Upgrading subs and amp. What to get?

[Jrwizbang]

Hello everyone. I am very new to car audio. About a month ago I tried my hand in making a custom box for 2 12" Kenwood subs. They aren't anything special. It was a budget project just to learn and to get started. I now want to continue to get more into car audio in the near future, but don't really know where to go. I'm thinking that I want to upgrade the subs now. My budget will be around $200 for subs and amp, give or take $50 depending on quality/recommendations. I just really have no idea what to look for though. What would be best for me? I have a 2003 GMC Yukon with the Bose sound system in it. Also, I am currently using a LOC (line out converter) to get sound from high level to low level(from what I understand) and was wondering if it would be worth it to just get an aftermarket head unit. Would be nice if someone could recommend me a nice head unit, preferably a double din seeing as the space in the Yukon is double din. I would be looking in the $50-100 range which would cut my sub budget back to about $200 no more. Thank you to everyone in advance for any and all help. Hope that you guys can help me!

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[mylows10 5,000+ posts]

Hello everyone. I am very new to car audio. About a month ago I tried my hand in making a custom box for 2 12" Kenwood subs. They aren't anything special. It was a budget project just to learn and to get started. I now want to continue to get more into car audio in the near future, but don't really know where to go. I'm thinking that I want to upgrade the subs now. My budget will be around $200 for subs and amp, give or take $50 depending on quality/recommendations. I just really have no idea what to look for though. What would be best for me? I have a 2003 GMC Yukon with the Bose sound system in it. Also, I am currently using a LOC (line out converter) to get sound from high level to low level(from what I understand) and was wondering if it would be worth it to just get an aftermarket head unit. Would be nice if someone could recommend me a nice head unit, preferably a double din seeing as the space in the Yukon is double din. I would be looking in the $50-100 range which would cut my sub budget back to about $200 no more. Thank you to everyone in advance for any and all help. Hope that you guys can help me!

not gonna happen sorry to tell you,a double din for 50-100 . as far as subs and a amp for 250 ,you wont get anything good,better to spend the 250 on a decent deck ,then save some more for a better amp and subs .but you should be thinking more around the 700 - 1000 range for what your wanting to change.your budget now will only get you garbage and maybe not even that .

 

[quackhead 10+ year member]

You should either get a decent $300 HU or a decent $300 amp for the subs you have, instead of settling for a little bit of cheap junk here and there.

You did not say what type of Kenwood subs you have, or what type of box you built. My suggestion is integrate a good amp into the factory system and possibly build the best box for the subs you have...they might surprise you, if given the right opportunity. Don't buy the cheapest junk amp that MIGHT last you 6 months to a year for $125 when you can get so much better at $250....same with the HU.

figure a decent HU for $250+

figure a good amp - $250+

figure a good pair of 12's - $250+

what model are the subs you have? what type of coil(s)?...Subs ported or sealed?...recommended airspace?.....there are questions that need to be answered before anyone can suggest anything.

 

[Jrwizbang]

Thanks for the input and quick replies! The subs that I have, like I said I just wanted to see if I could do it and learn some stuff, so they're nothing special. (KAC-5204 2-Channel Amplifier and Two KFC-W112S 12” Subwoofers Combination Pack) Yes I know I cheaped out but it was a budget project for fun so don't hate . Also, would maybe just getting a more powerful amp help? And last question, would one bigger sub be better than 2 smaller ones? So what I'm asking, is would something like 1 750 rms, 2000w peak 15" sub be more effective than say 2 12" like the ones I have?

KAC-1502S Amplifier Features:

Power Handling:

60W RMS x 2 @ 4 Ohms

75W RMS x 2 @ 2 Ohms

150W RMS x 1 [bridged] @ 4 Ohms

General Features:

Fixed low-pass filter (80 Hz at 18 dB per octave)

Class AB design and MOSFET power supply

CEA-2006 compliant

Preamp and speaker-level inputs

Requires 10-gauge power and ground leads — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier

Fuse rating: 25A x 1

8-7/8"W x 2-3/16"H x 7-7/16"D

KFC-W112S Subwoofer Features:

Power Handling:

50-200W RMS

800W Peak

General Features:

Injection-molded polypropylene woofer cone with high-roll urethane surround

Black stamped-steel basket

Frequency response: 28-800 Hz

Sensitivity: 90 dB

Top-mount depth: 5-9/16"

Sealed box volume: 1.25 cu. ft.

Ported box volume: 1.5 cu. ft.

 

[jungstah 10+ year member]

save up more and do it all at once, or use that $200 or so to upgrade 1 component at a time so that you are going to end up with good parts in the end. if you want to get so much with so little money, you're gonna end up with junk equipment

 

[Jrwizbang]

What do you guys all think of this? JVC Arsenal KD-A535 CD receiver at Crutchfield.com

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

Welcome to Hell.

 

[THATpurpleKUSH 5,000+ posts]

anything but skar......shadiest company ever!

 

[Jrwizbang]

what do you guys think of Boss Audio subs?

 

[gramser57 10+ year member]

Don't even waste your money on boss audio anything

 

[Jrwizbang]

Why not? Any reason in particular? I mean, I know enough not to get sony unless I want my car to catch on fire, but what is wrong with Boss?

 

[naughtyca 10+ year member]

The sound quality is not good. if you want a real budget system.

audiopipe 1500apsm $122 apsm 1500 $122

2 of these ebay subs 65 each 750watts 3 inch voice coil

 

[Sub Bass Woofrz 10+ year member]

hit craigslist, youd be surprised what kind of deals you may find.

 

[AlterEgo99 5,000+ posts]

I pooped. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/fyi.gif.9f1f679348da7204ce960cfc74bca8e0.gif