Its Sub And Amp Time For The Mini.... Want Bass!

[Prawny Baby]

hey guys, after years of telling people that all you need is a set of 6x9's and some comps up front to get a nice sound.... ive finally given in and decided i want more bass....

but

the big but here, is it has to be CHEAP!

i dont want a show stopping crystal clear sound system, i love what ive got, the sound id perfect for me, i simply want a bit more bass.

so

ive been looking at subs on ebay

and this one seems pretty popular....

JBL 1000w peak, 250 rms

i know its not great to all you ice people out there.... but it does appear tempting.....

i dont want anything massive, but what sorta difference is there going to be between a 10'' sub and a 12''????

the idea is to mount it on the right hand side of a mini boot liner which im going to buy, ill reinforce it with some 18mm ply behind to stop it all shaking like i did with my 6x9's....

mini boot liner

its going on the triangular board in the right hand picture.... so 10 is max size.

soo

considering im totally on the cheap.... its either gotta be around £30 new like the jbl, or able to be picked up for 30 ish 2nd hand on ebay!

now.

amps....

my current setup consists of a 4x52w sony mdxf5700 mini disc system, with a paid of legacy 180w peak 2way front coaxials, and a pair of db audio 350w peak 3way 6x9s in the parcel shelf, currently all running off the headunit....

what kinda amp do i need??

do i just want to amp the sub and keep the 4 speakers running off the hu? or should i get a 2/4 channel amp and run the sub and 6x9's off the amp? ive heard something about 6x9's and subs on 1 amp being bad idea....

remember it doesnt have to be incredible.... i just want a bit more kick to my system really.

as far as amps go i havnt got a clue....

if im just going to amp the sub do i need a 2 channel or a monoblock amp? does any of it really matter?

sorry for not making too much sense....

i was driving home and flash dance-deep dish came on the raidio and i decided there and then i wanted a sub! and now ive had too much beer :S

please help prawn!

[Bucky]

If you are only running the sub from the amp then yes you should only need a 2channel amp.

But to get better sound get a 4 or 6 channel amp and run the 6x9's from it too.

I have the JBL 12" sub with jbl gto 6x9's and a 600w amp bought as a package form motorworld.

http://www.motor-world.co.uk/kroozin/categ...?sub_cat_id=423

some deals in there.

Personally i would go for second hand bits form Ebay.

[Prawny Baby]

cheers bucky....

after reading around on a few mini specific ice sites.... and listening to people in general.... ive been told that i dont need the 6x9's AT ALL if im running the sub....

advice ive been given is to ditch the 6x9's totally, and get a 4 channel amp. ill run the front two coaxials off channels 1 and 2, and bridge channels 3+4 to double the power supplied to the sub....

ive also been told that the frequencies of subs are low enough to be imno directional so the brain cant tell where tehy are actually comming from. the 6x9's will apparently bring the sound stage backwards....

so

after a 4 channel amp with at least 4x50rms, preferably 4x100 (Y) any reccomendations would be nice :)

thanks

nick

[Mr Dave]

dont know much about sound systems, but if you only want a bit more bass, cant you get some bigger 6x9's with the magnet on the bottom bigger like?

im proberly compltly wrong, fell free so slap me (Y)

Dave :) - i know nothing

[megamomac]

those jbl subs take a real pounding and are good to be able to take their rated figures, i dont think for the price there is a better sub out there to be honest, good choice

i didnt fully read youre whole post(before posting this) about dropping the 6x9's but from what i did youve bveen given good advice about the 4 channel amp, maybe you would benefit from getting components at a later date, they are a bit more versatile with respect to aiming and creating a better soundstage,

EDIT. just gone back and read your post fully.

the omni- directional bit sounds about right (Y) . as for amp recommendations visit www.caraudiodirect.co.uk depending on your budget you can get a wide variety from here.

i would recommend the magnat z4100 for your setup as it delivers alot of power for the price, and this amp will actually do the rated figures, unlike such amps as SPLx etc.

Edited May 15, 2005 by megamomac

[Fishwog]

im proberly compltly wrong

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:) (Y)

[Prawny Baby]

cheers again guys....

i looked on car audio direct but couldnt find that magnat amp....

one thing that is for sure is that i need an amp with a crossover/hp/lp filter, as ive only got 1 preout on my headunit, ill need to run a splitter, meaning the hp/lp filter on my hu is useless....

[megamomac]

ah bugger, sorry mate got it wrong, its a mac audio z4100,

http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/product_in...cdfd9b1cbdec2b0

its not real pretty, but for the price its bang on :mellow: some people dont rate mac audio and other like brands but in all fairness its a decent amp with a good set of power figures to back it :D you could always hide it under a floor for stealthyness,

you say that he hp/lp filter would be useless, but you can send the amp a full range signal and divide it using the filters on the amp :S and yes you will need to use a splitter, not a problem though.

hth

alex

[zoojames]

Google Car Audio Security, the sites www.caraudiosecurity.com or something...basicly JVC 6x9s amp and sub and box etc for £275 i think!

