Sub recommendation: sound quality over output

[gride]

I'd like to get my dad a small sub and amp for his ML63 as a bday present. Any suggestions on a setup that won't take up room, sounds great, and what amp to go with it. Is there anything besides fuse, power/ground cable, speaker wire and RCA cables required for this vehicle? It's a 2010 or 2011 model. Thanks alot. I'm gonna surprise him by having the dealer tell him there's a recall on something and let them install it. He loves stereos but hasn't had a real one in a vehicle since like 99.

[Mikeski]

The only sub I would suggest is one that requires zero drilled holes or modifications to the car. I would go with something self powered that fits in a convenient location. JL makes a powered 12 that you could try. The MB dealer will surely just turn the job over to the local stereo shop and step on the price and happily collect your money without lifting a finger. I suggest you find a local high end stereo shop familiar with MB electricals and have them do the install.

[gride]

No, the mb dealer will do the work for me. I don't trust any shop except ultimate audio and I'm not sending it to them for a sub and amp. The sub will definitely be in its own. Mounting a small amp won't be a big deal. I prefer jl subs, but I'm not sure if a 8" w7 or something different like a w3 or one of the other models would be the best choice.

[jeepn]

No, the mb dealer will do the work for me. I don't trust any shop except ultimate audio and I'm not sending it to them for a sub and amp. The sub will definitely be in its own. Mounting a small amp won't be a big deal. I prefer jl subs, but I'm not sure if a 8" w7 or something different like a w3 or one of the other models would be the best choice.

i had a 8w3 in my ski nautique, that thing kicked.

[flaudia402]

No, the mb dealer will do the work for me. I don't trust any shop except ultimate audio and I'm not sending it to them for a sub and amp. The sub will definitely be in its own. Mounting a small amp won't be a big deal. I prefer jl subs, but I'm not sure if a 8" w7 or something different like a w3 or one of the other models would be the best choice.

I assume you're in Orlando, Florida since you mention Ultimate Audio. Ultimate Audio while they do good work, are a HUGE shop. They charge a premium for their work because they can. It doesn't mean that there aren't smaller shops who can do a better, more custom job for cheaper. I can name two shops off the top of my head both here in Orlando and Sarasota. PM me and I'll send you the name of two guys who have done EXCELLENT stereo work for me and others in Orlando. Last time I was in the shop there was a $150k '11 Porsche Turbo and RR Phantom getting work done. I'd have to feel pretty confident gutting the interior of one of those vehicles. However, it's your cash, and if you feel comfortable having Ultimate Audio do the work, that's fine too.

Don't get it done at MB of S. Orlando, or N. Orlando - lol, you're gonna get raped on price. Mikeski is right - they're just going to hand the job over to a stereo company in the area. No car dealership has an in-house stereo guy. I know MB of S. Orlando occasionally sells their vehicles with extra options (Big stereos, expensive wheels, suspension setups, etc.). They contract all this work from local shops and then charge a HUGE premium on their vehicles. Unfortunately, majority of them get suckered into paying it. I don't know if its still on their showroom floor, but for the past year, they've had a black S550 loaded to the max sitting there collecting dust. I looked at the options list, and while heavily optioned out, they were charging an additional $12k for the wheel/tire package. Come on now - I know the wheels that were on there, and they were max $4k with tires.

Regarding subs, there are plenty outside of the JL line that will provide you beautiful musical clarity. I have a JL12W7 in my boat, and while they're great subs, they're power hungry as ****, and do give you the best of both worlds. For a high-end ML63 there are better musical options out there. Just to name a few, Image Dynamics, Hertz, Focal, Morel, DLS, Digital Designs, etc.

I've at one point ran one of these subwoofers or heard them. If you can take a trip to a local dealer and hear them yourself, that's always the best option, but either way I think you'll be happy with any of the ones listed above. If you need more help deciding, head over to:

http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/

I've found that this is a great community with a friendlier crowd. They also steer more towards quality. If you want to go with BASSSSSS and absolute loudness you can always head over to:

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/forum.php

There are a lot more bass heads here, but helpful people mixed in with immature 16 year olds with blazers trying to blow the windows off their parent's garage.