More specifically what size sub would be optimal for a protege? I've seen some cars that rock like 1 15" or even 2 15"s and it just sounds like crap. What would you guys recommend for a n00b at car systems that is reasonable for price?

 

Well with my Mazda ES 2001, as you can already hear the system is rated pretty good with what its got included.

the only thing it is lacking is depth/base.

what i installed is

1. 800 Watt Pioneer amp
Went to best buy, looking around for a good open box deal, then the guy tells me that he has a sub thats not selling and he wants to get it outta here so he cuts it down to 102$ canadian. wow so i bought that!


2. Rockford Fosgate HE Punch 12" sub 400 pk watts

on the futureshop website there was an error in pricing so I got my sub for 50% when they really ment 50$ off, another good deal. only picked up one. thats all thats need.

3. Enclosure sealed type, is recommended for this type of speaker, small and tight.

4. High Low adaptor (hooking up with a stock deck) 25$

5. AMP kit cabling (39$)

6. for 80 bucks I had the system installed at Futureshop,

After the install the sound was perfect, the stock 6 speakers are good as is, with the depth of the sub to back it up. and since the car is pretty thin walls, the sound travels far, I am only using 10% of my amp and its perfect. and thats where you wanna be, not running your sub and amp full power, extends the life of both..

And to be totally honest, 1 sub is enough, and you don't need to find a powerful amp.. 50 watts is enough to be honest. you want it to sound good not thump like a shotgun.

thats my opinion.. but my system sounds great and turns heads, its crisp and clear.

 

My nephew installed a pioneer 10 in and an Alpine amp in his 01 Jetta VR6 and said i t bumps and when i heard it it did bump. The sub cost 35 bucks at Circuit City and Amp was 200 at crutchfield. The head unit is Alpine too. Try to get the 12 in(only 10-20 bucks more) it has a higher peak wattage.

 

Usually I would recommend going with something you like. It depends on what type of sound you are trying to achieve, and what you are willing to spend. That will make it easier to choose the setup you want.

 

i used to have 2 pioneer 10's an audiobahn 15 and some kicker 8's in my trunk and that **** bumped for like 2 miles i had about 1240 watts with 3 amps and a pioneer head it was a good system and i won a couple of contest with it