CERWIN-VEGA! Vega 12" Powered Spare Tire Subwoofer 2Ω - VPAS12ST

The technology on this thing is impressive. I’m still wondering how a subwoofer with a hole in the center can be so loud. It gives a nice bass accent and sometimes a big punch, especially in hip hop music. I use it in mid gain, almost zero boost and the whole car rattles.I installed the Cerwin Vega in the spare tire of a 2019 Toyota Yaris sedan. Installation was simple once I got the power and signal cables into the trunk. I had difficulties bringing the (recommended) gauge 8 oxygen-free copper (OCF) power cable because the only spot I found feasible to cross the firewall from the car battery was through the rubber grommet behind the battery and the ECU. I had to (suffering) poke a hole in the thick rubber being careful to avoid damage to the other massive amount of angel hair cables. It was a big pain…Getting the signal from the radio was the easiest part. I used the PAC AOEM-MAZ2 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001715RQS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) to avoid cutting cables. This thing is incredible, just plug and play. It provides decent low signal for the subwoofer’s internal amplifier. The Cerwin Vega also can be used with high signal from the car speakers, but I prefer the low signal. Also getting the low signal would be easier.Installation of the subwoofer took a bit more time than expected. The threaded rod that came with the subwoofer is very long. So, with the help of a Dremel I cut it to perfectly fit the Yaris. Nonetheless, once the speaker is in place, it remains an inch above the surrounding trunk floor (see picture). Then, if you care about the bump in the cover mat, you have to install sort of spacers below the mat.In regards the sound, I had a hard time trying to balance or equalize the bass. It has happened that, when I asked the subwoofer for power what I get was a trashy sound. Getting upset about that I noticed that the peculiar distorted sound was like metal-to-metal vibration. A few rags between the spare tire and the car’s metal and the spare tire and the subwoofer solved the problem. After that the bass was clearer and more sound, incredible by the way.Is this product similar or better than a traditional subwoofer mounted on a sealed, ported or bandpass enclosure with an external amplifier? I would say no, but it is not far of being. I found the enclosure-mounted subwoofer has a deeper and cleaner sound, and more punchy. However, this doesn’t mean the Cerwin Vega VPAS12ST is bad, on the contrary, this is the best product to satisfy performance and convenience at the same time. It is really outstanding.Would I recommend this product? The answer is definitely yes, if you are looking for an upgrade to your factory installed sound system, and also want the convenience of keeping the same cargo space.Hope this would be helpful mostly for Yaris owners. I'm not being compensated for this honest review.

This is a well designed product that solves an issue with aftermarket subwoofers. That issue is SPACE. Modern cars are very tricky to put huge systems into because of space restrictions. Audio products are subjective because if you are expecting this to rattle your eyes and produce that thump in your chest, it is not going to live up to that expectation. You will need something that can move a lot more air, and thusly take up a LOT more space in the vehicle!I would equate this subwoofer's output more in line with a traditional single 300w 10" sub in a 1 cubic foot box. Potentially even a little less than that.I installed it as pictured in a 2012 Honda CRV using a traditional 8 Gauge Stinger wiring kit, and got signal from an aftermarket Sony radio. I also used an inline RCA style bass control knob flush mounted in the dash as opposed to running the large control unit forward. Set the gain in the back and forget it. I would say that this unit has a very minor bass roll off. Presumably for protection as they intend for you to be using the gain as a volume controller.With all of that said, if you want decent bass and NO sacrificing of storage/cargo space, THIS is a beast for the price! Definitely fills in the missing bass!

After a few months of bass from this unit, I am ready to give my honest review.I am older now, but still love my music with strong bass. However, I don't want my trunk filled with amps and a big ol' subwoofer box anymore, I prefer to have my trunk space.Co worker had this in his car. I sat inside and listened. Nice decent bass. Went to the trunk expecting to see a trunk full of equipment, I was really shocked to see a empty trunk minus a sweater and hat.He lifted up the mat and in the spare tire well sits this thing. Really impressed me with the bass output.Keep in mind, it gives you bass, but not like a full system bass output where people can hear you blocks away. So I went ahead and ordered one.Had this installed professionally, and boy does it make the listening experience that much better. I drive a 07 Yaris S sedan daily. It fits in the spare tire well perfectly.Subwoofer is connect to an after market Pioneer head unit and RockFord Fosgate speakers front and rear.Inside of the vehicle, with the volume up, bass is really good.Outside of the vehicle, no loud obnoxious bass can be heard outside.Really stealthy, folks that don't know wouldn't even know I have a 12" hidden in there.Tricked some friends and told them the 6X9's in the back are pumping that bass out and after inspecting the trunk, they believed me. But once I told them there is a 12" in the spare tire well, they were shocked just like I was when I first heard of this unit.Overall, I like it. It's perfect for the Yaris. This car is my commuter so I don't need a 5 thousand dollar system in this thing. Perfect for my listening needs, enough bass to get by, way better than stock.I love it, wish I knew of this product earlier, because factory stereo sound is garbage.Remember, this is not to impress folks with loud bass outside of the vehicle, in fact you won't feel or hear much of the bass outside, but gives "you" the listener enough bass inside the vehicle to enjoy your music with enhanced bass sound effect.Hope this helps with your decision.

Sub sounds great and really fills in the lows. Just don't expect to rattle the windows(that wasn't my goal). My only complaint is the remote has to be hooked up for the sub to work. I have full control of the sub out on my aftermarket head unit so don't need the controls on the sub itself. The remote is just another wire and part I had to hide now.