1st time aftermarket set up...
 

Hey all,

Brand new to the forums and to car audio in general...
My old setup was a really cheap kenwood tape deck with kenwood 4.5 and 6x9s...

I driving a 98 Cavalier 2 door... the stock audio was removed before i got it and a kenwood DIN was already in there (so adapter and harness are installed)

Now I went out and got a Sony XPLOD CDX-GT52W cd/mp3 deck and I was thinking of adding a small sub... nothing really booming... just to get some better Bass when I want it...

Like I said me=noob... also I know I have heard horror stories about sony subs, so the sub will be another company...

Here's my dellema... I know nothing about subs... never done one or used one... I'm tight on cash... my friend offered me a used one for next to nothing... But I don't know if i need an amp for just a little extra bass...

Acording to sonys box, it says 52Wx4 (so i figure just the 4 main speakers) but it has 2 little RCA wires out the back that say "sub out". Now I figure that you need an amp but according to the install diagrams that came with it, it does not show an amp in line with the sub...

So my question is this: do i need an amp for just a little more bass? or can i just go straight from the back of the unit to the sub?

Thanks guys!

You definitely need a amp and a box for the sub, don't forget a wiring kit for the amp.

And just remember the 52x4 is peak its more like 17x4 rms you could use a sony sub and prolly never have any issues or talk to a vender on here like mr2nr can prolly get you a packedge deal on amp sub box and wiring

Thanks for the quick replys guys...

If i am throwing a 10" sub into my cavalier, what size amp should i get? keep in mind: i want extra bass... not boom that you can hear for miles... also, what kind of wiring do i need? (gauge, length, grounding) keep in mind also, i know electronics just never done a sub... i was told that for what I want, a 100-200 watt should be fine...

Let me know, Thanks!

What amp really depends on the sub you get. The wiring you need depends on the amp you get. Check my sig, I have a 97 Cavi. 2x10s on 380 watts and the car shakes pretty good. Pics are here...
http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/online/enclosure-design-construction-help/133083-my-install-so-far-lots-pics.html
If it is in the right box a single 10 with 200 watts should be adequate for what you want. I'm in Brampton BTW and my subs, box, and amps are for sale. PM me if you want a listen or are interested in any of my gear.

If you are interested in learning more about car audio check out this thread here....
http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/onli...tart-here.html

May I suggest the following.
Pioneer GM-5300T <<< Link

This is a 2 channel amp. You can bridge the channels to create a dedicated mono channel able to generate 380W for a 4 ohm load. The suggested price for this unit on the Pioneer site is $160. You should be able to find it for a little less.

Then look for a woofer that has an RMS rating of 300 to 350 Watts.

TS-W1007D2|D4 <<< Link
This sub has an RMS of 350Watts. Listed on the Pioneer site for $100.
Recommended Enclosure: 0.65 to 1.25 Cubic Feet. There are a few guys that would be willing to build you a simple sealed enclosure on this site. You're probably looking at $60 to $80 for that.

http://www.knukonceptz.com/productDetail.cfm?prodID=KFX-AK4 I think this is all you'd need for the amp install kit. I didn't get too deep into it. Someone correct me if this isn't enough, or is too much for the application I'm suggesting.
This kit is $52 US. Today that would be about $62 Canadian. Plus shipping. I just bought some install items from KnuKonceptz in early December - shipping was $14.05. I'm looking at the sales receipt right now.

So what've we got so far...

$160 + $100 + $80 + $70 = $410 Then install. I'm not sure what a simple install like this would cost. Perhaps another $80 to $100. Hell, there might even be a few guys in your area from this forum that'd help you out with that too.

So you're looking at $500.

I tried to find some Canadian retailers of the Pioneer car audio stuff, and that amp I suggested isn't even listed on the Canadian site, but it is listed on the American site. And the prices I listed for the amp and sub are American so corrections have to be made. I apologize for that.

thx again guys... so heres another update... got bud at work that used to work for a custom car shop... he did all the audio work... nice stuff... fiberglass trunks etc...

He has an older Visionik (hope im spelling that right...) that he is willing to give me for 10 bucks... 10"

so.... now i need an amp and wiring info... I'm gonna built the box myself with his help... so I should get a decent box out of the deal too...

Im kind of on a budget and like i said... since I'm new (and married :smilie_au) I don't want to go overboard and get all the premiums... just somthing simple but decent...

And @ TragicMagic: I already have a Sony XPLOD CDX-GT52W... brand new, just installed (I did it... yays :) )

Also, I have seen a few decent used amps on the sales section for around 50 bucks.... decent? (worth the $$$ or no?)

Thanks again guys!

Instead of buying online too, please go to your local shops and support the car audio industry. Most shops will match canadian online prices.(don't forget shipping etc).

Now for a little more bass, 3 square feet of dnamat extreme and some decent 6x9's in the back of a cavalier make a pretty noticable difference and are much more budget-minded.

Anytime you get into buying car audio stuff, buying with a small budget always leads to spending alot more in the long run. Get some good equipment to start, and do things in stages if you have to.

IMO don't even worry about rear speakers for now. Get some good components for the fronts with a decent amp. I don't have rear speakers for the first time and don't really notice it at all. I have heard Visonik subs before, but in the wrong boxes and they sounded like crap. I am sure with an ideal box would sound okay. Don't think they will ever sound good, but done right may not be too bad. You should come up to Brampton and have a listen to my Cavi. I have less than $1200 in audio and it sounds incredible. Proper box, install, and setup makes a world of difference. Check the for sale threads as I have a couple amps and other stuff for sale. Any thing else you need to know just ask I love to help out when I can.
Nick

PS you can check out my install here...
http://www.canadiancaraudio.com/onli...lots-pics.html