James :mellow:

[haydon_peter]

Sorry for the bump but the audio system in the 306 was due an upgrade a long time ago.

I have a pair of these sat downstairs waiting to be fitted, I picked them up in Halfords for £100 (Y) I also have all the amp/speaker cables downstairs waiting for the install.

I will be buying one of these to amp the above components.

I will also be amping up a pair of JBL 6*9's that are currently mounted in the parcel shelf.

I think the 6*9's are going to wreck the sound and I expect I will get bored and want to add more to the system, so at some point they will be getting ditched and replaced with a sub (Straight away if money permits). The main question I have is do I go for a 10" or a 12" sub. I dont want stupid bass, I want quality, not quantity. I will also be running the sub in a sealed box.

Will 10" be enough or would I be better off going for a 12"?

I have been looking at some of the packages on http://caraudiosecurity.com/ and it looks like I can get either an Infinity or JBL sub and carpeted box for between £65 and £80, what do people recon to the deals on there and what would be best?

Prawn, how are you getting on with your setup? I know you had the 4 channel JBL amp and you were going to be running the 10" JBL sub so how did you get on and what do you think of the final sound?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for any help,

Tic

[Dai the Socket]

Sorry for the bump but the audio system in the 306 was due an upgrade a long time ago.

I have a pair of these  sat downstairs waiting to be fitted, I picked them up in Halfords for £100 :D I also have all the amp/speaker cables downstairs waiting for the install.

I will be buying one of these to amp the above components.

I will also be amping up a pair of JBL 6*9's that are currently mounted in the parcel shelf.

I think the 6*9's are going to wreck the sound and I expect I will get bored and want to add more to the system, so at some point they will be getting ditched and replaced with a sub (Straight away if money permits). The main question I have is do I go for a 10" or a 12" sub. I dont want stupid bass, I want quality, not quantity. I will also be running the sub in a sealed box.

Will 10" be enough or would I be better off going for a 12"?

I have been looking at some of the packages on http://caraudiosecurity.com/ and it looks like I can get either an Infinity or JBL sub and carpeted box for between £65 and £80, what do people recon to the deals on there and what would be best?

Prawn, how are you getting on with your setup? I know you had the 4 channel JBL amp and you were going to be running the 10" JBL sub so how did you get on and what do you think of the final sound?

Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance for any help,

Tic

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Hey Tic.

I've heard a fair few cars with, 10", 12" and 2x12" subs in. The 2x12" subs sounded aweful and shook the body work so bad! If you're after quality, rather than bass you can hear 5 streets away, I'd go for a reputable 10" bass speaker.

Get something decent, spend the same amount of money you'd of spent on a 12" one, then you'll probably get better quality than the rest.

I can't really suggest much more, as I don't know shit loads about Amps and Channeling stuff! But that's what I had to say :P

Go for the 10" (Y)

[mad_gavo]

The new FLI 12" sub and cabnet sounds well nice and its not too expensive either at £99

[MadManMike]

Sub wise you want JBL or Vibe... They are the win of subs...

Avoid Xplod. In fact, shit on Xplod stuff! Apart from the newer expensive stuff... I'm talking about the old hex shape red junk.

[MadManMike]

im proberly compltly wrong, fell free so slap me  (Y)

Dave  :)  - i know nothing

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Not entirely. Bigger magnets do tend to indicate RAW power! It's not always the case, but more expensive ones tend to have bigger magnets.

If you want 6 x 9's Infinity are good, again avoid Xplod.

Also, sub and amp wise, avoid SPLX. They are cheap and don't reach all frequencies, and also DO NOT put out the power they claim.

[The enchanted broomstick]

from Vibe Audio

I bought these 6 x 9's for the rear of my car and at only £100 for the pair even from Halfords :"> they are brilliant, and will probably most definately deliver the bass that you want. They are very powerful though and you would most certainly need an amp to power them. They are bloody heavy too (Y)

stu :) Edited August 10, 2005 by The enchanted broomstick

[haydon_peter]

Sub wise you want JBL or Vibe... They are the win of subs...

Avoid Xplod. In fact, shit on Xplod stuff! Apart from the newer expensive stuff... I'm talking about the old hex shape red junk.

←

I am fairly decided on either a JBL or Infinity sub. Loads of people swear that JBL subs are the best in their price range and Infinity are made by exactly the same company.

Sony Xplod? Dont use that foul language :D

Sony speakers are wank, I have litterally based this on how terrible the Sony 6*9's sound :P"

If you want 6 x 9's Infinity are good, again avoid Xplod.

←

I bought these 6 x 9's for the rear of my car and at only £100 for the pair even from Halfords  :">  they are brilliant, and will probably most definately deliver the bass that you want. They are very powerful though and you would most certainly need an amp to power them. They are bloody heavy too  (Y)

stu :)

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Cheers for trying to help but I dont need advice on 6*9's, I already have a nice pair of 6*9's and if you read through my post I state that I am fairly sure I will ditch the 6*9's in favour of a sub.

