Flat/thin Subwoofers or Subs - Info and guidance ?

I agree that Philips is no bad thing (they used to make great top end amps back in the day (early 90s DAP gear) which now goes for near nothing and IMO represents great value, especially when the Alpine 3500 series (what the DAP amps are based on/same as) go for alot more. And yes, you can tune some speakers to do bass or buy dedicated bass speakers (like the Genesis Profile 69s, and some of the CDT 6" bass units, both (although those CDTs are great) do an acceptable job for midbass, and CDTs the lower stuff.

I feel we're both saying the same thing, but are going about it different ways.

As for tweeters pointing at your ear, that is very dependent on the tweeter in question. Some tweeters work great like that, others (like Focals) will have your ears bleeding within minutes (not literally :lol:).

As for you hearing the bass from the sub, the problem is not the sub, but the setup of the system. Midbass you should hear from the fronts in a well setup system, and the sub should integrate seamlessly with the fronts. The last part is tricky to do, but nothing a a bit of fine tuning can sort. I used to listen to Terry Wogan, and (sometimes) Vine, and had no problems with the bass from the sub causing 'tub thump'. The stock subs in cars I found did do this, but of course, they offer no adjustment.

I tried in my Pug to get bass, and to be honest, below 400Hz, I have one massive hole, as with engines, there is no replacement for displacement when it comes to subs.

What makes me go for a sub now is that it is miles easier to take a sub out come resale time and sell the car off as it came from the showroom, as opposed to trying to fix rear holes (where they were not originally) or taking off door panels etc.

Just my 2p anyway .

Oh another tip would be to have a look at some blaupunkt gear on ebay, their headunits have hardware that reduces distortion on your speakers, I had one in a clio with standard speakers it sounded very nice. As for an MR2, we put a pair of Sony 4" co-axals in the dash and fitted kenwood 6x9 subs behind the seats amped it all up with an Alpine V power 4ch amp and used an Alpine CD player, we also used dynomat in the doors and rear firewall and the results were really good. To sum this thread up I would say for a quick fix use a sub but personally if I had to give my boss a lift and he put his laptop in the boot and saw a big grisley sub box with wires sprouting out I would be embarassed. A much richer, detailed sound can be achieved with dynomat and quality gear. Yes you can make a pair of 6.5" components thump in the doors when tuned right, IMO the bass sounds better when its coming from the doors and not your ass.

Wow, this thread has really developed now.

There is clearly a lot of experience and knowlege here.

In fact, I feel quite OLD now .

See if you can set them to run 33hz then get a lady to sit on the gaming chair. See if the rumour is true.

;D I didn't say I was an expert, experience has taught me well, trust me, I used to fit subs in everything with number plates rattling and rear view mirrors shaking, I think the turning point was when I had a Omega Estate that was full of Philips gear from the factory, no sub just big ole components and an amp under the seat. and all I did was change the headunit to a cd changer and fit the steering wheel control adapter and Goldfrapp's Supernature album was sweet inside that car. Its all about cutting road noise out. Cars are the worst place to achieve sound quality, but subs don't have to be the way. If you want to do all that SPL stuff and the 150db goals fine, but for everyday use I'm not floging anyone a lemon and you shouldn't so blatantly write my advice off.

I don't think the original post was about big tunes which is why I advised accordingly, I could advise anyone how to build a competition system and advise them very well but that wasn't the original question was it?

Original question was about underseat subwoofers, are they good, and my answer is high quality components run off a decent amp are better, am I right? Who knows but what I do know is its my opinion which I was asked to give. We're not talkin about balls out installs are we?

In this instance, as in this thread right now my advise is relevant.

Thanks Lexx, and the rest of you guys.

I have a few weeks before the car comes, and clearly need to look at all options, but I am not spending silly money, I just want more than the standard fitment offers.

I am sure I will do a small thread in the other modifications part fo the site.

ooo tell me more about your A4, my old 1.9TDi had rainbow components up front and a pioneer head unit, which sounded OK but the front door cards couldnt really carry the base very well.

my new one has the bose 8 speaker job (components up front, rear shelf and rear door speakers) but the rear deck speakers are blown; and are annoyingly 2ohms so finding a replacement is pretty tricky!