Sub Woofer Question

[VolklRunner]

I'd like to get a better bass response out of my Bose system. The research I found online refers to a 6.5" sub woofer located somewhere under the dashboard. If it's there it is really weak.
- Does this sound correct?
- Has anyone installed the GMC approved Kicker system? If so, do you recommend this or an after market option? The product details/specs do not tell you what size the sub is and it also states "programming required = yes", not sure what that means.

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200-Watt Subwoofer Kit by Kicker® - Associated Accessories​

 

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[Boatman]

I just scheduled the kicker install at my local dealer. I asked them about installing the base knob too and they were clueless. Anyway, it’s scheduled for the 19th. I’ll let you know how it sounds.

My local stereo installer quoted me $2500-$3k for the sub mod in the center console. Which is where I believe it’s located.

If you get the kicker try this code: GET20ACCY

 

[VolklRunner]

Thanks for the code, I will try it if I go that route. I definitely will wait till I hear how satisfied you are with your install. I have always had good luck with Kicker products, and I have never needed more than one 10" sub. I sure hope this turns out to be a viable option.
PS - Is this a 8" or 10" sub? It doesn't state on spec sheet.

 

[john151ama]

I am a kicker fan as well. But their gmc branded products seem to be sub par of consumer kicker products. Not just them though, the gmc Bose are junk that really don’t keep to the brand of Bose. The tailgate kicker system was a mess. I pulled all of that out and rebuilt it as well.

The stock 6.5” in the center console is garbage, doesn’t even pump good mid range let alone low. I wouldn’t bother touching it. I cut the wire feeding it and let it be.

The kicker gmc under rear seat option has been done by a number of people on here. My opinion is it is small and not a strong performer. Very low power amp (in the 70 watt rms range) comes with it but install is easy. New versions don’t come with a bass knob so you lose the ability to dial it in like most would want to with a sub.

For far less money than the gmc kicker option you can get a kicker mono key amp that delivers 500watts RMS @1 ohm, a kicker solo dual 2 ohm sub wired to 1 ohm and build a box (only need .40cuft). That for reference would only take about 50% of your rear under seat space. You will have a good 10” and 500watts to play with and a knob to control it. The gmc option is simple and works but you won’t get the wow that sounds great impact you would with a 10”. Check you my posts if you want to see my build. Did what I described and rebuilt the whole 12 speaker system. I did 2 kicker 10” solo barics in my jeep as well running off a 1000w rms at 1 ohm AudioControl amp. They sound lovely.

If you want more of an all in one option for about the same price of the gmc kicker sub/amp combo a JL power wedge+ will give you much more performance and 400watt amp. But with the JL you will need a LOC to take the speaker signal to convert to the JL amp. With the Kicker key amp you can feed it the speaker inputs and it corrects the signal and roll off the Bose system has automatically.

 

[VolklRunner]

I am a kicker fan as well. But their gmc branded products seem to be sub par of consumer kicker products. Not just them though, the gmc Bose are junk that really don’t keep to the brand of Bose. The tailgate kicker system was a mess. I pulled all of that out and rebuilt it as well.

The stock 6.5” in the center console is garbage, doesn’t even pump good mid range let alone low. I wouldn’t bother touching it. I cut the wire feeding it and let it be.

The kicker gmc under rear seat option has been done by a number of people on here. My opinion is it is small and not a strong performer. Very low power amp (in the 70 watt rms range) comes with it but install is easy. New versions don’t come with a bass knob so you lose the ability to dial it in like most would want to with a sub.

For far less money than the gmc kicker option you can get a kicker mono key amp that delivers 500watts RMS @1 ohm, a kicker solo dual 2 ohm sub wired to 1 ohm and build a box (only need .40cuft). That for reference would only take about 50% of your rear under seat space. You will have a good 10” and 500watts to play with and a knob to control it. The gmc option is simple and works but you won’t get the wow that sounds great impact you would with a 10”. Check you my posts if you want to see my build. Did what I described and rebuilt the whole 12 speaker system. I did 2 kicker 10” solo barics in my jeep as well running off a 1000w rms at 1 ohm AudioControl amp. They sound lovely.

If you want more of an all in one option for about the same price of the gmc kicker sub/amp combo a JL power wedge+ will give you much more performance and 400watt amp. But with the JL you will need a LOC to take the speaker signal to convert to the JL amp. With the Kicker key amp you can feed it the speaker inputs and it corrects the signal and roll off the Bose system has automatically.

