[johndeereowner]

hey im 15. getting my license next june. i cant wait. well my buddies all have woofers in their cars. i was just wandering if anybody does in here.


and no, just because you have woofers doesnt mean you just listen to rap. i know kids that buy really loud bass woofers and use them for sound quality for country and stuff.

 

[HydroHarold]

I'm just sorry I wasn't the first guy to have that first silly A-H pull up along side me with that first stupid thumpin' music stuff going... You wouldn't be posting on this public nuisance foolishness, beaches would be a pleasant place to go to and everyone that lives next to a street could sleep at night.... What makes these "music idiots" think everybody should have to put up with that crap anyway? It's juvenile B-S, go put something constructive or useful on your ride like an "Ahoo-ga Horn" or manifold wolf whistle like I did.

 

[johndeere]

I would put the money toward gas or taking out your favorite girlfriend rather then putting that junk in your heap.Thats the same exact advice I gave my son a few years back.He went with the biggest woofer and built the biggest box to put it in and added all the high power electronics that ended up screwing up the complete vehical.Served him right because he did this because I advised him not to do it.Just like that collection of Head Banger bongo noise maker CD's he threw his money away on.Now there worth pennies on the dollar.

 

[Upper5Percent]

I'm torn about giving advice, since I'm heavily invested in Beltone Hearing Aids...

Save your money...

 

[TUDOR]

Sorry son, you won't find too many people on this site who appreciate having their ears assaulted by excessively loud music. Above a certain decibel level the brain translates music as noise. I quit going to concerts at age twenty because of the decibel level. Recently, I've tried a few concerts and found that even with the hearing protection that I wore as a millwright in a steel mill, the decibel level was too high for comfort. At age 62, I have come to the conclusion that there are 3 levels of amplified music. Back ground, a level at which one can carry on a conversation without raising voices. Listening, a level at which conversation is difficult without focusing on the person speaking, thus interrupting the pleasure of listening to the music. And finally, Damaging, a level at which temporary or permanent hearing debilitation can occur and conversation can only be carried out at shouting levels less than a foot from the listeners ear. The sound levels in a car with a sub woofer which can be heard over 100 feet away are in this last level. Buy a decibel meter and learn how to use it. They are on eBay for about $25, shipping included. Remember that in industry, for sound levels above 90 Db., hearing protection is strongly recommended and above 100-105 Db., protection is compulsory. Get a hold of a manual for an amp or a mixer used by a band. In the manual there is a section dealing with how much time at what sound level is safe.

I run sound at two local jam sessions. With the number of players we get, it is a struggle to keep the sound level below 95 Db. on some nights. Most of the time sound is below 90 Db. Only the lead guitar, base, fiddle, harmonica, keyboard, banjo, mandolin and voices are amplified. The sax, drum and the 4-12 accoustic guitars are not. The audience loves it because they can still chat without yelling. The jammers love it because no one can step on their music and they can hear their own instrument.

High power amps and large speakers definitely produce better quality music.... at lower volume levels. The higher the volume, the more any distortion that is present is amplified.

Have respect for others, they may not wish to be forced to listen to your choice of music.

Bob

 

[Wid LT1000]

Ahh, memories. I went thru the sub-woofer stage in the early 90's. I guess it was a right of passage for the younger generation. My drab green 1978 Plymouth Volare was rockin'.

Now I see my 18 year old nephew going thru the same phase.

In defense of sub-woofers - I have to tell you that my Acura TL has a fully adjustable factory sub. Nothing crazy, but it does compliment certain music.

My advice if you decide on a sub:
Don't go overkill, because as mentioned above you'll lose money and likely outgrow it quick.

Don't use it to impress your friends, girls, or to draw attention to yourself.

Use it to enjoy your music - and always be mindful and respectful to others around you (traffic, neighborhoods, etc).

 

[Bolens 1000]

Save your money and buy a Bolens:1287:

 

[tonyb]

I had a jensen 200 watt amp (100 watt per channel), cheap duo coil sub in the back deck of my olds 88 got plenty of bass. Made my bluegrass sound great. You don't need those big box 1000 watt ear bombs. Get a real nice top shelf radio, top shelf replacement speakers that is all you need. You want to balance the high-mid-low. Too much bass and the music sounds off. To me anyway.

 

[silver hair deere]

the only thing that keeps me from blasting those puckers , that come down my road late at night is i can't get to the window fast anymore , do you want to know whats wrong with the world , KNOW ONE RESPECTS THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS ANYMORE . including the right of silence !! if you want to listen to your sub-woofers , put your car in the garage and close the doors .

shd

 

[JRC0528]

My first word of advise (I've installed several systems into my cars in the past) is to find a way to install the sub so that it sounds DIRECTLY into the passenger compartment, NOT into the trunk!

