I recently purchased a 2006 Acura TL and I would like to put a new subwoofer in as the current stock one sounds busted. I need some guidance. I should pre-face that I know very little about audio, but I have tried to do my research. I don't want to put too much money into this as I don't need anything amazing or crazy loud. Just as crisp and clear of a sound as I can get for around $400, but also something that will bump a little.

First things first, everything is stock and I don't have a clue what the wattage for the stock stereo is. I've tried to find it, but couldn't. The subwoofer I'm looking at is the Infinity REF860 (or maybe the 1060) since they are fairly cheap and I read really good things about them (please let me know if you have experienced them and know anything about them).

I have no idea as far as a decent amp or speakers, but I'm thinking to just replace the 2 front door speakers as well as the subwoofer. I'm trying to decide whether I want just one 8", two 8", one 10" or two 10". My cousin has a Scion Tc with a 10" kicker sub, which seems to be plenty, but it's also a much smaller car. I was wondering if it's possible to remove the stock 8" and put an aftermarket in the same spot? I'm not sure how I would go about that since the aftermarket ones I've seen are circular, while the stock is oval, and haven't been able to find any videos.

Anyways, I haven't even researched amps or speakers yet because I'm not quite sure what to look for. Any and all advice is greatly appreciated! If you guys think it would be drastically better, I can spend as much as $500, but I would like to stay under $400. Thanks for all your help!

 

Alpine MRV-M500 Mono amp @ Crutchfield for $200.
Or Amazon for $150. Run the 2 wires off the factory
8" sub to the Alpine mono amp. Ground the amp next
To it somewhere in the trunk. Its a very small Amp
With 300wrms at 4 ohms and 500wrms at 2 ohms Clean. No need for a cap. Run a 4 ga
Power wire to the battery with a fuse. Then 2 wires
From the Amp output to 1= 12" Subwoofer sealed
In a 1 cuft 3/4" MDF box. Online for $32 shipped.
Seek on Amazon & Ebay. The Amp also has an Optional
Volume control that can be mounted next to drivers seat.
Its about $29.

Amp $150 shipped.
Controller $30 shipped.
Box $32 shipped.
4ga Power 15 feet- $25.
4ga 2 feet ground- $4.
Fuse holder & fuse- $8.
Subwoofer- Look on Crutchfield or call them.
Many $100 12" subwoofers.
this will be fine unless you want ALOT OF BASS !!!
ALOT OF BASS = $$$$$

 

My advice is to go with a box in the trunk. If you put an aftermarket sub in the stock location, you're very likely going to be driven crazy with all of the vibration from the rear deck. The stock sub even vibrates like hell, so putting something more powerful is going to be bananas. Also, bear in mind that the stock sub is 2 ohm where a lot of subs are 4 ohm. That isn't a problem if you're replacing speakers and amps as well. In the stock location you will need a free air sub, which there are not that many of out there.

Just get a box for the trunk and put in a single 10" or 12" and you'll have plenty of thump without breaking the bank.

If you're looking to stay under $500 and preferably $400, then go the sub route and you'll be happy. Once you start getting into changing out speakers and amps as well, you're going to start getting into more serious cash. The stock system isn't bad, it just needs some low end to it.

 

Ha! Crazy. I just put in a 12" sub on Friday with the Alpine MRV-M500. Definitely sounds great, and I'm probably not going to upgrade the fronts. But I probably will add some sound deadening material to the trunk...

Amp - $50 (craigslist)
Box - $200 (I bought the custom box for the Acura TL trunk - fits in the left side)
Wiring + Fuses - $30
Subwoofer- $50 (Element Designs 130v.2, also on craigslist).

 

Interesting thread. I would like to do the same as well. I had a similar setup in a mustang once and the volume control for the amp was the second best part about it (behind the bass!). Would definitely recommend

 

Hahaha
Awesome