Which setup to use and why...

[rlm1014 10+ year member]

Quick question. I am very happy running my system the way it is but, I have been toying with the idea of putting in a subwoofer in the trunk. The only thing holding me back, besides not being filthy rich, is I do not want to compromise space back there. I am a guitar player and carry pedals, amps, not to mention guitars and I need all of the space I can. Here is what I am thinking and please feel free to comment.

OPTION 1#

Run another amp with the Rockford Fosgate T400.4 that I already have running my Alpine S components up front and my Alpine S 3-way coaxial 6x9's in back. It would probably be another Rockford Fosgate amp if I do this option, class D strictly for one subwoofer. So that is two amps and one sub all in the back of my car.

OPTION 2#

Use a 6 channel amp to replace my existing 4 channel and run the components and the 6x9's off of 4 channels and bridge the last two channels to use for a subwoofer. That would then be one amp an one subwoofer. The 6-channel amp I am looking at is a JL Audio 1000/6.

So there it is, let me hear what you think.

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[GearGuy2001 10+ year member]

Im not a big fan of the all in one amp but people do it, it works for space and having a clean setup so Id go with option 2 in your situation

 

[vladi627 10+ year member]

agreed, since you need the space you should go with the one amp to power everything.

 

[rlm1014 10+ year member]

What would be the main draw back with one amp? Running it hot?

 

[PaulD 10+ year member]

there are alternative places to mount amps other than the trunk, and you can do IB style subs in the trunk if you want to save space.

 

[rlm1014 10+ year member]

I have looked into the infinite baffle design. My car is a 2008 Nissan Altima. There is plenty of trunk space and one of the best places to mount an amp is where the spare tire is. You have to remove some of the foam there but, the amp breathes just fine. However, there is only room for one there.

 

[Alex JB 10+ year member]

If you have almost no cash and no space, ditch powering the rear stage, bridge rear 2 into 1 and run a small sub off that?

An 8 or 10 would work in a darn small sealed box that could be removeable, or shaped to take up space that is not regularly used (panel out a side well).

If you have a 2008 car you must have some cash...

You could sell it, buy a 2001 and build a ground pounder with the cash from the sale!

 

[rlm1014 10+ year member]

I appreciate your advice. The new car was bought due to my VW Passat being ran over by a semi truck and trailer...with me in it BTW. So, I did not really have a choice. Plus, it is a great car of which I will not be selling.

I like having some rear stage without all bass though. Anyhow, I think I am going with a 6 channel amp using the 4 channels for me comps and coaxials and bridging the last two channels for a subwoofer. That is if someone buys my NEW Rockford Fosgate T400.4. Just sayin! Thank you guys for all of the info and help. I'll update when I decide.

 

[PaulD 10+ year member]

I put an 8" sub in each front door so I wouldn't give up any trunk space in my daily driver

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

I put an 8" sub in each front door so I wouldn't give up any trunk space in my daily driver

so no bad vibrations? how is the low end response?

 

[rlm1014 10+ year member]

I put an 8" sub in each front door so I wouldn't give up any trunk space in my daily driver

And that is how I did my VW with great results. I put a lot of sound dampening in though.

so no bad vibrations? how is the low end response?

Well, it WAS great, before my VW was ran over by a semi. Honestly, I really loved it. However, I will not being doing all of that work for this car. I think a sub in the trunk can be done with minimal space.