?? to audio gurus
 

Hey all,

Gee, it never ends. I need to upgrade auto audio, a little.

Preface : I upgraded my PC to a Harmon/Kardon audo system. Two desktop speakers and a subwoofer. It sounds just like a bass player siting under my desk. Love it, kinda subtle.

Anyway, a couple of months ago I put in a San Jose MP3 player. But after hearing my PC I want to add a subwoofer to my truck.
I'm not really into retina detaching bass, just something better than what I have. Any ideas of a modest add on? Sorry for rambling on.

Pete

i'd say a 10 inch sub would be good for what you are looking for.
jl audio makes decent subs and they range from 10w0 to 10w6.
if you wanted something more, you can always go up in inches or get some speakers to replace your stock ones. 10w6 is usually enough for people to enjoy their music but not deafening...make sure you get a decent amp as well...something pushing about 200 watts is good...good luck!

Clin hit it right on the $$$ Pete. JL Audio makes pretty decent woofers.

I have the JL W6 sized at 15".
A little too big for what you are looking for though.
I can rattle my rib cage with that :dj:

Preferably a seperate amp for the woofers from one you may have for your door speakers too.

I agree with all of the previous comments - just wanted to add one thing. Look around locally for used gear, especially from people you know, or from a friend of a friend... just so you have some idea about the condition of the gear you're getting. I just got two 12" polk subs and a 2x100 ppi amp. It's way more than I need, but I got it basically for free (traded my kitchen table to a friend for $350 plus the gear). Local used gear is a good way to save some cash, but it might not be worth it if you can't get stuff that you know is in good shape.

Depending on how loud you want it you might not need a large amp. I dont know how much power you have right now but if you done even start to max the volume of your current system, then a sub amp with total RMS wattage equal to the total in the 4 runner will be just right. If say you have 25 watts RMS by 4 channels in the current system, then add a sub with an amp of 100 watts. That could be 1 dual voice coil sub with 1 stereo amp of 50 watts RMS per channel, or one single voice coil sub with 1 stereo amp of 50 watts RMS per channel and then bridge it into the single sub. If you do max the volume out then Id say go twice the wattage or double the subs. That would be 200 watts total instead of 100. Either go with 100 or 200 watts total RMS for the sub. If your torn between 100 or 150 watts, know that a difference in volume cant really be heard with a 1.5db increase which is what a 150 will give you over a 100. The difference between 100 watts and 200 watts, all other factors being equal, is 3db. That is also the difference between 1 sub or 2, provided that TOTAL wattage RMS from the amp remains the same. A person can detect a 3db increase in spl. Its not a doubling of volume, but its like you have a reference sound, increase it by 3dy and yes it does sound a little louder, but not by much. That could however make the difference between clipping the amp on peaks and having just enough. Thats just my 2 cents worth. If you find a 150 watt RMS total amp (75 watts RMS per channel) at a good price, much better than for a 200 watt amp, then by all means get that one. But if you feel certain you want a larger amp that 100 watts total, then look for 200 watts total. Also note Im using RMS figures. Dont compare figures that might be peak while others might be RMS. Anyway, have fun.

Take a looksee at what Dave (nrgetic99) did to his Runner for some bass.
http://community.webshots.com/album/29392502GSLhWZbZrH

Takes up hardly any room on the right rear side.
Corey

Now THAT is cool. Beautiful installation, I really like what he did for his audio system.

Thanks guys for all the responses. That custom installation is slick.

I think I will check out Fry's at lunch and see if the cary the JL and what they have in 200w amps.

Right now I'm using the stock speakers with a Blaughpunk San Jose MP3. I love MP3s. It has the typical 50w per channel peak. I'm guessing around 10w RMS. Some audio guys at work also recommended the Polk speakers for the doors.

I need to wait a weeks to buy anything. I'm going to Houston this weekend to soak up some Taco information. Shannon (Tacozilla) from TTORA is puting a Dana 44 straight in front and other stuff. Maybe they have some audio stuff for sale.

Thanks again
Pete