Help me pick a subwoofer :)

I was on the fence for a long time as to whether I should upgrade my stereo and go down that rabbit hole. Tried to put it off. But two days ago, on a bit of an impulse, my head ended up squarely down that rabbit hole and things are underway. Now I just need to finalize the details and try to keep costs down as much as I can.

Planned Setup:

• 2010 DCLB w/ 2014 JBL entune head unit (already installed a couple years back)
• PAC AmpPro
  $329 AP4-TY12 Amppro 4 Amp Interface (Select 2012-2018 Toyota(R) & Lexus(R) Vehicles with Jbl(R) or Premium Amplified Sound Systems), 1 Pack
  AP4-TY12 (purchased and being shipped right now)
• Kenwood XR-4S amp (120w rms x 2 for the components plus 300w x 1 rms for the sub)
• CDT Audio 6x9 component set (250w rms)
• Rear speakers will be turned way down, turned off, or removed entirely
• Sound deadening throughout the cab (already installed)

So now I just need to pick a sub that will work in the stock JBL box. I already have the Kenwood amp from a prior stereo install and it's not in the budget to buy a different one so trying to do the best I can with what I have. Looking to keep the sub cost under ~$150 and will be shopping used, on sale and new.

1. Rockford Fosgate P3S2D. Cheapest option (found one for $110 locally). Rated at 150w rms.
2. Pioneer TS-A2000LD2. Rated at 250w rms
3. Any other suggestions? The IDQS is very tempting since I have used ID subs in the past and liked them. But, unless I can find a crazy deal I think the $250 price tag makes this one a deal breaker.

Thanks!

 

If you’re looking for cheap, skar audio is worth taking a look at. I have the vd series they sound nice in the sealed box I have. Do not know if they will fit in the jbl box but they also have the IX which is there low rms like the Rockford you were looking at

https://www.skaraudio.com/

 

I'd heard of that brand but never really looked into them. Just took a peek and wow they are cheap! But looks like they are off the table as even the "slim" sub they make is too deep for the JBL enclosure.

 

There’s been a few threads here about utilizing the JBL box. Consensus was using the Rockford P3SD4-8.
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_575P3SD48/Rockford-Fosgate-P3SD4-8.html?tp=111

 

I think I've read all or at least most of those. I was eyeing that Rockford as my top choice but I think most of the info in those threads praising the Rockford was more about it being better with the stock amp. Since I'll be pushing 3x that amount of power I think that changes the situation a bit.

I'm kinda leaning towards the Pioneer or possibly just breaking the bank on the IDQS - I spoke with someone else who was running 250w RMS to the IDQS8 and said it worked great. So maybe power handling isn't an issue.

 

Power handling is up to you. I have a 1200w JL amp running 1 Sundown SD-4 at 600w. It’s in how you “tune” the amp to have the output you want. All in setting gains. Not to mention unclipped signal from the headunit.

 

I've had a lot of car audio setups over the years but am by no means a pro. I assumed, by setting the gain that I wouldn't have a problem but I've also heard people say that isn't the case. Plus, some subs are greatly over or under rated in terms of their handling so was hoping for some first hand experience with these particular units rather than theoretical based on the published stats.

But if we're talking about published stats... is it strange that the Pioneer has an extremely small xmax compared to the others I'm looking at? Like 2.3mm vs 7-8mm. Not quite sure what to make of that and whether it is something I should factor in or not.

 

Honestly, I don’t have any experience with 8” subs. I used to be an SPL guy, but now I’m more SQL/SQ. Tuning the amp to suit the chosen woofer is not a “waste” of amp, it’s wise to make equipment survive longer. Truck/car interiors are already harsh, no need to make it worse on your stuff.

With regards to my experience with subs, Xmas is a measurement to help with finding SPL levels in ported(my experience) enclosures. It’s not a huge deal for sealed. Having said that, I never met a Kenwood sub I liked, they just never did it for me.

You have, what, 3-3.5” to work with mounting wise? I’d be more concerned, using the JBL enclosure, on finding a sub that has an “optimum” box volume close to that. That’s where your SPL comes from in a sealed enclosure.

