New to Car Audio, need some help with subs and new audio setup.?

Question

Hi there, I'm brand new to car audio and have a 1996 Mitsubishi Lancer MX with a stock tape deck and stock speakers. I really want to put in either some better speakers or a sub to get some more bass outta my car but have no idea how to go about doing it. As i commonly use the boot space what i need to know is if its possible to have a 'detachable' sub, i.e. one that i can just quickly take out the wires or unplug and take out. If i can i'd like to know how and how difficult it would be. If i do this do i also need an amp? If this isn't a good idea how much bass can i get out of some higher quality and higher powered rear speakers? and then again would i need to add an amp? And will any of this require a better head deck, coz all i use is a cassettee adapter with my ipod at the moment. Any help would be greatly appreciated. What happens at the moment is that the speakers dont get good bass and if i turn it up louder the speakers get rattly. Ive tried bass booster on my ipod and this makes the bass quality worse. Thanks heaps,

Answer 1

Changing your speakers will help you a lot.  I think you probably have the same problem that strikes many paper-cone factory speakers:  the surrounds around the cones tend to rot out, which creates serious distortion whenever the speaker tries to play bass.

If you're going to add a subwoofer, you'll need to use an amplifier with it.  If you don't mount the amp on the sub box, then it will be pretty easy to remove the sub; just disconnect the speaker wire and take the box out.  It's much easier to remove the sub box alone than to remove the box and amp together.

You can find amplified subwoofers, like Infinity's Basslink, that are designed for use with factory radios.  This would make an easier installation, but it would be harder to remove the sub.  If you use a separate amplifier / subwoofer setup, you'll need to pick an amp with high-level inputs, or buy a device called a line-output converter, in order to use it with your factory radio.

You don't necessarily have to upgrade your radio, but doing so will give you better control over your sound.  Many new after-market radios have built-in front auxiliary jacks for connecting an iPod, or have dedicated iPod control cables that let you leave your iPod in the glove box and display / control it through the head unit controls.

I'd start with replacing your speakers, then see how it sounds to you.  If you still aren't getting the bass you want, then add a subwoofer.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

ok right now i have a mercury cougar w/ a dual 10" sub and factory speakers and a VR3 200 watt amp and it sounds pretty good and alls i have to do is unhook the cables but u have to look to see if u have RCA outputs on the back of ur factory stereo. now for my chevy cav i have factory front speakers and kenwood 6x9s in the rear and it sounds pretty decent so try that and see what happens.for the box for the sub try to find something light weight if ur going to be removing it often