Thinking of putting in a Sub

[dasmurph]

So I would really like to put a sub-woofer in my '07 new beetle. I have the standard monsoon sound system which is pretty much all I need, I just want a woofer so I don't blow out a speaker. Couple of questions...Can I add a sub without replacing the whole stereo? (can I keep the monsoon) and do I need an Amp? Also, will best buy or a place like that be able to install it or do you guys have any suggestions? I don't even know where to begin but it's something I'm thinking about

[dnyed]

Bill put an amp and/or sub in our 2003 TDI. It had the stock Monsoon, and it sounded awesome. It did not blow the speakers. And, it was UP most of the time!

But, it did take up much of the trunk space.

[dasmurph]

Thanks for your help Debbie! I never have anything in my car so I'm not too worried about the trunk space. I'm just wondering if I NEED an amp and where I should at buying the stuff. I don't want to spend a ton and I never really listen to my radio too loud, I mainly want it to enhance the sound and have the bass go to the sub rather than my poor speakers handle it all

[Toad]

A sub wil need and amp. There's no way around it. If you wire one into the monsoon amp, it will make sound, but it won't be as loud as it needs to be, and will probably just sound totally horrible all the way around.


if you want something small and efficient, i'd reccomend an all-in-one type sub/amp box. like one mady by infinty, kenwood (i'm not sure of they make one anymore), etc...

Do some pricing, see what kind of combo you can come up with, you're gonna need a: sub, box, amp, and wiring kit.

Obviously, the sub and sub box need to be the same size, and the wiring kit can be 8 gauge if the amp is under 400 watts, if it's over 400 watts, i'd reccomend a 4 gauge kit.

You're going to either need a speaker to line level converter, or an amp that has speaker level inputs.

That's enough to get you started.

[dasmurph]

Originally Posted by Toad

A sub wil need and amp. There's no way around it. If you wire one into the monsoon amp, it will make sound, but it won't be as loud as it needs to be, and will probably just sound totally horrible all the way around.


if you want something small and efficient, i'd reccomend an all-in-one type sub/amp box. like one mady by infinty, kenwood (i'm not sure of they make one anymore), etc...

Do some pricing, see what kind of combo you can come up with, you're gonna need a: sub, box, amp, and wiring kit.

Obviously, the sub and sub box need to be the same size, and the wiring kit can be 8 gauge if the amp is under 400 watts, if it's over 400 watts, i'd reccomend a 4 gauge kit.

You're going to either need a speaker to line level converter, or an amp that has speaker level inputs.

That's enough to get you started.

Thanks man, you pretty much rock my world

[marvins_dad]

Here's what I did...
http://www.lsmsaaa.org/antoine/Marvin-Sub_install.htm

Tapped into some lines to add outputs for the amp.

[Evanrude]

In my opinion....

Here's the deal... I think you should get an MTX BUG10A or Bug10.. you know that new box I got for my Beetle I was going on about in my thread the other day? It's shaped for the rear of the Beetle. Now, the Bug10A box is different than mine, in that it also has a built in MTX ClassD 200 watt amplifier to support the MTX 10" subwoofer.

So in the back of your car, it looks clean and perfectly tidy...


Now, the Bug10A can go in prices from 300-500. They also make a Bug10, without the amplifier, and then you can choose your own amplifier like I did. But I was also lucky to get the box for $50, and the amp for $100 (really nice Pioneer).. and the Fosgate P2 10" for trade for something I already had.

But I would swear by these.. they sound awesome. And JDesigns has the BUG10A in his with the MTX amp and sub, and it sounds just as good.

You just missed , just over a week ago, an orger here sold one of the Bug10A's on ebay.. went for 61 bucks in the end. Sorry man :/

There (is) one of the non-amplified versions on ebay, brand new, for $270, with free shipping from a verified, excellent seller.

http://cgi.ebay.com/MTX-THUNDERFORM-...QQcmdZViewItem

That would be my choice. The other option is to have some speaker box rattling around your trunk that wasn't meant for it, or buy one of the wheel-well sub systems, but those run in the 600-700 range with the replacement floor.

The nice thing about the MTX, is that it has two rubber plugs that mount to the car, and they hold the box in place. But if you need to move it, you just tip your back-seat forwards, and the box comes free. When you are done, set the box in place, pull the seat up , and the box is once again clamped in place.

