About a year ago I bought my first subs which were just cheap Duals from Best Buy. I am still using them today, but in a box I built for them. The box was actually made for two 10" FI Q's and I just put the 2 12" Duals in them temporarily, but I never got around to upgrading so the Duals stayed. Now I'm looking at more options, but deciding to go a slightly different route. I figure a decent sub with the right install would sound a ton better than what I have now, so that's what I'm looking for. I don't have an exact budget in mind, but I'm basically looking for the best bang for my buck. I don't want to spend too much by buying a really power hungry sub, along with a large amp to power them, and a nice alternator in order to power that.

What I am looking for is it to get loud. I'd prefer a smooth response as opposed to a peaky SPL system, but I still want it to get loud. I believe I should upgrade my other speakers as well, as I have Sony Xplode 6x9's in the back and and the same in the front doors (I don't know the size, it's the same size as the stock ones). I figure there is no point having a really nice subwoofer setup if the rest of the system sucks, and this is an area I definitely could use a lot of help with as far as optimal speaker setup and everything. I also have the stock deck and no sound dampening, so the car rattles really bad and just makes everything sound like crap. The car is a 2000 Pontiac Sunfire.

I know I didn't give many specifics at all, but any system recommendations based on my criteria of wanting loud, relatively cheap, and sound good? Considering the fact that everything in my car sucks at the moment I'm looking at upgrading everything. Probably not all at once because money is an issue though.

i'd go with about 1000W for the sub, a single 12 ported. A fi q tuned around 32hz should be very nice for you.

A component set for the front running passive with a simple 2ch to run it. This should keep the cost relatively low.

So long as you have a good quality battery up front you should be fine. I ran far more than this in my stratus and had a good amount of dimming but only at full tilt.

Could I get a nice 1000w amp for under $300 or would I just be better off getting the SSA Icon 12D2 + Sundown SAE-1000D package deal here for $549? Also, any recommendations on specific component sets? I'm looking at some right now and figured out my car normally takes 4x6's in the front. Also, what do you mean by running passive and any recommendations on a cheap 2 channel amp?

you can get a hifonics BXi 1208D that does 1200 watts RMS @ 1 Ohm for about $199

you can get a hifonics BXi 1208D that does 1200 watts RMS @ 1 Ohm for about $199

And have it break in a year and one day. I'd run like hell from that crap.

never had any problems yet...

I believe with adaptors you can run 5.25" speakers in the front... the 4x6 plate components give very little output but some sound ok.. I liked my boston pro's and the infinity's I had weren't bad either. I think you should be able to find an adaptor plate online to mount the 5.25's (or just make one)..

a single 12 and 500-1000 watts should be plenty in that car.

you can get a hifonics BXi 1208D that does 1200 watts RMS @ 1 Ohm for about $199

And have it break in a year and one day. I'd run like hell from that crap.

Funny you mentioned that. A friend of mine that has a BXI1206D tells people they're the best. Every couple of months he calls me and says his amp is having intermittent problems, then they go away. Almost a year later he calls me again and says,...I was playing music the other day and my amp suddenly quit working. I ask,...what happend,.he said Idk, I was playing at low to moderate levels nothing out of the ordinary. He went over his whole setup to find nothing wrong. Amp just doesn't work any longer. Too bad he has too much pride to listen to me, but we all think we know more than our friends now don't we. I don't agree in his choices, nor do I push mine on him if he wont listen anyway