ok this is my first system (on my first car, my tC yeah!), so i don't wanna spend a bunch. under $500, w/ installation, if possible :/, not sure if it is. i'm not looking for like super good stuff, but i don't wanna waste my money. i've done a bunch of research tonight, and this is what i came up with.

one of these subwoofers (and i'm gonna get another one when i get the money)
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&oid=85037&m=1

and this amp
http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&oid=86766&m=0

i know everyone hates sony, but from the stats at least it looks like they are good for my application. if anyone has any better suggestions, that would be appreciated. also, is there any other things i would have to buy that i'm overlooking? and how much would installation be (approx) at circuit city? i wanna do it there cuz i trust them. oh and for enclosures i was gonna put two boxes (eventually), one on each side of the trunk. i hope i can still get to the spare...

 

I would get a better, more powerful amp that could power the two subs that youll eventually have....

That amp only gives you 250 bridged. You should be running at least 300 per channel....unless you can get 2 amps taht bridge to 300 cheaper...up to you...


As far as the subs go, This is what I have, and the reason that i choose them is because i get really tight bass that i need for te jazz etc.. that i listen to. If youre looking for more boom and budunkadunk then go with something diff. possibly the punch series or something, but the xplods wont get you taht....


As far as boxes go, circuit city has some of the best prices on the sealed 10" qLogic's check em out if thats what you want...



my .02 - Ibiza

 

are you planning on replacing the head unit? i also wouldn't order online. go to a local shop.. for what you pay in ship you can get the equip and install at a shop. plus you can haggle a little at a shop. i have yet to go to a shop that hasn't said "well let me look i might be able to do the subs for a better price". also check out the second hand shops sometimes you find hidden treasures. as far as equip i like rockford and JL audio is real good for the price (very reasonable).as far as amps you dont need a lot of power in the tc to get a good sound it is a hatchback (they always sound better)

 

yeah i'm gonna keep the stock unit, at least for a while, cuz i persuaded my dad to buy the 6 cd changer, and he would be ____ed if i sold it or whatever after having the car less than a month. and yeah i thought the amp wasn't powerful enough, but i read the reviews and ppl said like "i powered my 2 12"s with this amp and it hit mad hard!" and i was like wtf that does NOT sound like enough watts rms. but anyway, thanks. i really like the subs, they seem pretty good for my car. and i'm def going to the store, no reason for me to order online when i need them installed anyway. and does this void any part of the warranty?

 

i have two rockford p2 10'' subs(for sale) and a kenwood 350 watt amp(for sale), but anyways i had the in my VW gti and they sounded great. i just think i'll go for less boom in my tc just a pure sound system. hope i was helpful

 

yeah i want more clarity and less overall noise, i think 300 watts rms will be fine, especially with 2. if one is enough, i might not even get the second one. we'll see. i think this amp looks better, more expensive, 4 channel, but bridged it's 300 watts rms to each channel.

http://www.circuitcity.com/detail.js...&oid=76492&m=1

 

PM Autosound on this site for some of the best suggestions.

Find Arc products. single arc sub, single arc amp = thump and clarity. It's what people who "know" use.

Otherwise, I was once in your boat and could offer my two cents free of charge. Buy something simple. A powered Bazooka or Infinity BassLink. And a single amp for your stock speakers, this will DEFINATELY last you until you are on par with the money you'll want to spend on your "next" system.

Choice number two, which I'm doing, is just wait until you have your money together, then walk in to your custom audio shop, lay your cash on the table, and tell them to go to work.

Choice three, buy cheap, and do the work yourself.

Hope this helps. And good luck.

 

if i were you, and i was you at one point not too long ago, then i would go with an image dynamics IDQ 12" dvc subwoofer. they take 350 watts rms, hit nice, clean, hard (in the xB, lots of extra air.) and are incredibly affordable.

I do not think you will be happy with sony subwoofers. If you're going for "check these out, don't they look cool?" then yeah, that's a good route, but if you want some serious SQ, then get something relatively quality. you'll look kinda lame if you show them off then they sound like crap.

i know where you're coming from, i'm in highschool and made my system earlier this year. I am currently running an ID MAX in a ported box with focal separates and a pioneer hu, i'm extremely happy with the IDMAX on all types of music, boomy and tight, and i think this is the kind of quality you can expect from a image dynamics. Also, i got my sub set up for ~ 500, 250 for the MAX, and 250 for a hifonics BX1500D. Both have been very good to me.


everyone says you get what you pay for, in the audio industry, it's true, just find good products for cheap on ebay, and you'll be happy.

 

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22109


check out this thread and tell me that doesn't sound attractive....best buy always has cheap systems and their installation rates aren't bad either...

 

www.caraudioforum.com

Saved my life, my car, and my wallet. Sony = satan

 

Oh and please please please NEVER buy from an actual store unless you seriously cannot install it yourself.

Unless you're ordering from crutchfield, you'll almost always be able to get a product around 20%- to 40% less online. At least. Save yourself some money.

 

My current system booms pretty good, but I'm selling it. I got bigger and better plans in the works for my system.

-Z