I friend of mine gave me this MTX Blue Thunder sub for free and I've never tested it, used it or anything. It was her dads, parents got divorced, and it was just sitting in their garage.

Can I use it for the TL or is it just crap? I also bought a dual 580w amp when it was on sale at BB...didn't really know what I was buying but I couldn't return it. SO....can I use these two or should I just scrap them and start over? I'm on a snug budget....

Pic of the sub:





I know Dual sucks (maybe the sub too...) but I'm curious if I can use what I have....

Thanks!

Amp stats:

Features:

Selectable crossover (high pass/low pass/full range)
Variable high pass crossover
Variable low pass crossover
Class A/B output design
Stereo/bridged simultaneous operation
Direct wire connection terminals
Recessed front mounted controls
Thermal overload protection
Auto-reset speaker short circuit protection
Boom the base with powerful 2-channel MOSFET amplifier
100 watts of RMS power (4 ohms); 150 watts of RMS power (2 ohms
290 watts of bridged, 1-channel RMS power
Compatible with Dual's blue LED accented illumiNITE technology
Selectable crossover (high pass/low pass/full range); recessed front mounted controls

 

22 views and no replies? Its a ghost town in here

Just want to know if what I have will be an improvement over factory, or if its worthless.

 

The sub isnt crap its just old. Its about 8 to 10 years old I believe. It was a good sub in its time. Dont really car much for the Dual amp... Test the sub out, if it sounds good then thats great if not then think of it this way you got your self a box for a new sub.

 

It will work, its just not anything of any quality. No sense in not at least trying it out, as long as you don't mind doing the install.

 

test if you don't like it scrap it....you can get a pretty nasty replacement for a good price on ebay....and that looks like a 12" i'm i right.....

 

Its ten or twelve....this is a STUPID question but when you are measuring, do you measure from the plastic part surrounding the speaker, or just he rubber surround? That makes the difference between 10 & 12 (measured a LONG time ago).

Thanks for the advice...I'm sure it won't be anything to write home about, but maybe it will be good enough who knows....

 

measure from the outside edge to the other outside edge.....

 

Does the outside edge begin at the plastic surround OR the rubber part of the speaker? Thanks

 

The older Blue Thunder stuff was meaty! I'd use that sub any day over the new MTX garbage. That Q Logic box isn't bad either.

DUAL on the other hand....

 

Well, at least I have SOMETHING to start with. I mean, if I don't like it, I can always change it. Is the dual amp not even worth installing? I paid like $50 for it so...it wont be TOO big of a loss. Any advice on an amp would be helpful...

 

An amp to run that sub should cost around $200. I always recommend JL Audio amps. The JL Audio A1200 would be a great fit for that sub.

Dual is not the worst amp in the world. But, you get what you pay for.

 

So...if I thrown in the Dual and it sucks, will all the wiring be the same for the JL audio? Old amp out, new amp in?

 

jus try it out and move from there. If it sounds like shit then you know you have room for improvement. The hardest thing of an install is hiding the wires and making it work after that everything is cake. If you don't like how it sounds after install then change the amp which is easy

 

The Dual and the JL Audio should both use 8 gauge cable. Your wiring should be cool with either amp.

 

What do you guys think of 5 channel amps? I did a two minute google search,and it seems like they are much more expensive, but it might be a good start for me since I already have the sub, AND I kind of want to keep the factory look for a while (maybe). So would it be difficult to buy that 5 channel amp, wire it through the factory speakers and to my sub?

 

I'm running a 5 channel amp in my TSX to power the full cabin and 1 10" sub from a single amp. I do like it because its a single amp, easier to install and cable manage, but just be prepared, as it is a serious wiring job to re-do the whole cabin. It took me about a week of working on the car for 1 - 2 hours a night to get it right. A more experienced person could have done it much quicker I'm sure, but this was a first go for me at a full cabin re-wire.

 

I have a 5 channel Memphis Belle from my last vehicle that I would part with for the right price. It's a pretty nice amp.

 

What is the right price?

 

$375 plus shipping. Better act quick, I'm thinking about putting it in my wife's car.

 

Here's some pics of it in my last vehicle..an '05 Chevy Avalanche...





It powered my entire system...front components, rear coaxial, and 12" Kicker L5 with no problems...

 

I like 5channels, if you aren't the type to change stuff around, and get new equipment. I bought a Aura RPM-3005 cause it was cheap, and was using the 4ch. to run 2-way active up front, and the 5th channel on a single 10 in an ABC box in the back.

But now i'm thinking of running more power and adding another sub (I have a memphis 1000d in California that a friend is borrowing, and a matching 10" too). So the 5th channel might just go to waste, if I ever get a chance to pick that stuff up. I have like 3 other little amps sitting around too, so i'll probably just mix and match, and see what works the best.

would you have to pay to install that Dual amp? or DIY? if you are going to DIY and have the time, it wouldn't hurt to just throw it in there. or if you pay, just make sure they use good enough wiring, and put it in a place you wouldn't mind having another amp if you plan on upgrading.