First of all, im not a wiz on car audio and pretty much just know the very basics, my question to you all is .. is a 15" sub too big for a midsize/compact car? ive had some mixed answers when asking this question. i have 6x9 speakers and am afraid of there being too much bass and not even being able to hear the music. would a solution be hooking the speakers up to an amp, but not the sub? please share your solutions/comments. thanks
Replies (6)
lilschtive on 08/4/2006 11:58:54
Well, it all depeneds on how much Bass YOU want. I know a friend who has a BMW X5 with two 15''s. It rattles the trunk, but i still haerd the music. For a compact car, a pair of 10's, maybe even a pair of 12's if you want more would be just fine. 6x9's are fine with a pair of 10's or 12's. Just adjust your HU to determine how much bass you want. A sub usually always needs an amp, and the speakers would be hooked up to the HU if im correct.
swez on 08/4/2006 12:02:13
Did you mean... "Not a wiz at car audio"? hehe
Yes, you'll get mixed answers on this topic. (A Lot of them) A single 15" sub is great for the deep lows for a bumper system like Rap and Hip Hop. Most 15's do well in larger boxes, so if you want to use a 15" sub, factor the box size as part of the install and how much cargo space you'll have to allocate to the box.
Many guys are getting great results with single 10" and 12" sub installs too. It really depends on the sub used, enclosure design and how much amping power you wish to run with.
If running your mid/high speakers off the HU (Radio) amps, a small sub amp is plenty good for added bass, but will not wash out the mids/highs. (150-300 watts RMS sub amp)
Most guys eventually upgrade their systems to amped front and rear speakers or use a good 4 channel to power the front speakers and sub(s), but use the HU amps for the rear speakers. That will work fine in most cases too. It just depends on your budget and how much work you wish to perform on this system.
Comments?
Swez
aaronl on 08/4/2006 12:24:23
lol yeah i did, i edited the post, i guess not quik enough for you tho lol. thnaks for the info
swez on 08/4/2006 14:44:34
OK, we got the general plan... " You are a learning newbie". No problem with that. CK is a newbie friendly site, PG rated and welcome to our little space on the Web.
Would like you to think long term and "Big Picture" about your audio goals for the moment. That is, "When I finished my entire project here, what will be in the plan?" This help you map out your ultimate goals early in the game and then take "guided steps" as needed, to accomplish the long term goal, one step at a time. This has a fancy name... "Strategic Planning".
We (Golds especially), preach a very systematic form of doctrine here. It's very simple and we break each project into small, bite sized chucks. It's easier to understand for the beginner and less overwhelming too.
Things to consider: (Strategic Plan Overview)
1. What are my "Ultimate Plans" for this project?
2. What devices and componets should I buy?
3. What sequence of install steps should be used as we go along the path?
4. What gear & hardware will give the best bang for my $$?
5. How do I install each item? (Integrating the small steps)
6. When all is installed, how to dial everything in for best possible reults?
See the concept here? CK has a lot of great talent available to guide you through each step and phases. We can show you great deals on quality gear and walk you through the install process as well. It is very important to do YOUR homework up front, BEFORE BUYING ANYTHING !!! That way, you'll get the best possible gear, great results and only buy a given item 1 time. We'll guide you through each step... but pay attention and ask ??'s if unsure.
Finally, consider this as "transferrable investment". You can install as much or as little as needed now and if you sell this car, it can all come out and be transplanted into your next ride. (In most cases) This method allows one to buy the good stuff only once, enjoy the results and change vehicles with minimal time and extra $$ being spent as we transfer.
Got all that? COFFEE
Swez
PS Save all your stock stuff (Factory equipment) as you upgrade. These can be re-installed before selling the car. Yes, it's a bit of a pain to do so. But, if you added some very nice upgrade speakers, amp(s) wiring and an Aftermarket HU, (HU = Radio or player) you keep the good stuff and use it for the next install. This can save a lot of $$$ in the long run.
aaronl on 08/4/2006 16:21:39
thanks a ton for the info Swez!
Ash on 08/5/2006 13:27:22
15" subs generally are good for larger type vehicles (i.e. Expeditions) where they can take full use of the extra low end and have plenty space to accomodate.
In smaller cars, you will have a naturally higher lift in low notes. This makes good use of smaller subs (10"-12"), single or paired. It's even possible to attain great results with a "3-pack" of 8" subs in small to mid size cars.
