sub/amp/location recommendations

**Vchat20** · 07-20-2005, 03:40 AM

ok. after the recent upgrade on this system i got a new 4.1 speaker system (creative inspire 4.1 4400) to match the multichannel sound card. after running through various test between of music, games, and movies, i have seen the light "so-to-speak". i am now interested in trying to get a sub going in my carpc project. nothing huge. not interested in those thump machines that rattle your house windows. just enough to get some clear, rich bass in the car.

at this point im simplylooking at a mono amp and a sub to go with it. keep in mind im not looking for anything huge here. so if you guys have any recommendations, let me know.

also, how would you recommend mounting the sub? there really wouldnt be a whole lot of space to put it as the van is often used as a cargo van so from the front seats back is cramped. there is a little cubby hole in the dash, on the floor, below the radio which you can barely see here. might it fit there?

or would i simply be better off stuffing a sub from a similar set of 4.1 speakers in the car somewhere?

cuz its only about 6 inches on all sides (6"x6"x6").

take your time. this project isnt going anywhere for a little while yet.

**pancit175** · 07-21-2005, 08:23 PM

you're only talkin bout 0.125 cu ft of air space. And thats without the sub. What size sub are you even thinking of putting there. good luck if you can find a 6" sub that will even do anything. You may be better off getting a bass tube thats self powered. it might be able to fit somewhere without getting in the way of your cargo space.

**Vchat20** · 07-21-2005, 08:26 PM

again, im not looking for any rumpshaker subs. just enough to get some clear bass out of. the sub in the speakers here probably isnt much more than 4" in diamateter. havent really bothered opening it up to see the size of the magnet though. but it is actually ideal in my case as far as how much bass it puts out.

**spdyscotty** · 07-21-2005, 08:42 PM

Maybe like a 10 inch mounted in the spare tire area? Would invovle sacraficing your spare time, but it's a clean simple way to go. I think a good 10" from JL Audio (W3 is a nice one) would suite you real well. They are very tight sounding and by only doing one 10 inch it will not be too overwhelming. JL Audio also makes a pretty good sub amp but it might be a little more powerful than you need. Look at some Kenwoods or others for the amp.

Scott

**Vchat20** · 07-21-2005, 09:17 PM

unfortunately, the spare tire is mounted under the car. only thing inside is a small bolt which is cranked to raise or lower the tire.

but i was looking a little bit. first of all, here is the page for the 4.1 speaker system ive currently got. the specifications page might be of some use.

i also did some looking at the jl audio site and this is the smallest i could find. according to the spec sheet, the optimum power is around 75-80W, but it can also go as low as 30W if needed.

unfortunately, cant find much in the way of a decent low powered mono amp.

**spdyscotty** · 07-21-2005, 09:50 PM

Vchat20 -

I'm not sure if that speaker is going to give you what you're looking for. I'd suggest going to a car audio store and listening to some diffent speakers before buying one.

I'm a little confused with the 4.1 speakers. These are computer speakers for the home, no?

As far as the amp goes, it's best off to go with one having power handling on the upper end of the speaker's continuous power rating. If you turn the volume up too loud on a weak amp, it is MUCH easier to fry the speaker as the amp will send distorted sound the sub. It's safer to overpower than underpower. I can't really recommend a specific model with that power handling, it's been a while since I was actually in the market myself.

Scott

**spdyscotty** · 07-21-2005, 10:01 PM

Also, the bass tube idea really isn't bad at all. I've heard some very good things about these for applications like yours. Basically it's a small tube with an 8 inch sub or something that's self powered. You can put it under a seat if there's enough room or wedge it in the corner of your trunk.

Take a look at www.crutchfield.com they've got it all (the last time I checked)

**pancit175** · 07-21-2005, 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by Vchat20

again, im not looking for any rumpshaker subs. just enough to get some clear bass out of. the sub in the speakers here probably isnt much more than 4" in diamateter. havent really bothered opening it up to see the size of the magnet though. but it is actually ideal in my case as far as how much bass it puts out.

In the case for car audio, speakers even to be considered subs and that can put out the desirable sub bass freq, those only include 8" speakers and above. I dont know what this 4" sub is and how it will apply, but you got to go with at least an 8" speaker. For example like i said earlier go for a self powered bass tube. It reduced the amount of components needed: i.e. amp, speaker, box. So therefore you save the space needed.

**spdyscotty** · 07-21-2005, 11:07 PM

I believe that speaker is actualy 6.5".

**ash** · 07-22-2005, 12:35 AM

If you are looking for 8"s and on a budget. BAZOOKA 300 Watt 8" for $33.00,Cerwin-Vega 400 watt 8" for $29.00. They also have base tubes and boxed speakers. Just passing it on.