Bass packages

If you have limited space, consider a compact powered sub, otherwise go with the biggest subwoofer that'll fit. A 12" subwoofer will usually play louder and deeper than a 10" sub. A single sub might be all it takes to reinforce your music, but if you're looking for volume, then two subs are louder than one.

The amount of power you'll want for your bass system will depend on how loud you want your bass to sound when blended in with the rest of your music. The systems we recommend for small cars come in three basic output power ranges:

• 100-250 watts RMS for bass fill with a factory or aftermarket stereo
• 500-750 watts RMS for powerful bass to go along with an amplified system
• 1,000 watts RMS or more for dedicated bass-lovers

Even little speaker cones can produce large bass sound waves, which are generally between 12 and 30 feet long. Such large sound waves will be unaffected by something as small as a car seat. They won't get reflected or absorbed and will be heard everywhere in your vehicle. The large size of bass waves also makes it almost impossible for our ears to locate their source precisely, so mounting positions for your compact powered subwoofer can vary with minimal adverse effects.

A ported (or vented) enclosure makes the bass sound louder, with more thump and boom, but with a slight loss of accuracy. A sealed enclosure will sound less reverberant (less boomy) but more accurate. A bandpass box is a combination of those two designs, producing a narrower range of powerful bass-frequency sound.

If you're handy with tools, you shouldn't have any problems. You'll need to run a power wire from your vehicle's battery to your powered sub's location, and then a ground wire from there to the chassis. You'll also need RCA cables to carry signal from your aftermarket stereo, or factory stereo interface device, to your new powered subwoofer. Don't worry — when you buy your gear from Crutchfield, our Tech Support people can help you if any issues come up.