[haydon_peter]

I ordered a 4 channel JBL GTO 75.4 Amp and a JBL GT4 10" Sub + Carpeted Box from caraudiosecurity last night. I recieved an email this afternoon confirming that my order has been dispatched :) (Fingers crossed It will arrive tomorrow)

I will keep you lot updated with how it all goes, I cant wait to finally get this finished!

So far I have:

Cut away a small strip of door card and make some 12mm mdf spacer rings to get the mid speakers to fit in the standard door locations.

Remove the passenger seat and lift up the carpet to run the RCA lead, power cable, remote cable and speaker wires under the carpet from the front of the car to the boot. I also had to drill a hole in the bulk head to run the amp power cable into the engine bay.

Make a 3mm mdf mounting board for the crossovers which are up in the passenger foot well out of sight.

I am left with the final annoying final bits:

Mounting the tweeters on the dash or the windscreen a frame, I will be using double sided velcro/sticky pads so I can easily play round with their location. Mounting the mids in the door.

Run all the cables from the crossovers to the tweeters/mids in the front of the car, cable up the amp/sub then attatch it all to the head unit before powering it up :)

I will hopefully have this all finished by Monday, I have tomorrow off as a rota day and should be free on Sunday if I still have any final bits to do.

[D-L-B]

I was allways confused by the way that some people spend more money and time putting a stereo in their car than they do getting a nice set up in their home.

I find myself being quite bothered by people that claim to have a passion for music yet have never picked up an instrument in their lives. Infact the notion that they think they can 'appreciate' the music more if it is played at a better clarity becomes quite absurd.

This in no way getting at the thread starter btw.

[Tony Harrison]

I think it's funny when people have to buy bike racks because their car boot is rendered useless by some big box with a speaker in it...

[Simon]

I think it's funny when people have to buy bike racks because their car boot is rendered useless by some big box with a speaker in it...

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Thing is, me and Tic was discussing this last night, and he is putting the box behind the single fold down seat, leaving the double fold seat still available so you can still fit 3 people and 3 bikes fine.

Meh, and i don't know anyone thats had to buy a bike rack 'cause there boot is full of a boot install.

Also, D-L-B, think you will find with most people, not all, but most, that they spend more time in the car then they would at home. At home they also have the restriction of parents and neighbours.

Guess its just different tastes, i'm happy spending more money on a front bumper for my car then it cost to buy it. (Y)

[JTM]

Danny and Ian, you pair of slags!

Ive got a home system which i like, amp and a pair of floorstanders and they do the job nicely for me.

I drive for 2.5hrs a day and enjoy my music. Im not putting any bikes inside my new car so I have no probs with getting a sub and using a rack as thats what im doing now anyway.

Right im glad this topic has been bumped cos im about to upgrade aswell.

Ive always had just a head unit (sony m850mp, which isnt too bad to be honest) and a pair of comps. Just got a new set of alpine comps but to be honest im not that impressed with them so they are going back i think and im going for a different pair of comps. I basically use hellfrauds as a library service! lol. Ive got a 2 channel amp off ebay. Its a 1992 alpine jobbie so should be decent. Im just waiting for my wiring kit to come through so I can get it sorted out.

At the mo there is just the standard rears in my fez and now im wanting a better system so it calls for a sub. I listen to mainly oasis, radiohead, incubus, nirvana etc so i dont need 3 15in subs. Im looking for either a 8 or 10in. Could I do alot worse than the JBL that nick has pointed out? And is it worth building my own box or should I save myself the hassel?

I want a musical sub, not a overly bassy one.

[Tony Harrison]

I want a musical sub, not a overly bassy one.

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Good man (Y)

[haydon_peter]

Thing is, me and Tic was discussing this last night, and he is putting the box behind the single fold down seat, leaving the double fold seat still available so you can still fit 3 people and 3 bikes fine.

Meh, and i don't know anyone thats had to buy a bike rack 'cause there boot is full of a boot install.

Also, D-L-B, think you will find with most people, not all, but most, that they spend more time in the car then they would at home. At home they also have the restriction of parents and neighbours.

Guess its just different tastes, i'm happy spending more money on a front bumper for my car then it cost to buy it. (Y)

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As Simon said, I am putting the amp and sub box behind the single fold down seat, this should still allow me to fit 3 bikes and 3 people fairly easily if I need to. Most of the time I only have 2 bikes and 2 people in the car anyway, so thats 2 people in the front seats, 2 bikes accross the back seats with front wheels out (Note, I dont even have to flatten the seats).

On rare occations I do have to fit 3 bikes and 3 people, so I just fold down 2 back seats and lay the 3 bikes down one side of the car, even with a sub/amp behind the single seat this should still be fairly easy to do!

As Simon also said, I mostly listen to music while im driving. At home I have my parents and sister to winge about how loud I play my music and when I play my music, in the car I can listen to what I like when and how I like!