Advice on small inexpensive powered subwoofer
 

Hi again fellas,

Gathering parts for my "super-budget" system is pretty much done. The aftermarket door and dash speakers that the previous owner left in the car ('90 Mustang GT hatch) turned out to be trash, so I tossed the 3-1/2" out and found some barely used 5-1/4" 2-ways for the doors and 6"x8" 3-ways for the back. I'm using a new 22W rms x 4, Pioneer DEH-2800MP. No amps.

I've got the system on the test bench in my garage and it sounds ok except that there's too much high end. The number of tweaters is too much for the lows that the speakers can make. I can turn the treble down but then it just sounds kinda muddy. I'm not looking for ground pounding bass. I just want to add that depth that a subwoofer gives you, but my budget's just about tapped out. I'm down to my last hundred bucks.

I know most, if not all, of you guys wouldn't install one of these things even in your winter beaters, but I've run across some very inexpensive powered subs that use speaker feeds instead of RCA line out from the deck. Some use both right and left channel while others only use one. The single channel models are typically the bottom of the barrel, price wise. Some of these are NIB for under $40 USD on Ebay like this Audiovox BA100.

Keep in mind that I'm not looking for perfect sound. I just want to balance out the tinny-ness (word?) of the speakers...and I am on a super tight budget (the car's not worth it). Are these things an absolute waste of money? If you guys can suggest a similarly inexpensive alternative, I'm all ears.

Should I install what I have and decide after hearing it in the car?

Powered bazooka bass tube can be found used for under 100.00...and they sound good.

I've been looking for a Bazooka model but can't find any in that price range. Got a link?

quite a few on ebay right now that are ending in a day or so that are still at $25.00.

DOH! I hadn't looked in a while. Thanks.

If you are listening to the speakers on the bench, they should sound tinny. The tweeters are pointing right at you, and the rest of the sound, which requires either an enclosure or at the very least something to separate the front and back of the driver, is at it's worst....:dunno:

You need to put in the "four corners" first and listen to them where they will be playing before you can make any decision on a sub.

For some low budget low end, XS Cargo is selling a Visonik 10" in a box with a small mono amp right now for $77. Keep in mind even the Audiovox units will still require a power line from the battery, a ground and a fuse under the hood.

Personally, I would try the speakers in the car first, and then see if you can find a used 4 channel amp around 50w RMS per channel. You might be surprised how good the coax's will sound with an external amp , and that amp will give you more options later when you decide to upgrade your tunes.....:smilie_da

I installed the deck and speakers today. The speakers sound much better in the car. Note to self: Speakers sound different sitting on a bench. I'm not gonna need a sub. Plenty of bass for me as-is.

Upgrade later? Not a chance. This car's destined to be a parts donor for a future project. It won't need music. I won't be able to hear it.

Thanks for all the help fellas. I'll be back.

Glad to hear you're happy with your setup now.....and I can see how you won't be needing tunes in the new toy....:smilie_da