I will try to get us back on track.

Not to hijack the thread but I'm doing the same thing looking to put a sub in what do you guys think about a 8in sub,I know it doesn't sound like a 10 or 12 but I'm looking for good clean lows without blowing my head off.
Probably putting 200-300 watts depending on the size of sub.

Let me know what you think.

:iagree:

I believe Matt (bigaudiofanat) always carries himself and the conversation with respect and class.

If anyone wants my 2 cents, then listen to what Matt has to say.

He helped me out no end with advice, and done an awesome clean install for me.

Funny, but "good clean lows without blowing my head off" pretty much sums up the Bose system as-is. Ah, well. JMHO.

A 8 inch sub will give you a more fuller sound than not having one. In a z an 8 will give you solid bass but not put out anything loud or rattle anything.

200 watts is not needed but can be used for a 8 inch.

I recommend looking at a polk mm sub. Or take a look at the JL if you want to go with another brand that makes good subs in this size. Just make sure to turn the gain down for either and tune it for no distortion.

8W3V3-4 - JL Audio 8" 150 Watt RMS 4 Ohm Subwoofer
MM840D - Polk Audio Mobile Monitor Series 8" sub with dual 4-ohm voice coils

For an amp take a look at these.

MRP-M500 - Alpine Mono 500W subwoofer amplifier

P400-1 - Rockford Fosgate 400 Watt Monoblock Punch Series Amplifier

PA400.1 - Polk Audio 1 Ch 400 Watt Amplifier

I have the Bose system and it could not blow my nose let alone my head off:icon17:

What if I had the same suggestion but use a 10in and need a amp to power my Polk audio db6501's and the 10in sub.

:roflpuke2:

Those same amps would work for a ten. If you wanted a all I'm one look at the alpine pdx5

Why an 8"? what about a shallow 10, something that works in a small box, set up right it wont blow your head off, and will be tight, it also opens up a lot more options.

My stock Bose just Blew! LOL

That's the route I'm going when I upgrade, shallow 10" inside the spare ................ SQ :tup:

I'm a little confused - you say 200 watts is not needed the recommend looking at 400-500 watts?

You can turn the gain down and the amp will not produce to much power. It is better to have a amp with leg room than one that is struggling.

I built a subwoofer box out of MDF for a 10" Pioneer flat piston "shollow" woofer. I made the box fit inside the spare tire, where the Bose woofer usually goes. Its a .3cu sealed box and its holding up perfectly well. I used 16ga steel grating for the grill and its strong enough to stand on top of. With about 3-400 Watts the system would sound awsome; alas I'm running with 200Watts from a pos Class-D Pioneer and its not so hot. I had a Zed/Hifonics Thor pushing it with 400w and it sounded awsome, but alas the 17 year old amplifier gave its final breath just the other day do to having a very noisy gain control.

The pioneer amp is not that great, but the woofer has gotten as many or more complements as some of the big db waggon settups.

Very stealthy.

I'll take some pictures if anyones interested.

Still doesn't seem to explain this statement to me - what did you mean? If you don't need 200 watts, why is it struggling?