The IT Trader

The correct car audio subwoofer will add that deep rich sounding bass that is missing from any OEM car sound system. As you might guess, good sound quality will depend upon selecting the correct subwoofer for your specific vehicle. The shopper really has to spend some time doing research and deciding exactly what type of sound he wants to create.

The shopper first should decide upon what size subwoofer he wants to install. 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.
In most cases, your available space will tell you how large a sub enclosure you might install and this will lead you to the correct subwoofer selection. A custom subwoofer enclosure will make a great installation if available. 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.