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Want to add some bass and make your speakers sound better?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Danny, Dec 25, 2003.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    One of the biggest complaints is the lack of bass response coming out of the jbl stock speakers and the lack of power they receive.

    Well, this is a solution to take care of both problems at once.

    Normally $299 at places like Crutchfield, the Bazooka 8in Powered Tube is on clearance for $212.

    (Click for product)
    [Broken External Image]:http://www.circuitcity.com/IMAGE/product/hires/baz/EC.BAZ.CS8A5.JPG

    What's so special about this bazooka tube? Well, it's not only a 100 watt self powered tube, but it's also a 100 watt amp as well (25 watts x channel, 4 channels). So you get added bass from the tube, but also get better response from your stock speakers by doubling the wattage!

    Here's more info:

    Improve your car's factory sound system quality and quantity with the easily-installed CS8A5 8" bass tube! In addition to the built-in 100-watt subwoofer amplifier (which drives the bass tube), you'll also get a powerful 4-channel amp section (25 watts RMS x 4) to bring new life to your factory speakers. Simple to integrate into just about any factory system, you'll hear and feel music like never before.

    A fixed 2-way crossover in the CS8A5 divides the frequency range, sending everything below 100 Hz to the amplified tube. You'll immediately recognize the dramatic enhancement to bass response. At the same time, frequencies above 100 Hz are sent to the 4-channel amp — by removing those low bass notes and adding power, your factory speakers will sound better! Want more? Upgrading your factory speakers will take the performance level up another notch!

    The CS8A5 provides a compact, effective, and easy-to-install improvement for anyone looking to upgrade their factory system while retaining the "factory" look.

    Key Features:
    8" woofer with 100-watt amplifier
    4-channel amp (25 watts RMS x 4)
    built-in 2-way crossover (high-/low-pass at 100 Hz)
    subsonic filter (35 Hz) removes extremely low frequencies for tighter bass with greater volume levels
    included 18-foot harness connects CS8A5 to factory speakers — crimp or solder connections will be necessary
    frequency response 39-20,000 Hz
    18-1/2"W x 10-1/16"H x 8-7/16"D
    1-year warranty
     
    #1 Danny, Dec 25, 2003
  2. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Re: Want to add some bass and make your speakers sound bette

    I'm not so sure you'd be doubling the wattage. The head provides 40wx4 peak, not sure what the RMS value is, but I can't i magine it's < 12.5w.

    I wouldn't mind adding some bass to my premium system though. Bottom response is a bit lackluster.

    -Rick
     
    #2 HTMLSpinnr, Dec 30, 2003
  3. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    I made an assumption that you proved to be incorrect, Rick, I appreciate you posting the nit 'n gritty about the factory system.

    By the way, it looks like the sub has gone up to $249....but the self-powered EL8A-HP is $89.99 right now on circuitcity.com.
     
    #3 Danny, Dec 30, 2003
  4. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    #4 Danny, Jan 2, 2004
  5. FredWB

    FredWB New Member

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    The circuit city sub looks good. I looked at the grills on my car and was amazed to see that they've combined them with the door panel. Combining things has been the engineering trend the last few years. In this case you've got take the door apart I think unless someone knows otherwise. I've never had a snap fit work as well the 2nd time around and don't know anyone I would trust enough to do it...including myself. Again I am assuming that you have to connect things up to the existing speaker wires somehow. Or is there an easy connection under the dash somewhere so you just have to run the wires under the carpet. The money isn't the issue, the issue is will the car suddenly have some new sqeaks when it's all done? In that case I'd have to really crank up that stereo. That's why I opted for the factory installed so called premium (NOT) system, lol!
     
    #5 FredWB, Jan 2, 2004
  6. Wolfman

    Wolfman New Member

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    Fred, any auto parts store has boxes of assorted plastic clips like the ones that hold the door panels to the door. If they break, no bigge, just buy these in advance in case you need 'em as they are dirt cheap.
     
    #6 Wolfman, Jan 2, 2004
  7. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    I've taken the doors off of my MR2 a couple of times. The only rattles I've started to have have been from the increased bass in my speakers :)

    That was fixed easily with some Generic Dynamat (search the site, I made a post on it earlier) for $15. If you're going to taking your doors off anyway, you may as well add something like Dynamat while you have them off. It will also increase the bass response of your speakers and minimize distortion.
     
    #7 Danny, Jan 2, 2004
  8. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Now Marked Down!

    regular price $89.99
    you save -$13.50


    you pay $76.49
     
    #8 Danny, Jan 5, 2004
  9. radiovan

    radiovan Junior Member

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    Saturday I had the "generic Dynamat" from McMaster-Carr installed in the front doors of my '04. A former Toyota mechanic, now an independent, did most of the work.

    We found that the really annoying buzz during low bass in the doors was caused by a plastic riser on the door that transmitted the vibrations to the plastic switch cover of the armrest. The "generic Dynamat" is heavy and the adhesive doesn't grip that well so we installed six pieces in each door where the pieces would be trapped by the plastic door panel.

    Unfortunately I wasn't able to get any photos of the installation but I can provide more details. The bass is cleaner now with no unwanted vibrations. Only the front doors had problems since the back speakers don't put out that much bass.

    There is enough mat left to do at least 3 more cars. If I wanted enough bass for hip-hop I would put premium Dynamat on the inside of the door metal opposite the speakers and add a subwoofer. For my taste in jazz with moderate bass I'm very happy now.
     
    #9 radiovan, Oct 11, 2004
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