Sooo...I bought a sub woofer

[marco79]

Those 15 inch Targa subs are power hungry. Thats why you go a good deal. Best would be to get the specific specs of the sub, ie, RMS, 2Ohm, 4Ohm, DVC, SVC, etc. Forget about PMPO. Once you know these then your search for an amp can begin.

Or just go to a few installers, ask them would work. I wouldn't recommend anyone other that an accredited installer to install any electrical components on any of my cars. I've heard / seen too many people loose their rides due to insufficient wiring/ loose wires / etc.

 

[b_crazy]

The focus stock HU doesn't have aux out.

Is sincerely hope you are wrong!

I had to do this when i connected a sub to my Lancer, I pulled my radio out the dash, googled the exact model and found the schematics... connected the speaker wires to the converter then to the amp. Not much of a mission, hardest part was finding the hole between the cab and the engine bay... and where to splice in to get ignition power.

Other option is taking directly off the rear speaker wires, but behind the radio is neater and probably easier to get to.

I wouldn't like to meddle too much with the wiring, and would probably just upgrade the HU.

Those 15 inch Targa subs are power hungry. Thats why you go a good deal. Best would be to get the specific specs of the sub, ie, RMS, 2Ohm, 4Ohm, DVC, SVC, etc. Forget about PMPO. Once you know these then your search for an amp can begin.

Or just go to a few installers, ask them would work. I wouldn't recommend anyone other that an accredited installer to install any electrical components on any of my cars. I've heard / seen too many people loose their rides due to insufficient wiring/ loose wires / etc.

I'm planning to visit an installer this weekend to verify all my options. Like I said in my first post, I just want to enhance the bass a bit, but at absolutely no risk to my car.

Would a capacitor be required for the set up I have in mind? I don't want to buy things that I don't need.

 

[PsyWulf]

If its 2000RMS,yes,if it's 200,you could get away without it likely dependant on your battery and alternator setup

 

[spiderz]

you really want to sound like a taxi with 2000w real music sound. thats an overkill for ypur car. rather put in a set of 7x10 limpids to give you the extra oomph

a 7x10 is just a bigger 6x9 speaker...(and still crap...)
A Limpid is a 8" or 10" round 3 way speaker (originally from pioneer). Limpid are very good.

I had to do this when i connected a sub to my Lancer, I pulled my radio out the dash, googled the exact model and found the schematics... connected the speaker wires to the converter then to the amp.

a Line converter will work if you don't have AUX out on the Head Unit. It's normally not the best solution (sound clarify wise) but since your only running a sub should work more than adequate.

Would a capacitor be required for the set up I have in mind? I don't want to buy things that I don't need.

Capacitors are used in sound setups to provide faster power response when playing heavy bass in competitions. They can provide a lot of power in a very short time span. Not needed, but a nice to have. The voltage display on it looks very kewl!

 

[The_Ogre]

The focus stock HU doesn't have aux out. You basically have something that connects to the speaker cables and converts it down to a signal for the amp (to convert up again). Any audio shop will have this but obviously this isn't optimal.

Its called a High-to-Low converter

http://www.autostyle.co.za/targa-high-to-low-converter.html

a Line converter will work if you don't have AUX out on the Head Unit. It's normally not the best solution (sound clarify wise) but since your only running a sub should work more than adequate.

It's not cool at all! It will at times respond a few milliseconds too late in feeding the signal to the amp. Then other times it will feed a signal when it wasn't supposed to. So at times you'll miss out on a deep beat or low frequency sound.

If its your only option then go for it.

Oh, and remove your backseat so you don't smother that monster sub

edit: DVC or SVC?

 

[marco79]

Forget about the capacitor. All you need for now is a line-out converter, an amp, some decent cabling and a decent installer.

Then when you get tired of the stock speaker sound you'll need another amp, a decent set of splits, some decent cabling and a decent installer.

After this when you get your second 15 inch sub, then maybe you need a capacitor, upgrade your alternator, get a deep cycle battery and some hearing aids. At this stage forget about a decent installer cause you'll most probably want to do everything else yourself.

 

[marco79]

In the 2 and a half years I've had a line-out converter connected to the factory head unit in my Fortuner, I haven't had a single problem. I've got a Lightning Audio Line-out converter and it cost about R250 back then.

 

[pjjdp]

I connected a line-out converter to my "sub" output on the standard Audi radio. 1 year later and still perfect. The tiny Audi sub is not really a sub.

Edit: Bought it from A1 radio in Durbs for about 75 bucks I think.

 

[b_crazy]

Thanks everybody. I got the sound installed on Sunday. The installer had to use a line converter on the head unit (they did not run it off the rear speakers). I got it done by the guys at Brightwater Commons. I was told they are good, and so far I haven't noticed the car, or anything acting strange. I'll keep watch though. Sounds fantastic! I bought a Targa TA 9000.1 amp for the sub btw.

I was thinking anout vinyling the sub's box. It currently has carpet covering it. Will this make a difference to the sound coming from the box, or is carpet just for the looks?

 

[PsyWulf]

Carpet inside the box = dampening,outside = decorative

There is a slight effect but for your needs you wouldn't notice a difference

 

[GreyBush]

Thanks everybody. I got the sound installed on Sunday. The installer had to use a line converter on the head unit (they did not run it off the rear speakers). I got it done by the guys at Brightwater Commons. I was told they are good, and so far I haven't noticed the car, or anything acting strange. I'll keep watch though. Sounds fantastic! I bought a Targa TA 9000.1 amp for the sub btw.

I was thinking anout vinyling the sub's box. It currently has carpet covering it. Will this make a difference to the sound coming from the box, or is carpet just for the looks?

You could have connected the line converter to the rear speakers, they are the same wires... usually easier to go into the head unit though.

I made a fibreglass enclosure for my sub so it fits above the wheel well, looks really neat, piano plack finish. Instructables had good instructions. Bloody mission working with fibre glass though.

 

[b_crazy]

Carpet inside the box = dampening,outside = decorative

There is a slight effect but for your needs you wouldn't notice a difference

Cool thanks. I'll have a look at finding somebody to vinyl the box then.

You could have connected the line converter to the rear speakers, they are the same wires... usually easier to go into the head unit though.

I made a fibreglass enclosure for my sub so it fits above the wheel well, looks really neat, piano plack finish. Instructables had good instructions. Bloody mission working with fibre glass though.

You don't happen to have a picture of your setup do you?