Heck Yeah, thanks.

 

[pinebaron]

Perhaps I'm getting too old but haven't found anything lacking in my trucks sound system; no please wait, I rarely listen to loud music in my truck, the engine, wind and tire noise are all music to my ears

 

[TxRotor]

I bought this when I had my Canyon AT4X and found it was almost too much for the little truck. I kept it and installed in in my Sierra AT4X and it is perfect for me. It fit in the storage area nicely and sounds incredible. Take about 20 minutes to install and there is an accessory block under the rear seat that i brought the power wire out and ran to the engine bay.

https://www.crutchfield.com/S-v7EDFqvnSND/shopsearch/kicker_hideaway.html?XVINQ=GW3&XVVer=7TW&awcr=309959943278&awdv=c&awnw=g&awug=9027889&awkw=kwd-298077966462&awmt=p&awat=&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=176033963&gclid=CjwKCAiA64LLBhBhEiwA-Pxgu1kpHghunPU82hE2S5urIt4eaLb05zZ-BlMqd0HWOjc0YmBRfU9xnxoCYKIQAvD_BwE

 

[Vince]

I'd like to get a better bass response out of my Bose system. The research I found online refers to a 6.5" sub woofer located somewhere under the dashboard. If it's there it is really weak.
- Does this sound correct?
- Has anyone installed the GMC approved Kicker system? If so, do you recommend this or an after market option? The product details/specs do not tell you what size the sub is and it also states "programming required = yes", not sure what that means.

Site Maintenance

200-Watt Subwoofer Kit by Kicker® - Associated Accessories​

I recommend the Kicker subwoofer under the rear seat. Make sure you check with a few different dealers around you including Chevrolet dealers on the GM Accessories website because they may have different pricing on the product and the install. My dealer charged $130 to install it. No way I would do it myself for that price. I did do the bass knob on my own and it wasn't hard at all. There isn't any actual wiring to do, just plug & play and routing along the floor and behind the pedals... pretty easy. I'd recommend keeping the floor "curb" to retrofit with the kicker sub enclosure.

 

[VolklRunner]

I'd recommend keeping the floor "curb" to retrofit with the kicker sub enclosure.

I'm not 100% sure what the floor curb is??? Is it the raised storage directly under the back seat? Works to hold items from sliding around? If so, won't the Kicker box take up the same space as the curb?

 

[Vince]

I'm not 100% sure what the floor curb is??? Is it the raised storage directly under the back seat? Works to hold items from sliding around? If so, won't the Kicker box take up the same space as the curb?

Yes, that's it. I couldn't think of the name. The kicker sub does not go all the way across under the seats.

 

[Boatman]

Well, I had my Kicker sub installed yesterday. I left a note for the tech with the base knob under the back seat asking if there’s a port for the knob. The tech hooked me up and installed it! Not where I would’ve mounted the knob but it works. The sound, not overly impressed at first but definitely an improvement. However, this morning I opened up the amp and flipped 2 and 3 dip switches to up position and that was a huge difference. I’m hoping as this sub breaks in it keeps getting better.

I wasn’t looking for a crazy rap bass sound. Just an improvement over the crappy stock Bose system without any warranty issues and I think this Kicker sub works out just fine.

 

[kylant]

is there a way to make the kicker sub work with the oversized underseat storage bin?

 

[jonthe8fan]

I'd like to get a better bass response out of my Bose system. The research I found online refers to a 6.5" sub woofer located somewhere under the dashboard. If it's there it is really weak.
- Does this sound correct?
- Has anyone installed the GMC approved Kicker system? If so, do you recommend this or an after market option? The product details/specs do not tell you what size the sub is and it also states "programming required = yes", not sure what that means.

Site Maintenance

200-Watt Subwoofer Kit by Kicker® - Associated Accessories​

I Have a Kicker system, Its ok but for the money you could probably have a local audio shop build you one better. No programming required

 

[gemarsh]

I Have a Kicker system, Its ok but for the money you could probably have a local audio shop build you one better. No programming required

Welcome.

 

[VolklRunner]

UPDATE.
I decided to install my own semi-custom unit. Again, not looking for crazy rattle your trunk and sound like shit two 12" subs. Just enough to run any Genre and get that punchy Bass response. I settled on this set up:
1)

2)

3) Simple amp and subs TBD