Hey guys and gals-

I've had my '06 xB for almost 2 years and am wanting to have a little more "umf" in the audio department. I'm just a poor working soul like everyone else, so I'm really trying to stay economical about this. I'm new to audio modifications (anything I know is what I've read) and need a little advice/direction from the experienced.

I have two 10" Alpine SWE-1041 with 200 watts RMS. I'm looking at the Power Acoustik TS620-2 amp because it fits in my price range and I want to have a bass remote wired in the front of the xB (when the ipod hits the folk genre, mucho bass isn't too cool sounding). This amp is 150w x 2 RMS @ 4 Ohms; 180w x 2 RMS @ 2 Ohms. DOES ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR AMP AND DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY BETTER/ECONOMICAL SUGGESTIONS?
Also, I have the basic factory Pioneer HU which is going to have to stay for the meantime. I'm looking at the two options to hook up the amp. The first being the more expensive of the two, the amp adapter plug that hooks into the head unit. The second option being the cheaper high low RCA line converter that connects to the rear speakers. ANY ADVICE ON WHICH IS BETTER/MORE BENEFICIAL? I don't mind footing the extra $40 or so on the first option if it is better.

IS IT NECESSARY TO HAVE A .5 or 1.0 FARAD CAPACITOR FOR THIS AMP WATTAGE? I don't know car audio, so I don't know if the alternator can handle this with no side effects.

I know ideally I'd love to replace the HU and factory speakers, but I can't afford to right now. I'm not the boom boom all the way down the street kind of gal, but I love to listen to my music and there is certainly a variety, including stuff with nice bass lines. Any advice from you pros would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!

Also, any reports on sub boxes under the front seats would be good too. I'm not concerned with them getting dirty under there or anything. I keep my toaster so you could eat off the floor. I just want to know if it screws with the audio up front too much because it's so close to the front speakers. I'll be sound deadening very soon, but any help with the other stuff would be awesome.

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1. The Power Acoustik amp will work with the mentioned Alpine subs. Any amplifier, including mono amps, that will produce up to the 300-400 watts RMS @ 2 Ohm range would be suitable with these particular Alpine subs. The amp does not need to be a multi-channel stereo amp to run two or more subs since sub frequencies are non-directional.
2. The Line Output Converters or LOCs that attach at the back of the HU are the best choice if you intend to replace the HU at a later time. Having the RCA cabling already run to the adapter/LOCs will mean less work when it comes time to swap HUs in the future.
3. Don't waste money on a capacitor. You are not running anything that should drain enough current from the stock charging system to warrant a capacitor or larger battery.
4. Under-seat enclosures should do fine for these woofers provided that the enclosures are the right size. These Alpine subs will perform best each in a sealed enclosure that is approximately .65 to .75 cubic feet after basket displacement. Elemental Designs (www.elementaldesigns.com) does make some under-seat enclosures that may work for you.
Believe it or not, having your subs up front actually produces a BETTER, more realistic sound stage. Most Sound Quality Audio competitors go to great lengths to include subs up front. Having the subs under the front seats will leave you with plenty of cargo space in the rear while still maintaining a full, sub-included sound system.
Let me know if you have any further questions. I'll do what I can to help.

 

THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH FOR ADDRESSING EACH ONE OF MY CONCERNS! Your contribution to my dilemmas will help very much.

 

I don't have much experience with Power Acoustic myself. They are definitely in the lower quality category in terms of stereo equipment, but if that's all your budget allows, then anything is USUALLY better than nothing. I personally would look for more quality products on sale, but that is up to you.
One other point on the amp that you mentioned. That amp accepts high and low level inputs, so you won't need a LOC, since the amp has one built in. Basically you can tap off the speaker level outputs from the radio and run speaker wires to the amp for your signal input. The amp probably comes with a harness that allows the connection to the amp. On a budget, that will save you a few more $$$.

 

Well, I am not an audiophile by any chance... And I am actually requesting help myself.

I asked on another forum about amps and I got a great response about "Profile" amps from millionbuy.com

Their prices are great and Profile seems to have great reviews.