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**German Audio Specialties** · 02-28-2012, 01:06 PM

First, please do not confuse volume (SPL) with wattage, the 2 basically are only slightly related in system terms.

What I mean by that is that my sub with 100 watts will play quite a bit louder than say, that JL if it had 500 watts. That is all about box design, that is why we do the things we do the way we do.

So, that having been said, the question I would have is where do you plan on putting that sub? If it is going in the trunk, you basically will not hear either of them with the top down at 60MPH. Hell, you likely would barely hear 3 of them with them in the trunk and with the top down. You might get some effect of bass when parked, but most of that will be just trunk rattles.

Yeah, I know, it is not what you wanna hear, but unless you do like 2 12's and 1000 watts on bass, you just won't hear much at all. These cars are one of the toughest cars to get decent bass on the planet.

Luke

**rich4rdee** · 02-28-2012, 01:22 PM

Originally posted by German Audio Specialties View Post

First, please do not confuse volume (SPL) with wattage, the 2 basically are only slightly related in system terms.

What I mean by that is that my sub with 100 watts will play quite a bit louder than say, that JL if it had 500 watts. That is all about box design, that is why we do the things we do the way we do.

So, that having been said, the question I would have is where do you plan on putting that sub? If it is going in the trunk, you basically will not hear either of them with the top down at 60MPH. Hell, you likely would barely hear 3 of them with them in the trunk and with the top down. You might get some effect of bass when parked, but most of that will be just trunk rattles.

Yeah, I know, it is not what you wanna hear, but unless you do like 2 12's and 1000 watts on bass, you just won't hear much at all. These cars are one of the toughest cars to get decent bass on the planet.

Luke

i'm not sure i follow as i have a coupe and not a convertible? the setup will definitely go in the trunk and i like the profile of the powerwedge because it should fit nicely behind my rear strut bar.

i was thinking about looking at pawn shops for a decent 10"..

again, not looking to annoy passersby, just decent bass to bob my head.

thanks

**German Audio Specialties** · 02-28-2012, 01:36 PM

OH! You did say coupe, didn't you?

Honestly, if you want a little head bobbin' action and do not mind trunk rattles (you will have lots) get a generic ported box and a 10".

Powered subs are lame, they generally have shitty amps, the JL is no exception. The amp in the Infinity is a complete POS. You can't upgrade later, either. Do a 4 channel, use the rear to power the 10" and the fronts to run the front speakers. It will work fine...until you see and hear one of mine, then you will be pissed and buy one anyway.

Ask anyone who has gone from a traditional generic sub to one of mine...half the power gets you twice the volume, and the clarity is so much better than anything else it is just silly.

GL!
Luke

I just might be a bit biased. My customers are hugely biased though, they will tell you the same thing...don't waste your money on crap that isn't designed for your car, period.

**einstein57** · 02-28-2012, 01:52 PM

That infinity is crap. Everyone i know who has purchased one for their e34,e36,e46..... has sold it and bought a real box. If your not in a hurry you can get the luke box (bail out special) a woofer, and a new amp and still be within budget.

$150 box
$40 woofer (infinity or Obcon)
$60 cheap amp on amazon (there are tons)

If your willing to go $50 over budget you can get the JBL amp that luke recommends.

**dwvw** · 02-28-2012, 09:27 PM

We carry Infinity at our store, that sub is crap, it's not the same driver you would get buying an Infinity sub, and the amp portion is crap and they all seem to blow up (everyone I get back is cranked as the owner maxes everything out trying to get some semblance of loud bass).

**German Audio Specialties** · 02-29-2012, 09:13 AM

Originally posted by dwvw View Post

We carry Infinity at our store, that sub is crap, it's not the same driver you would get buying an Infinity sub, and the amp portion is crap and they all seem to blow up (everyone I get back is cranked as the owner maxes everything out trying to get some semblance of loud bass).

How many Reference 10's do you guys get back?

**rich4rdee** · 02-29-2012, 09:31 AM

Originally posted by german audio specialties View Post

how many reference 10's do you guys get back?

ygpm!

**BrassDrummer** · 03-01-2012, 01:47 AM

I have a friend who just put a Bazooka tube in his E36. Honestly, it does not sound that bad. If you're looking for something on a budget that doesn't sound bad, I'd go for one of those. That way, when you save the money, if you want to upgrade, you can sell that. I'm sure they have decent resale value, because they're not built for any one kind of car. My P.O.

**e30moneypit** · 03-01-2012, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by BrassDrummer View Post

I have a friend who just put a Bazooka tube in his E36. Honestly, it does not sound that bad. If you're looking for something on a budget that doesn't sound bad, I'd go for one of those. That way, when you save the money, if you want to upgrade, you can sell that. I'm sure they have decent resale value, because they're not built for any one kind of car. My P.O.

that in itself is why they will never sound good in anything other than a hatchback and only if you keep it at lower than 50% volume. Trust us if its not a custom box its trash in the e30.I only ahve 1 lukebox but have had 20+ e30s since I was a teen (33 now) and wish this had been around since then.I could have saved many thousands of $ on unneccessary equipment that at the end of the day just rattled the crap out of the trunk.

**harv** · 03-01-2012, 07:44 PM

IMHO going after a sub without a Luke Box is like pissing up a rope.

It really is worth it. Mine has a 39$ 10 in it and it slams.

John

**dwvw** · 03-02-2012, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by German Audio Specialties View Post

How many Reference 10's do you guys get back?

We don't sell a ton of them, but the failure rate is pretty low. I had a couple 10's for over 4 years, sold them and they are still going. They are average.

**dougsic** · 03-04-2012, 07:41 AM

I'm sure the Luke box is the way to go but since you asked about the others - I have an Infinity Basslink in my e28 M5.

I bought it when they first came out and at that time, there was no provision to remotely adjust the output so I took mine apart and modified it. Now I see that they allow you to adjust the ouput without popping the trunk.

I may be deaf compared to the guys here but to me, it made a huge improvement to the otherwise stock premium system.

It was very easy to install and has enough balls to easily overpower the admittedly lame factory system.

I don't know if they still "make 'em like they used to" but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one if you're looking for a fast easy suppliment to a stock system.

**rich4rdee** · 03-04-2012, 12:55 PM

thanks for the advice everyone!

i simply couldn't pass up on the $150 lukebox deal. i'm gonna find a crappy 10" and a cheap amp which should blow any powered sub setup out of the water. my $250 budget probably won't hold up now though..