small powered sub reccomendation

[perkelv]

I'm expecting to take delivery of a new vehicle next month, and plan to change out the stock audio Head unit.
The vehicle will be a crossover (Nissan Qashqai) and i will be keeping the stock speakers (for a while anyway since i was told they are pretty decent).

I want to keep things pretty simple but want to fill out the low end with quality bass that will not shake any windows, either mine or neighboring vehicles !!! From what I've looked at, i believe a small powered sub woofer will work for me, the smaller and less obtrusive the better.

Naturally there is a trade off between size and power but like i said, i don't want to rattle any bones. In fact i am almost satisfied with the setup in the car i have now with a couple JL audio coax in front and JL audio 6x9s in the back. Could use just a bit more bass but i'm living with it.

I've never used a sub in any previous install i had (my first deck was an 8 track so that should age me .. lol ... !!) so i have a couple questions:
1. From practical experience can you detect any real difference between an 8 inch versus a 10 inch unit?
2. Right now, I am looking at either the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-5J3D0WIJ1pp/p_777B8PTD/Sound-Ordnance-B-8PTD.html
or the Infinity BassLink
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-5J3D0WIJ1pp/p_108BASSLIN/Infinity-BassLink.html
Are any of these available locally?

I'll be keeping the stock door speakers but putting in Kenwood's previous top of the line HU with Garmin navigation (DNX-9980)
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-5J3D0WIJ1pp/p_613DNX9980/Kenwood-Excelon-DNX9980HD.html?cc=01#overview-tab
The HU has all the bells and whistles plus some:
7 5Vpre-amp outs (including sub), 22W RMS/ch(50W peak), DTA digital time alignment, crossover setup with frequency and slope etc etc

So bottom line (no pun intended) is that i need to provide good rich bass with this setup without a huge box!!

Any suggestions appreciated.

[SR]

is the deck going to be powering the door speakers?

[perkelv]

Yes. I wasn't planning to use any amplifiers.

[perkelv]

So where's a good place to look around locally for good quality powered sub-woofers. I normally buy most stuff online, but i figure given the taxes and weight etc, it might be better to purchase locally.

[handsomeRob2837]

Check d car audio place in Valpark. Good quality stuff there

[perkelv]

Check d car audio place in Valpark. Good quality stuff there

Will do ... they are not too far ... bought an Alpine HU from them long ago, but haven't been there for a while.
Thx for the reminder.

[kurpal_v2]

Check d car audio place in Valpark. Good quality stuff there

Will do ... they are not too far ... bought an Alpine HU from them long ago, but haven't been there for a while.
Thx for the reminder.

Ask them about JL audio stealth boxes.


Post a pic if possible when you change the headunit as well. I'm contemplating if to get a dash kit or no if I stay with a double din in the qashqai.

[perkelv]

I finally got the Qashqai, and a sub after a couple months delay. Got the audio guys at Neal and Massy to install the Kenwood HD and a kicker 12 inch powered.
It's a bigger unit than i had originally considered but i have no regrets ... that thing seriously kicks.
For someone who's not into really loud and heavy i surprise myself as i keep cranking up the volume ..

Great sound even with stock speakers. But i'm looking for more now and thinking of changing those too!

Post a pic if possible when you change the headunit as well. I'm contemplating if to get a dash kit or no if I stay with a double din in the qashqai.

Unit looks pretty good except that kenwood now uses the dark shiny piano black on the new units rather than the softer grey from a couple years back.
Some quick and dirty shots of the install ...








The kicker 11ph12 can be taken out of the trunk in a few seconds, if i need the extra space.!!

[kurpal_v2]

Wow that dash looks diff without the oem radio

[Aimar]

This might just suit your need!
http://intl.jlaudio.com/pwm110-jxwxv2-c ... tems-93248

[perkelv]

This might just suit your need!

Thanks, but I got the one shown in the last picture - Kicker 11ph12

On another note, i have been reading that a lot of times people get disappointed after they change out stock speakers to high quality replacements. Apparently because the high quality replacements (I'm thinking about using JL Audio or Image Dynamics) need more power than the stock door speakers and the head unit will struggle to power them without approaching distortion.

The Kenwood in the picture puts out 50W peak on spec, but from all reports are just about 16W RMS in practice.

I was really trying to avoid the hassle of a separate amp, but in the event i have to go with one, what would you guys recommend for a good quality 4-channnel amp available locally to drive a pair of Image dynamics CTX65 in front and rear?

As usual i'm interested in SQ more than power!!

BTW kurpal when you say it looks different without the OEMs you mean different "bad" ?
It actually looks better than in the picture.

[kurpal_v2]

Na man it's not bad at all. It just totally transforms my thought of that area since I'm so accustom to the orange display on the headunit lol.


Personally I really like the speakers the van came with but if I ever decided to upgrade them I'd proberly look to dls locally

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=548208

Take pics if you do change your speakers!

[perkelv]

I visited Kaizen in Curepe and i can get a pretty decent deal on some Image Dynamics gear-
ID CTX65 coax for rear door
ID CTX6.5 CS components for up front
ID i4500 460Watt i-series Amp

Before i bite the bullet and go that way, can anyone here vouch for them based on stuff they installed? Seemed pretty knowledgeable, but nothing beats experience.

Also anyone here had experience with the ID i-series amps? I'm not seeing many reviews online, unlike the speakers where i've seen tons of great recommendations for them, in terms of the quality you get for the price.