Hi all,

I am in the market for a Sub for my car. I don't want anything fancy, just something to create a bit of noise.

My current setup is as follows:

Jaycar 4x100rms amp
Jaycar CS2338 splits (in front)
Jaycar CS2378 6x9's (in rear)

JB Hifi have the following deal going for $229 (about my budget):

AudioBahn DUB 2502
Sub enclosure
12" Pioneer TS-w302R

You think I would be reasonably happy with that? Or is it just not worth getting cheap stuff and I should wait 6 or so months and get something better or not even bother with a sub?

Anyone know of anything better that i can get for around the $229 (no more as I don't see it worth spending any extra just for the bass which isn't actually too bad with my current setup).

Thanks a lot

That could be ok-ish for the budget....

For another $60 or so delivered, you could have the following....

http://www.ryda.com.au/Clarion-SP12XBA-12-Subwoofer-in-Box-with-Amp-p/sp12xba.htm

For cheap set ups I have heard good things about the "tube" subs.

Would this be heaps better then the JB hifi pack?

Should I stay away from Fusion or are they ok for subs, for example what about this http://www.ryda.com.au/Fusion-EN-AB1120-Active-12-Sub-Enclosure-p/enab1120.htm

Maybe this for a tube set up then http://www.ryda.com.au/Fusion-EN-AT1120-Active-12-Enclosure-Tube-p/enat1120.htm

pioneer 306c, run it offthe rear channels of ur amp bridged

But I would like to run my splits and 6x9's off the amp. I am installing a car computer soon so won't have the head deck in the car so can't run any speakers off that.

Fusion aint bad for entry level stuff.

Have two of their subs that arnt being used anymore, took a lot of abuse and never missed a beat......

im with liverpool on this..........the pioneer 306 (or newer 307) pack a hell of a punch for the price, and the jaycar should be able to feed it about 300wrms. Run the 6x9s off the headunit until you get your CarPC, then if you feel the need to amp them (You probably wont even want them in at all if you have a sub and front splits amped) buy a cheap 2 channel.

Hmm, that probably makes sense. Run my sub off the jaycar amp and the 6x9's off a cheap 2 channel amp. But is it more important/sound better to have a good amp running the 6x9's or the sub?

They have the audiobahn DUB2502 for $95 at JB HIFI, which puts out 500rms bridged, this would go all right wouldn't it for either the sub or 6x9's?

I also found this on JB Hifi online http://www.digitalhome.com.au/Car_Sound_and_GPS/Audioline/ALSL12_12_INCH_SUBWOOFER_IN_BOX/23417 not sure what RMS it is but could be ok since I am only after cheap and I want to keep as much boot space as possible.

Those DUB amps are horrid. The few I've used have fluctuating power and are noisy as buggery.

I've gone down this path before I can tell you now you WILL want to upgrade it down the track so really if you can hold off and get something better with say a $500 or so budget you'll be much better off.

I had the old model of the pioneer sub your looking at, and while it was a good sub, me trying to keep down how much I spent meant the amp really didn't have the guts to give it anything, but at least it was a quality amp so what bass I had sounded good. You can go the other option and get a cheap high power amp which will give you lots of bass, but it will sound horrible. Better off getting a better sub and better amp down the track IMO.

that audioline one will sound like someone kicking a wooden block

yeah ok, I guess I will give it a miss for now. Later down the track when I get some more money I will just buy some better equipment.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Ooops

go for the jaycar c/fibre 12's
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=CS2354&keywords=sub&form=KEYWORD

They look good, but is that just a subwoofer though. I would have to power them with an amp? If so a little out of my price range, if not than I might be interested.

EDIT: I got a question. Am I able to run my splits and 6x9's in parallel on two channels, then bridge the 3rd and 4th channel and run a not too powerful sub?

In addition, how do I go about bridging the Jaycar amp, it doesn't say anything in the manual. Am I right that all I do is connect positive of one channel and then negative to the other channel?

I have a mate who has a 10" kicker sub in a box, looks like a cheap one though, that he will sell to me for $30 or so. I want to try it out tomorrow with my amp and see what it sounds like with just the front splits and the sub.



Cheers.

if you get a sub id pull the rears out alltogether.. i did in my car and couldnt be happier

Heres an idea, with you $250 budget (round figures), get yourself a good sub in box, and run it off the rear 2 channels of your jaycar, that'll give it 380w RMS which is good for a single 12" sub. Then go to JB and get something like the Kicker 12" in Kicker box for $238 and hook it up. Run the rear speakers off the headunit for the time being, and use the headunits fader to set their volume in relation to the gain level on the front splits, or however you like it.

Then down the track buy a decent mono for the sub, or a 2 channel for the rear speakers when you replace you headunit with a carputer or whatever your doing so you can still use it all. You will be much happier overall and it'll still sound brilliant in the meantime :woot:

Linky to JB subs:
http://www.jbhifi.com.au/car-sound/speakers/sub-woofers/

So having the 6x9's in parallel with the splits, and the sub bridged on the other two channels, would this be too much strain on the amp?

I just set up this setup before, using a 10" kicker impluse sub (assuming a cheap kicker model?) in a box and it sounds ok. Not much performance out of the sub but I am assuming that is because it is a cheap one?

They had a 12" clarion in a box at autobarn for $110, would that be all right.

After hearing the 10" and the lack of increase in performance, I am hesitant to spend large amounts of money on a sub encase it also doesn't perform much better then my 6x9's for bass production.

Cheers

So having the 6x9's in parallel with the splits, and the sub bridged on the other two channels, would this be too much strain on the amp?

I just set up this setup before, using a 10" kicker impluse sub (assuming a cheap kicker model?) in a box and it sounds ok. Not much performance out of the sub but I am assuming that is because it is a cheap one?

