Powered Bazooka Tube?

[biketsai]

I have a Non Bose system and im looking for stronger low notes. I dont want excessive bass that plays the bass that doesnt sound like its not with the music. What do yall think about a powered bazooka tube for me?

[Seerlah]

I am no expert when it comes to this stuff, but you could always just get a low wattage subwoofer. Or the bazooka tube. I myself have 2 subs in a bandpass box combined for 450w rms w/a 920 watt amplifier. Suits the stock speakers rather well.

[biketsai]

I am no expert when it comes to this stuff, but you could always just get a low wattage subwoofer. Or the bazooka tube. I myself have 2 subs in a bandpass box combined for 450w rms w/a 920 watt amplifier. Suits the stock speakers rather well.

See, ive thought about getting an 8-10" sub, but it seems liek alot of hassle and room to take up. maybe 50% of the time I have my bike in my trunk which takes up 2 passenger seats and the trunk leaving one of the passenger seats unfolded.

[03CrysBlueB6]

honestly... throw a little 10" in your trunk... a 10" would be perfect with a decent little amp.. i work at a car stereo shop.. and to fill out the stock system the system i ALWAYS run is one jl 10" 10w1v24 and a jl 200 watt amp.. A1200... together it equals about 300 bucks.. not including box... now you can also build a custom box and have it fiberglassed into the side of the trunk and throw a grill on the sub... looks sweet... sounds sweet... and you can keep stuff in the trunk. hope this helped.

[03CrysBlueB6]

oh one more thing.. the boxes usually start about 250 to fiberglass

[Seerlah]

Yeah, it def does take up a lot of space. I have 2 10" subs, but they are weak sauce. Another option is to just get a single sub and make a custom mount for it that could mount somewhere off to the side. I have seen pictures of people whom make mounts for the speakers to the left of the trunk (when looking at it from the rear).

edit: guy above me beat me to it

[JaVa]

bazooka tubes suck balls...... sorry but its true

[keeganhartman]

They do have higher powered bazooka tubes that really aren't too bad. or the mtx or infinity self amplified systems work moderately well too. Personally I like a single sub woofer well powered in a sealed box.


And roof racks love the shit out of holding onto bikes and aren't too expensive

[djwimbo]

They suck. I picked one up for a price I couldn't say no to, and it sucked A$$.

Go buy a single 8" or 10" and have that installed. If you're worried about space, 8" speakers only need ~.6-.8cu ft and you can hang the amp and sub underneath the rear window. There's plenty of room and you can still fit your bike in there.

[urban96]

They suck. I picked one up for a price I couldn't say no to, and it sucked A$$.

Go buy a single 8" or 10" and have that installed. If you're worried about space, 8" speakers only need ~.6-.8cu ft and you can hang the amp and sub underneath the rear window. There's plenty of room and you can still fit your bike in there.

thats what i just did with a 10" wedge truck style box, hung it from the rear deck. still have plenty of trunk space.

[biketsai]

thats what i just did with a 10" wedge truck style box, hung it from the rear deck. still have plenty of trunk space.

I saw the wedge things. Did you have to get like special harnesses and all for the install?

[urban96]

I saw the wedge things. Did you have to get like special harnesses and all for the install?

no special harnesses needed

i used one of these types of boxes



and an old mtx amp i had

first i removed the rear deck cover, made a cardboard template of where all the cutouts were on the rear decklid were so i knew where to drill the box for the bolts. Drilled the box and marked the cardboard of where the holes were then drilled the rear deck.

i also used a few pieces of foam between the box and deck to prevent rattles

and dont forget to use a bit of sealer on the inside of the box where the bolts are

[urban96]

or you could use a more squared one thats a little deeper and hang it more towards the drivers side so that you still have all the space on the passenger side

[djwimbo]

I saw the wedge things. Did you have to get like special harnesses and all for the install?

Are you using the stock headunit? If you're using a stock head unit and want to hook up an external amp there's some stuff you gotta buy.

[urban96]

Are you using the stock headunit? If you're using a stock head unit and want to hook up an external amp there's some stuff you gotta buy.

oo yea, im using an aftermarket deck with RCA outs.

I belive the rear speakers are self amplified right? so technically you would either need to put a line out converter on the front speaker wires or tap into the wires for the rears and splice in a set of RCA's since they already carry the pre amp signal thats needed

[biketsai]

Stock HU

[Seerlah]

Biketsai, could you not just replace the rear speakers with something more suitable w/amplifier. I know the rear speakers use 6.5" speakers. Couldn't you just replace the rear deck speakers to get what you are looking for? Then maybe bolt the amplifier to the undercarriage of the rear deck lid (or wherever you feel it best to place) instead of trying to mount a subwoofer plus box under there.

[djwimbo]

Then you would have to splice some wires. Not a big deal at all.

If you build your own box and buy a decent amp and sub you can keep it under $200-250 easily.(Including wiring and such)

[biketsai]

Definitely, thats what I wanted to do intentionally but I read all these threads about how difficult it is to add rear speakers. Any more info on this? BTW remember that i am non-bose too. I wouldnt mind getting some nice rear speakers and an amp to increase the sound of the low notes.

