Originally Posted by
joebobclark
Im gonna have to disagree.......
In this situation, I think it is the perfect solution. It has more than enough output for what he is looking to do (I am assuming he isnt looking to "beat down the block", but rather fill in the low end that his 5 1/2"s and 6x9s are not producing). Also factor in the ease of installation (he said he can wire it up, and it is an all-in-one unit that will mount up out of the way taking up almost no trunk space), and cost (Basslink can be had for under $200 new, a 10"-200w amp-prefab box will run you almost the same and it wont have Infinity on it (not to say Infinity is the greatest, but it better than Crunch, Pyle or Boss)) and I think we have a FTW.....
Lets assume we bought new name brand equipment -
A carpeted 10" mDF box is $35, an Alpine type-S 10 is $70, and a Alpine MRP-M450 is $125, plus tax of course.
$235 is ballpark for a retail basslink. And it will give you a lot more output and better accuracy at high volumes - the Basslink really loses its edge if you crank it. and I'm not talking about rock the block, Im talking about turning it up to get into a song and hearing the distortion from a struggling sub in a tiny enclosure.
I've installed both setups, not in my homeboy's civic either, in adult-driven vehicles with drivers who wanted exactly what you are looking for - improved sound quality with a mature look. The component setup consistently comes out on top.
A basslink still requires 8ga wire, and some type of signal input. The installation difficulty difference may be a whopping 30 minutes... an hour if he takes his time.
The alpine amp is neutral black colors - a box carpeted in factory matched carpet will look even MORE stock than a basslink. if you face the sub in, and put the amp on the top of the sub enclosure you will have a simple, professional, and impressive setup without all the flashyness that screams youth.
-notlaD