Sub & Amp audio question

[Iceman_F1]

Question to anyone that knows audio as I know nothing about this.

Ended up getting a stealthbox for my hatch like the following...

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=168647.0

...and would like to put an sub in it. However I have no clue about audio other than knowing I want this to complete the setup. I'll start off with my first question:

Does anyone know of a good shop/person in the west end (Oakville/Burlington) able to help out with install and maybe even purchase? Preferably one that they know/trust and not just a "search for one". Looking to see if anyone has been to one and can recommend one.

Second question - What would people recommend? Here's the details...

What I know I need - 8" sub to fit the box (not 100% sure the dimensions but from the GB thread, 8" sub, 4" deep). Prefer one that can come with a full cover grill to protect it (not kicker ones that are just raised pillars that things can get in between). Amp (no real clue on this) that can connect and work well with current system. Mounting equipment (depending where I mount the amp as I'm not sure where yet).

What I have - Deck: Pioneer Avic F700BT (in-dash nav/video) (http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PUSA/Products/CarAudioVideo/In-Dash/GPS-Navigation-Systems/AVIC-F700BT?tab=B) Speakers: JBL set from Audio Heaven.

What I'm looking for - Trying to stay in the west end (Oakville/Burlington) if possible. I know Audio Heaven and others (like Selective Sound) are sponsors but trying to get out there to co-ordinate will be iffy. Trying to get ideas ahead of time so I can track stuff down while trying not to spend a whole lot while knowing it works with my setup. Not going to be cranking it but would like this to finish off the sound by adding that little extra.

Any help/advice would be appreciated. I have tried searching/reading however I'm a bit lost as I've never done audio before so not sure what I'm looking for.

[MistaChin]

The amp really depends on the kind of sub you get. What's your budget like?

[Iceman_F1]

The amp really depends on the kind of sub you get. What's your budget like?

Hopefully nothing more than $500 total (sub/amp/install) but willing to go higher if needed.

[eguiyab]

Im not familiar first hand with 8 inch subs, but many of the larger brand names do make and provide them. I do know off hand that JL makes a few 8inch subs. Specifically the w3 and the w7. JL does make quality stuff, but I dont know what the prices for those particular subs go for.

For a single 8inch sub i dont think you would need more than 150-300watts tops...
I think a cheap JBL or Alpine mono block would be more than adaquate for the job.

Most subs however dont come with a real protective cover. You may have to look around some old stereo shops to see if they have the old school grills you can screw over a speaker woofer.

[stevenma188]

I am doing a very similar setup to you, except I am making the box myself, to get that extra little bit of volume that the premade box does not use up.

I bought a Kicker C8 Comp sub and an Audiobahn A2002V amp from a store in the states for cheap. If you want to, I can just help do the install with you. It's really not that hard.

[gabbygenier]

personally i would go with JL audio like eguiyab mentionned. but the only ones that will fit in there are hte 8w1 or the 8w0. good quality but they only take 150W RMS the W7 and W3 are too deep for hte box as you said it was 4".

as for the amp theres a nice one that would be perfect for a sub that size here for sale. 300W 2 channel awesome amp for the price.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?46166-FS-GT-Tails-Tail-tints-Inner-Smoked-Rev.-housing-3rd-Brake-light-JL-amps-etc.&p=642933&highlight=#post642933

as for where im in ottawa so i cant help you out on that one

[eguiyab]

Ah, yes.. my apologies. The W7/W3 is to deep for the setup. But as Gabbygenier mentioned, the W1 and W0 are still great choices.
As mentioned above, using a 2ch amp actually does make ALOT of sense. If ever you upgrade your amp/sub combo, that 2channel amp will easily move into a position to amp your front doors.
That JL 300/2 is an excellent amp to do so. I actually was thinking of picking one up a while back for my doors.

[vcp]

Here is my system which...

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?38506-vcp-s-2010-sport-GT-audio-upgrade-includes-stealth-jack-compartment-sub-box

Paccman also did a very similar system with the same amp and sub but different components and coaxials. His thread is around here as well.

[Iceman_F1]

Took awhile but finally completed it.

http://www.sdamv.com/Gallery/d/7338-1/DSC_2576.jpg

Went with the JL 8w1v2-4 (http://www.crutchfield.ca/JL_Audio_8W1v2_4_8_4_ohm_Component_Subwoofer_p/1368w1v24.htm) sub with grill to protect it.

the Kenwood KAC-6104D (http://www.kenwood.ca/Car_Entertainment/Amplifiers/KAC-6104D) amp (which I got from Auto-Links on the TM3 tint day) and had Auto-Links install it.

