Upgrading Premo Sub

[LazyBrennan]

Hi

has any upgraded the premium sound 8" sub? How does it sound?

Im looking at putting a 8" DD 1508 sub in there. Rates at about 500 rms but it wont have a ported box. It would just be sitting there on the shelf.

I used to do the whole have a big box with subs and what not but I am over that whole game now and just want some nice sound quality with some good bass.

[TonyD]

Wouldn't bother. I had a Kenwood FTA sub in my Premo setup and it still sounded crap. Weak link is the amp. I picked up a Kicker 07CVR12" in a sealed box with a Pioneer GM-5100T amp for a bargain price and wired the rear speakers into the speaker level input in the amp. 100x better than what I got out of the 8" sub. I'm not after a massive amount of doof doof, and this setup gives me just enough.

Edited 26/04/11 02:51 AM by TonyD

[Team420]

Soundstream DID HAVE an 8" free air sub that wasnt relatively expensive, all the cars I've had, I've always ran soundstream and never had one problem with the company, even kicker do a decent sound, apparently the stock amp runs them fine and does not need an upgrade, my stocky ford sub sounds like my daughter hitting a stick on a tissue box lol. Looking to upgrade very soon

Pioneer also has a free air sub that apparently a few people swapped to I think it is on www.ryda.com.au

[dre]

The amps ok. Not great but ok. I'm using an alpine 12" from factory amp. I'll upgrade soon but no hurry.

[xpl0sive]

Hey Bud,

I have done exactly what you are wanting to do, and it is worth doing. Those who say it's not are using the wrong gear. There is nothing wrong with the factory amp, it's just that people are using power hungry subwoofers which require powerful amps to sound good, and if you run them off low powered amps such as the factory one they will most likely sound worse then the factory sub. The amp is not great, but it is ok and definitely does the job if you are using the right sub.

What you need is something that is very efficient in order to sound good off the factory amp. The sub I used is the Kicker CVT8 and it costs around $170. Sounds awesome off the factory amp and slots straight into the existing hole (some slight mods do need to be made in order to make it fit though, as the holes don't line up 100%). On the 2nd page of this forum you'll find an in-depth review I posted of my premium sound sub and speaker replacement, to give people such as yourself some options as most people seem to think that doing this is a waste of time. Here's the link:

Keep in mind that a setup like this won't give you earth shattering results, but it will be a BIG improvement over the standard system. Everyone has a different opinion on what sounds good. Sure, you can get much better than this if you replace amps and run big boxed subs, but this was good enough for me, and bang for buck it is excellent value and sounds fantastic for the money spent.

p.s. Not being a smart a$$, but it pays to use the search function first before posting a question, as you'll find most of the time the question has been asked and answered before many times.

Edited 26/04/11 06:24 AM by xpl0sive

[TonyD]

Good post xpl0sive. Different opinion to mine but I understand where you're coming from. Sounds like you know what you're talking about too!I weighed up getting the CVT8 and dropping it in but came across a CVR12 and 750W amp for $230 on another forum so I couldn't pass it up =P For shiz and giggles I ran the wires from the stock sub into this amp and it was atrocious. Like you said, the factory amp had nowhere near enough power to push this beast.

[LazyBrennan]

Hey Bud,

I have done exactly what you are wanting to do, and it is worth doing. Those who say it's not are using the wrong gear. There is nothing wrong with the factory amp, it's just that people are using power hungry subwoofers which require powerful amps to sound good, and if you run them off low powered amps such as the factory one they will most likely sound worse then the factory sub. The amp is not great, but it is ok and definitely does the job if you are using the right sub.

What you need is something that is very efficient in order to sound good off the factory amp. The sub I used is the Kicker CVT8 and it costs around $170. Sounds awesome off the factory amp and slots straight into the existing hole (some slight mods do need to be made in order to make it fit though, as the holes don't line up 100%). On the 2nd page of this forum you'll find an in-depth review I posted of my premium sound sub and speaker replacement, to give people such as yourself some options as most people seem to think that doing this is a waste of time. Here's the link:

Keep in mind that a setup like this won't give you earth shattering results, but it will be a BIG improvement over the standard system. Everyone has a different opinion on what sounds good. Sure, you can get much better than this if you replace amps and run big boxed subs, but this was good enough for me, and bang for buck it is excellent value and sounds fantastic for the money spent.

p.s. Not being a smart a$$, but it pays to use the search function first before posting a question, as you'll find most of the time the question has been asked and answered before many times.

Cheers for that mate.

I was going to get a after market amp any way. I guess the main thing is what does a 500 rms sub sound like with a amp but only free air. I am looking at a DD 8" sub. I used to do the whole big systems and what not but sick of having bugger all space in the boot haha.

My aim is to have 6.5" splits on a amp and the sub on a amp but want nice bass. I dont want earth shattering but yeh just some nice hard hitting sound quality that I can crank up when I want it louder.

[xpl0sive]

Good post xpl0sive. Different opinion to mine but I understand where you're coming from. Sounds like you know what you're talking about too!I weighed up getting the CVT8 and dropping it in but came across a CVR12 and 750W amp for $230 on another forum so I couldn't pass it up =P For shiz and giggles I ran the wires from the stock sub into this amp and it was atrocious. Like you said, the factory amp had nowhere near enough power to push this beast.

Thanks mate, yeah that sounds like a good deal, can't go wrong there. It all depends on what your needs are I suppose. I wanted to keep the factory look and not change too much, whilst still getting a decent improvement in sound quality and not having to spend a fortune either. Having the extra boot space is handy as well. I know there are others out there who also want the same thing, hence why I gave an in-depth review, to give people some options if they decide to go down the same route I did, and to let people know that you can still get a good improvement in your sound without changing much.

A large sub running off an aftermarket amp will always sound a lot better than what I have done, but that would mean having a boxed sub in my boot, visible amp and having to run new wiring and possibly aftermarket H/U, something I just didn't want to do with this car. If there was a direct replacement amp that would fit in the stock location then I probably would've swapped that too, but there's nothing available in that sense unfortunately.

[xpl0sive]

Cheers for that mate.

I was going to get a after market amp any way. I guess the main thing is what does a 500 rms sub sound like with a amp but only free air. I am looking at a DD 8" sub. I used to do the whole big systems and what not but sick of having bugger all space in the boot haha.

My aim is to have 6.5" splits on a amp and the sub on a amp but want nice bass. I dont want earth shattering but yeh just some nice hard hitting sound quality that I can crank up when I want it louder.

To be honest, the sub I used isn't even a free air sub, but still sounds awesome in the parcel shelf, and that is running off the factory amp. If it was amped up with something better it would sound a lot better. The carpet that clips onto the parcel shelf acts as a bit of an enclosure.

What sub are you looking at? Don't really have any experience with other 8" subs, but just reading different reviews across various forums the Kicker was the best choice in terms of bang for buck, and was recommended to me by a bloke off Australian Ford Forums who installs audio gear and has trialed many different setups in B series Fords, and highly rated this one as a direct replacement sub. There probably is something better available though if you wish to amp it up. PM me if you want and I can give you his contact details, he should be able to help you out with any recommendations if you don't want to use the kicker. Very helpful bloke and knows his stuff.

[LazyBrennan]

Yeah mate send me his details.

I was thinking of doing some sort of fibre glass inclosure under the shelf, but it could be worse. I am looking at a Digital Design 8" sub from the 1500 series. It rates at 500rms but pumps alot more then that. Any one who knows DD will know what im talking about

Edited 26/04/11 11:37 PM by RHR
No need to quote above post. USE FAST REPLY