Like Swez says, it's all in good planning. Get an idea of what you at least want. Take some time to check what fits into your budget. See what available space you have to use. Be smart and keep it simple as possible.
Replies (6)
lilschtive on 08/4/2006 11:58:54
Well, it all depeneds on how much Bass YOU want. I know a friend who has a BMW X5 with two 15''s. It rattles the trunk, but i still haerd the music. For a compact car, a pair of 10's, maybe even a pair of 12's if you want more would be just fine. 6x9's are fine with a pair of 10's or 12's. Just adjust your HU to determine how much bass you want. A sub usually always needs an amp, and the speakers would be hooked up to the HU if im correct.
swez on 08/4/2006 12:02:13
Did you mean... "Not a wiz at car audio"? hehe
Yes, you'll get mixed answers on this topic. (A Lot of them) A single 15" sub is great for the deep lows for a bumper system like Rap and Hip Hop. Most 15's do well in larger boxes, so if you want to use a 15" sub, factor the box size as part of the install and how much cargo space you'll have to allocate to the box.
Many guys are getting great results with single 10" and 12" sub installs too. It really depends on the sub used, enclosure design and how much amping power you wish to run with.
If running your mid/high speakers off the HU (Radio) amps, a small sub amp is plenty good for added bass, but will not wash out the mids/highs. (150-300 watts RMS sub amp)
Most guys eventually upgrade their systems to amped front and rear speakers or use a good 4 channel to power the front speakers and sub(s), but use the HU amps for the rear speakers. That will work fine in most cases too. It just depends on your budget and how much work you wish to perform on this system.
Comments?
Swez
aaronl on 08/4/2006 12:24:23
lol yeah i did, i edited the post, i guess not quik enough for you tho lol. thnaks for the info
swez on 08/4/2006 14:44:34
OK, we got the general plan... " You are a learning newbie". No problem with that. CK is a newbie friendly site, PG rated and welcome to our little space on the Web.
Would like you to think long term and "Big Picture" about your audio goals for the moment. That is, "When I finished my entire project here, what will be in the plan?" This help you map out your ultimate goals early in the game and then take "guided steps" as needed, to accomplish the long term goal, one step at a time. This has a fancy name... "Strategic Planning".
We (Golds especially), preach a very systematic form of doctrine here. It's very simple and we break each project into small, bite sized chucks. It's easier to understand for the beginner and less overwhelming too.
Things to consider: (Strategic Plan Overview)
1. What are my "Ultimate Plans" for this project?
2. What devices and componets should I buy?
3. What sequence of install steps should be used as we go along the path?
4. What gear & hardware will give the best bang for my $$?
5. How do I install each item? (Integrating the small steps)
6. When all is installed, how to dial everything in for best possible reults?
See the concept here? CK has a lot of great talent available to guide you through each step and phases. We can show you great deals on quality gear and walk you through the install process as well. It is very important to do YOUR homework up front, BEFORE BUYING ANYTHING !!! That way, you'll get the best possible gear, great results and only buy a given item 1 time. We'll guide you through each step... but pay attention and ask ??'s if unsure.
Finally, consider this as "transferrable investment". You can install as much or as little as needed now and if you sell this car, it can all come out and be transplanted into your next ride. (In most cases) This method allows one to buy the good stuff only once, enjoy the results and change vehicles with minimal time and extra $$ being spent as we transfer.
Got all that? COFFEE
Swez
PS Save all your stock stuff (Factory equipment) as you upgrade. These can be re-installed before selling the car. Yes, it's a bit of a pain to do so. But, if you added some very nice upgrade speakers, amp(s) wiring and an Aftermarket HU, (HU = Radio or player) you keep the good stuff and use it for the next install. This can save a lot of $$$ in the long run.
aaronl on 08/4/2006 16:21:39
thanks a ton for the info Swez!
Ash on 08/5/2006 13:27:22
15" subs generally are good for larger type vehicles (i.e. Expeditions) where they can take full use of the extra low end and have plenty space to accomodate.
In smaller cars, you will have a naturally higher lift in low notes. This makes good use of smaller subs (10"-12"), single or paired. It's even possible to attain great results with a "3-pack" of 8" subs in small to mid size cars.
Like Swez says, it's all in good planning. Get an idea of what you at least want. Take some time to check what fits into your budget. See what available space you have to use. Be smart and keep it simple as possible.
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
