Bose Sub vs JL Audio

[09tahoehybrid]

Hey guys,

A friend of mine has a 6.5 inch JL Audio 6W3V3 Sub left over from a build he did, he is ready to sell it to me for $50 if I want it.

My questions are: can I replace the 6.5 bose sub with the JL audio one? Can I still use my Stock nav head unit? And will I need to upgrade the amp? What all do I need to do the swap?

I really appreciate any help Thanks!

 

[Nuttzzy]

plan on using the same box? you can prob still use the stock HU and amp umm be pushing the same power to the JL and the Bose unless you upgrade it.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

I'll try to use the same box but the JL sub is longer so it may not fit...I can get a small custom box made no problem.

The 6.5 JL Audio sub is 300 watts max...is getting a new amp worth it? I will have to keep my stock head unit because it displays hybrid info on there. Will an aftermarket amp work with the stock nav head unit?
Do I need any line out converters or something??

Sorry im a total noob when it comes to car audio.

 

[yates ™]

It would need to be a shallow sub to fit.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

It would need to be a shallow sub to fit.

Thanks Yates, do u know of any subs that fit in the factory enclosure? I think kicker makes one...But I dont know... a Bose system with a lowly kicker sub? Not sure..

 

[yates ™]

Not off hand but I can look. The biggest problem you will run in to is that the factory amp will not have enough power to run the sub so you may not see very big gains. To my understanding the factory "sub" is nothing more then a 6.5" tuned for low frequency.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

Not off hand but I can look. The biggest problem you will run in to is that the factory amp will not have enough power to run the sub so you may not see very big gains. To my understanding the factory "sub" is nothing more then a 6.5" tuned for low frequency.

I wouldn't be surprised...the stock sub-woofer is definitely weak.

 

[yates ™]

Honestly unless you are going to replace the amp I'm not sure it would be worth money or hassle

 

[09tahoehybrid]

Honestly unless you are going to replace the amp I'm not sure it would be worth money or hassle

is it possible for me to change the sub & amp, but keep the nav head unit?

 

[yates ™]

PAC audio makes an adapter

 

[ChrisAU]

I think that sub would be a significant enhancement over the Bose sub, but it will want more power.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

I think that sub would be a significant enhancement over the Bose sub, but it will want more power.

So I will need a line out converter to use the stock nav headunit that will run an aftermarket amp that will power the sub...right? Do I need anything else?

Do you guys have any recommendations on what amp I should use? How many watts are needed considering the sub is a small 6.5?

Also is the PAC line out converter o.k or should I look at Schoche or Audiocontrol LC2i

Thanks

 

[felixgun]

Look up the JL 250/1 or 500/1 for an amp. Have you thought about replacing the head unit? When I added the pioneer avic-z110bt to my tahoe it made the factory sub sound a LOT better.

 

[shundal]

with just running a single 6 inch, you don't really need to add the LC2i. Stick with either the PAC or a cheaper Schoche LOC. Look for an amp that can push around 150 to 250 rms, and you can always turn the gain down if its too much. It would be best if you get an amp with a remote bass knob, so you can adjust the bass on the sub without having to mess with the bass settings on the stock head unit. This will help your stock speakers from having to take as big a beating, and sound cleaner.

This Alpine is a damn good amp for the money. A little more power than you will need, but you can turn the gain down, it will allow you to upgrade in the future if you need, and will give you the bass adjustability. http://www.woofersetc.com/p-6249-mrp-m500-alpine-mono-500w-subwoofer-amplifier.aspx

 

[09tahoehybrid]

Thanks for the reply's guys.

The only reason im keeping the stock head unit is because it displays the hybrid powertrain info on there, were it not for that, I would swap it in a heartbeat.

Also im pretty sure the JL Audio 6.5 is too deep at 4-3/16" to fit in the stock "box".

So I think my options are...

1) Kicker 6.5" CompVT
http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-6-5-CompVT-Subwoofer-10CVT652/dp/B0036MQWR4/ref=pd_sim_e_1

2) CDT M6+
http://www.ebay.com/itm/M6-i-SINGLE-CDT-AUDIO-6-5-MID-WOOFER-SUBWOOFER-CAR-SPEAKER-HD-M6-MIDBASS-6W0-/110767732105?pt=Car_Speakers&vxp=mtr&hash=item19ca457589

3) Hybrid Audio Imagine I6SW 6.5
http://store.12velectronics.com/products/-Imagine-I6SW-6.5%22-Subwoofer.html



What do you guys think, anyone have any experience with these or suggest something different?

