The right sub setup depends on three things: how much space you can give up, how hard you want it to hit, and what radio you are keeping. Small space and a factory radio usually means a powered sub. A trunk or truck cab you can give up means a loaded box and a mono amp. Here is how we point people at the counter, with the parts that come along for the ride.
Before we talk brands, we ask about the car. A sedan trunk, a hatchback, a crew cab and a regular cab truck do not leave the same space for a box, not even close. Then we ask how much bass you want. Some people just want the low end the factory system is missing. Others want the mirrors to shake.
The last question is the radio. If you are keeping the factory radio, the sub or amp needs to take a speaker-level signal, and some cars need help getting clean bass out of the factory system. If you already have an aftermarket radio with sub outputs, wiring is simpler. Those three answers narrow it down to one of four setups below.
A powered sub has the sub, the box and the amp in one piece. It is the easy way to add bass to a factory system without giving up much space. The Kicker Hideaway 51HS12 goes a step bigger with a 12-inch woofer and a 230-watt RMS amp in a frame about 3-1/2 inches tall, and it works with start-stop vehicles.
The tradeoff is honest and simple. A powered sub fills in the bottom end, but it will not hit like a separate amp and a bigger box. It is a great fit for daily drivers who want fuller sound, not a show.
This is where most people land. A loaded enclosure comes with the sub already in a box made for it, so there is no guessing on box size.
The sub and amp line up on power and load, which is what you want.
A loaded box does take trunk space. Sealed or ported is a taste call, and we have a separate post on that. Here the point is that the box, sub and amp are chosen to work together.
Trucks are their own thing. There is not much depth behind or under the seat, so we lean on thin subs and boxes shaped for cabs.
For some full-size trucks, Kicker makes vehicle-specific boxes. The 51KFDL7T102 holds two 10-inch L7T square subs in a down-firing box for select F-150 and Super Duty trucks, wired to 2 ohms, and Kicker recommends 1,000 watts RMS. There are matching Kicker boxes for select Silverado and Sierra trucks (51KGMDL7T122, two 12s) and select Ram trucks (51KRDL7T102, two 10s).
Cab style and year decide whether a box fits. We do not promise a fit from the model name. We confirm it for your exact truck before you buy.
A component sub is just the driver. You pick or build the box. This makes sense when you have an odd space, want a custom build, or plan to add more later. The Kicker L7S 44L7S124 is a square 12 with dual 4-ohm coils rated 750 watts RMS, and Kicker lists 1.25-2.0 cu. ft. sealed or 1.75-3.25 cu. ft. vented boxes for it.
Raw subs need more planning. The box has to match the sub's specs, and the voice coils have to be wired to a load your amp likes. For two subs or a bigger build, the Kicker CX 46CXA1200.1 is rated 1,200 watts RMS at 2 ohms and is 1-ohm stable, with a 25 Hz subsonic filter. The Pioneer GM-DX971 is another strong option, rated 1,200 W RMS at 1 ohm with a bass remote.
Every sub with a separate amp needs a wiring kit: power and ground wire, a fuse holder, remote wire and terminals. For a single sub amp, the Stinger SK4241 4-gauge kit is a common pick. Bigger amps and multi-amp builds get the Stinger SK4201 1/0-gauge kit. We match the gauge and fuse to your amp, and we will tell you when a big build needs a battery or charging upgrade too.
If you are keeping the factory radio, the amp needs a clean signal. Many mono amps take speaker-level inputs. The Kicker KEY 47KEY500.1 goes further, using automatic processor to correct peaks and bring back missing bass from a factory radio. For bigger systems, the AudioControl EPICENTER PRO restores low bass that factory systems and recordings leave out.
Bass can make panels and plates buzz. A Dynamat Xtreme kit in the trunk or doors cuts rattles, so you hear the sub and not the car.
Bring or text us this list: year, make and model; trim and cab style for trucks; whether you have a factory amp or premium sound package; whether you are keeping the factory radio; how much space you can give up; and what music you play. Photos of your trunk or the space behind your seat help a lot.
Call us or text us to confirm the item is in stock before you drive over. You buy at the shop in Carson, we install it in our own bay, often the same day, and you pick it up here.Payment plan: buy now, pay later with Synchrony. Approval and terms set by the provider.
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Approximate installed estimate $1,074.99 parts $849.99 + labor $225
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Approximate installed estimate $699.99 parts $399.99 + labor $300
Call, text or come by for your exact price and package deals.
Approximate installed estimate $99 parts $99 + labor $0
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Trucks and Jeeps have little room for a regular sub box, and their factory speaker spots are odd shapes. Vehicle-specific parts are built for those spots. On our listings, Kicker L7T boxes fit behind or under the seat in select Silverado, Sierra, F-150, Super Duty, Ram and Tacoma trucks, with one for the Wrangler tailgate. Cab, year and factory audio decide the fit, so we confirm your vehicle first.
Read itThe right amp depends on three things: what radio you have, what you want to power, and how much room you can give up. Tell us those and we can usually narrow it to two or three amps in a few minutes. Here is how we walk people through it at the counter.
Read itFor multi-sub builds, the Kicker LX 51LX3000.1 and Warhorse 49WXA3600.1 go up to 3,000 and 3,600 watts at 1 ohm. Match the amp to your sub's impedance and power.
Read itYes, in most cars. Some factory systems need extra help, like the Kicker KEY 47KEY500.1 or an AudioControl Epicenter. Tell us if you have a premium sound package so we plan for it.
A powered sub saves space and is the simpler install, but it will not hit as hard. A loaded box with a matched mono amp gives you more output and room to grow. It comes down to space and how much bass you want.
Only if your cab style and year match. Boxes like the Kicker 51KFDL7T102 are made for select trucks, so we confirm fit for your exact truck before you buy. Text us your year, make, model and cab.
Yes. A separate amp needs power and ground wire, a fuse, remote wire and terminals. We pick the kit gauge and fuse to match your amp, like a 4-gauge Stinger kit for a single sub amp.
Many sub installs are done the same day in our bay. Call or text first to confirm your gear is in stock and to get on the schedule.
