Looking For Powered Subwoofer

AndyA

AndyA

2006 TJ X
Supporting Member
Joined
Apr 30, 2023
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523
Location
Tucson, AZ
I have been researching this on and off for a long time but I cannot find something that will do what I want. Any suggestions?

I have a Sony XAV-AX3200 headunit. It has a single RCA output to a powered subwoofer. My Jeep didn't come with one.

Requirements:

- close to as plug-and-play as possible
- minimal installation effort, no experimenting with Rube Goldberg DIY brackets
- doesn't go in the console (I like the storage space)
- doesn't affect the functionality of the tilt and slide driver or passenger seat
- self-contained unit
- no install under rear seat (removed it for my dogs)
- no install in a location my dogs can damage it (i.e. not on tailgate, not in footwell directly behind front seats)

I've seen people use cutting boards to mount a unit under the steering column, but it looks like a lot of hacking together to create a secure mount. Not sure I have the time to mess with that experimenting.

Under the seats seems to be a popular location. I measured 8" x 7" x 2" space, but I don't want to affect the operation of the seats - possible? Which units will work and do that? Is there an off-the-shelf mounting system? Where would it attach? Seems ideally the speaker should be pointing down to the floor so that means it is mounted to the bottom of the seat?

Ideally I would just like to buy something and plug/bolt it all together, but it seems such a thing might not exist?

Has anyone mounted a unit on or around the sound pods?

Thanks, Andy
 
Good luck on that Andy! How much room for sub woofers do you think these things have? Mine is in the console and I didn't loose any storage, if you can call the console storage, that's a bit of a reach.
 
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MutantNinjaTJ said:
Good luck on that Andy! How much room for sub woofers do you think these things have? Mine is in the console and I didn't loose any storage, if you can call the console storage, that's a bit of a reach.
Click to expand...

Do you have pictues of where you located it so you were able to keep your storage? Thanks, Andy
 
red02tj said:
I have this setup. But mine isn’t actually mounted, it’s been wedged under the seat for 2+ years. https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...-amp-under-the-non-tumble-drivers-seat.62593/
Click to expand...

Me too. I shoved a Rockford Fosgate PS-8 under my driver's seat, and it fits very snug. I can't slide the seat forward, but that's fine since I'm the only driver. To remove it, I unplug three plugs and pull the unit out from the back.

I think this is possible because I don't have fold-and-tumble feature on my driver side. Meaning, I think the sub wouldn't fit if I did.
 
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I have a JBL Basspro Nano installed under my tilt and slide drivers seat, but I had to put my 1 inch seat risers back in for the bar under the seat to clear it. Got a good deal on an open box at Crutchfield.

I’m not well versed in audio stuff but I like it and it was easy to install. I had to consult one of my sons as to all the settings though. 😄

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...wrangler-unlimited.14995/page-23#post-1399862
 
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I also have the kicker 11hs8 behind my driver seat in the floor. Compact with good sound. I like that I can disconnect in seconds, but the install includes some wire splicing. My son and I installed the Rockville 10” powered sub behind his driver seat. Wiring was a little more cumbersome than the 11hs8 but sounds really good. Not sure you can get away with not doing some wiring for a powered sub.
 
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I have the Rockville rw10ca mounted to the tailgate. Sounds exponentially better than I thought it would and I only have it at a quarter of its power. Can hear it on the highway with the top off. It’s pretty cheap too. I know you said you don’t want one on the tailgate because you don’t want the dogs to damage it, but I don’t really see it getting damaged by dogs in that spot 🤷‍♂️ the sub seems super durable and of good quality… I highly recommend it…
 
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Austin O. said:
I have the Rockville rw10ca mounted to the tailgate. Sounds exponentially better than I thought it would and I only have it at a quarter of its power. Can hear it on the highway with the top off. It’s pretty cheap too. I know you said you don’t want one on the tailgate because you don’t want the dogs to damage it, but I don’t really see it getting damaged by dogs in that spot 🤷‍♂️ the sub seems super durable and of good quality… I highly recommend it…
Click to expand...

A lot of these powered subwoofers are pretty sturdy. On the Rockville and my kicker, the woofer is covered by plastic, so agree with Austin on this.
 
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Thanks for the suggestions! Keeping the seat functionality is important to me so I can't install something that hinders that. Andy
 
My rockville 10 went nuclear after a year. I literally had to rip the wires out of the thing as it was getting hotter and hotter within seconds. I replaced it with a cerwin vega 10 powered sub 2 years ago. I put it in my ammo can center console.

When I bought my Rockville powered box, a guy at work said to be careful with it as in his experience they go bad and will burn up. I was in a parking lot and just came out of the store. I started up and the base wasn't working. I opened the lid of the ammo box console and it was hot and within a few seconds it got so hot that I couldn't touch it. I just ripped the wires out of it. After it cooled down the fuse did not blow and yes it was the proper fuse and my ammo can is vented. I have not had any problems with the cerwin vega powered sub.
 
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Subwoofers NEED airspace (box/surround) to operate correctly.
(hence why they're typically mounted in an enclosure of some sort)

Mounting them to a 'panel' with no enclosure is damn near pointless.
So you've gone the right route of looking for a powered subwoofer enclosure.

But you're wanting something 'plug-and-play' , minimal installation effort with no DIY...

BUT, it can't go in the console, under the seats, or in the rear tub...
So you don't want to use ANY of the space currently available inside your TJ to mount it.

You do see the issue here, correct? :ROFLMAO:


Seriously though.
You're going to have to make a compromise SOMEWHERE in your wants/needs.

What you're asking for doesn't exist.
 
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AndyA said:
Thanks for the suggestions! Keeping the seat functionality is important to me so I can't install something that hinders that. Andy
Click to expand...

If the console is out, and the "bed" of the TJ is dog territory, I think your best bet is going to be to find the smallest powered enclosure that can fit under one of the front seats without affecting slide or fold-and-tumble functionality.

I don't know if anyone makes an enclosed 6" sub, but that might be the best bet.
 
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