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I had already replaced the head unit with a Pioneer and same for all four speakers (Kenwood) but I still wanted a little bit more sound. The speakers I bought were "economical" but I still expected a little more sound from them so I figured it was either an amp for the speakers or add a subwoofer. I didn't want something big and bulky and I wanted it to be easy to install or remove if necessary. I thought about adding the stock Pioneer subs but they run about $350 on eBay and I wasn't sure that they would be an easy wire with my aftermarket radio. I had experience with the Rockford Fosgate Punch 8" 300-8P in my other car and knew it was a good subwoofer, especially for the price ($250) so I took it out and did a test fit and sure enough, it fit perfectly in the storage area of my HHR. I had already run the wires for an aftermarket rear camera so this was pretty easy - should have taken only a couple of hours but I wanted to fix a few things that were bugging me, like the cigarette lighter and I also wanted to mount the bass knob in a good location instead of just throwing it in the console of my other car. I love the quick disconnect power plug but the only thing I don't like about this subwoofer is they got too cute with the bass knob and it's harder to mount on flat surfaces - a small flat box would have been just fine, Rockford Fosgate people.
How does it sound? It's more than good enough for me. I use the Beastie Boys as a test track for bass and it is more than enough bass from me, and definitely was the way to go instead of an amp for the speakers (which I may still do somewhere down the road). I really like the fact it fits completely under the storage shelf and still sounds good. I have to tidy up the wires - I prefer OFC wires instead of the cheaper CCA - so as soon as it arrives, I'll make it look nice and pretty. I love the fact the battery is in the rear so I only need five feet of OFC so it won't break my wallet to go with the good stuff.
Still waiting for the shorter power wires to come so I can make it look neater. I had some cheap Walmart amp wire laying around that I used just to get it set up temporarily. The cheap wire sets have CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) wire instead of OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) which is more expensive but supposedly much better. Earlier this year I had to rewire my other car that has both an amp and a subwoofer - that's why I had the old wire laying around.
I also want to find a grommet for the 7/8 inch hole I cut through the panel to make it look nicer and I have to strap it down properly. As you can see, it will fit either front to back or sideways.
The parts came in a day early so I was able to finish my powered subwoofer install. As I indicated in the my previous post, the amp install kits that you find in the stores aren't the greatest and the good ones online can sometimes be a little pricey so I've been piecing together my own for my cars that have the battery in the rear. The reason why that makes a difference is because the battery (power) wire is the most important and the most expensive part of most kits. Because the run is shorter in rear battery cars, you're paying for a lot more wire than you need and if you get the good OFC stuff, it can get expensive. Five feet of OFC wire (power and ground) is perfect for the HHR. I've put together the list of stuff - wire, fuse, RCA wires, wire terminals - I bought from Amazon to make it easier.
The fuse holder mounts nicely on the metal right above the battery. I ended up having to cut a slot all the way to the edge of the cargo tray because I wanted to be able to take it out without having to disconnect the wires from the amp's power block. I also like to use ferrules which makes for a neater install and I use tessa tape to wrap up the harness.
As you can see, it fits perfectly while still having storage space and the cargo tray covers it completely. I used the provided hook and loop tape to tie it down but I may get straps to make it even more secure. The battery terminals have tapered nuts to tighten the clamp but it still tightened ok with the additional terminal.
The bass knob fits nicely in the tray in the console, but obviously if you have a 2008 and down you'll have to find another place to put.
Great information, thanks for sharing your sources and recommendations for the install. Thanks for the photos, too!
No prob. Just trying to give back to the forum as a newb.
Originally Posted by PittKrewBowling
Do you think that box would fit in the knockout niche panel to the left? Wondering about sound quality with the sub in the spare tire compartment.
That's a possibility. I was just looking for the easiest way to put this in and allow it to be taken out when or if necessary - especially if the HHR fairy decides to put an SS in my driveway in the future, lol. As far as the sound, the bass really comes thought with the cover on - I actually have the bass knob turned almost all the way down - and I can also put the cover on the higher mount if necessary. I've actually thought about cutting a hole in the cargo cover and put a grille over it to protect the sub but at this point I don't think its necessary.
