no idea about subs

[luke23]

i dont know alot about subs, amps, headunits ect
i just want a good bass sounding car but dont really know how to hook them up or a few other things, these are some things im not sure about
1.i have a tape player stereo, so do i need a whole new stereo or can i just get a new headunit that i can plug an ipod/mp3 into
2.are the higher the watt subs higher in bass.
3.do you need the same same watt amp for subs?for example would u need a 500 watt ampo or higher for a 500 watt sub
4.also would i need to insert new speakers in my doors, and if so do i need to connect these to the amp some how
any help would be great

[HCVP]

1. You will need a new head unit in order to connect external amplifiers. It can be done with any existing unit whether it be a tape player ect, but the source itself (CD, tape ect) is directly responsible for the sound quality that is sent to your amplifiers. Think how a tape sounds, think how it would sound amlifying it through more detailed speakers.

2. The higher the RMS rating (ignore anything stating peak, or PMPO) the more power a speaker/sub will handle. That dosen't always mean though that a speaker with a higher rating will sound better than one with a lower rating. There are other things to factor in also such as the sensitivity of the speaker, and it's fq response.

3. More power the better really. Without getting too complicated, having power in reserve above that of the speakers/subs rated input, is always a good thing.

4. New door speakers are up to you, but if your adding subs, then you will want the remaining fq range to be heard aswell. Can be run off the head unit, but their performance will be limited to the amount of power the head unit delivers, meaning they will distort at the head unit's limit rather than the limit of the speakers themselves....

[kcpwns]

HCVP pretty much summed it up man...
like he said it doesnt hurt to have more power in the amp then needed...gives you that kind of buffer...
with the door speakers i'd personally amp them separate to the sub,
that way you can get a 4 channel to power them and then a mono block for the sub
when pricing all this stuff dont be afraid to ask people for their opinion on the products...
and i wouldnt buy speakers or anything without hearing them first amped and unamped,
but most of it is pretty straight forward...i got kicker splits in my front doors and kenwood 6x9s on the
parcel shelf and they pump

[luke23]

thanks boys, and yeah im on a bit of a budget so i've been keeping my eye out for specials and i've sussed out some amps and subs already and had a quick listen and asked opinions, i just wasnt to sure on the whole setup, im pretty sure once i get everything i need some friends should be able to help me with putting them in

[kcpwns]

yeah sweet dude
dont forget to include wiring kits and shit in ya budget lol...sometimes they dont
include them when ya purchase ya sub or amp...depending on where from