what is the smallest sub that will pound in my car?

Answer 1

the smallest you can go and actually call it a subwoofer is 8 inches. there are some half decent 8's around. Kicker has their entire lineup in 8" subs besides the Solo X. JL makes an 8" W7.
Rockford has a few as well.

Answer 2

You could get a nice 10", port tune it low in a custom box, and it would probably sound good in the car depending on what car it is. But a single 10" unless you get maybe a Kicker L7 won't shake the mirrors off your doors. But if you're wanting casual bass added to the music you listen to, get a single 10" that has a high RMS power rating (Alpine Type R, Kicker L5/L7, etc.) and put it in a ported box.

But if you're seriously wanting to pound in a car with a single sub, I'd go no smaller than a 15". You'd probably turn heads daily if you had the right stuff (correct power, low tuned box, large airspace, etc.). Then again, you can tune a single 12" to the right specs and you won't be able to sit in a vehicle. Take a look at the TCAB website, just do a search for TCAB in Yahoo and click videos. He had a single Alpine Type R 12 in a ported box register a 122db in a car that was 20 feet away.

Answer 3

Look for this when buying an amp... http://www.crutchfield.com/S-wn5MvZJYp33/popups/cacomp.html

If an amp doesn't have this rating, it may not produce the watts it says it does.


http://spkrbox1.spaces.msn.com/ for real "sound" advice.

Your system won't mean squat without a well designed box to put your subs in. Some manufacturers have recommendations as to dimensions of various types of boxes. It is best to find someone who builds boxes if you go with something other than a sealed box.

You should always match up RMS (Root Mean Square) watts of Subs and amp per channel as well as impedance's(resistances). When a sub has rating of 600 Watts MAX it really has an RMS rating of about 200 Watts RMS. RMS is the nominal wattage your most likely going to get out of it. Remember, a 200 Watts RMS amplifier has more power output than a 200 Watt MAX.


If your amp is rated at 4Ω don't subject it to 2Ω, it will fry.

Here is the formula for subs in parallel:

Z = 1 / (1/sub1 + 1/sub2 + 1/sub3 + ....)

For series, just add them up (sub1 + sub2 + ...).

You can mix and match these equations to get the right impedance required by your amp.

Example 1: Amp is 2 channel and rated at 4Ω when bridged, 4 subs @ 4Ω each. If I connect two in parallel and the other two in parallel and connect the two pairs in series, I would have a total impedance(resistance) of 4Ω. So to the amp, it's just one sub when bridged.

Example 2: Amp is rated at 1Ω mono, 2 subs @ 4Ω each dual voice coil. If I connect two voice coils in parallel and the other two voice coils in series and connect the two subs in parallel, I would have a total impedance of 1.6Ω. Which would be perfect for a 1Ω stable mono amp.

You should use a capacitor as well.

Recommend for every 500 watts MAX you use a .5 Farad cap
Example: 1000 watts MAX - 1 Farad cap

You will also need what's called a "line level converter" if your stock head unit doesn't have RCA outputs or your amp doesn't have high-level inputs.

Try http://www.soundomain.com/shop you can find some really good deals, and this site is manufacturer certified. VERY IMPORTANT WHEN SHOPPING ON-LINE!!!

If you like I can send you some plans for reference. My plans are for a 4-th order band-pass bass box (A.K.A. bass-reflex) that holds two 12's.

Also included are java calculators you can use to figure parallel and series values given Ω values, tips on box building and types, calculating port diameter and length(if used), calculating box dimensions for types of boxes (sealed, wedge, cylindrical, etc.), materials needed and even how to make a jig for cutting perfect holes for your subs.

Just e-mail me [e-mail]

My system

Blaupunkt TSw1200 subs with a Sony Xplōd XM2200GTX.
My amp is 1200 watts (200 Watts RMS X 2), subs are 600 watts (200 Watts RMS) each, cap is 1.5 Farad w/digital readout

SPL is about 112 db each sub

Total cost(so far) = $410
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Side note to all those who complain about the way I post.

I have helped countless people with thank you letters in my e-mail and requests for more specific information. What I provide is a simple starting point for people wanting to get into car audio.

I'm just trying to give everyone a look at a TYPICAL sound system without getting too expensive or going deaf.

I'm not trying to enter a competition or suggest that MY system is for everyone.

If you don't like what I post, prove me wrong and I will stop!!

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To munkyhead2_16:

I'm not running competition so to you, yes, my system sucks, but to a person who just wants something that doesn't cost $1000's, my suggestions are on the money.

It helps to avoid BIG mistakes.

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To gt_ryder13:

I want to keep my hearing!!!

Louder isn't better. I can certainly tell your NOT an audiophile!!

Answer 4

THEY DO MAKE 8IN SUBS HOWEVER I HAVE MESSED AROUND WITH THEM AND REALLY CANT GET THEM TO GIVE ME THE BASS I WANT, UNLESS YOU HAVE A GOOD SIZE BOX. I WOULD GO WITH A 10IN, IN THE END YOU WILL BE HAPPIER AND IT WILL GIVE YOU BETTER BASS RESPONSE THAN AN 8 EVER WILL. HOWEVER MY PERSONAL TASTE IS FOR 12IN SUBS IF YOU HAVE THE SPACE IN YOUR CAR FOR ONE. AUDIOBAHN MAKES A SHALLOW MOUNT SUB, I HAVE NEVER HEARD IT BUT IT HAS GOOD POWER HANDLEING, MY SUB IS A AUDIOBAHN AW1205N AND IT HITTS HARD HOOKED UP TO MY HIFONICS BRUTUS BXi1206D AMP. "SPARKY" STOP GIVING USELESS INFORMATION AND BY THE WAY YOUR SYSTEM SUCKS."

Answer 5

well you can buy 6 1/2 inch subs, but 8s are small and still sound good the choice is yours.

Answer 6

i like 10's personally i feel they give you the most power for your money. I have one 10 in firebird and 1 10 in a convert eclipse and both put out enough bass

Answer 7

pioneer makes a shallow mount sub, the thing is 4" deep and hits really hard.

Answer 8

Man, I don't think they make a submarine that small, no matter how hard you pound on it !

Answer 9

6x9" or 8"