What A Difference!

I recently significantly upgraded the AM radio and mono paper diaphragm speaker on my '62 Thunderbird with RetroSound 2-way speaker, a compact 60-watt per channel Infinity amp, a Bluetooth adapter, and RetroSound's SUB-8100 powered subwoofer. The subwoofer was the last component I connected after hooking up and testing everything else. It made everything pop (in a good way!). Thank you to the many technical specialists at Crutchfield that guided me through a challenging install.

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RetroSound SUB-8100

Nice little sub, adds some bottom end to any factory or aftermarket non-power amplified setup. I matched this with some powerbass 6x9s front/mtc terminators5s in my 2011 Tundra and a Boss head unit. This sub fills in the gaps that the door speakers cant fill. This sub will NOT blow your doors off though and will not keep up with amplified component speakers, so don't buy it expecting miracles. Very slimline, very sturdy build quality, comes with all the cabling you need except your RCA cables. Worth purchasing wire conduit to protect the battery wire however, this does not come with the unit unlike the regular crutchfield add-on subwoofer wiring kit. The brackets supplied came with machine screws, I would recommend instead using a tap and die and M4x0.70 bolts and I bolted directly into the cab of my truck through the OEM sound deadening, which also cushioned the vibrations somewhat from the truck; I would recommend also adding rubber washers between the brackets and the sub to further deaden vibration.

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Nice sound for the price and easy install

A good solution if your installation options are limited. I chose the all-in-one unit so I could easily mount it under a bucket seat in my 1967 Barracuda without any major interior removal. Easy to install and adds a fair amount of bottom end.

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Underwhelmed

I was impressed with the reviews regarding this unit and purchased it. My system is a Boss head unit, Kenwood 4 channel amp, 4 Rockford-Fosgate 6.5's and the powered sub. I installed it, and it didn't work. Crutchfield sent me a second unit 3 days later. The second unit did not work. Tech support was great and decided to upgrade me to the Retrosound 8 inch powered sub. It took 10 days to arrive. This sub is under powered for my system. My 4 channel amp is rated for 600 total watts, 50 rms continuous per channel. The whole package is in a 2010 GMC Canyon. The sub performs to the mid volumes, but runs out of horsepower in the upper power range. After more research, I found that for quality kick, the sub amp should be 3 to 4 times greater than the speaker amp. I wish I was advised before purchasing. The system sounds very good, but does lack power on the bottom end when you twist the dial. I'm underwhelmed with the product, but love the tech and sales people at Crutchfield.

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RetroSound SUB-8100

Went under the seat of a single cab 1994 Chevy 1500. Perfect size and sound for the small cab. Very crisp, tight, reactive bass. Not terribly deep, but not to be expected with a compact 8". Complimented with two new 4x6 Polk and a 50x4 Sony amp, Alpine head, and now everything sounds fantastic. Crazy all this only costs $725 and about 18 hours of labor.

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RetroSound SUB-8100

So far so good sound is excellent sound

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Apple Valley

Great compact subwoofer! Compared to other big sound systems like 10s and 12s I've had in the past, this one lines up to give a good clean sound with a good thump like most of the new luxury car systems coming out. It's not going to pound and rattle everything outside the way I used to but will satisfy every thing to your liking inside. I've had this installed for a year under the seat of my early 70s classic convertible and gets clear bass with the top down no problem and used it the year before that in another mid 70s impala I sold. I'm writing this review now because I'm looking at buying another one for my custom cruiser and pulling out the sub box and amp. Everything comes in the box that is needed to install. I am liking the ease and clarity that Retro sound offers with other products I added from them. Hopefully this review helps.

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RetroSound SUB-8100

Added this sub to the Alpine stereo in my 97 Jeep. Great addition. Easy to install and instructions were easy to follow. Listened to reviews and did not purchase amp, sounds great.

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Dynamite comes in small packages.

Impressive performance for size. Best integrated sub I have come across. Fits under most front seats. Was able to conceal in VW beetle. Works very well with alpine deck.

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RetroSound SUB-8100

I have it installed they sold me a separate Amp install kit but you dont need it. Everything you need comes with it. The Amp install kit is over kill for this little sub.

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Better than no sub at all

I am glad that Retrosound makes this powered sub. With the space I have in my classic truck, it was the only real alternative to have a sub at all. But it is not a great subwoofer. Since the enclosure is so small for an 8" it does not get the big booming sound I'm looking for. The 100W amp does not put out as much power as the 50W amp I have in my other car with an 8" standard box. The sub also rattles in a heavy bass track and that is rather annoying. The 6X9 speakers I installed at the same time are putting out the majority of the bass power. If you are really cramped for space as I was, then this is a reasonable alternative but if you can find a way to install a traditional separate power amp and an 8" in a speaker enclosure then I would do that.

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RetroSound

I have only just gotten it installed. All of the Retrosound products include well marked wires for installation. Documentation is excellent as well. Installation of my Model Two radio and 8100 sub went well and looks excellent in my old truck. I did get the proper knobs and bezel directly from Retrosound.

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perfect for small cabins

perfect addition to the system i put in my bros 1991 standard cab c1500. before the install of the sub the sound out of the 4x6 kenwood dash and the 4x6 Polk rear just was not doing the job. IE no bass and the volume just wasn't there. The difference after adding this compact unit was astounding. I would recommend this sub to anyone with space constraints.

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Better Sound For a Superduty

I just installed this in my 2002 F-350 regular cab truck. It fits great behind the seat with some modification to the plastic storage tray back there. Tim is right, it is built very solid and the adjustment knobs are high quality the wire harness is nice too, but the fuse holder is a cheap piece of crap, better to cut it out and install you own fuse. I put an in line blade style fuse right at the battery which worked great and will be easier to change if I ever have to. The sound quality is great, I have an Eclipse stereo with stock speakers so I'm not exactly going all out here, but this little sub added a fullness to my music that was missing before plus now I can turn the bass setting on the stereo down to get more volume before it starts distorting my factory speakers. I don't want to put a complete system in this truck because it is completely unmolested and there is no room, so this was a good way to get better sound. If you are looking for a license plate rattling thump thump, this is obviously not the answer.

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Very Pleaseed

Very pleased with the RetroSound powered sub. The unit is solid metal, built like a rock. Very easy to install under my front passenger seat.

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Skip

This is a Skipper, buy the sound ordinance this will not hold up against the smallest of amps, My Miata headrest speakers would over power two of these subs.

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Big sound in a little package.

All I can say is wow,what a nice sub for small car or truck.I just put it in a 1997 Nissan std cab pickup never would have thought I could fit a sub behinde the seat(most people would have put a box behide the seat and moved the seat up to make room for the sub,not me Im 6'1" and the seat in any position but all the way back is not a option)installation was simple and fast,and they matched up well with the polk 651 6.5" I installed the day before(no amp on the polk's)I was happy with just the polks but I bought the sub the same time but wanted to hear it with and without the sub. I figured if the sub gave me even a little bass I would be vary happy,well it gave me a lot of bass,couldn't be happier.

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RetroSound SUB-8100

This is a nifty little sub and easy to install, but it just didn't move enough air for me. I'm not even really a huge bass advocate, but I needed more than what this was able to provide.

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