Here's a simple install in my 90 325i. I was on a budget since this is pretty much my daily beater car. Sub, amp, wires, and materials all totaled around $150 but still sounds clean and clear. Plays loud enough for my tastes as well. Guessing around 120db. Will use a cheesy Radio Shack meter on the dash to get a rough estimate when I have a spare moment. Main goal was to keep it compact and still sound good. Didn't need earth shattering, just clean and clear. I can still rattle my side views and rear view pretty damn good though if desired. Best part, still have full spare and it weighs less than 60lbs.
Equipment details. Kenwood KDC-X889 HU. Alpine Type R 3 ways up front. JL Audio 12w4-4 bridged on a POS Sony Xplod (insert crappy model number here). I'm hoping the "800w" sony is putting out around 200-300rms to the JL which would be a nice match. Box is 1.25ft^3 sealed... I usually prefer sealed boxes as, to me, they sound cleaner. Wire are 8awg + and ground... can't imagine this POS requiring any more than that. If it has a problem overheating or something I'll go bigger. I'm only using it because I picked it up clearance with my employee discount at Circuit City. Yep, I'm an installer at CC... you want to fight about it. Just kidding... been doing installs on my own for about 5 years and only worked at CC for the last 5 months. So don't flame me too hard I was trying to bring some quality and credibility to the place.
Impressions: Sounds surprisingly good for a budget build. Image is crap because the e30's speaker positioning is terrible. It would be much better with components and having tweeters on the door sail panels. Clarity is decent and output is pleasing. Reproduces at least 95% of the tracks I've thrown at it to my tastes. I listen to music from ALL genres so that's saying something.
On to the money shots... btw I am aware you can see some bare wood if you look from the sides where the amp is. I am going to paint the box so that will not be the case in the near future. Thanks for looking, comments, questions and suggestions are more than welcome.
Sub is actually a "new" reman and came in the ol school box with all paperwork from JL in like new condition. Thought that was pretty cool. I like old gear, used to run 2 s12d solobarics.
Equipment details. Kenwood KDC-X889 HU. Alpine Type R 3 ways up front. JL Audio 12w4-4 bridged on a POS Sony Xplod (insert crappy model number here). I'm hoping the "800w" sony is putting out around 200-300rms to the JL which would be a nice match. Box is 1.25ft^3 sealed... I usually prefer sealed boxes as, to me, they sound cleaner. Wire are 8awg + and ground... can't imagine this POS requiring any more than that. If it has a problem overheating or something I'll go bigger. I'm only using it because I picked it up clearance with my employee discount at Circuit City. Yep, I'm an installer at CC... you want to fight about it. Just kidding... been doing installs on my own for about 5 years and only worked at CC for the last 5 months. So don't flame me too hard I was trying to bring some quality and credibility to the place.
Impressions: Sounds surprisingly good for a budget build. Image is crap because the e30's speaker positioning is terrible. It would be much better with components and having tweeters on the door sail panels. Clarity is decent and output is pleasing. Reproduces at least 95% of the tracks I've thrown at it to my tastes. I listen to music from ALL genres so that's saying something.
On to the money shots... btw I am aware you can see some bare wood if you look from the sides where the amp is. I am going to paint the box so that will not be the case in the near future. Thanks for looking, comments, questions and suggestions are more than welcome.
Sub is actually a "new" reman and came in the ol school box with all paperwork from JL in like new condition. Thought that was pretty cool. I like old gear, used to run 2 s12d solobarics.
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