This does two things for you immediately:

1) You'll get more & clearer sound from fewer watts of amp/speaker power

2) You'll have less 'noise' leaking out of the car to annoy all your neighbors

My last setup was a 12" Pioneer Premier 1000W 4ohm DVC powered my a 1000W Kenwood amp. The sub was mounted in a 1.5 cu. ft. sealed box and up through the rear deck of the car. A large scoop baffle (looked similar to an older hood scoop) directed the sound forward into the car, protecting the rear window from the direct assult of the speaker. The DVCs were hooked in series (8 ohms) and run to the bridged amp, giving me around 500W of available power. I ended up turning the gain of the amp WAY DOWN, as it was too much power for comfortable listning; you could see/feel the breeze it created inside the car if you turned it all the way up! As for clarity, I've never seen another system with such tight bass!

All the other speakers were directly driven from my Panasonic CQ-C9700U 70W x 4 channel head unit.

 

[defcondaze]

some nice responses here .... lol
when "subwoofer" is mentioned ... "excessively loud" is what pops into your head? ... babies, motorcycles,trucks, cars,tvs, .... tractors ?..etc ... :biglaugh:
how about for all the above ?

what do you noise police think about people buying harleys ?
i guess they have no respect...:duh:

****, youll find people will complain about riding a 8hp mini bike around your yard.
"your distrubing nature ! ....... theres a dog barking now..." :biglaugh:

any way i've had several subs/amps over the past 10 years
nothing too extreme really... but i enjoy it
if you like to listen to music alot, go for it !
helps on long trips to, and makes commuting more enjoyable.
also when you live with your PARENTS, they may not want to hear your loud music at home ..... so where else can you go ?

yes there is some people who just put it as loud as it will go and just drive down the street and turn around... drive through parking lots ... etc to be "cool", that doesnt mean everyone who has a subwoofer does this

me and a freind joked about borrowing a pro-sound van set up ... put on ear protection, turn it all the way up and drive through the mall

theres alot of disrespectful drivers on the road, im least annoyed by the ones playing load music next to me...... its the ones that sit at stop lights, yak on the phone blocking traffic, cut people off and then forget where the gas petal is.... you know ... people who cant drive !

 

[steve42]

OK, I'm going to inject another philosophy into the discussion, that of the beauty and the production of music itself. It doesn't matter whether you listen to rap, country, rock, folk, or bluegrass. It's all about the quality of the sound.

In round numbers:

Subwoofers typically handle sounds that are in the 20 Hz to 150 Hz range.
Woofers handle 40 Hz to 1000Hz.
Midrange speakers handle 300 Hz to 5000Hz.
Tweeters handle 2,000 to 20,000Hz.

Most of us over the age of 30 have heard the cheap speakers from our youths where the sound was tinny and distorted, even at low volumes. Manufacturers of the discount store special speakers back then cut corners by making a speaker out of a tweeter and a woofer, skipping the midrange. By doing so, they eliminated the 1,000 Hz to 2,000 Hz frequencies, resulting in a sound that had too many highs and lows, but no depth of sound. When we finally heard speakers with a midrange, we thought we were hearing a true sound enigineering feat of genius.

Another issue is that speakers have a "sweet spot" within their designated range. Above and below that sweet spot, other frequencies are portrayed less accurately, even sounds that technically fit within their specs.

By building a complete system using all four types, you cover the full range that is audible to the human ear (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz), and in the really good systems, the individual speakers have limiters to prevent them from attempting to produce frequencies that are better handled by another type in the system.

So you get a setup like this (again, round numbers not representative of any one system):
20 Hz to 100 Hz - handled by subwoofer
100 Hz to 800 Hz - handled by woofer
800 Hz to 4,000 Hz - handled by midrange
4,000 to 20,000 Hz - handled by tweeter

Now, even if you are listening to bluegrass, you are getting the full audible spectrum from the lowest lows of the standup bass to the highest highs of the fiddle.

None of this translates into volume. Volume is produced by introducing the amplifier. Certain amps produce louder volumes, and it takes speakers rated to handle that volume to produce louder sound.

So, getting back to johndeereowner's original question, yes, some of us have subs in our cars (mine came from the factory). Getting a sub doesn't mean you have to throw 1000 watts at it. The sound will be very nice and full (with good speakers all around) at 150w - 200w. You can get all your sounds and not annoy the old fogies, and I recommend you not! That way, you can still enjoy that music to its fullest (having not lost your hearing in certain ranges) when you ARE an old fogie.