 

[shundal]

I had a jl stealthbix that replaced the console sub. It was a 10 inch w1. If that could fit, the shallow mount alpine 10 inch type r should fit. Would get lower and louder than a 6.5 woofer

Thanks for the reply's guys.

The only reason im keeping the stock head unit is because it displays the hybrid powertrain info on there, were it not for that, I would swap it in a heartbeat.

Also im pretty sure the JL Audio 6.5 is too deep at 4-3/16" to fit in the stock "box".

So I think my options are...

1) Kicker 6.5" CompVT
http://www.amazon.com/Kicker-6-5-CompVT-Subwoofer-10CVT652/dp/B0036MQWR4/ref=pd_sim_e_1

2) CDT M6+
http://www.ebay.com/itm/M6-i-SINGLE-CDT-AUDIO-6-5-MID-WOOFER-SUBWOOFER-CAR-SPEAKER-HD-M6-MIDBASS-6W0-/110767732105?pt=Car_Speakers&vxp=mtr&hash=item19ca457589

3) Hybrid Audio Imagine I6SW 6.5
http://store.12velectronics.com/products/-Imagine-I6SW-6.5%22-Subwoofer.html



What do you guys think, anyone have any experience with these or suggest something different?

 

[09tahoehybrid]

I like the idea of the stealthbox, but its $500-$600 which is a little too much for me.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

Alright...I decided to try something a little different.

Since I want to keep the stock enclosure, I decided to go with a 6.5" Exodus Anarchy midwoofer as my "sub". It runs at 125w max rms at 4ohms and is supposed to be pretty good. Powering it will be a Rockford Fosgate Punch 300w monoblock amp, combined with a little polyfill in the enclosure and we'll see how it turns out!

I realize this setup won't bang like a 10" or 12", but I hope to get clean, clear bass that hits harder than stock. The cost for the line out converter, woofer, and amp came to $205 total.

 

[wheatswake]

from what i understand the bose system/amp does not allow simple speaker swap. i could be wrong but i understood that the bose amp and speakers use some kind of clipping system where the ohms constantly vary, the amp is reading speaker load and limiting power output to sub/speakers in order to protect them. thats why the system does not get super loud. i went with the MTX thunderform 10 in w/ bulit in amp. even though i love jl, i think they over price the stealth boxes. mtx thunderform is much cheaper than jl audio stealthbox. ebay $300-550 vs. $500-600 . also mtx thunderforms come in four different setups, jl only has one setup. mtx- 1. just the empty box (put ur own shallow mount sub in it) , 2. box w/ base model 10in sub, 3. box w/ upgraded 10in sub, 4. box w/ base 10in. sub and bulit in amp. i got the last one w the amp and it rocks, plus no worries of having to mount another amp and run wires. plus if i ever blow this mtx 10 a replacement is $50 or i can upgrade to better sub.

 

[09tahoehybrid]

from what i understand the bose system/amp does not allow simple speaker swap. i could be wrong but i understood that the bose amp and speakers use some kind of clipping system where the ohms constantly vary, the amp is reading speaker load and limiting power output to sub/speakers in order to protect them. thats why the system does not get super loud. i went with the MTX thunderform 10 in w/ bulit in amp. even though i love jl, i think they over price the stealth boxes. mtx thunderform is much cheaper than jl audio stealthbox. ebay $300-550 vs. $500-600 . also mtx thunderforms come in four different setups, jl only has one setup. mtx- 1. just the empty box (put ur own shallow mount sub in it) , 2. box w/ base model 10in sub, 3. box w/ upgraded 10in sub, 4. box w/ base 10in. sub and bulit in amp. i got the last one w the amp and it rocks, plus no worries of having to mount another amp and run wires. plus if i ever blow this mtx 10 a replacement is $50 or i can upgrade to better sub.

Thanks for the reply!

Im pretty sure the sub swap is possible using a line out converter (such as the one made by PAC etc.) I looked at the thunderform & stealthbox but found them a little pricey. I cant change stock nav head unit because it displays the hybrid powertrain info on my truck, so you can understand why I dont want to sink too much into this. I think the setup above will sound nice, it wont flex body panels...but that's not what I wanted anyway. Clear, strong, bass at bearable sound volume levels is what im after.