Earthquake K-10 Kompressor - Bass Depot

Earthquake K-10 KompressorMSRP: $249.00

The Earthquake K-10 Kompressor is a subwoofer system consisting of a 10" subwoofer and a 10" passive radiator that uses SLAPS (Symmetrically Loaded Audio Passive System) technology. The 10" drivers are mounted on opposite ends of a cylindrical enclosure that is capped off with protective chrome-finished grilles. Measuring 12" (D) x 19" (L), the unit is ideal for limited space applications such as pick-ups and compact cars. Power handling stands at 400 watts RMS and 800 watts max, providing plenty of flexibility for amplifier selection.

InstallationThe K-10 was installed into a woofer-less factory system. Installation was quick and to the point using the supplied screws to secure the enclosure's molded feet to the floor of the Ford Explorer's hatch. The accompanied manual visually displays a couple of suggested positioning options for optimizing the sound within your vehicle. It also recommends positioning the active driver in the corner of the vehicle 3" to 5" away from a hard surface to gain an additional 3dB in output. The K-10 receives amplification via two spring-loaded terminals located on the tube's underside. This really is a foolproof subwoofer system that is ready-to-go out of the box.

ListeningImmediate impressions of the K-10 were positive during the audition. The subwoofer displayed good impact, accuracy and balance throughout the majority of the material. It shined on R&B and hip-hop tracks, providing musicality and authoritative bass. Certainly the K-10 is no SPL machine, but it does a decent job holding its own on the street. The only real negative results occurred when listening to a jazz composition by Diana Krall. Here the tube displayed difficulty during stand-up bass passages - sounding boomy and at times lacking detail, but this was easily overshadowed by its overall performance.

ConclusionThere is plenty of performance packed into the compact K-10. With a price tag of $249 and an outstanding 5-year warranty, the K-10 is an irresistible option that should seriously be considered by anyone who is in the market for adding a subwoofer to a factory system or any other non-subwoofer system. The K-10 is a slam dunk in the upgrade department and will have you on your way to "boom town" in no time.

Bazooka BTA10200MSRP: $349.95

Who hasn't heard of the Bazooka Tube? Man, these things have been around for a long time. I am told that in the past 20 years, Southern Audio Services (SAS), the makers of the Bazooka Tube, have sold over one million of these things. That's a lot of bass.

The latest version, the BTA10200, comes with an integrated 200-watt Mosfet amplifier to power the single 10" subwoofer and includes an adjustable active crossover. This thing even has enough power to drive a second passive Bazooka Tube, so upgrading your performance is just another tube away.

Bazooka offers a number of options for the BTA10200 like the Remote Bass Control Module (RBCM). It lets you adjust the loudness of the bass from your driver's seat. Another great option is the UMS mounting system that locks the Bazooka Tube down in a chrome loop that fits the outside of the tube and looks beautiful.

InstallationInstallation of the BTA10200 is aided by a very informative installation/owner's manual and the fact that Bazooka supplies the BTA 10200 with both RCA low-level inputs and high/speaker-level inputs. The high-level inputs are great for adding the BTA 10200 as an upgrade to a factory stereo system.

As with all Bazooka Tube enclosures, the BTA10200 comes with nylon webbing straps for mounting. This type of mounting makes the tubes very easy and quick to remove if you need the extra storage space.

ListeningMy overall impression of the BTA10200 was favorable and I was surprised by its sound quality. The BTA 10200 got much louder than I expected, and it delivered more grunt and boom than most similar products I have listened too. The BTA10200 sounded great on rock, rap, jazz, hip-hop - everything I threw at it. Even on the most demanding hip-hop drop bass, the BTA10200 stayed in the game. Acoustic bass, synthesized bass, drum kits and drum machines were reproduced with authority.

ConclusionWith a 1-year warranty and an MSRP of $349.95, do I think the Bazooka BTA10200 is worth the money? To answer this I have to break down the equation: You get a 10" subwoofer; a rugged, port-tuned enclosure; and a real 200-watt amplifier. At this price range, you could assemble a package that will give you more performance, but it would be larger in size and quite a bit more complicated to install. Upgrading to even more bass is limited and can become expensive, but if you are looking to add the impact and depth of a real subwoofer on a head unit or factory system, the BTA10200 is an excellent choice and I can recommend it to you.