Subs for $200?

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watusippin?

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I just picked up my first 4Runner today and am looking to install some subs ASAP. Its a 05 V6 and its the first car that I have had that has enough room to fit some subs so I am pretty excited to finally get some hooked up. I've bled myself dry money wise with purchasing this 4Runner so I only have $200 to spend. I'm hoping that I can get some nice hard hitting subs for that price. Does anyone here have any opinions for me and any reliable places I can look at purchasing my subs at? Any help is appreciated.

Thanks.
 
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I would suggest the FI SSD, either the 15" or 18".

Make sure you buy a quality box and amp, they both make a big difference.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
I would suggest the FI SSD, either the 15" or 18".

Make sure you buy a quality box and amp, they both make a big difference.
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Thanks for the reply. How much would a good amp set me back? I need to whole package to equal $200. I have a friend of mine who could easily make me a box or I think I may just make one myself. Seems like its just a ply-wood box if I am not mistaken.

I was thinking of just going to Best Buy but is there a better place that I should consider?
 
I hate to break it to you, but your not going to get anything decent for $200.

Best Buy is overpriced a lot of the time.
 
Also if you decide to make a box it is not Plywood. You will want to use high grade MDF. Plywood the vibrations from the bass will seperate the layers and cause seperation.

I would also recommend you suffer with the factory system until you can afford what you really want.
 
You can easily spend $200 on just the amp and wiring. I suggest waiting until you have a larger budget. However, you can get a setup for $200, just won't be a great one. For the cheap setups, Kenwood seems to be the way to go. Either of these could work for you (if you would like either PM me because I may can get you one cheaper).
Kenwood Party Pack Includes the KAC-5204 2-channel amplifier and two KFC-W110S 10" subwoofers at Crutchfield.com
Kenwood Party Pack Includes the KAC-5204 2-channel amplifier and two KFC-W112S 12" subwoofers at Crutchfield.com
Even a small amp will run $100. You want to make sure your amp is large enough to fully power the sub. For under $200, I'd go with a single sub setup. You could do this Kicker sub:
Kicker Comp 07C124 12" 4-ohm subwoofer at Crutchfield.com
And this Rockford Fosgate amp:
Rockford Fosgate Prime R150-2 2-channel car amplifier — 50 watts RMS x 2 at Crutchfield.com
That'd leave you a little extra money to buy the mdf and build the box, along with the wiring. It won't be the best system out there, but for under $200 you can't expect a lot. You could raise your budget a little and do two of the Kicker subs listed above (or maybe 10's because you'd save a little), but that would require a bigger amp, such as this Kicker:
Kicker 08ZX300.1 Mono subwoofer amplifier 300 watts RMS x 1 at 2 ohms at Crutchfield.com
As for where to purchase, Crutchfield is an excellent place with decent prices. They aren't the cheapest, but they are reliable and have a decent understanding of the products they are selling. Good luck with your search!
 
I would recommend waiting till you have more money - don't crap out on subs/amps to just be disappointed with what you have. $200 won't get you too far in terms of quality goods, but if you are willing, I do know on Sonicelectronix.com, they do have those package deals that comes with a box, amp, and subs for around $200-$300.

Edit: Do you have the JBL Synthesis system in your car? Or just stock?
 
Thanks for all of the reply's. It seems like I will be holding off on the subs for a bit until I can scrape together some more money. For a nice set-up how much should I look at spending? Will $300 get me a nice set-up? Or am I looking at $400-$500?

Thanks again, saved me from wasting my money and I appreciate it.

Edit: Do you have the JBL Synthesis system in your car? Or just stock?
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The truck has a after market system in it. I wont have 4Runner until Sat since the rear window needed to be repaired but I'll check then.

But for a full sub system I need a amp, subs, wiring and a box correct? Nothing else?
 
Yes, that is all you will need. If you want to keep your stock headunit then you will need an adaptor. Can you install this stuff yourself? If not then add at least $100 to the price.

It honestly depends on what you think is "nice". Some people are content with a $60 Kicker comp, while others will want to spend $250 on an FI Q or even more.

Do you want sound quality or loudness? We need to know what you expect out of your subs.
 
Clemsonfan15 said:
Yes, that is all you will need. If you want to keep your stock headunit then you will need an adaptor. Can you install this stuff yourself? If not then add at least $100 to the price.

It honestly depends on what you think is "nice". Some people are content with a $60 Kicker comp, while others will want to spend $250 on an FI Q or even more.

Do you want sound quality or loudness? We need to know what you expect out of your subs.
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Good point about the installation fee, I was over-looking that. "Nice" for me is something that will last, hit pretty hard, and still have decent sound quality. I'm really just looking for something that will allow me to truly enjoy some Nickatina "Killa Whale" the way it was meant to be enjoyed lol.
 
Edit: looks like there were some replies while I was typing mine. I'll leave the info there though, so ignore some of the stuff if it's already been said.