They had a 12" clarion in a box at autobarn for $110, would that be all right.

After hearing the 10" and the lack of increase in performance, I am hesitant to spend large amounts of money on a sub encase it also doesn't perform much better then my 6x9's for bass production.

Cheers

6x9's and splits on 2 channels most likely won't work, because you'll have 4ohm speakers and that'll be a 2ohm load, you might break something. Not saying it definitely won't work, but there's no way in hell I'd do it.

Those 12" clarion subs don't do heaps as singles, you need a pair to get anything much out of them IMO. The kicker I suggested would be quite good, and I'm sure they can hook it up in store for you to hear, maybe even in your car if you prep the wiring to go (depends how nice they are I guess).

What you've heard from a cheap 10" sub shouldn't be your deciding factor on whether a sub will increase performance much or not, the cheap ones do bugger all, spend a bit more and there will be no comparison at all between your 6x9"s and the sub. Put it this way, my old sub running 150w rms struggled to put out much more bass than some good 6x9"s, but the two 12" 305C pioneers in the boot now running 500w rms actually break things there's so much of the stuff (not joking just busted my boot lock running them not 15 minutes ago), and that's not even deemed that powerful, they're also underpowered.

Its like everything, you get what you pay for, pay peanuts and you'll get peanuts, put a decent amount of money in and you'll get something much better and so on. Try having a listen to the stereo in one of the guys cars off here around your area that's got some quality gear, then you'll hear the difference compared to your 6x9"s :woot:

I just spoke to the guy at jaycar (He kind of seemed like he knew what he was talking about) and he said running 6x9's and splits in parrallel and a sub bridged should be fine, but I agree with you that I don't feel comfortable doing it and am scared something will blow.

I also think the 10" by itself (especially a cheap one) is far to small for my car. In the boot it sounded ok, but then I sat in the drivers seat and couldn't hear much without having to crank it up a heap, and when I did the bass was muffled and muddy.

I am gonna head out tonight (late night shopping) and look at some 12" subs in boxes and maybe make a decision.

I am gonna install some fans for my amp too, I am scared he will get too hot in the boot :cry:

Edit: Does the actual box make much of a difference with sound?

For example could I buy a box for $30 (like this) (https://shop.1wow.com.au/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=22&idproduct=910) then put this jaycar sub (http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=CS2358&keywords=subwoofer&form=KEYWORD) in it (although the jaycar sub is low profile so hopefully I can find a slimline box for it)

Kitchenfork - its unlikely your amp will overheat, unless its really badly mounted.

I've run my Soundstream at 2Ohm load, 2 x 175wrms, with a towel on top, and an enclosed amp rack - not even close to overheating.

As far as boxes go, they make all the difference in how it sounds. Once you decide on a sub, find out what the recommend volume of the box is, and try and find something as close to that as possible if your going to go prefab.

This is why your usually better getting a sub in genuine box if your going to go prefab, because the box is usually tuned for the sub if its a decent brand.

OK, I will go for a sub in a box.

One last question, since i am running my splits and rears in parallel, thus producing a 2 ohm load on the amp. This won't effect the speakers will it? as in they are 4 ohm speakers, so if running at 2 ohms would they get damaged over time or are the actual speakers still running at 4 ohms? I didn't think car audio would be this dam confusing.

Thanks a heap for the replies.

OK, I will go for a sub in a box.

One last question, since i am running my splits and rears in parallel, thus producing a 2 ohm load on the amp. This won't effect the speakers will it? as in they are 4 ohm speakers, so if running at 2 ohms would they get damaged over time or are the actual speakers still running at 4 ohms? I didn't think car audio would be this dam confusing.

Thanks a heap for the replies.

The main issue with the speakers is more so tuning, you won't have any control over front and rear fading, and you will loose quality in your audio. I'm not sure as to what actual harm it'll cause the speakers. You'd be better off running series for an 8ohm load I'd imagine.

Just out of interest sake, I have had one of those Fusion 12" Tube for over 6 months and I can honestly say it sounds fine. Its certainly loud enough, comes with an amp sufficient to power (which will allow you to use your good amp for more pending things), simple to install, come with decent wiring kit everything included, as well as brackets and straps. I paid $200 cash at WOW before christmas. If you have $200 and you want a sub, this will satisfy your need. And when the time comes that you want a super duper weapons grade sub that will make your ears bleed, go and by it, but for the time being and price these are a good unit.

Just out of interest sake, I have had one of those Fusion 12" Tube for over 6 months and I can honestly say it sounds fine. Its certainly loud enough, comes with an amp sufficient to power (which will allow you to use your good amp for more pending things), simple to install, come with decent wiring kit everything included, as well as brackets and straps. I paid $200 cash at WOW before christmas. If you have $200 and you want a sub, this will satisfy your need. And when the time comes that you want a super duper weapons grade sub that will make your ears bleed, go and by it, but for the time being and price these are a good unit.

Dam, I was so close to making a final decision today on getting this (https://shop.1wow.com.au/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=22&idproduct=626) from WOW (they said they would will give me the $150 price in store), now I am strongly considering getting the fusion 12" active again.

I don't think I saw any at the WOW store so might have to order online, what would be better out of these?

this (http://www.ryda.com.au/Fusion-EN-AT1120-Active-12-Enclosure-Tube-p/enat1120.htm) or this (http://www.ryda.com.au/Fusion-EN-AB1120-Active-12-Sub-Enclosure-p/enab1120.htm). Buying an active sub now will in the long run work out cheaper and easier for me.

Sorry for dragging this thread out, but tomorrow I will make my final decision.

Cheers.