Are "Enclosed Subs" Good?

[dan7532 10+ year member]

At cardomain.com, I'm looking at the "Enclosed Subs" section. http://www.cardomain.com/shoptype/Enclosed+Subwoofers

Are these types of subs that come installed in a box any good? Like, are they a good design? Overpriced?

I drive a 94 Mazda 626 with 150,000 mi. and listen to a lot of rap and some classic rock. Not sure if I want subs or not, just looking like curious george. I'm interested in getting more bass as my 5x7s don't really have any. (Stock is 5x7s in front doors and rear deck). I just got a pair of Sony 5x7s free from my dad from Best buy: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?j=1&id=1069300196999&skuId=6228879&productCategoryId=cat03075&type=product He bought my sister a headunit, got a coupon for speakers, and picked me up the only 5x7s that best buy carries. I'm going to put them in the front doors and leave stock speakers in the rear deck. Oh, and the headunit that came with the car is the Pioneer DEH-P545. I don't think it's any longer in production. I like the controls and button layout on it.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4039_34478,00.html

I'm not looking to blow my ears out. I like to preserve my hearing. Nor do I need to be able to shake the mirrors of the car in front of me. That kind of power is expensive and I don't want expensive. I'm not looking to impress anyone but myself with subs. In fact, I probably will turn them down whenever I pull into any parking lot because I don't want anyone to know I have subs. I don't want them stolen. I just want them to sound and feel good. I don't care what they look like, I just don't want expensive stuff. I'm a mid-range price type of guy. To be honest, I bet I'll get $200 out of my parents at christmas and I can sink in about 200 more. Anything more is pushing it. I have to pay for half of my college (senior in high school now).

My main concern is that my car might break down any time and since it's only an $800 car, it'll be replaced if anything major breaks on it. I don't want to go buy speakers (like uncommon 5x7s) or subs that won't fit in my next car (no idea what it would be. probably another mazda if it's my choice, but my dad bought the car as a beater for me (17), I just drive it all the time).

So judging from that lenghty description of myself, are these subs I mentioned any good and what would you recommend?

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[dan7532 10+ year member]

OK, well if my question has already been asked enough, could someone at least point me in a direction that will give me some beginner's info on subs? I searched this board all over and didn't find anything about enclosed subs.

 

[torn eMericas 10+ year member]

I hear powered enclosed subs aren't nearly as good as a seperate regular sub and amp

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

NEVAH !!

The best enclosed sub and amp that ive heard is the Infinity Bass link.

Ive heard the bazooka bass tubes, polk plexi thingy, kenwood w00x thingy.

All crappy.

 

[LBX2G 10+ year member]

i mean if u want cheap. And u sound like a noob. SO it sound like u will not be building any thing. So i say go enclosed. I mean espcially for ur expericne. But buy shit seprate is always better. Cus u can pick how it sounds and push it to the limit.

 

[dan7532 10+ year member]

Yes, I'm a noob. I'm doubtful on building my own box. And the subs I'm looking at come with subs in a box built just for them, but without an amp.

For instance, I'm looking at the Rockford Fosgate Enclosed Subs. I'm guessing I'll get 12" subs because I listen to a lot of rap and some classic rock. I want bass, but I don't want to hurt my ears. Basically, I don't need a lot of power. And I don't care if outsiders can hear my subs. In fact, I'd rather not draw any more attention than I have to (cops, angry neighbors and parents). I don't know if I should get one 12" or two 12"s.

Rockford has "PL1," PL2, and PL3 subs. Each number is a higher stage, but all I can see different is the higher levels look fancier and weigh more. Is there any real difference? Does anybody have any experience with these non-powered enclosed subs?

 

[LBX2G 10+ year member]

yeah higher stage ones are a big difference. IT is link a lexus and a toyota. They are made buy the same ppl but contain different parts. And one is more classer , looks better, performs better, and handles better. But i say got with one 12 since u do not want all that attention. And the rockford box will do u just fine. IF u need help with amp just ask.

 

[dan7532 10+ year member]

Yup, I don't have a clue about amps either, so you can give me suggestions. Also, I don't need a pro to install this, do I? Hopefully my dad can do it; if not, I'll ask one of my buddies that work at Circuit City car audio. Do I just need the enclosed 12" and one amp? My pal at school has one 12" rockford sub in a box he bought separate. I'll listen to his to make sure one 12" is enough for me. I don't doubt that it's plenty. And how do I know how to position the sub in my truck and how to secure it--my 626 can carve a tight corner, sh*t in the trunk slides around ... plus I don't want to allow my subs to get stolen (park at school every day with 1,300 other shady punk teenagers). Any info would be greatly appreciated. And if it helps, I have a Pioneer DEH-P545 headunit (no longer in production, can't even find an owner's manual, but I like it).

 

[LBX2G 10+ year member]

well soon as u tell me the enclosed setup u are gettin then i can give u amp suggestions. But i mean u said that u want not to loud but loud enough to feel it. I said u do not want any one to hear it either. So i mean one 12 sound like plenty. Hell one 10 might just do u fine. But It is not hard installin an amp. If u wire a cd player then u shuould be able to wire an amp.

p.s. to keep ur box still just us "L" brackets form lowe's. But be shure to look before u drill.

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

the Bass link has a small footprint and is very easy to install.

It is a filler woofer, its not going to pound your brains in but its small and produces some good bass.

Def for the n00b's and people who dont want all seprate pieces

 

[dan7532 10+ year member]

I want decent quality. I don't want to cheap out and regret it later.

And I don't want my car to be totally silent to outsiders. If I crank it, I know people will hear it. I don't mind it at all (at the right times, it's cool to impress people with subs). I just don't want too much attention. My main goal is to make bass that sounds and feels good. My goal is not to be the most powerful system on the school parking lot. I'm not trying to get the neighborhood a mile over to hear my system. But I don't mind at all if others hear it when I crank it. I'm mature enough to turn it down when necessary. It's not so much as I don't want others to hear me as it is that I know powerful systems cost a lot.

What I'm trying to say is I know that really powerful systems are expensive and I don't want that. I don't want something really cheap, and on the other hand, I am not looking to rock the world. I'm in the middleground. I hope that makes sense; I know it's really wordy. And I haven't decided on a sub yet, I'll have to research more before I decide. Thanks for all the replies and keep em' coming. I want to learn as much as I can before making a purchase.

Oh, and is the general consensus on these enclosed subs that they are good for a guy like me who doesn't want to build a box myself? Is an enclosed sub any better or worse than buying a sub and a box separate (quality, price)?

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

Go to a local CC and check out the Bass Link.

To me its #1 in amp/sub dealies.

If you want more bass its better to get seprate woofer/box/amp

 

[dan7532 10+ year member]

Could you provide an internet link, please? I couldn't find what you are talking about on CC's website.

Providing the amplifier stands on it's own, do you get better bass from the enclosed speakers (box designed specifically for the particular sub) or from a sub and box bought separate? Which costs more?

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-R0Ipiwsrolp/cgi-bin/prodview.asp?i=108BASSLIN

 

[supa_c 5,000+ posts]

B I N G O and Bingo was his name o

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Infinity-Subwoofer--BASSLINK-/sem/rpsm/oid/44708/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

there $$ at CC, ebay is best //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif