woofer question

[tipdrill]

I dont know much about bass systems, so i have a few questions.

I've seen Bazooka tube bass systems. Are they any good?
Is there advantages to getting the tube over 2 10inch or 12 inch?
Also, can i keep my OEM radio? (just until i have enough cash for a nav/dvd )

Thanks guys.

 

[nssj2]

Here's my two cents:
-Im not a fan of bazooka, save up for better subs and box, youll be happier in the long run
-10" vs 12" depends on what you listen to and what you want out of the system, overall (there are exceptions) 10" will give you crisp clear bass for rock, 12" will hit harder, but will get fuzzy with complex rock bass/drum lines.
-You can keep your OEM, but you will need a bypass. And you will definetly notice a difference if you upgrade your deck. Don't make an attempt to save your stock woofer if equiped, it will distort the sound.

Good Luck!

 

[tipdrill]

thanks.

i guess the only good thing about bazooka is you could maybe stick it under the back seat? idk it might be too big.

 

[toypaseo]

I have used Bazooka tubes on and off since about 1989. Very easy to add a powered Bazooka tube to any system. If you want to add some bass, they are worth considering. If you want competition winning bass, look elsewhere.

In fact, I picked up BTA-8100 from a local pawn shop to use until I pieced together my "Budget Bass" setup. I never hooked it up though. Lazy. Pry put that Bazooka tube in my brother's 1991 Audi 200 20V.

 

[Anime]

Bazooka tubes are nice if you want to throw a sub in and/or save space where a factory sub isn't an option. I'd say a 10" sub in a box to replace the factory sub would be a better option in an Explorer, compared to a Bazooka tube, since it's a much better use of space.

Dual 10" or 12" subs will hit harder and go lower than a Bazooka tube or a single 10". You can get sub+box+amp combos so cheap it's not even funny. If you're willing to sacrifice the space, and really want boomin' bass, go with dual 12's in the right size box.

You can keep your OEM radio with a bypass like nssj2 said, but I'd suggest getting the radio/dvd/nav first. It's a waste to buy extra components for temporary use.

 

[CDW6212R]

I like my factory deck, thieves aren't interested in it. And as it is a true Pioneer deck, the radio quality is as good as any under $400 HU to be had.

If you aren't after the "boom boom boom" bass of the kids, I bet a 10" sub in place of the factory 6-8" sub will be plenty. I'm about to install a JL Stealthbox with its 10" speaker, and a JL e1200 mono amp. Good luck,

 

[tipdrill]

i dont even have a factory sub, so anything will be an improvement.

thanks for the input.

 

[ford freak]

A bazooka tube will probobly do what you are looking for. However if you think you might want a little more out of your system in the future .....you would be much better off going with a separate amp,sub and box. It really doesn't need to be 2 10's or 12's as stated previously. Unless you plan on putting an amp on your mid-high end you really shouldn't get more than 1 sub.

The power from the factory system for the mid-high isn't enough for 2 subs.

One last thing....cdw6212r......There is no way in he## that your deck sounds better than mine. That was a rediculous statement to make.

 

[ford freak]

That was a bit harsh and I apoligize. There is almost no way possible for a factory hu to sound as good as a $400 aftermarket hu. Except for a few exceptions. Unless you have a Macintosh or a Mark Levinson......It's not possible.

 

[CDW6212R]

What is possible, and is reality, is that the Mach and Premium radios of the late 90's Fords are actually made by Pioneer, to there typical standards. These were the first made by manufacturer non Ford radios. Many stock HU's have had input in design before, these were shipped by Pioneer to Ford. They have the same quality radio reception comparable to any aftermarket HU. Factory radios are known for low quality amps, reception, and thus signal quality. These were the first Ford exceptions. Regards,

 

[ford freak]