Overall, was pretty close to my $500 budget with install...just a bit over...but happy with how it turned out. Sound system is now done to the level I wanted it.

[dave2010GT]

Looks very sharp and clean :thumbsup

Did you throw any dynamat in there?

[Iceman_F1]

Looks very sharp and clean :thumbsup

Did you throw any dynamat in there?

Nope. But I like the sound as is so that's ok.

[pacmann33]

Here is my system which...

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?38506-vcp-s-2010-sport-GT-audio-upgrade-includes-stealth-jack-compartment-sub-box

Paccman also did a very similar system with the same amp and sub but different components and coaxials. His thread is around here as well.

Indeed I did do a very similar setup, with VCP's extra stealth enclosure. JL W3 8inch, and 5 channel amp to Morel Tempo6 Comps in the front and tempo 6 coax in the rear.

Only issue I still kind of have is a bit of a pesky hissing sound at high volumes. Some say it is my Alpine PDX-5 amp as they are kind of known for this, or some ground loop noise. Haven't had time to try and fix it yet.

This setup is perfect as long as you are not wanting to rip your head off with the sub. My next step is to dynamat all in behind the speakers and seal the doors up a bit. Hopefully to get rid of a few rattles and get the most out of the speakers.

[yearoftherat]

Bring this thread back to life.

I recently p/u a stealthbox from Steve Ma and have decided to go with the JL Audio 8W 1v2 subwoofer (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=28). My question is what is the difference between a 4 ohm and 8ohm speaker? I know that a 4 ohm speaker requires more power to run it but does it actually sound better?
In regards to an amp, I was looking at getting a monoblock such as this one. (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=608)
I know some people have used a 2 channel amp to run their subs and wonder what's the advantage of running a 2 channel over a mono block?

[baymoe]

Bring this thread back to life.

I recently p/u a stealthbox from Steve Ma and have decided to go with the JL Audio 8W 1v2 subwoofer (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=28). My question is what is the difference between a 4 ohm and 8ohm speaker? I know that a 4 ohm speaker requires more power to run it but does it actually sound better?
In regards to an amp, I was looking at getting a monoblock such as this one. (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_amps.php?amp_id=608)
I know some people have used a 2 channel amp to run their subs and wonder what's the advantage of running a 2 channel over a mono block?

8 ohm drivers are usually used in home theater setups. For car audio applications, you're looking towards 4/2 and at times 1ohm loads. In most cases, a mono amp is able to push more power to the sub. I previously had the rear channels bridged to provide 300w rms @ 4ohms and it sounded every bit as good as a mono amp'd for 400w rms @ 4 ohms.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Ohms are the one thing in Car audio that confuses the shit out of me. Normally I go to the shop (or a forum) and say I have this amp what Voice coil/ohm setup will work best.

In all of my previous setups I have bridged down but that's because I had 4 channels.

[yearoftherat]

If 8ohm drivers are geared towards home theater, why does the JL sub available in both 4 and 8?
Since I'll be just hooking up an amp to the sub, there is no real advantage to getting a 2 channel amp over a monoblock... correct?

[sp3GT]

From what I know, the lower the impedance the more power but at the cost of sound quality.

But for my sub I've tried 8ohm and 2ohm and I'm currently on 2ohm. I have a 12inch though, couldn't really tell a difference in sound quality but power is 2 different worlds.

EDIT: Chris, I don't think you're going after heavy bass since you're using stealth box. But if you are and happen to wire it at 8ohm make sure the gain setting is not set wrong on your amp.

I had mine wired at 8ohm, installer didn't check the wiring because sub was already installed. Turned gain too high to compensate. Both sub/amp eventually blew.

I think for you, wiring at 4ohm will be fine and with a monoblock since all you're powering is just the sub.

[TheMaterial]

In this situation with one amp one sub, it won't matter if you have a 2 channel bridged or a mono block. When you get into dual subs and trying to run funky set ups with 4 channels and things like that it does matter, but thats another discussion.

From the amp you posted and the sub, the JX250/1 and the 8W1v2-4 are a near perfect match for each other. The amp will handle 175w @ 4ohms and the sub does aprox. 150w at 4ohms.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Is it 8ohm dual voice coil?
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/support_pages.php?page_id=160
http://mobile.jlaudio.com/support_pages.php?page_id=161

[yearoftherat]

According to the specs/diagram, it looks to be a single:

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=28