Before I'd set a price range, I would make a decision on size and number of subs. What type of music do you listen to? Are you going for true sound quality or loundness/feel? There are subs that specialize in each, and some that are a good mix. Also, a pair of 10's may sound a little better, but a pair of 12's will hit harder/deeper. I'm not too familiar with anything over 12's. Also, depending on your goals for the system you may want a single or dual setup, or maybe more. I'd plan on building a good box, make sure it fits the size requirements for the sub (different ones require different amounts of airspace). I'd plan on spending money for a decent amp, $150-$200 at least. If you are gonna cut corners do it on the subs. The amp and wiring are the heart of the system. In a perfect world you'd get the best of everything, but if you did run into budget issues I'd settle on subs before anything else. Image Dynamics makes great subs that seem to be at good prices. Hope some of this info helps you out!
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
Before I'd set a price range, I would make a decision on size and number of subs. What type of music do you listen to? Are you going for true sound quality or loundness/feel? There are subs that specialize in each, and some that are a good mix. Also, a pair of 10's may sound a little better, but a pair of 12's will hit harder/deeper. I'm not too familiar with anything over 12's. Also, depending on your goals for the system you may want a single or dual setup, or maybe more. I'd plan on building a good box, make sure it fits the size requirements for the sub (different ones require different amounts of airspace). I'd plan on spending money for a decent amp, $150-$200 at least. If you are gonna cut corners do it on the subs. The amp and wiring are the heart of the system. In a perfect world you'd get the best of everything, but if you did run into budget issues I'd settle on subs before anything else. Image Dynamics makes great subs that seem to be at good prices. Hope some of this info helps you out!
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I would like to have two 12" subs in the back. My music taste varies from Irie Reggae to old school rock to hip-hop/rap. I would like the subs to focus more on the loundness/feel side of the spectrum but sound quality is also important to me.

Im thinking that I might drop my $200 on a good amp and wiring now and then get some cheap kickers to tie me over until I can afford some nicer subs. If I get the Amp and wiring installed can I switch out the subs without having to touch the wiring job?

Edit: After reading that thread about amps I am thinking that I will just buy it all at once. Looks like I will have a while to wait but hopefully in the end it will be worth it. Thanks again for all of the help.
 
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You can do either. You can get a good/solid amp now, have it wired in, and build the box. You can get the cheap Kickers for like $50 a peice. You could try those, but you'd be better off buying peice by peice and waiting on the install. It sounds like you're headed in the right direction. I'm more in the sound quality side, and I've been out of the loop for a little while so I'll leave sub suggestions to the other guys. The Image Dynamics I mentioned are more SQ. The RE and FI that the others mentioned have been great subs for what you want. Most of the so called "name brands" aren't what they use to be (Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, Kenwood, Kicker, etc).
 
Okay, so as of now I am thinking that I might buy this set-up: MTX - 12" Dual 2-Ohm Subwoofers with Enclosure - RT12X2-200

and then spend another $200 or so to get a much better amp and wiring. I think that this set-up will serve my needs until I can get enough money together for some higher end subs. And with the better Amp and wiring installed it would only be a matter of switching out the box and subs if I wanted.

Sound like a good plan to any of the experts? I figured that it would be about the same price if I went with the kickers and a box.
 
First, I'm personally not a fan of MTX (cheaper ones anyway). Second, those prefab boxes usually aren't that great. There typically something the subs were just thrown in, not really something designed for the subs. An awesome set up in a crappy/cheaply made box will sound much worse than decent subs in a good enclosure. On top of that, those enclosures typically aren't truly sealed. I'm not an expert, but I've done a ton of research and some testing so I've got an idea. You are definitely on the right track. I suggest checking out Car Audio Forum - CarAudio.com. There are a ton of car audio gurus on there than can really help you out with your setup.
 
I have had a varies of subs back in the day (kenwood, alpine, rockford fosgate, sony, infiniti kappa) and best one i've ever had were the Orion's.
 
ARK_SWAMP_RIDER said:
You can do either. You can get a good/solid amp now, have it wired in, and build the box. You can get the cheap Kickers for like $50 a peice. You could try those, but you'd be better off buying peice by peice and waiting on the install. It sounds like you're headed in the right direction. I'm more in the sound quality side, and I've been out of the loop for a little while so I'll leave sub suggestions to the other guys. The Image Dynamics I mentioned are more SQ. The RE and FI that the others mentioned have been great subs for what you want. Most of the so called "name brands" aren't what they use to be (Alpine, Rockford Fosgate, Kenwood, Kicker, etc).
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Agreed. I recommend Hifonics amps to everyone just because it's a lot of power for pretty cheap. You can pick up a 1200 watt amp for 150, and then two Type R 12s for 260 and an cheapish amp kit and be ready to roll. (MAKE YOUR OWN BOX!) You can get the box specs for most subs online.

Swamp Riders point about the name brands is very valid.

Memphis Audio may be another brand to look into (if you can find them, not a lot of online sellers).

RE Audio will get you loud, most of their subs are built for SPL. Lots of people rave about the sound quality of FI Audio.
 
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