Steve

 

[defcondaze]

I'm just sorry I wasn't the first guy to have that first silly A-H pull up along side me with that first stupid thumpin' music stuff going... You wouldn't be posting on this public nuisance foolishness, beaches would be a pleasant place to go to and everyone that lives next to a street could sleep at night.... What makes these "music idiots" think everybody should have to put up with that crap anyway? It's juvenile B-S, go put something constructive or useful on your ride like an "Ahoo-ga Horn" or manifold wolf whistle like I did.

Your TOTALLY right HH , .... hey look ... heres your son ! :fam32:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjycPit1DPo&feature=related

:bananapow :bannana:

 

[Tractor-Holic]

I've had my share of amps,still have two 15" subwoofers in huge HEAVY wooden carpeted enclosures I used in my Van,and my station wagon,then in the garage after I sold or took them off the road..right now I have only one amp in my van that still works,and its been unused for years..they were cheap "American Hi-Fi" moffset flea market specials..

Dont get me wrong,I love music,have spent thousands going to concerts and fan club parties,and enjoy it a lot..but sometimes music is nothing but annoying noise,if its not the type your into (like rap!),that you can hear thumping a half mile away before the car its playing in goes by your home..

Call me a noise cop,but I find that very annoying,as I do ALL un-nessasary noise!--and yeah,almost as annoying as the morons with motorcylces who insist on modifying the exhaust until they sound like a rasberry fart or a ****** off bumble-bee,then proceed to drive them on residential roads like its New England Dragway,back and forth repeatedly--or the neighbors with barking dogs that never shut up and get left tied outside 24/7..or use mini-bikes and quads for motorized baby-sitters for their brats..no consideration for those next door with ill elderly parents or other problems,who now cant sleep,listen to a TV or radio,or do much of anything,really..it gets to the point the noise makes you physically ill..sick to your stomach,and drives you insane after awhile..builds up stress to intolerable levels..

I have a car wash 1/4 mile away,and I often hear the "bommmmp--bommmp-bommmp" of the thumping bass, at all hours of the day and night..why people think its ok and nessasary to blast the music while vacuuming their car ,even at 2 am,I dont understand..neighbors with home theater and stereos with high wattage are now a problem,because they turn up the volume,to overcome all the outside noises I just listed!..there is something about bass that annoys you more than anything,except maybe a barking dog..maybe because you "feel" it more than hear it??..

I dont know..all I do know is the only time I like loud music is when I'm listening to what I like,and I keep it at a tolerable level..I feel some amplification IS needed to get the full spectrum of the music and to power the speakers with huge magnets,but you dont have to rattle windows 1000 feet away either..

One thing about concerts,I have been to many,and it seems the louder the music is played--the louder in inconsiderates seated nearby TALK and try their best to ignore the performers ,lately..people have no manners any more,I used to like going to concerts,now I find it hard to have a good time at them when people wont shut the BLANK UP and LISTEN to the performers!...I'm getting tired of blowing 100 bucks and driving 100 miles to see an artist I like,then have to be annoyed by some idiot who wont be quiet or otherwise ruins it for you..

I say buy the amp and subwoofer if you want too,but dont go crazy--my amps were 100 watts a channel and it was plenty to deafen me,and make the music sound good..I probably spent 700 bucks on amps,those 15" subwoofers,various other "bass tubes" and speakers,and now I kinda wish I had that money BACK..remember this stuff is BAIT for thieves too,dont be surprised if your car gets broken into and the stuff stolen!!..I learned THAT the hard way too..that loud music is a rolling advertisement to theives that "I have a high dollar stereo system"..also,cops here are finally handing out 100-200 dollar "noise" tickets to those who insist on blasting the stereos too,not often enough if you ask me though..so that can cost you too!..

 

[davidg]

i used to be into the whole "Crank It Up" scene and go to the contests, though my ride was never in competition.

in 12th grade i had a '89 Nissan regular cab 4x4. behind the seats i had a custom built box that went floor to ceiling. lower box had 2 12's in it, middle box had 4 8's, 6 6's, 6 4's, and maybe 6 or 8 3" tweets. then the upper box had 2 more 12's in it. plus a couple of 6x9's in the doors. i had a 1000W amp to run the high's and mids, the 12's were driven with a pair of Punch 45's bridged and running into under a 2ohm load. my 12's were pulling 7.5 AMPS OF AC CURRENT at full volume! yes, that is on the speaker wires! i could put a quarter on the dash and watch it flip from heads to tails all day long. the amps would get so hot under the seat that i had to run the AC ducting under there and keep the AC on year round. my secondary blower failed one day and i did not know it. after about 30 minutes of run time i smelled smoke and the Punchs were cooked. after that i pulled every thing out and said screw it.

if you want to do it, do it. just respect other's rights not to have to hear it. most places now have noise ordinances anyway, and if you get busted they can have the authority to remove the radio or even impound the vehicle(here that takes 3 tickets in a year).

as others have said though, protect your ears. if you go to the pro shows you will notice that the REAL pros do not get inside the vehicles with the sound turned up. i wish i had used some sense when younger, it is **** having to ask your 5 year old to repeat herself cause you did not understand when she whispered "I Love You Daddy!"

