Hey guys,

So I bought a JVC KD-HDR50 recently to replace my stock head unit, and have it all hooked up. I had some issues at first with getting the subwoofer hooked up (the 10 inch Bazooka VSE sub for my 2005 Scion tC), but after buying a wire harness and splicing it in my subwoofer now has power and is making noise.

The problem is, it's not making nearly as much noise as it used to.

The sub is connected via RCA/low level cables. I read that there is Hi Level (through the front speakers) As well but low level is supposed to be a better quality? And I think that's the only way I can connect it anyway, but I'm not totally sure.

I checked all the connections again, they seem to be good. I changed the subwoofer settings in the HDR50 head unit. I turned the **** up almost all the way on the sub itself. It's still maybe half as loud, if that, of how it used to be with the stock head unit.

So my question is.. what's going on? Is the head unit not good for subwoofers (I can't fid anything saying that online)? Could by RCA cables be bad (can't imagine that would really be the cause but). Is something wrong with the sub? The wiring?

I'm just not sure what to check, and can't imagine it's supposed to be this way. So I'm wondering if anyone else has subwoofer experience with the HDR50, and how does it sound? And what about the VSE subwoofer with any other head unit, how is it?

And most imporantly, what can I check to try and make it sound better?

 

the amp inside the vse sub acts like a High-Low converter, it takes High signals and converts them to low frequency bass, if you have them connected to the Headunits Low frequency outputs, its gonna sound like crap

you can either tap into the high frequency front speakers and hope it fixes the issue, or do what i plan on doing, gut out the stock amp in the vse sub, and run a small external amp through the headunits rca cables to power the bazooka sub!

 

I spoke to Bazooka this morning and they said it should sound the same even with using the low level? They suggested it could be 'out of phase', and to hit the switch on the amp, which I did. Still pretty lousy. I'm going to splice the hi-lev wires in later and see if it makes any difference.

 

I just rewired the subwoofer to use the hi-level inputs and it definitely sounds better! Still not what it was but good enough until I come up with another solution, like an external amp that you mentioned. But those cost money!

 

im sorry i really don't like bazooka i think they're like fisher price subs, but for the price why not right? lol

 

Lol, they are descent subs. Did you get the one that is powered? I know it always good to run rca's if it has it.