Amp Or Sub Or both?

[evgenyvasenev]

I am thinking about upgrading the base sound system to kickers speakers and wanted to add a sub as well. But after reading a few threads I am on the fence. Some folks suggest to prioritize an amp over a sub, some say opposite. I want to add some bass for sure, but I don't want too much of it and shake my car Does amp do the job or without a sub I will not get good results? Or should I install both and enjoy?

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[Jon D.]

Seem like the folks who are doing the amp only are happier, but without a sub, there’s no way to get the full frequency range. If you want base, amp and sub. Or better yet, speaker swap, sub and amp(s).

 

[Jazer]

Love my setup. <1000$ invested and the improvement is night and day. I have the kicker key 200 amp & 4 kicker CS speakers up front, and the kicker hideaway hs8.. I got the amp and sub from PlugNPlay kits (highly recommend) w/wiring harness.

The amp helps the front tremendously and does bring back some bass lost from just swapping speakers (which I did as step 1), and opens up the audio a lot... But a dedicated sub is the only way to get any true bass. I just wanted sound that better suited the price point of my Bronco, and wasn't looking to rattle my doors off and am super happy with this setup.

 

[Area51BS]

One of the hideaway flat subs with amp built in will not shake your Bronco. Get one of those and an amp for the speakers. Preferably an amp with a high pass selection to block deep bass from the amplification circuit and speakers. This is a better way than bass blockers on the speakers. Frees the amp up from reproducing bass frequencies that the speakers can’t reproduce. Clears up the speakers midrange to by doing so.

 

[Dmorty217]

Both. You will need a amp for your 6.5 and 4” speakers, a kicker key 200.4 is what I have and a lot of others do too. The sub will need its own amp. Will vary greatly on what sub you get as to what amp should be used.

 

[MyBHinds]

It really depends on personal preference. Are you wanting just more volume or wanting a little bump? Will you be running with the top off quite a bit? If wanting more volume, then add the amp. If running with the top off alot then even a sub will not give you the bump. If want a little bass, then I'd recommend going with a self-amplified unit. Something like a JL Audio or Kicker. Wire it so you can remove from the vehicle whenever you so desire. I prefer a loud listening experience with good bump. I've installed a JL XD600 amp paired with a JL HO112 sub. Listen on average at vol 22. With top on, crazy loud, but with the top off, the bass diminishes significantly. So like I said, just depends on what kind of sound your after and how you plan to use your Bronco. Can't go wrong, just think through how you plan to listen to it.

 

[evgenyvasenev]

So if I will take this set: https://plugnplaykits.com/products/...y-audio-harnesses-kits?variant=42387924648126 and this sub: https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109BASPRON/JBL-BassPro-Nano.html (I like how it's small and fits the rear seat) I will be fine?

 

[evgenyvasenev]

It really depends on personal preference. Are you wanting just more volume or wanting a little bump? Will you be running with the top off quite a bit? If wanting more volume, then add the amp. If running with the top off alot then even a sub will not give you the bump. If want a little bass, then I'd recommend going with a self-amplified unit. Something like a JL Audio or Kicker. Wire it so you can remove from the vehicle whenever you so desire. I prefer a loud listening experience with good bump. I've installed a JL XD600 amp paired with a JL HO112 sub. Listen on average at vol 22. With top on, crazy loud, but with the top off, the bass diminishes significantly. So like I said, just depends on what kind of sound your after and how you plan to use your Bronco. Can't go wrong, just think through how you plan to listen to it.

No open top, I don't need higher volume, but I want reacher sound. Right now it sounds pretty flat. I don't need a jumping car with shaking doors, but just good sound with a gentle bass.

 

[sLopeFx]

I would do both, but I like clean tight sound. The 4" front and rear speaks are all bad especially the rears. If you don't want to get to bass heavy some folks are finding happiness with adding an amp to the stock system and adding a small powered sub under a seat. Won't be that dynamic, but may get you where you want without spending a lot of time and $$.

 

[Fishwrinkle]

I’d like to also add if you really want clear music think of adding a line out converter to clean up that nasty signal and frequency blockers that Ford puts in the software. I guess maybe the key amp will do that but I don’t think so, it’s just a digital eq. I wish I could comment on the sound, but I had to take the bronco in for warranty work 2 wks ago in the middle of my build. Kicker Ks series all the way around with an audio control lc7i LOC and a Fosgate 1000x5. My plan is to possibly print some pods for the rear to house JL shallow 8”. Don’t want to lose cargo area as it’s almost all claimed by off-road shit and an iceco. Whatever up do get an amp at least to drive those new speakers

 

[gaaangs]

I'd prioritize the amp and speakers first.

Then Id throw a 6.5 kicker sub in the stock spot in th cargo area with the ford fusion amp. Everything that I mentioned is basically plug n play - easiest way by far to get a pretty awesome system at a decent price.

 

[RagnarKon]

Start with an amp... but get a harness with a load resister on it that will allow you to add an subwoofer later.

 

[evgenyvasenev]

I'd prioritize the amp and speakers first.

Then Id throw a 6.5 kicker sub in the stock spot in th cargo area with the ford fusion amp. Everything that I mentioned is basically plug n play - easiest way by far to get a pretty awesome system at a decent price.

Thanks. I a fine to install all, just don't want to have jumpy seats and rattle windows. But if I decide to go with a sub (and I am sold on the amp already) I would prefer to do it at the same time and not open up everything twice.

 

[evgenyvasenev]

Start with an amp... but get a harness with a load resister on it that will allow you to add an subwoofer later.

Yeah, looking at this. Do I understand right, by using this harness I don't need to power the sub from a battery? Everything will go from the amp and amp gets power from the radio? And I need tap speakers too, right?

 

[gaaangs]

Thanks. I a fine to install all, just don't want to have jumpy seats and rattle windows. But if I decide to go with a sub (and I am sold on the amp already) I would prefer to do it at the same time and not open up everything twice.

For sure - do you have the sub delete? Basically the housing for the sub in the back but a ghost amp and sub?

A lot of members havae been buying a ford fusion amp and a 6.5 kicker and swapping - check out the write up below. It'll give you bass but not too much bass which sounds like what you are after.

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