After retailing car audio subwoofers for decades, there is little question that the right subwoofer makes a world of difference in a vehicle’s sound system. Matching the correct components is very important to creating great sound. The shopper really has to spend some time doing research and deciding exactly what type of sound he wants to create.
Usually the best choice of a subwoofer will be made after considering the space available for your installation. Through the years, I’ve met many shoppers after they had made the wrong decision and were unhappy with the results. While car audio subwoofers are available today in sizes from six to fifth teen inches in diameter, shoppers are sometimes surprised at the volume produced by even the smallest of subs. A subwoofer’s capability to produce a certain amount of bass is dependent upon the amplifier as well as the subwoofer enclosure.
Available space usually dictates the size sub box that can be installed. Custom subwoofer boxes will produce excellent sound quality even from a wide range of subwoofers. A custom-fit subwoofer enclosure is a sub box that has been made to fit in an “out of the way” location and usually results in a factory look when installed.
The alternative to a custom box is a standard truck subwoofer box. Your choice of sealed or ported will be governed by the specifics of the subwoofer you select. To select the correct sub box, check your subwoofer’s specs. While ported enclosures generally produce louder bass, they also require more space then sealed boxes. So measure your install area first, match a subwoofer that you like to the boxes volume or air space.
The final step in adding a subwoofer is to match it to a good subwoofer amplifier. Again you have to check your subwoofer’s spec sheet to determine the proper power requirements. Don’t allow this procedure to deter you from adding a sub, the results are worth the effort. As you might guess, there are several variables in the selection process that I can’t discuss here. Be sure to click through to see detailed articles on selecting the correct components for a subwoofer installation.