What is possible, and is reality, is that the Mach and Premium radios of the late 90's Fords are actually made by Pioneer, to there typical standards. These were the first made by manufacturer non Ford radios. Many stock HU's have had input in design before, these were shipped by Pioneer to Ford. They have the same quality radio reception comparable to any aftermarket HU. Factory radios are known for low quality amps, reception, and thus signal quality. These were the first Ford exceptions. Regards,

In certain aspects the pioneers that you speak of are probobly quite capable in the am-fm reception dept. However they certainly do not have a 24 bit da converter like nearly every $400 hu on the market. I am quite sure that they sound good compared to the average mundane hu that comes with a new vehichle.....but they can not hold a candle to a quality after market hu in that price range. This is the exact reason that the JL cleansweep and the RF 360.2 were created. The 2 previous products allow the factory hu to remain intact and still get the sq that the aftermarket can produce.

 

[CDW6212R]

I am sorry if I again ruffled some feathers etc. I have been a long time factory radio hater. But I've owned a lot of cars and heard a lot as well. My first car had a junk(1981) $35 aftermarket cassette deck. I installed just a pair of $50 Pioneer 5.25" door speakers, and a PA200 amp. With speaker level inputs the radio maxed out at just under 90 degrees of the volume knob, yet the knob would turn almost one revolution. The relatively poor signal was good compared to stock radios, at those low volume outputs. The 30w/ch amp with .003% distortion created more volume than any factory radio, and was very clear. No sound of any kind could be heard for about 30 feet, it was more than loud enough.

The point is simply that factory radios usually have so much distortion that full volume isn't very loud, plus it doesn't sound good. A high quality amp can make any radio sound great with decent speakers, at max volume.

The price point where aftermarket radios get no better to spend more, is dropping. What years ago took $400 to reach a level of quality, you can buy now for under $150. I don't believe much sound quality is gained now to spend more than about $200, beyond that now only gains bells and whistles.

Thus when I tossed out the $400 mark two days ago I really should have estimated $200. Okay, now let's agree that we want better sound, and talk about something more important. The Mach and Premium radios can equal any under $200 aftermarket radio for basic listening sound quality. To gain more volume just add a high quality amp, etc. Regards,

 

[ford freak]

I am sorry if I again ruffled some feathers etc. I have been a long time factory radio hater. But I've owned a lot of cars and heard a lot as well. My first car had a junk(1981) $35 aftermarket cassette deck. I installed just a pair of $50 Pioneer 5.25" door speakers, and a PA200 amp. With speaker level inputs the radio maxed out at just under 90 degrees of the volume knob, yet the knob would turn almost one revolution. The relatively poor signal was good compared to stock radios, at those low volume outputs. The 30w/ch amp with .003% distortion created more volume than any factory radio, and was very clear. No sound of any kind could be heard for about 30 feet, it was more than loud enough.

The point is simply that factory radios usually have so much distortion that full volume isn't very loud, plus it doesn't sound good. A high quality amp can make any radio sound great with decent speakers, at max volume.

The price point where aftermarket radios get no better to spend more, is dropping. What years ago took $400 to reach a level of quality, you can buy now for under $150. I don't believe much sound quality is gained now to spend more than about $200, beyond that now only gains bells and whistles.

Thus when I tossed out the $400 mark two days ago I really should have estimated $200. Okay, now let's agree that we want better sound, and talk about something more important. The Mach and Premium radios can equal any under $200 aftermarket radio for basic listening sound quality. To gain more volume just add a high quality amp, etc. Regards,

I guess to each their own. My wife has an 06 mustang with the shaker 500. It sounds terrible compared to any aftermarket hu under $400....even $200.

 

[CDW6212R]

My point was clear I thought, the late 90's Mach and Premium radios are very rare stock HU's. The "Mach" stereo name has been around for a long time, each radio is not the same. I would call the mid 90's Mustang radios junk, evidently the recent radios are back to the typical factory standards.

Decent bass can be had from the stock systems, but it won't be near the quality of aftermarket stuff. Those Bazooka's should be similar to stock subs, loud enough for a lot of people, but of course the trend is for huge bass with little other frequencies. Regards,