 

[Woody83]

Oh how I remember pimping out the minivan with a woofer/amp/speakers/cd player.

I also remember how it was all later stolen.

 

[Wid LT1000]

some nice responses here .... lol
when "subwoofer" is mentioned ... "excessively loud" is what pops into your head? ... babies, motorcycles,trucks, cars,tvs, .... tractors ?..etc ... :biglaugh:
how about for all the above ?

what do you noise police think about people buying harleys ?
i guess they have no respect...:duh:

****, youll find people will complain about riding a 8hp mini bike around your yard.
"your distrubing nature ! ....... theres a dog barking now..." :biglaugh:

defcondaze,

What a fantastic point.

My Harley, truck, tractor - and sometimes dogs - are way louder than any sound system I've ever owned. I'll keep the noise down during off-hours like most of us, and even coast the bike and truck thru the neighborhood where possible.

I try to be respectful and not be "that guy"... though I probably am anyway. Maybe that's why none of my neighbors like me? Until it's time to clear snow or do major landscaping... :sidelaugh

 

[HydroHarold]

Generally speaking...

"what do you noise police think about people buying harleys ?
i guess they have no respect..."

Buying a Harley? Buy one and let it sound like a high quality properly muffled motor vehicle when NOT AT the track. There's no need for everybody's Harley to sound like a ****'s Angels bike. I don't think there's very many ****'s Angels wannabes that could carry a true Angel's jock anyway. (It must be sooo cool to try though.) If you want to attract attention to yourself that much maybe there's some other answer like the circus or MTV or a hollerin' contest at the fair.

Ride all you want out on the interstate on that Harley Davidson "HLMM"* . The 99% of the rest of us:
A. Don't need to know in advance that you're coming.
B. Don't care at all what you look like or or what "brand" you're riding when you're passing by.
C. Don't care squat about anyone like you with that kind of disregard for the rest of the world around him.

* "Hey, Lookie ME MEEEEEEE!"

"some nice responses here .... lol
when "subwoofer" is mentioned ... "excessively loud" is what pops into your head? ... babies, motorcycles,trucks, cars,tvs, .... tractors ?..etc ..."

I guess you can place me in the B-I-G "etc." group. I don't resent babies or parents of noisy babies attending to them, drivers of normally sounding motorcycles (even doing wheelies in traffic) trucks, cars, or owners of TVs. I resent any A-H who doesn't respect MY right to enjoy a normal background noise world and goes out of his way to make sure I know that HE's the one making it abnormal.

Interestingly, if you ask one of these noisy, dispectful jokers to "tone it down a bit" they show their understanding and intellegence by making even more of a disturbance just to pi$$ you off. AND when you finally figure out what pi$$es THEM off the most... they go totally ballistic. (Man, THAT is fun!)

If you find that you absolutely have to make a ruckus everywhere you are or what you do all the time...? Something has to be wrong there... "neighbor". (Or you might be just plain silly, disturbed or a youth who just doesn't get it yet.)

 

[defcondaze]

Generally speaking...


If you find that you absolutely have to make a ruckus everywhere you are or what you do all the time...? Something has to be wrong there... "neighbor". (Or you might be just plain silly, disturbed or a youth who just doesn't get it yet.)

i agree, just pointing out buying a sub woofer doesn't automatically put you into THAT group.

BTW ... did you watch the horn video ??

 

[Wid LT1000]

Harold,

You make pretty good points there. This is becoming a fun thread!

Though - we could debate the loud pipes on motorcycles... that's the first thing I modify (along with a louder horn)... nothing illegal, but something to un-cork the hum. I got tired of kicking doors and fenders of 4 wheelers coming into my lane.

From what I've seen, the only person bothered by my motorcycle exhaust note is the person on the cell phone in their car...

And my truck isn't too loud, I think there's some kind of flowmaster system on it. It purrs unless hammered, and with a V10, I'd rather keep some gas in the tank anyway.

Now the air horn that I just installed on the truck... that's a different story! I'll lay into anyone I see driving poorly and on a phone. And I'll do it with a smile.

When it comes to my safety or the safety of others, I really don't care who I annoy with noise. These folks need to find something more important to worry about, or invest in some ear plugs. :bannana: