Super Basic Sub Upgrade?

SixxSpeed

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I'm curious if anyone has dropped in just a better quality sub and that's it. All I really want is a wee bit more oompf from the sub- hell even 25% more would be more than fine for me.

I don't really want to go the route of running an amp for the sub if I don't have to. I understand that any aftermarket sub will be woefully underpowered, but that's ok- I just want a bit more bass without physically changing anything else.

Has anyone tried this? What were the results like? Does anyone have any thoughts, recommendations, etc?
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remc86007

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There are quite a few super long threads on here talking about upgrading the system, and in them they discuss the effect of just a drop-in sub replacement. I don't blame you for not reading through them all to find this out. I believe the consensus is that due to the relatively weak sub amp in the car and the shallow cabinet it has to work with, a replacement sub of the correct ohm rating will only give marginally more bass. Trying to switch to a different ohm rated sub has resulted in overdriving the amp which causes it to overheat and shutdown within minutes of playing at higher volume.

Having said that: I have only replaced the tweeters in my system and used Honda Hack to install Spotify on the headunit which gives me better sound quality and a graphic equalizer to work with. I'm satisfied with that, as I get way more bass than stock.
 
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SixxSpeed

SixxSpeed

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That'll do for me! I'll try that out, thanks!

And yes... I really didn't want to spend a week reading through those threads, hahaha.
 
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SixxSpeed

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I should ask- with Spotify installed on the head unit, how do you stream music?
 

tinyman392

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I should ask- with Spotify installed on the head unit, how do you stream music?
In reality you can tether your car to your phone (if you have a plan that supports tethering). Otherwise, your car has WiFi, get it close enough to your house (or a friend's, work's, etc.) to connect to the network and download songs for offline use. If you want to add a new album, you'll need to re-connect WiFi.
 


LansocK

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I did the Rockford Fosgate sub drop in.... not worth it.... now it is a bit better but no where near enough and I have a new sub, amp, and install kit waiting to go in.
 

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I have the Sport Hatch, I added aftermarket tweeters using higher end trim level tweeter housings in the front and an under seat powered 10 inch subwoofer. I installed the subwoofer under the driver's seat and it really adds thump to the music. I am almost tempted to add one under the passenger seat but that maybe a bit to much bass.
It comes with a wired remote control for the level of bass which you can adjust on the fly as necessary. I still have the factory radio.
These two adds have really improved the sound.
 

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I have the Sport Hatch, I added aftermarket tweeters using higher end trim level tweeter housings in the front and an under seat powered 10 inch subwoofer. I installed the subwoofer under the driver's seat and it really adds thump to the music. I am almost tempted to add one under the passenger seat but that maybe a bit to much bass.
It comes with a wired remote control for the level of bass which you can adjust on the fly as necessary. I still have the factory radio.
These two adds have really improved the sound.
Which powered sub did you get that fit under the seat? Do you have to crank the seat height up a bit?
 

pcsavvy

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I got the Cerwin Vega 10 inch under seat active powered subwoofer. It fits under the seat, the mat that goes on the back floor does not fit to well anymore. The seat will probably have to be removed to anchor the subwoofer but the seat did not have to be lifted at all. What is nice is you do not have to give up cargo space and no one can tell it is there. I had it professionally installed and they used double sided tape to stick the wired remote on the side of the center console so I can easily adjust the bass on the fly as needed. There is a blue led light on the remote knob but it is a fairly soft light.
Here is the link https://www.amazon.com/CERWIN-VEGA-MOBILE-Powered-Subwoofer-Enclosure/dp/B01M5LBQTS/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cerwin+vega&qid=1562736032&s=gateway&sr=8-5

I bought it from Amazon awhile back and I have had no issues with it and it has really enhanced the sound of my car. I have been debating whether or not to install a second one under the passenger seat but that might be overkill.
 

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I did drop in an aftermarket sub (filled the box with polyfil), upgraded the center channel speaker, tweeters, and front door woofers.

Overall, I'm very happy with my audio system now. Do I have gut rattling bass? No. Is my bass punchier and more pronounced, yes and it's enough for me. I still toy with the idea of installing an amp and lc2i, but that's much lower on my priority list now.
The sub I went with was a MB Quartz https://www.ebay.com/itm/MB-Quart-DS1-204-8-Shallow-Mount-Car-Truck-Subwoofer-w-Poly-Cone-2-Voice-Coil/351449146965?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649
(wired in parallel for a 2ohm impedance).
 


arpypat

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I got the Cerwin Vega 10 inch under seat active powered subwoofer. It fits under the seat, the mat that goes on the back floor does not fit to well anymore. The seat will probably have to be removed to anchor the subwoofer but the seat did not have to be lifted at all. What is nice is you do not have to give up cargo space and no one can tell it is there. I had it professionally installed and they used double sided tape to stick the wired remote on the side of the center console so I can easily adjust the bass on the fly as needed. There is a blue led light on the remote knob but it is a fairly soft light.
Here is the link https://www.amazon.com/CERWIN-VEGA-MOBILE-Powered-Subwoofer-Enclosure/dp/B01M5LBQTS/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=cerwin+vega&qid=1562736032&s=gateway&sr=8-5

I bought it from Amazon awhile back and I have had no issues with it and it has really enhanced the sound of my car. I have been debating whether or not to install a second one under the passenger seat but that might be overkill.

Thanks for the suggestion! I just placed my order on amazon and messaged some local shops about install! I too found the "premium" 10-speaker system to be not so premium at all and just wanted a little more bump. Not trying to relive my glory days of 150 dB systems and not trying to sacrifice any trunk space either, so this looked like the best option.
 

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My car just came with 4 speakers so I ended up adding tweeters and the under seat subwoofer. Just with those two additions my sound is clearer and I have a lot more thump to my music and if I want to add more thump I can. One side benefit is by having the subwoofer under the seat, you can get a light butt massage depending upon how much thump is in the song.;)
 

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I ended up getting the Cerwin Vega VPAS10 poweres sub under my seat and I'm totally satisfied!! Ordered some components for the front and a JL for th center, so that should add a little more clarity!
 

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Boss Audio Systems AR100DVC 10 Inch Car Subwoofer - 1400 Watts Maximum Power, Dual 4 Ohm Voice Coil, Sold Individually

and

BBox E10SV Single 10" Vented Carpeted Subwoofer Enclosure

Give this frequency response:
Honda Civic 10th gen Super Basic Sub Upgrade? upload_2019-8-12_16-4-2


Sounds great, and waaay better than the stock. I also put a double pole double throw switch in the trunk wall by the stock sub so that when I take out my box sub I just throw the switch that reconnects the stock subwoofer so I'll always have a sub!

For the money it sounds great. of course it is a budget setup.....I'm fully aware that it's a "one note" sub somewhat but I'll get to a better more expensive one later...
 
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