If you want to hear mine this weekend, let me know, and we can meet up to demo it

Now, the only thing to consider is this. If you get the Bug10A, it does not come with a Bass-control. Which means, since you have a stock stereo, you won't have too much control over "bass output" to the sub. You'd either have too much bass at some points or not enough at other points. If you get the Bug10, non amplified, then you could choose a nice amp like an Alpine, MTX, or Rockford Fosgate, that would also come with a "Bass Control", which is a small knob that would mount under the dash, OR, my choice , if you happen to have any little blank button-covers on the dash anywhere, pop out the cover, pop open the bass control, remove it's case, then drill a small hole in the blank-cover, install the knob, and insert the blank back into the dash. I did this for my buddies brand new Kia and it looked *sweet*. It looked like a very small factory installed knob.

If you have too much bass, you dial it down, not enough? Pump it up!

Ok, I'm babbling... back to work.

Re: Minor edit. The place in seattle, even though it is on their website, claims the do not carry MTX products any longer. Mark them off the list.

[marvins_dad]

Yeah -the MTX thunderform is def. the way I would have gone if I had the cash for it when I did mine. Even watched an amplified one go for around $100 the other day on Ebay.

[niki]

I know nothing about the Monsoon speakers but I know my sub and amp did horrific things to my stock speakers. They just can't handle the power any sub/amp is going to put out. If you're going to spend the money on getting a sub and amp, get some nice speakers too and you'll be amazed at the sound difference.

I only have a 10" in mine and it's plenty for me. Just ads enough bass to make it sound really good.

[dasmurph]

hmm...It seems this is just going to be way too much money to realistically put into the car. I'm leasing this car and even though I love the hell out of it, I have no intention of keeping it past the lease term (because it'll be out of warranty). I thought I could just get a sub and put it in (yes I'm stupid when it comes to electric stuff and the workings of new cars), but it looks like I'm going to have to shell out about $500 at least? I just can't see putting that into a sound system I'm only going to have another few years especially since money is low...Thanks For all of your guys' help though, means the world to me, WOOT!

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by niki

I know nothing about the Monsoon speakers but I know my sub and amp did horrific things to my stock speakers. They just can't handle the power any sub/amp is going to put out. If you're going to spend the money on getting a sub and amp, get some nice speakers too and you'll be amazed at the sound difference.

I only have a 10" in mine and it's plenty for me. Just ads enough bass to make it sound really good.

I'm not sure what you did, but you don't connect your sub & amp to your stock speakers

They run independently in the trunk. Now you can *ad* an amplifier to the system.. but it should still be just fine. I'm running my new Pioneer head-unit which is around 100-200 watts, THROUGH the Monsoon amplifier, so it's getting even MORE power... and the stock speakers sound amazing. Way better than with the Monsoon deck. The same was with my 1999 Beetle with the non-monsoon deck. I ran about 150 watts through the stock speakers and they sounded really nice, very clean.

The only something might happen is if you take an after-market amp of high-power and run it through the stock speakers.. then you could be looking at a really bad sound, not to mention blown speakers.

But almost everyone I know that has upgraded their stock monsoon (AND non-monsoon) systems, has run after-market decks through their stock speakers, and SOME have run amps as well, and they worked really well.

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by d_merry

hmm...It seems this is just going to be way too much money to realistically put into the car. I'm leasing this car and even though I love the hell out of it, I have no intention of keeping it past the lease term (because it'll be out of warranty). I thought I could just get a sub and put it in (yes I'm stupid when it comes to electric stuff and the workings of new cars), but it looks like I'm going to have to shell out about $500 at least? I just can't see putting that into a sound system I'm only going to have another few years especially since money is low...Thanks For all of your guys' help though, means the world to me, WOOT!

Hey yo David!!!

I completely forgot.. the Infinity Basslink systems. It's a 10" sub with an amplifier built in and they sound very nice! That is what we had wired in my buddies car that used the bass-control module. You can get that for about $130-150 ! Then you'd just need it installed. So you could land one and get it in for less than $200. And , it's mobile. So once your lease is up, pull it out and put it in another car.



I borrowed that image from google.. but as you can see, it comes with feet that could be used to screw it down so it doesn't move at all

They make a Basslink and a Basslink-II , one is 200 watts the other is 250. I know that the 200 watt version is very nice, and the Basslink-II is supposed to be better.

But as I said, you could get on and have it installed for less than $200.

[dasmurph]

Originally Posted by Evanrude

Hey yo David!!!

