I think I need a sub! What should I get?

[tristan325]

I currently have a Nakamichi CD45z going in to JL Audio speakers in the stock locations. Sound quality is superb, but the bottom end could do with a little filling out.

I'm looking for suggestions for a good quality, but ultimately discreet, sub and amp package.

I'm not after booming bass, just nice tight punchy stuff.

Any thoughts peeps?

[aceraf]

A very underated manufacturer is VIBE....they do lots of different variants of subs ranging from 6" to 15"...

they also do amplified sub boxe's which come with a amp already connected to the sub, so all you do is provide power, earth, remote, and RCA's from your head-unit.

I've had lots of Vibe stuff over the years, and can tell you that their 12's produce very tight, and hard bass, and the 15's produce a deeper and boomier bass line.

Depending on what you're after really.

Anothe good thing about Vibe is the price,...their cheap when you consider what you're getting....

I had 4 x 15" vibe subs in my old car, and everyone thought i had JL's as they sounded so good in my setup...!!!

I would suggest something like the CBR12 if you want a good sounding, not too powerful install, but they do make more powerful stuff aswell...like the Space series subs which are about 1000W rms.

I've used VIbe, and quite like them, so i would say definately consider them...if for nothing else, then the price!

[tristan325]

Thanks for the input. I was think about a small 8" jobbie as I really don't want it to overpowering. would I be wasting my time?

[aceraf]

No....you'll just get a different sort of bass note....an 8inch sub won't produce deep bass, but will be punchy, and also won't need much power going to it....

They won't blow your mind, but will produce some bass.

[choppa7]

Have a run of 8" subs along the parcel shelf, stealth style

[boxclever1753]

i have got a jbl btx 250 tube. i ran it in my last car but this e30 has a bass box in it so i haven't changed them over.

i must say the box sounds nice but is not the same full sound the tube produces. even though the tube is a big bugger i would recommend it whole-heartedly as it already powered and you just need some rca's to plug it in and off you go.

there are always jbl tubes on eGay and new they are £100 from halfrauds - i got mine from eGay and it was £55 secondhand but perfect.

only my opinion - but go for a tube. i have just bought another e30 and the first thing i do to it will be to install the tube once more - the size of the e30 boot is a perfect enclosure for producing the big bass sound that will light up your ears!!

[aceraf]

If they're not enclosed, then they won't produce much bass....the driver (sub) needs pressure on both side's to operate efficiently....that's why band-pass designs make so much bass as the front and rear of the sub have pressure.

also, if they're open, they'll produce a very soft note, as they enclosure will provide alot of the punch.

As i say, it all depends on what type of sound your're after, and what your budget is.

Are you running the 8's off an amp or the head-unit?

[tristan325]

It would be off an amp. It would just be the one 8" in a small sealed enclosure. I'm not after "sound off" stuff, just a nice addtion to the already great sound.

[BreadBin]

JL subs are very good

[zaust]

Read and noted. if it's any good to you i have a twin 10" box with infinity 10s for 80 quid...

[tristan325]

Read and noted. if it's any good to you i have a twin 10" box with infinity 10s for 80 quid...

Ooooooohhhhhhh I'm tellin! You tried to sell me ice!!

Cheers but that, sounds a little heavy for me!

[tristan325]

JL subs are very good

Agreed, but having just shelled out for JL components front and rear, my wallet is a little empty

[aceraf]

Just test fitted 4 15" Vibe subs from my old car in my e30.....THEY FIT...

I'll get some pics uploaded in a bit....!!!

[sorry if that's taking over this post]

[BreadBin]

JL subs are very good

Agreed, but having just shelled out for JL components front and rear, my wallet is a little empty

I got my 12" JL in a box for about £100 brand new..

[aceraf]

Have you already got some 8" subs?

[tristan325]

Have you already got some 8" subs?

Nope.

[aceraf]

I have some lying about, but you're pretty far from me i'm guessing!

I re-soldered the wire on my 8's at the time to allow them to take abit more power....

they're Megavox, and sounded quite good for 8's!
they're in one of those cheap box's of ebay, you know the one's with the tweeters either side of the subs! [in my defence it wasn't my box, i borrowed it off a mate, to test the subs, and never returned it as he blew his 8's!]

surprisingly you could hear bass out side of the car...not loud...but it could be heard...!!!

[CUTZ]

hi every one i have a sony explode 1400w if ur interested

[miniblob]

Get yourself on ebay and find a nice little JL 8 incher!!!

I've had some rediculous ebay bargains on expensive JL stuff!!!!

[tristan325]

Yeah, I've been looking on ebay on a daily basis, but they all seems to be chav spec mahooosive jobbies, I want a really nice, good quality unit.

[aceraf]

Yeah, I've been looking on ebay on a daily basis, but they all seems to be chav spec mahooosive jobbies, I want a really nice, good quality unit.

once again...consider the vibe if you're after good sound, and awesome reliability!

[thebloosman]

GET A JBL SUB AND AMP. 10" ARE GOOD BUT 12" ARE BETTER. CHHERS

[bootyman]

Save the money and go for the JL's mate. I have twin 13"in my E36 and it's fantastic. It clean bass rather than the chav vibrating crap you get. Put it this way, i drive a round trip of 170 miles a day to and from work and i normally use my little Polo as it's 30 cheaper to fill the tank than my 328 even though you get the same milage, but since i had my sounds fitted, i've been driving the 328 everyday to work

[aceraf]

Save the money and go for the JL's mate. I have twin 13"in my E36 and it's fantastic. It clean bass rather than the chav vibrating crap you get. Put it this way, i drive a round trip of 170 miles a day to and from work and i normally use my little Polo as it's 30 cheaper to fill the tank than my 328 even though you get the same milage, but since i had my sounds fitted, i've been driving the 328 everyday to work

any pics of your install???
also, are they the JL13 W7's? what sort of enclosure have you used?

Planning on putting my 4 15's in my e30, but need to get a few things sorted out first.

[miniblob]

Would be interested to see your enclosure Mr Booty - I gotta do one soon!!! You gone for ported??

[kam325itouring]

w3v2 jl audios athe way dude!!!!!!!!!!

[hogweed]

I agonised over all this stuff for ages, and just got confused, then found out a guy I worked with made custom boxes etc, so got this made up. Good compromise between depth of bass and not going totally over the top IMHO - then I bought an E36!

Erm... for sale... any decent offer, really...

[az]

jl w7, your cant compare with this sub! the bass note is amazing!