Need opinions!

[TakeNoL]

I've been looking around to improve my sound system but i don't want to go all out. I came across these two powered subs and i would like your opinions!

-Kenwood KSC-SW11
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_113KSCS...4#overview-tab

and

Kicker 11HS8
http://www.crutchfield.com/S-sPcaMt0...er-reviews-tab

[husker741]

Are you just going for subs? Or a more complete sound? For $1100 (or $975 from some vendors) you can have the OEM Audio Plus system that is made for this car. 3 year/36,000 mile warranty if installed by the dealer.

http://www.oemaudioplus.com/frs.html

[TakeNoL]

Eventually ill swap out the speakers and get a new HU but for now i want a small sub with an amp inside

[cruzinbill]

Neither those are complete shit, if anything go with http://www.crutchfield.com/p_109GTPR...12.html?tp=114

They really are horrendous. Especially the kenwood unit.

[TakeNoL]

Now where could i place that so it won't be visible besides the trunk?

[cfusionpm]

Originally Posted by husker741

Are you just going for subs? Or a more complete sound? For $1100 (or $975 from some vendors) you can have the OEM Audio Plus system that is made for this car. 3 year/36,000 mile warranty if installed by the dealer.

http://www.oemaudioplus.com/frs.html

With some proper tuning, you can get pretty dang good sound out of the factory speakers and radio. I have a JL 10W3v3 running off an Alpine amp and it sounds fantastic. I have the radio set to Natural, Treble +3, Bass -1, and my amp settings at about +3db gain and LPF around 55hz. The sub and box combo only cost me $299, the amp usually goes for around $100 (I already had it from my old car), and the parts/labor/tax for install was another ~200. My OTD payment was $501.74 and I have clean sound and good thick bass. I can tune it to hit harder, but I love how it hits with the way I have it. I'm used to a 12" so I want a deeper sound; something you really can't get from an 8" and it's still pretty hard to get from a 10".

I've been praising this setup for a while because it's half the cost of OEM+ and nearly the quality. Also taking into account that at normal driving speeds, road/engine/wind noise will negate most of the gains in audio clarity from the more expensive systems. I'm a pretty big audiophile, and this suits my needs perfectly. The only thing I might change out is a new head unit with better EQ settings.



For an even better budget value, JL makes an all-in-one package very similar to mine (just uses a WX instead of a W3) and while it's about the same price as my box, it comes with an amp. JL makes some amazing stuff and I've never been disappointed by them. My old 12W3v1 lasted me 9 years of daily hard use before finally separating ring from cone. The 12W3v3 I got to replace it is currently living in my friend's car who loves it.



http://www.jlaudio.com/pwm110-jxwxv2...-systems-93248

[husker741]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

With some proper tuning, you can get pretty dang good sound out of the factory speakers and radio. I have a JL 10W3v3 running off an Alpine amp and it sounds fantastic. I have the radio set to Natural, Treble +3, Bass -1, and my amp settings at about +3db gain and LPF around 55hz. The sub and box combo only cost me $299, the amp usually goes for around $100 (I already had it from my old car), and the parts/labor/tax for install was another ~200. My OTD payment was $501.74 and I have clean sound and good thick bass. I can tune it to hit harder, but I love how it hits with the way I have it. I'm used to a 12" so I want a deeper sound; something you really can't get from an 8" and it's still pretty hard to get from a 10".

I've been praising this setup for a while because it's half the cost of OEM+ and nearly the quality. Also taking into account that at normal driving speeds, road/engine/wind noise will negate most of the gains in audio clarity from the more expensive systems. I'm a pretty big audiophile, and this suits my needs perfectly. The only thing I might change out is a new head unit with better EQ settings.



For an even better budget value, JL makes an all-in-one package very similar to mine (just uses a WX instead of a W3) and while it's about the same price as my box, it comes with an amp. JL makes some amazing stuff and I've never been disappointed by them.



http://www.jlaudio.com/pwm110-jxwxv2...-systems-93248

I'm all about my warranties, and I love that Scion supports the OEM Audio Plus system. I just like how it's made to fit the car and others say it sounds great. I have no doubt yours sounds great! I just appreciate the warranty and other things that the OEM system has.

[cfusionpm]

This is true. And OEM Audio+ will probably sound better when sitting still. While driving.... not as much difference. But the 8" sub leaves a little to be desired if you like deep rich bass. It will hit for kick drums and acoustic stuff just fine, but don't expect to be blown away by sweeps and low synths. Just some things to keep in mind!

[husker741]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

This is true. And OEM Audio+ will probably sound better when sitting still. While driving.... not as much difference. But the 8" sub leaves a little to be desired if you like deep rich bass. It will hit for kick drums and acoustic stuff just fine, but don't expect to be blown away by sweeps and low synths. Just some things to keep in mind!

I'm not too into much bass hitting, just a better all around stereo. In a few months, they will release their Reference Series where it replaces all speakers, and I will upgrade my 400+system to that. And to the OP, sorry for having your .

[TakeNoL]

It's all good, i think ill just end up putting it in the trunk, now the question is what amp and sub do you recommend?

[m.wood0213]

Kicker Hide Away is epic! However, I never got to try the Infinity all in one. IMO w/ NEW car I definitely do not want to vibrate panels apart nor do I want someone breaking my glass to get it. GET SECURITY FIRST!

[cruzinbill]

Originally Posted by TakeNoL

Now where could i place that so it won't be visible besides the trunk?

The trunk is it. You are wasting money getting one of those lil boxes that go under the seat. Deadening your doors and replacing them with better speakers would give you better low end than that.

[robwbright]

On the Kenwood, for what it's worth... this guy put it in an FR-S:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Kenwood-KSC-SW11-Compact-Enclosed-Subwoofer/dp/B00BO8O9XQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top"]Amazon.com: Kenwood KSC-SW11 Compact Powered Enclosed Subwoofer: Car Electronics[/ame]

"I wanted to add some low-end to my FR-S without sacrificing the already small amount of space I have in the "backseat" and trunk. This was the smallest sub I could find and I'm glad to see that after I got through installing it that it sounds great.

The sub fit perfectly under the driver's seat. I can even drop the seat all the way low and it won't catch. That's awesome, since the sub is completely invisible and doesn't take up any of my usable space!

Sound-wise, it will add a noticeable amount of low-end without become obnoxious. This isn't a window rattling unit, but it does fill a void that exists with the stock stereo. It blends in well with the stock soundstage and isn't overpowering.

It's easy to get your exact settings dialed in with the remote control. I adjusted the volume on my head unit and then adjusted the frequency and volume to get the sound to really blend in. Just for fun, I bumped up the radio's subwoofer output and turned the sub all the way up. The results were a really muddy, overblown bass that just didn't sound good. When you dial it back and keep from pushing it completely, the bass is natural and really seems to fit in.

This is exactly the kind of sub that I wanted for my car. The only thing I had to buy along with this sub were some RCA cables since my head unit had pre-outs. Everything else I needed for install came included!"

[SirBrass]

Originally Posted by cfusionpm

This is true. And OEM Audio+ will probably sound better when sitting still. While driving.... not as much difference. But the 8" sub leaves a little to be desired if you like deep rich bass. It will hit for kick drums and acoustic stuff just fine, but don't expect to be blown away by sweeps and low synths. Just some things to keep in mind!

Depends on the 8", placement, & how much power you're driving it with. Also, dynamatting the trunk lid & headliner will increase bass response on the road.



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