I completely forgot.. the Infinity Basslink systems. It's a 10" sub with an amplifier built in and they sound very nice! That is what we had wired in my buddies car that used the bass-control module. You can get that for about $130-150 ! Then you'd just need it installed. So you could land one and get it in for less than $200. And , it's mobile. So once your lease is up, pull it out and put it in another car.



I borrowed that image from google.. but as you can see, it comes with feet that could be used to screw it down so it doesn't move at all

They make a Basslink and a Basslink-II , one is 200 watts the other is 250. I know that the 200 watt version is very nice, and the Basslink-II is supposed to be better.

But as I said, you could get on and have it installed for less than $200.

That's pretty much exactly what I was looking for You'll have to tell me where I can get one 'cuz I want it! OH and if anyone happens to read this and can answer this question, that'd be awesome...If you have a satellite capable radio, can you get either XM or Sirius? My mom's stock Honda came with XM but she wants to subscribe to Sirius...is that possible?

[Evanrude]

From what I can tell... it's $100 LESS to buy it new online.

I called BestBuy down on Millplain and they sell them for $270 !!! OUCH. And Car Toys no longer has them, and Circuit City didn't have them either.

But, you can buy a brand new Basslink II (the upper end 250 watt model) WITH shipping costs for $190.

The Basslink II looks a bit different in design..




And the best part.. I had forgotten... the Basslink II has a slot-loading module that you can add later, it's like an $120, but it's a 4 channel amp that plugs right into you Basslink II, and would then provide 50 watts x4 to your front speakers. So it would be your complete package in one bundle!

[dasmurph]

that's awfully sexual...does it come with everything I'd need WITHOUT having to add the 4 channel amp though? I hope so teehee

[Evanrude]

Originally Posted by d_merry

that's awfully sexual...does it come with everything I'd need WITHOUT having to add the 4 channel amp though? I hope so teehee

Yes, you perv



The 4 channel is just an upgrade option down the road!

And why aren't you answering your phone!! I've called twice

[Evanrude]

I'd go this route... CLICK ME

The guy has 309 sales and 100 percent positive feedback!

[Toad]

Originally Posted by Toad

... if you want something small and efficient, i'd reccomend an all-in-one type sub/amp box. like one mady by infinty ...

It gets my approval.

[Lnzbug]

Originally Posted by Evanrude

Hey yo David!!!

I completely forgot.. the Infinity Basslink systems. It's a 10" sub with an amplifier built in and they sound very nice! That is what we had wired in my buddies car that used the bass-control module. You can get that for about $130-150 ! Then you'd just need it installed. So you could land one and get it in for less than $200. And , it's mobile. So once your lease is up, pull it out and put it in another car.



I borrowed that image from google.. but as you can see, it comes with feet that could be used to screw it down so it doesn't move at all

They make a Basslink and a Basslink-II , one is 200 watts the other is 250. I know that the 200 watt version is very nice, and the Basslink-II is supposed to be better.

But as I said, you could get on and have it installed for less than $200.

This is exactly what I have in my car. The sound is awesome! I'll have to ask John how he hooked it up. I don't have a stock head unit so it might not hook up the same. He did it so he can answer your questions. He got it in ebay real cheap too!

[niki]

Originally Posted by Evanrude

I'm not sure what you did, but you don't connect your sub & amp to your stock speakers

They run independently in the trunk. Now you can *ad* an amplifier to the system.. but it should still be just fine. I'm running my new Pioneer head-unit which is around 100-200 watts, THROUGH the Monsoon amplifier, so it's getting even MORE power... and the stock speakers sound amazing. Way better than with the Monsoon deck. The same was with my 1999 Beetle with the non-monsoon deck. I ran about 150 watts through the stock speakers and they sounded really nice, very clean.

The only something might happen is if you take an after-market amp of high-power and run it through the stock speakers.. then you could be looking at a really bad sound, not to mention blown speakers.

But almost everyone I know that has upgraded their stock monsoon (AND non-monsoon) systems, has run after-market decks through their stock speakers, and SOME have run amps as well, and they worked really well.

Stephen, if your amp and sub produce too much power for cheapy stock speakers to put out they'll die. As is the same case like if you were to just turn your bass up too much in your car even without a sub and amp... your speakers will eventually blow out because they can't handle all that power. And nicer speakers provide a nicer sound which, with buy a sub and amp, is what you're looking for anyway, right?

AND... I don't have a Monsoon in my lil Beetle. Just a dumb lil tape player and crappy lil speakers.