Car Audio Advice - Bass?

Question

Hello,

I have a 2003 Dodge Neon. About a year ago, I had a Sony Xplode head/4 speaker package installed (no amp). I was very disappointed in the low end of the sound spectrum; there really is no bass to speak of.

I am satisfied with the volume of the existing four speakers out of the head unit but would like to add a bass component to my system, specifically to round out the bass and feel a little bit of kick on the bass drums. I listen mostly to progressive metal, which doesn't feature driving bass.

As an aside, I have a Kicker KX150.2 amp that I bought some time ago on the cheap. Here are a few (hopefully relevant) lines from the spec sheet

RMS POWER
14.4V 4 ohms Mono 150 watts
12.5V 4 ohms Mono 115 watts

Questions:
1) What size of speaker is good enough to meet my needs?
2) Is the amp I have enough to power it?
3) Optionally, is a bass tube with built in amp a better/cheaper alternative?

Would be nice to know before they try to sell me more than what I need.

Answer 1

To answer your question, any sized sub will work with that amp AND you have the room for the enclosure it goes in (do some research with recommended enclosure sizes of the subs you look at).

Choose a sub thats 150 watts RMS @ 4 ohm and bridge the amp with it.

Here is some info on enclosures and other tips: http://spkrbox1.spaces.live.com

Answer 2

I'd suggest Maybe a Sony Xplod 10 or a Sony Xplod 12. That should do for your taste and it should add that little kick you're lookin for. A bass tube is definitely a cheaper option and it can be fairly simple for you to use. That amp should be enough if you decide on the sonys but the bass tube will most likely come with an amp built in. Either way i wish you the best of luck.

Answer 3

First of all, you need to check your deck/head unit and make sure there are more audio outputs that you can use to wire your amp.

It is genarally not wise to wire more than one speaker to an output from the deck unless you match the impedance(# of ohms) from the deck to the speakers.

If you have the necesarry outputs, are they already amplified, or are they preamp only?

If they are preamp only, then your current amp should work fine to power something like a pair of 6in. bazooka subwoofers.

I had a small car with 2 of these on an amp that was about the same as yours and they had great performance.
They didn't shake the ground, but they had great sound and did move enough air in the car that I could feel my hair move.

If the outputs are already amplified, it would be good to know how much and to read your amp specifications to see if the inputs of the amp will be ok with amplified inputs.
Good luck, and hope your sound turns out like you want.

Answer 4

i would go with a single JL Audio 12" powered by a namebrand amp around 500 watts. (Kenwood is a good brand). I listen to rock and rap and i have 2 memphis mojos powered by a single KAC-X522. Holy friggin bass. Has 505 RMS 1000 peak. Mojos can handle 1000w RMS and 2000w Peak.

Bass tubes suck, but yes they are cheap. Expect to be disapointed

Your amp is ok, but not good. I would only hook up a single 10" with that amp.

Also, stay away from sony car audio equiptment. I have had nothing but trouble with it. Thats why you see it at walmart.

Answer 5

relies upon on what's maximum serious to you. if its the cleanest sound, then i could get a sparkling headunit first. in case you pick on your music to play a splash louder, then i could get new audio gadget first. in case you pick for greater bass, the i could pass with a subwoofer first. the two way you pass will make for a good improve. i could pass with a good headunit first for my area, as you pick for a good sparkling sign on your music to come back from. Plus they frequently have a much greater effectual equalizer than inventory headunits permitting you to get a greater effectual sound. and that they frequently positioned out a splash greater power in all possibility making your inventory audio gadget a splash louder. and it will in all possibility enable greater versatile techniques of listening to music.

Answer 6

with your sony explode, its ok to use your kicker amp to drive your rear speakers only. choose what speaker (new or old) will suit your ear w/ the kicker amp.

Answer 7

i would just get a nice bass tube!