rimpainter.com

Ok, I dont know crap about stereo's (what's the latest amp, speakers, etc)

I want some kick (just a little) from my current configuration of ear piercing treble.

Currently I have:
Alpine headunit 35x4, nice tweets, good door speakers.

All I need, are some recommendations on a small amp and some type of subwoofer. I am thinking a bazooka tube, probably an 8, maybe a 10.

I am a cheap dude, so something economical, yet something that will last would be nice. I dont want to spend much more than $150, so ebay is a thought. The truck is pre wired for an amp according to the previous owner, and I have installed amps in the past.

What do you guys think? Maybe a self powered bazooka tube? Help if you can. Thanks!

Cebby

That will be your cheapest option.

Vato Loco

One of my buddies has powered bazooka tube, I'm not sure if its 8 or 10in but it sounds pretty decent Sounds like the amplified tube suits you best

heliax

Just wanted to recommend the infinity basslink. I have one and I love it. It's self powered and hits pretty good for a self contained unit. If you have an xtra cab, it will fit perfect if you place it vertically between the jumpseats in the back. Will try to get some pics this weekend.

Cebby

I thought those puppies were like $300 or so. Did they finally come down in price?

heliax

around 200$ now, but yes they were 350$ when they first came out

4BangR

The Basslink is around $150 on EBay. Plus shipping maybe 170 or 180, plus wiring.

Wow I think this is my first post! I've watched this great board for months, I guess its time I chime in.

Bumpin' Yota

Id recommend a separate amp, sub, and a box of your own construction. Kicker comp vr 10s are great as are IDQ 10s JL 10w0's are also nice. Then a nice 300-400 class d amp shouldn't be too much on ebay.

Steve

Beachrunner

I'm pretty happy with my setup. Elemental Designs 12kd2 sub $100, JBL bp300.1 amp $150, 1 cube sealed mdf box plus hardware $18. It's no ground shaker, but sounds really good plus it doesn't take up too much space.

Beachrunner

oops, i just now noticed you wanted to spend around $150.

impulsebrklyn

150 isnt gonna leave you will many options, especially if you go to a car audio shop. your going to have to purchase everything yourself online, and most likely build yourself a box.

for around that much i would look into a

Power Acoustik GOTHIC Amplifier
OV2-300 Amplifier - 70x2 @ 4ohm - 170 watts RMS $79.99
www.thezeb.com

Audiobahn High Performance Subwoofer AWC12T 12" SUB 500 Watts
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=18803 65.00 dollars

so thats 86.00 plus 65.00 = 151 and then you need another 20 for the mdf ect to build the box. so the best i can come up with is 171ish

you would only need half a sheet of mdf I think its 12 dollars, 1 5/8 screws, so 15 total and another 5 for terminals.
You will still need wiring to the amplifier and sub.

thats another 30 bucks so you up to 200 dollars now. There isnt much cheaper then that unless you go used.

amp install kit
http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/audiobahn_amp_kits.html
12gauge is enough

ssbogger

I agree with the last few posts. Get a separate amp and sub. Do not ever consider a bazoka self amplified bass tube.
My dad had the 8'' put in his truck and it was a little bit bassier (is that a word?) in the drivers seat only. If you sat in the passengers seat you couldnt really notice a difference. I dont reccomend any specific amp or sub because i havent tried enough to know whats best but i can tell you that you will be much much much happier is you buy an amp and sub and build the box yourself which shouldnt take more than half an afternoon.

Good Luck!

asudan96Runner

Look on the used market man. Everyone I know at work seems to be upgrading their stereo's every week. I'll ask around and see if anyone has anything they want to get rid of.

$150 may be somewhat unrealistic. Can you go as far as $200?

Dan

DenverSteve

I just bought a new JBL aplified sub on E-bay for $130 + $15 shipping.

E-bay deleted the auction at JBL's request, but here is a link showing it.

http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...=0&cc=01&avf=N

If you want I can give you my thoughts on it after its installed. My main concern was not giving up much space in my extended cab. By my measurements it should fit nicely in the footwell behind the driver's seat.

Beachrunner

I bought 3/4 mdf at Home Depot to build my box. Instead of buying a 4'x8' sheet and having them cut it down (most won't cut it because of all the dust) I looked to the side wall where they have precut panels (2'x4') for $4 each. It took 2 panels for mine so that was $8 for mdf instead of $25 for an awkward 4'x8' sheet that gets wasted.

jacksonpt

If you have some patience, look for used gear. Talk to your friends, friends of friends, etc. and track down some decent used gear. You can get stuff that is 3 or 4 years old, that was top-of-the-line when it came out for a pretty reasonable price. Just make sure it wasn't beat on (that's where the friends part comes in).

Ebay has a lot of good deals, but its hard to pick out the good stuff that has been abused from the good stuff that is still in good shape - IMO.

This is exactly what I did. I got a pretty nice amp, and 2 decent 12" subs for $50. They guy had the subs laying in his room for about a year, and the amp was left over from a previous install. He worked at Circuit City, so he could get stuff for dirt cheap because of his employee discount. He sold me the amp for $50 and, since he was a friend of a friend, he threw the subs in free. It's not top of the line stuff, but the amp is solid (Precision Power), and the Polk subs do what I need them to do (fill and depth). In fact, I'm only using 1 of the subs, the other is just an extra sitting in my garage.

I bought a piece of 4'x8' 3/4" MDF from Lowes and made the box for the sub, amp, and a storage unit. I made everyting modular so if I ever decide to replace the sub or the amp, all I have to redo is box in the new gear.

Some pics for you (click the thumbnails for bigger versions)...

PirateFins

I have a Pioneer Amp over in the Yota tech classifieds that I will let go for $150 + shipping sheck it out and let me know. It is brand new never used. My parents thought I needed it so they bought it for me, I never put it in because my 3yr, old tells me that the stereo is to loud as it is.
Let me know.

NCSU-4runner

i agree, go with an external amp with a true sub in a small sealed box, it wont take up your entire cargo area and they sure pack a healthy punch. a friend of mine has a single 10' infinity sub and i swear my twin 12's only sound marginally better. it doesnt take alot

rimpainter.com

Thanks for all the replies of wisdom guys. I have some serious pondering to do. I appreciate it.

Memphis4X4

96Runner: As you ponder, take this into account as well: balancing of cheap versus regret.

I own a Bazooka Tube (10" driven by a 80W Peak amp), which I used to be in my Runner but it quickly went into my other car where the exhaust/engine are so loud that music quality doesn't matter. I started out with this tube because, I too, wanted to go the cheap route and I thought I was tired of spending a ton of $$ on car stereo equipment. I added the Bazooka to the Yota factory headunit and was pleased at that point....it met my needs for a week......well maybe longer than that.....but I quickly tired of the Bazooka and regretted buying it (mushy bass & didn't hit hard)......I wanted to upgrade to something better. I now have a decent sounding system in the Runner.....Alpine Head unit, MB Quart's in the doors, ZAPCO EQ/cross-over, a couple of SONY Mobile ES amps, and 2 Image Dynamics IDQ 12" subs in a box. I list all of that stuff because that is what my system grew into because I ended up wanting better sound. I got it all for less than $1000....because I bought them slightly used from my stereo shop friends who had auditioned them in their cars and then when new models came out they sold them for cheap. Good stuff...slightly used....sold cheap....no regrets!!

jacksonpt's and the others have the best advice: good used stuff but not the Bazooka....just be patient and cheap in the right place and time and you'll have something you'll be satified with.

David