The title really explains the gist of my deal. I have an '07 F-150 XL RegCab that I want to add a pair of 10's and an amp to. Not changing the head unit until later, just want some bump for now. I'm an audio engineer by profession so sound quality is a semi-big deal...but I also want loud as hell. I know it's hard to stay on the cheap side when you want loud as hell plus clean as hell. So I'm looking for a tolerable medium...or I might even just go straight dirty and loud...dunno yet. So far I've found a box from SuperCrewSound. I'm thinking of putting a pair of Kicker subs in it...dunno about the amp. It's been a long time since I've been into this sort of thing and I don't know what is good and what is crap on the market these days. If possible I'd like to stay around $350 total...but I know that may be stretching it, for anything decent that is.

I'm able to install it all myself, I use to do that for a living a handful of years ago so no worries about install costs. I listen to mostly rock (Weezer, Green Day, etc.) and metal (Pantera, Strapping Young Lad, etc.), and when I'm by myself I listen to a lot of country (Garth Brooks, McGraw, etc.) and Texas music (Cross Canadian Ragweed, etc.). I'm already planning on installing a trim **** on/under the dash to handle the sub volume from the driver's seat, since I listen to varying kinds of music (e.g. for country I'd probably turn the sub up, metal turn it down...bla bla).

Anyway, I've noticed that Kicker has a lot of subs to choose from (my job dealt with Audiobahn, Pioneer, Sony and another brand I can't remember) and like I said I don't know what is good. Or maybe I should go with another sub company altogether? What's the best cheap sub on the market? Amp?

My wife's car is an 02 Toyota Corolla. I installed a Kicker Comp 10" sub into a single 10" box and a Rockford-Fosgate Punch amp pushing it...that thing is freakin' LOUD. That whole setup only ran me about $125...granted the sub and amp were second-hand, but still. I put that setup in there over two years ago and it's still going strong to this day.

~LiM

 

If you have experience with the Kicker Comp subs, and like them, then you might as well go with them so you know what your getting. If you think your wifes single one is loud, just wait till you add a second
Id move up to the CompVR line instead of just the Comp line though...More power handling, louder, little nicer IMO. They arent real spectacular on the sound quality side, but they arent totaly horrible. For what they cost they are pretty loud and not to bad though.

Here you can get them new for 90 bucks a piece....
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=2448

180 dollars there, so that leaves 170 for a decent amp....which will be damn near impossible unless you find a used one.

Next thing is finding an amp that does around 500-800 watts for the remaining part of your budget. Pretty hard to do.

Here is something from the same place that would work well
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...roduct_ID=5308
Only 20 bucks over budget then.

If you do Ebay you could find that stuff a lot cheaper Im sure. Or even find something of a little nicer quality for the same price.

Wiring is going to be about another 40 bucks or so for a decent 4 gauge kit.

 

Hmm, no kidding. I didn't even think of how loud TWO of those would be. Her's is seriously loud as hell...we hardly ever turn the stereo up any higher than just over wind noise just because the sub is rediculous.

One thing I've been thinking about though is that her setup is kinda dirty. As in, it's not very articulate or defined...it's a helluva thump, don't get me wrong, and it's as loud as anyone that isn't competing should want, but when you get into metal music, definition is a big deal. And at times (she listens to some rap) it's as though the sub can't handle the frequencies. I'm pretty sure it's response should be down to 20Hz, but maybe I just need to adjust the amp's filter. I dunno.

Anyway, I will definitely look into going with the same type of setup (Kicker) and I was hoping to get everything new, but if it's used and works then I've got not problems. Her entire setup (minus the wiring and box) is all used stuff and like I said, it's been 2+ years.

I wonder if having two 10's would be overkill in a regular cab F-150?

~LiM

 

EDIT: Found my answer.

~LiM

 

Whats overkill????

 

Very easy to get the stock HU out.

Open the cupholder that pops out of the dash under the radio. Now you should be able to get your fingers undernieth the plastic trim peice that goes around the radio and holds the HVAC controls. Pull it straight out from the dash, its a little snug, just be carefull and you will be fine. Once its off you will need to unplug the little harness at the top for the passengers airbag light, then you can rotate the whole piece down and out of the way.

Now there are just four small screws that need to come out (I believe they are 7mm, cant remember for sure) and you can pull the HU straight out of the dash.

 

Glad you mentioned that, I remember someone saying that music is only as good as it's source. Unfortunately our stock head unit leaves something to long for. If I could chime in I could recommend an Audio Control LC6i or LC7. The LC7 will allow you an aux input for those who want to include an I pod. Also the LC7 will allow you to have sub level control. PS I swear I don't rep for Audio Control

On the note on subwoofers I was actually able to hear a f150 with (2) ID8's
http://www.woofersetc.com/index.cfm?...t=account_name
the key to the install was in the box itself. So instead of buying a prefab box just build one yourself. I'm sure you'll find plenty of information out there on how to do that.

The only obstacle is to find an amp to power those two within the budget A used JL 500/1 would power that nicely.

Thats my long two cents, hope it helped!
-Ben

 

if your gonna spend 90 bucks per sub on some tens, i suggest these:

http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/pro...products_id=30

they are great subs and will be louder and more clear then those kickers. perform well in small enclosures too, which is what your setup will contain.

 

Louder than a CVR? doubtfull with all else being equal. But better sounding, definatley.

 

Alright, that site with the CVR's freakin' rocks. How about this amp by Rockford Fosgate? It has a wired bass remote that is included...so that's one less thing I have to buy/worry about. My wife has a PUNCH amp...it's pretty small but like I said it definitely gets the job done.

Thoughts?

~LiM

 

That amp WILL work, but its not pushing a whole lot of power...would only be 150 watts to each speaker. ONE of those subs is a good match power wise, personally I would want to be pushing more power than that to a pair of CVRs.

About the remote. I would find an amp with a remote gain, which will allow you to play with the gain on the amp from the drivers seat to control output.
Bass boost is the devil Using a remote bass boost is not a good way to get more or less output.