OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

[Guest]

OK, so the last time I did anything to a car stereo other than play it was 1983, so I'm pretty well lost.

I'm looking to add more depth and richness at lower volume levels in my wife's new car, and I'm told a subwoofer is the way to do that.

I don't care about rattling the windows or making the license plate shake. Just some better tones in our tunes.

I see these powered subwoofers at Chrutchfields and they appear to get decent reviews, but I am clueless on the installation.

I like the low profile design to install under the seat.

I know I can find power at the fuse panel w/o any trouble, but how do I get the audio feeds done?

Do I tie into the rear speaker lines or do I have to run cabling back to the factory unit in the dash?

 

[jasonk]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

Crutchfield has pretty good support I believe, call them and tell them what car you have and what factory stereo and I'll bet they'll be able to tell you the rest pretty quick.

 

[Triman2008]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

Well, first is what kind of vehicle? Then you have to look at where (under the seat) or another location. You can also find different speakers to repalce the stock ones (probably the easiest for what you want). I would recommend getting a two-way speaker set up

2-way speaker

or a component set up.

Component speaker

A subwoofer is second way to get this done. You are looking at running a power cable from the battery to the amplifier (whether it be an external amp or internal amp) it needs power. From the fuse box you are looking to get the remote line (this allows the amp to recieve a signal to turn on, different from the cable from the battery).

If your wife's car has 6x9's or something similar, I would go with the replacement speakers. You will get the sound you want from those. I am pretty knowledgable when it comes to car audio, so if you have questions, just let me know. I will be more than happy to help. Good luck.

 

[lazy21]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

you would have to get a rca jack to the back(might need an adapter depending on radio) 8-4 gauge power wire from the battery, remote wire from the back of the radio to the amp, and a good ground from the car to amp. Very easy to do and what I like about doing it yourself is, you keep the install clean.

 

[MCC]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

What is the make and model of the car?

 

[Guest]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

2011 Hyundai Elantra

 

[remau308]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

Just get some new Infiniti door speakers, buy a small 8" sub with a shallow mounting depth and a small amp able to support the sub and you will be gtg

 

[MCC]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

Here's what Metra says is in your car.

Front 6X9
Rear 6.5

Car audio opinions are like gun and scope opinions. There are a lot of great brands out there it's really all personal preference. I have been selling Kicker and Alpine for years so they are my personal favorite. If you go a different route just stick to the big name reputable manufacturers. I included links to the equipment I would recommend for a nice all around system. Hope this helps...JMHO

Sub

Amp Optional

Front Speakers

Rear Speakers

 

[Jig Stick]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

Put a JL W7 13AE powered by a JL Slash 1000. I have these in my Tahoe and it sounds fantastic

 

[Guest]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

Great information!
Thanks to all who responded.

 

[Switchblade]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

Infiniti paper speakers are crap and will go south in about five years.
Spend a little more coin for a compnent set of Polk Audio Dxi's for the front doors, or a simple 650 set(tweeters mounted in the mid). Add a small packaged Sub in the trunk behind the seat and you shouldn't have issues of vibrating license plates or trunk lids if you stay under 10". A small housing will work well and help to defray the thump.
Check your stereo for the right connections.

We just ditched the factory stuff in the '04 Dak for an Alpine head unit that has three RCA's in back as well as the attached iPod Aux(2.0 USB) input that swaps iPod direct to stereo. The front speakers are Polk DXi 6500 Component's with the tweeter in the top C Pillar, and the 6.5" mid down in the bottom of the door. The back doors have 650 Polk Dxi's that have the tweeters mounted to the mid. Now I just need to save up for the amp and a small 8" sub to give the ol punk rock some kick

 

[socalsheepdog]

Re: OT - Car Subwoofer Installation

Haha, this is so typical of internet forums. OP asks "I bought X and want to hook it up to Y, how do I do that?" Internet says "X sucks, you should get a Q and an R. OP is left with unanswered question and then doubts original purchase.

Edit: Shit, look like OP has not purchased anything.

This brings me to the other typical internet forum Faux pas, skimming a post and then replying without full info.

Oh well. Good luck with your Sub adventure. I just bought a 1996 Honda Civic with 192K miles on it for a commuter for 1K and it has a full system in it. The stereo is almost worth more than what I paid for the car. Bass is nice when done right.