Printer Friendly Forum Posts - What stereo upgrade next?

Ok here is my current setup:

Alpine SPR-17Ls components in front cabin, Kenwood KDC-MP828 hu, Usx-2050 50 x 2 Rms amp running components, Oem infinity rear door speakers which I believe are running at 8 ohm providing bass and rear fill.

I have two questions: 1. What would be your next upgrade, looking to get a little better bass. Subwoofer or new rear doors speakers?

2. How much of a difference would a larger amp make in the sound of the front stage say if I bumped up to 75 x 2 or even 100 x 2?

1) subwoofer

2) A bit more headroom, no real difference in SQ.

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So upping the amp in the front is going to make it louder but I'm assuming the bass reproduction is not really going to improve?

I was debating adding another amp. If I bridge the usx 2050 I get 160 x 1 at 4 ohm. Will this be adequate to run a sub? I don't want anything really ghetto but some decent bass. Also how will that work with the comp's that I have running in the front. Currently I am using the crossovers from the components not the amp settings. Will I be able to redirect the base away from the front and to the rear only with a new amp. I'm assuming that I will hook the 2nd amp into the first via the rca's.

A subwoofer would be a better upgrade than rear door speakers if you want more bass. A single 10 or 12 inch sub would probobly work well.

This inexpensive combo would give you some good bass.

https://www.cardomain.com/item/INFREF1232W

https://www.cardomain.com/item/MTX282

Ok I have decided to add a sub to my recently upgraded system. I currently have Kenwood kpc-mp828 with Alpine SPR-17Ls components front powered by usx-2050 50 x 2rms amp. Rear doors are stock infinity 6.5's running at 8 ohm( I beliveve) off of the hu. Vehicle is 2002 jeep liberty. I am looking at various subs but don't really know what I need. Want decent bass not wndow shattering. Physical size is an issue. Not much room in the rear compartment and I do have to carry things around occasionaly. Can anyone explain voice coils and ohm ratings for subs? I see some are 8 ohm, 4ohm 2 ohm, single, double voice coils? I think I am leaning twoards a bazooka tube just based on the tubular shape and how it will fit the vehicle. What is the sound difference in an 6" or 8" or 10" sub. Also how much wattage rms is needed to have decent output? 150, 300?

Will be adding a second amp to drive the sub?

If space is an issue you can use the self amplified Bazooka tubes. 10 or 12" would be the best as it will hit the lower frequencies but it won't give you earth shattering bass either. Go here https://www.the12volt.com/caraudio/woofer_configurations.asp and this will help explain subwoofer configurations.

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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA

just match your amp rating to whichever speaker u decide on. i personally have had both bazooka tubes[ powered with amp built in and unpowered] and was disapointed in both. i would recommed a good brand 8 inch like a jl audio,memphis or RF,that would save u space on box size.with an equl rated amp. bazooka does make a decent amp with great prices that would power those speakers.

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rottenbellys 05 crew cab colorado.Pioneer dehp 880prs, kenwood excelon in all 4 doors. Bazooka 500 mono Jl 10w3 in coustom center console box.

How about this package? https://www.sonicelectrnix.com/item_4331.html

Could be good. ive never heard audiobahn tubes but their speakers arent bad. would definetly be a easier install than a box and amp.

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rottenbellys 05 crew cab colorado.Pioneer dehp 880prs, kenwood excelon in all 4 doors. Bazooka 500 mono Jl 10w3 in coustom center console box.

Ok lets say I go with this model. I currently have my usx 2050 amp hooked up to the front Rca output on my hu. Speaker wire running from the amp into the crossovers for my alpine components. When I add this package Am I going to hook this to the sub output on the hu or the first amp? Currently my first amp is on amp setting with just the gains set. The high pass and low are not adjusted because I assume the crossovers are doing that.

I'm assuming that I want the highs coming form the tweetes, the mids from the 6.5's in the door and all the bass coming from the sub? I would prefer to only run into the amp for ease of installation.

Looking to run 1 8" or 10" sub off of either of these amps. Planning on using the amp bridged. Which looks better?

https://www.thezeb.com/p-Crunch-BMF2125-2-Channel-Amplifier-108572.htm

https://www.thezeb.com/p-USacoustics-USX-2050-2-Channel-Amplifier-105480.htm

https://www.thezeb.com/p-Blaupunkt-PCA250-2-Channel-Amplifier-106676.htm

one other question what is the difference between running a sub at 4 ohm vs. 2 ohm. Which is more power 150 watt rms @ 4 ohm or 150 watt rms @ 2 ohm?

I don't think there's much difference in those amps, they're all comparable. I also wouldn't trust any of them to run 2ohm in bridged mode - roughly the same as 1 ohm stereo. 150 watts = 150 watts at any ohm level, question is can the amp do that? any of those should be OK at 4ohm bridged.

so is there any benefit to running the sub at 2 ohm vs 4 ohm?

If I were looking at enclosed sub boxes and contimplating building my own, is there any difference in a closed box? I have seen some for $25. Is there anything I should be looking for?

What do you mean by "enclosed" and "closed" box? Are you talking about a bandpass box? A sealed box, ported box? Any how, If you are good with woodworking then build your own.

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Big Dave

Sealed. I was just wondering if a sealed box is a sealed box or what makes one better than another?

Well ones not any better than the other, it's what "you" want. Some people like band pass, some like ported, some like sealed. I use sealed my self I think they sound better. ported and bandpass are more for spl. this web site has all the info you need read all it has to say.

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Big Dave

I spent some time reading the sub section yesterday and I'm on information overload. I have a 2002 liberty and want to add some bass to my system. I don't want window shattering or car shaking. Just want to help my alpine components out for better overall sound quality. I'm assuming adding the sub will give me a tad more head room on the front components since they will not have to reproducte the bass. I just want to make sure that whatever I buy will do that. Don't want to buy too much or too little. Contemplating a powered sub or building my own. I have read some good things about bazooka's and some bad things. Same with audiobahn. I was leaning twoards a tube since size is an issue with the small cargo area. Any suggestions?

I would use a single 12. and say a 250wrms amp. build a seald wedge box. Seeing that you already have alpine speakers I'd get an Alpine amp and sub to. Go to your local shop and see what they have or Best Buy they carry Alpine. I think you would hit pretty good if you wanted too, or you could tone it down if you don't feel like hittin hard.

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Big Dave

Can I go wrong with this for $45?

https://www.sonicelectrnix.com/item_5055.html#

can anyone explain what voice coils in a sub do? Also do you want 1 or 2 voice coils?

Looking to put some bass in a Jeep liberty. Will this do the job? Trying to go on the cheap.

https://www.sonicelectrnix.com/item_4331.html

or is this a waste of money

Audiobahn tends to be considered a low end product around here, and I agree with the general opinion. As long as you do not ask nor expect a whole lot out of it then it will work fine, however I personally would elect for something a bit better, how much is your budget for amp/sub?

It does not matter how many voice coils, just make sure the sub and amp match up when choosing. All the coils do is provide different wiring options to the amp.

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2003 Chevrolet Silverado Standard Cab ~ Alpine CDA-9851
Diamond Audio D3600.1 ~ 2x Diamond Audio TM310D4
Diamond Audio D3400.4 ~ Diamond Audio Hex S600s
AstroStart RS5204 Remote Start/Alarm