car is a 1985 Mercedes 380SE. I recently installed a Nakamichi CD-400 head unit and ran via 13 guage (or maybe 11, I forget) IXOS wire (it was directional and gamma threaded) 2 alpine sps-460a's in the rear and 2 alpine sps-080a's in the front. The sound is good, but when I crank it loud the bass starts to distort. I don't blast bass or listen to rap, but it happens with like john lee hooker or any somewhat bassy music (Chuck Berry, Foreignor, stuff like that). I don't want to put on bass blockers because most of the time I am not listening to the music loud, and I don't want to needlessly get rid of certain frequencies. I'm told my only choice is to add a sub (the people at crutchfield recommended the Kenwood KSC-SW1). So my questions are these: What do you all recommend I do considering my listening habits (classic rock, oldies, classical, talk) and that I want to make as minor modifications to my car as possible. If at all possible I want to avoid doing anything irreversible, including screw holes. How would I go about installing this? The Nakamichi head unit has a seperate subwoofer control so I'm guessing the wiring is simple. I also want it to be something that you would never know is there from looking inside the car. It's ok if you can see it when you open the trunk, but I don't want to be seen when you open the car. That's another thing, I want it to be as light and small as possible.

Also there are three deal breakers: it take up substantial space, it requires an external amp (i.e I can't wire it into my Nak head unit), or it requires you to make a cutout.

Thanks,
Rihcard




Replies:

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: May 26, 2005 at 9:39 PM
Your best bet is to go with Crutchfield's advice and use a powered subwoofer.  (Infinity makes one, too.)  Crutchfield will help you with the setup.  After that is installed, you'll be able to raise the crossover frequency on your mains and play music with no distortion.

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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.




Posted By: marlinspike
Date Posted: May 26, 2005 at 10:06 PM
Do you know any online stores that have more extensive collections than crutchfield? They only have 2 powered subs that could fit under a seat, and I feel like there are probably more out there.




Posted By: racer427
Date Posted: May 27, 2005 at 11:27 AM

Check out Car domain here https://www.cardomain.com/shoptype/Enclosed+Subwoofers

They carry powered subs from Infinity, Bazooka, Kenwood and Clarion.

I would suggest either the Infinity Basslink or a Bazooka Tube.

Chris



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Alpine CDA-9833 HU
Diamond Audio M661 Components
MTX Thunder T6.6 Components:rear fill:
Cadence Q400 4 Channel Mains + rears
Thunder 801D Subs
MTX 1004 10's
Dual 4g wire to rear
4g grounds




Posted By: customsuburb
Date Posted: May 27, 2005 at 12:01 PM

I've never gotten a chance to listen to an Infinity basslink but I have heard really good things about it. Crutchfield did a comparison of the Kenwood w00x (which is similar to the kenwood power sub mentioned above) and the Infinity basslink. Here is a link to it.

https://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-NaCdveKwIjU/reviews/20040413/bass_reviews.html





Posted By: racer427
Date Posted: May 27, 2005 at 12:34 PM

Customsuburb,

I have heard a few Basslinks and was actually quite impressed. I am actually thinking about installing one in thw wifes Astro as she wants just a little better bass responce as it already has the high end Bose (Yes Bose) system in it.

Chris



-------------
Alpine CDA-9833 HU
Diamond Audio M661 Components
MTX Thunder T6.6 Components:rear fill:
Cadence Q400 4 Channel Mains + rears
Thunder 801D Subs
MTX 1004 10's
Dual 4g wire to rear
4g grounds




Posted By: marlinspike
Date Posted: May 27, 2005 at 1:57 PM
The only two units I see for my application (since I want small, from what I'm told it can't go in the trunk, meaning it has to go under the front passenger seat meaning I have to go to VERY small) is the clarion phase 1 srv303 and that kenwood I mentioned above, and it seems the kenwood is a better unit. So now I have to make my measurements and see if it will in fact fit, but I also have to ask, will having the sub under the front passenger seat make the sound unbalanced since the sub will be off to one side? Also, if I mount it to the seat bottom, will it become a seat massager (i.e do I have to mount it to the floor, or can I mount it to the seat)?





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