 

I'm not looking for SPL and am much more focused on SQ. The stock JBL system in the truck is plenty loud for me, I'd just like better sound.

Depth of the stock box is about 3.5", closer to 4" if you trim some of the interior webbing. But all of these subs should have plenty of room for depth.

I haven't been able to find the volume of the stock box and have been looking for quite some time. But I'm guessing it's 0.25-0.5 cuft. Here are the recommended box volumes for each:

$200 Rockford P3SD2-8 8" Dual 2-Ohm Punch Series Shallow Mount Car Subwoofer

Rockford P3SD2-8: 0.2-0.7
Pioneer TSA2000LD2: 0.15-0.5
Image Dynamics IDQS8: 0.3-0.5

 

Well, Rockford, to me, has always had quality speakers and subs.
Pioneer makes wonderful electronics and entry-level speakers.
Image Dynamics was the thing in the 90’s-2000’s. They were sold to a big company late 2000’s and the quality almost immediately took a nose-dive. I haven’t looked their way since.

In the end, I don’t want to make your decision for you, so you don’t shake your fist my way and mutter “That rat bastard!”

 

I had no idea about ID being sold, that's a disappointment. I was very happy with my IDQ sub which I bought in probably the early 2000's - probably right before they were bought out. I've still seen good reviews of them so I wonder if maybe they've recovered.

It's funny, when I first started looking at a new stereo for my truck I was looking at cheaper, more entry level stuff (hoping I could get away without adding an amp and needing a LOC or anything like that) and now I've gone down the rabbit hole and am looking at the same basic CDT/ID combination I had in my Integra which then transferred over to my Impreza. It was a great setup that lasted me thru two vehicles and almost 20yrs of use.

 

IMO, stick to what you know. You were happy with it before, chances are history will repeat.

 

It's usually less about the woofer, and more about a proper built, size and spec box.
I've seen cheap subs sound good in the proper enclosure........and vise versa

 

Thanks, but that's not really helpful at all as there's no context, specifics, suggested options/paths forward, or any help with fitting the right woofer to the right type of box. So not sure what I'm supposed to do with your comment.

Since I didn't get any answers here I put up a post on the DIYMobileAudio forums. A really helpful person there ran some calculations and determined that in the stock box an IDQS was the clear and standout winner. Unfortunately this project was put on hold but I'll come back around to it later this year when I have some more time on my hands.

 

Lol...
I thought it was very helpful. You base the music you listen to the sub that best reproduces that type.
Then when you find the sub that fits your needs, you find a program for enclosure building and input all that specific subs specs into it. This will develope the best Sq ft, port option, etc.
Viola, you now have what you need.
Maybe you just wanted someone to tell you what you like....either way, good luck on your project when it comes up

 

I have always had good luck with Pioneer

 

My post was asking for help finding a sub that works well in the stock box and here you are suggesting I use a program to design a new box. This is not helpful as I'm not building or buying a different box. I'm using the stock one. Period. Luckily, someone at DIYMobileAudio was able to help me evaluate the box and determine which of the abovementioned subs will work best with that size enclosure. And it's the IDQS.

 

Funny you mention that. According to the guy that ran the simulations for me, the Pioneer was a TERRIBLE option when using the stock box. It could only handle limited power due to risk of damage and somehow played way more midbass compared to the lower frequencies we'd normally want it to play. This very much surprised me as I've always liked Pioneer as well (although I've never personally run their subs).

I still don't pretend to fully understand how these simulations work or exactly what they mean but it was really interesting and I definitely learned a thing or two. Very grateful for the help I found over there. I linked the thread below in case anyone is interested or anyone else is wondering what may work for their stock box.
https://www.diymobileaudio.com/threads/help-me-pick-an-8-subwoofer.456113/

 

It depends on the box. Sealed all the way is the way to go.

I built my own. Sounded great!

Knocked all my boss's tools off his bench

He comes out & goes WTF is going on out here?

Building a speaker cabinet, he goes alright... Put the tools back when you're done.



Pioneer is good stuff, as were their Kuro plasma tv's.

I have an Elite receiver. It's a beast.