[urban96]

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/elec29.shtml

[Seerlah]

I am no expert, but it would basically be a rear speaker delete. Then replace the rear speakers with aftermarket ones and hook them up as you would any other subwoofer set up. And bolt the amplifier (aftermarket) to where you choose. I am sure there is more to it, but if you want to go that route you should be able to gather all the info you need from the above link and this one. I also read on a different thread that it would be better for you to not get the component speakers, but coaxial.

[biketsai]

I am no expert, but it would basically be a rear speaker delete. Then replace the rear speakers with aftermarket ones and hook them up as you would any other subwoofer set up. And bolt the amplifier (aftermarket) to where you choose. I am sure there is more to it, but if you want to go that route you should be able to gather all the info you need from the above link and this one. I also read on a different thread that it would be better for you to not get the component speakers, but coaxial.

Ill def look into this. How will the speakers get the audio and stuff?

[djwimbo]

Honestly if you're non-Bose and want to upgrade the speakers anyways, I'd look into an aftermarket head unit.

That will have everything you need to hook up to your stock wiring for the speakers and RCA output for external amplifiers. NTM any aftermarket speaker you want can be hooked up to factory wiring.

[gotaudi]

I think if space is an issue you should get a pair of pretty good component speakers, This is basically a mini open air sub and a tweeter, you throw two in the rear deck with an amp that accommodates and you will have a pretty good sounding system. you mount the amp up top under the deck and you will have nothing taking away from the trunk space.

[Seerlah]

Ill def look into this. How will the speakers get the audio and stuff?

I am no expert, but you would hook them up as you would any other set up (I assume). You would get an amp kit and run the power source from the battery (hiding the wires under the side panels). Ground it somehwre in the trunk and maybe splice into the stock speaker wires for imput (audio) to the amplifier (assuming that it could work).

[djwimbo]

I think if space is an issue you should get a pair of pretty good component speakers, This is basically a mini open air sub and a tweeter, you throw two in the rear deck with an amp that accommodates and you will have a pretty good sounding system. you mount the amp up top under the deck and you will have nothing taking away from the trunk space.

If you're upgrading to components why would you only put them in the rear?

It's not the best idea, but I modified my package tray on my first A4 to fit a set of 6x9's. Not as good as adding subs (which I did later), but it added a lot more depth to the setup.

If you're still looking for an all in one bass setup, but don't want to compromise space the Infinity Basslink setup isn't bad either. It actually makes some power and is smaller than a backpack.

Otherwise, skip the B/S and move into something you will be happy with for a long time. Look into the 5 channel amps. That way you can run a nice set of speakers all around, and a smaller sub to compliment the whole system.

[Seerlah]

I was just saying that the replacement of the rear speakers would be better than placing a subwoofer box mounted to the undercarriage of the rear deck.

He could do something really simple as a 10" or 12" sub with enough slack in the wires to move it in the space designated for the rear passengers feet when he needs the trunk space. Then maybe tuck the wires under the trunk carpet to make it a clean look when space is not needed and the sub is in the trunk. Maybe become even more creative and make mounting brackets for it on the back side of one of the fold down rear seats (that he would be able to remove the sub whenever he chose).

[biketsai]

Id rather go with upgraded rear speakers with an amp if that is easier. Im not a huge fan of subs.

[djwimbo]

you don't have to develop a Louisville lean out of the deal, adding in a single, smaller woofer can compliment a stereo very well.

You can get some great notes out of some 6.5" speakers, but nowhere near the clarity or response of a larger speaker.

[biketsai]

you don't have to develop a Louisville lean out of the deal, adding in a single, smaller woofer can compliment a stereo very well.

You can get some great notes out of some 6.5" speakers, but nowhere near the clarity or response of a larger speaker.

Gotcha. I just figured getting some new rear speakers and amp would be better on my pockets. I saw a Kicker L5 10" for sale and I wouldnt mind getting one of those.

[Seerlah]

Djwimbo is right about getting a 5 channel amp and just doing everything at once. You know how to do the rear speakers (or the DIY is rather straight forward), but it is the front speakers which are more tricky. Then you can add something in the trunk still for some extra bass, but if you get a proper set up would not even be needed. But the extra rumble always makes the drive more comfortable.

Well you have many routes. Do whatever you feel fits your budget, time, and what you think you would be able to tackle.

Edit: My subwoofers compliment my stock stereo very well. It is only 450rms, but does the job rather nice. Far from overkill

[biketsai]

Im gonna go check out my friends setup here pretty soon. Im thinking about getting a 10W3 JL 10" sub, some 300 watt amp, and then just tapping it into the rear speakers something, and then getting a line in. Does that sound right? Im kinda unsure about tapping it into the rear, is that right?

[Seerlah]

Mine are not tapped into the rear speakers. I am going to work on my car tommorow, so I can dismantle some panels to see where the inline comes from (I think from the deck itself) if you want. I had it professionally installed, but he is a really cool guy and let me hang inside the shop as he did my vehicle (tints and system at same time). But I believe he soldered a wire for the inline from the deck itself. If I do (check the leads for all wires) I will learn something new and tell you how mine is wired up.

[ILoveT]

I have RF rears. I don't think I have an AMP. They sound terrible. Just throwing that out there. The PO threw them on. IDK

[biketsai]

Verdict: Going with a 10" Sub for now. My friend with a passat says that he tapped his Amp to some line in the stock rears. Does this sound right?

[djwimbo]

It works. I've done it before and it sounded decent.