PowerBass - Worth a dime?

[blue_misfit 10+ year member]

Hi all,

I'm researching parts for my 03 Infiniti G35 sedan, and have been working with a local car audio shop (California Car Sounds in Campbell, CA) that has good reviews, and a sales guy (Erin) who seems very knowledgeable.

We've settled on a Pioneer 6000 deck, which I'm happy with. All told, installing that is going to cost me $550, since the G35 requires a rather expensive dash kit to get installed properly. This, I expected from my initial research.

Now I'm going to add a subwoofer as well. I haven't been in the car audio game for a long time, and the guy in the shop suggested some stuff from PowerBass, specifically their PS-12 subwoofer (with a matching ported box also from PowerBass), and their ASA-400.2 amplifier.

The sub has an RMS power handling of 250w, and a peak power handling of 500w. That amplifier puts out 400w RMS in bridged mode at 4 ohms.

He quoted me ~$425 for the sub+amp+installation. It seems like a reasonable deal, considering the low cost of these components.

What's the deal with PowerBass? I don't see a lot of websites carrying them, and it's definitely no-name in my book. I've always gone with brand-name stuff before - I had a Polk MOMO 12" sub in my Camry, and a Pioneer amp.

I'm always willing to give a new company a chance, but I don't want to spend a lot of money on crap. Also, the amplifier seems a bit powerful for the subwoofer, don't you think? Either that, or it's over-rated significantly.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

~MiSfit

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[mazzasec 5,000+ posts]

You can do WAYY better and louder for what your spending. What size sub you looking to buy?

 

[NeverEnuffBass 10+ year member]

Powerbass makes some nice stuff

 

[blue_misfit 10+ year member]

In doing more research I see their high end stuff is good, but I'm a little skeptical. I mean, their entry level 12" (what I'm looking at) goes for ~$40 online. It's a paper cone sub too.

Thanks for the advice.

~MiSfit

 

[oldschool4me 10+ year member]

their entry level subs are pooooop.

 

[mazzasec 5,000+ posts]

So your paying 425. For a 400w setup? You could pay 425 for a 1000w setup!

 

[BushJ311 5,000+ posts]

Powerbass makes some nice stuff

X2. I am running a 12" extreme right now. and have some speakers from them. I am very pleased. But you can do better for the money on some stuff.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Powerbass is worth a dime. But that's about it.

 

[blue_misfit 10+ year member]

Okay.

So I'm looking to spend a max of $500.

I wand a single 12, emphasis on sound quality. I'm paying for installation (figure $150 for an hour of labor and a wire kit), but the shop is open to both ordering for me, or having me bring in my own components.

What do you guys suggest? $500, my requirements, run with it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

~MiSfit

 

[customtronic 10+ year member]

Here's something that you might not have seen before. I built a system in a Jeep Powerwheels so my daughter can compete at MECA shows with me. I put a single Powerbass 2XL 12" in it and powered it with a Zapco i-1200. It hit over 140 db and over 122 in drive-by! LOL Here are some pics:

 

[mazzasec 5,000+ posts]

RD has a new line of SQ woofers for sale and pretty cheap to. Check them out here

http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3017

Also there are many others out there. Fi Q. Soundsplinter RL-p. SSA Icon. RE Se. All of those I just mentioned you could find right around the $200 range for a nice used one. Maybe less. As far as amps you could find any 1000w amp out there for around $200 as well.

 

[blue_misfit 10+ year member]

@Customtronia

LOL thanks for sharing. That's pretty awesome.

@Mazzasec

I'm looking for all-new equipment. Thanks for your suggestion though!

~MiSfit

 

[Death_by_Bass 10+ year member]

Okay.
So I'm looking to spend a max of $500.

I wand a single 12, emphasis on sound quality. I'm paying for installation (figure $150 for an hour of labor and a wire kit), but the shop is open to both ordering for me, or having me bring in my own components.

What do you guys suggest? $500, my requirements, run with it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

~MiSfit

im addicted to re audio //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif you could get a twelve for less than 500

 

[Death_by_Bass 10+ year member]

Okay.
So I'm looking to spend a max of $500.

I wand a single 12, emphasis on sound quality. I'm paying for installation (figure $150 for an hour of labor and a wire kit), but the shop is open to both ordering for me, or having me bring in my own components.

What do you guys suggest? $500, my requirements, run with it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

~MiSfit

im addicted to re audio //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif you could get a twelve for less than 500

 

[swx1042 10+ year member]

whatever you decide to do, i'd make sure your sounds are loud enough to make it out of the trunk and into the cabin