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Overall Rating

This sub rocks
After replacing the four stock 5.25″ full range speakers in my 95 Dodge Spirit, I found the new speakers did not have as much bass response as the old stock speakers did, even in their buzzing, fluttering, worn out condition. This was an installation where I wanted to keep everything as close to stock as possible, and most importantly none of the upgraded stereo system should be visibly apparent from outside the vehicle. So despite my initial determination to not get into things like subwoofers, I set out to find the minimum addition (in terms of both cost and space) that would bring back the bass response I crave when playing my 80s metal compilation CDs. Having been used to just a moderate low end in my old stock speakers, I wasn’t looking for anything to vibrate paint off cars in the next lane.

After searching the online car stereo retailers and discussion groups, it was clear that a powered compact subwoofer was the way to go. The Boss BASS600 was about as small as they come, can be found for a reasonable price, and had good reviews from folks who want to fill out a balanced sound for music like rock, country or jazz. I decided to install it under the driver’s seat since I keep some things under the passenger seat that I want handy. That and the fact that I would appreciate the bass more than my wife would. I had hoped to install the sub laterally so that it would not be visible at all, but it did not quite fit that way so it had to be installed longitudinally under the seat.

Installation in a mid size sedan like the Spirit was a bit tricky. It started with finding an adapter to go between my stock Chrysler/Infinity CD player and the leads to the door speakers, and then trying to cram all those wires and plugs into the space behind the head unit without bending any wires into too tight a radius or breaking a plug. Then came the investigation of where to run the power cable from the battery through the firewall into the passenger compartment. After several days of poking around the engine compartment and upside down under the dash, I took a deep breath and drilled the hole through the firewall in the chosen location, followed by careful deburring, painting, insertion of a rubber grommet and silicone caulk. This sub specifies 8 gauge cable for power and ground, and a 30 amp fuse close to the battery. The local car stereo retailer had an installation kit with 8 gauge cable and a 40 amp fuse, or one for about half the price with 10 gauge cable and a 30 amp fuse. I went for the 8 gauge version and figured I could get a 30 amp fuse to go into the included fuse holder. WRONG. That type of fuse is only available in 40 amps and above, a different fuse holder is required for 30 amps, so I got another fuse holder. Running the cables under the carpet to the driver’s seat was easier than I thought it would be. The cable supplied for connection of the remote volume control was WAY too long, so I used an extra phone cable I had around to make the connection since it uses RJ-11 phone plugs. I tested the cable on my phone to make sure it had continuity. WRONG AGAIN. The remote volume control does not work with 4-wire cable; use the supplied 6-wire cable. Shorten the 6-wire cable and crimp on a new plug if necessary. To mount the sub I used an old floor mat from that car so the color would match and aid in disguising it. With a 3/8″ hole punch I made holes for the four corner mounts and penetrations for the cables. Notches were cut out of the mat so it would “grab” onto the steel seat supports. Plastic moldings were removed to ensure the carpet was hooking around something solid to hold it in place. #10 machine screws and bolts, along with rubber washers and bushings, secure the sub to the mat. Rubber straps with hooks going around the seat supports provide further stability. A spring wire under the seat that allows the seat to be adjusted concerned me because it would probably buzz with the subwoofer right below it. In fact that spring wire comes in contact with the sub. So I cut a slit down a length of 1/4″ vinyl tubing and popped it over the wire to dampen any vibration and to protect the finish on the sub.

Finally, after a month of pondering and puttering around on the subwoofer project, it was time to pop in the fuse and turn on the system. Wow. I will keep this monster at its lowest setting. It really sounds great. Rich and full and smooth. Having installed it without direct connection to any metal in the car means there is no buzzing. And locating it under the driver’s seat means I experience it physically, not just audibly, giving new meaning to the phrase “butt rock”!