Rockville RockGhost Active Powered 8" Hidden Car Subwoofer Sub For 15"/16"/17" Full Size Spare Tire

Needed to add some more bass to the wife's new 2017 Tucson. It has the upgraded Infinity system in it w/factory 8in sub. The sub was not giving adequate levels of bass that I have grown used to with my tastes in audio systems. In my own car (2014 Fusion) I went the route of adding a sub/amp/line converter/power cables/etc and that was it. It sounds great, but was a lot more work and money, and takes up trunk space. I knew my wife was not going to like that, so I was researching replacing the factory sub... when I came across this Rockville spare tire sub. After looking at many reviews and videos and blogs about how great this little all-in-one sub was, I decided to try one. I was not disappointed. The install took maybe an hour and a half (removed rear bench seat, removed rear side panels was the hardest part). The factory amp was located in the rear, so I tapped all my power and high level inputs into that. A quick test to make sure it worked, and I put it all back together and buttoned everything back up. The only modification I had to do was cut the bolt holding it down to the frame about an inch, and I used a larger washer for the top (not shown in photo). It fits snug. I ran all the wires through the spare tire rim's holes too for even more stealth. If I need to take the spare out, I'll have to remove the speaker anyway, and when I unplug the wiring harness, it will easily slip back through the spare tire rim holes. It takes up no space at all, all wires are hidden, the trunk deck fits over it perfectly. It's completely hidden. I believe on the Tuscon, the trunk deck would fit on the lower level if you replaced the tie down bolt with something else more low profile. With the bolt that it came with, the thumb screw and nut under it make it stick up enough that i am using the higher level for the trunk deck. But that's OK, we were using the higher level already anyway. Just note that if you are using the lower level position in your vehicle, it may not fit. Sound quality is ... not bad. I am impressed that it does shake the car a bit for only an 8in speaker if you push it. Its not going to be life changing or win any sound competitions, but I think for a totally hidden, small completely self contained sub/amp combo, this is a huge winner. The remote controls are a nice touch. I tuned it a bit from the front seat, then just tucked the whole remote unit and wire up next to the sub and out of the way. It's not like I need to be adjusting it on the fly. I set it to about 60% gain, 80ish% boost, and around 80HZ for the crossover frequency. Phase was set to 0deg. I can now turn the bass down on the head unit to preserve the rest of the speakers from taking max bass, and then turned the sub up more to compensate. It sounds crystal clear for a factory system at high volume levels. I did this in my Fusion as well, turned the head unit bass down, and then compensated with the sub. The factory speakers will get longer life out of them if you push them all the time. All in all, I'll see how this lasts over time and write back if it fails in less than an acceptable time. Really happy with this unit. I would consider getting one for my Fusion too, and replacing the sub box/amp combo, but will need to drive her Tucson some to see if the bass is OK for my personal tastes or not.

I installed this in a 2020 Honda Insight to help bring the bottom end up to balance the radio. It puts our way more than expected. I was not looking for car rattling bass at all, but I think this little sub will if you don’t use sound deadening. I keep the gain and bass boost all the way down and it fills the cabin nicely. Some songs I still have to adjust the EQ in the head unit so it won’t over power for me. Super easy install by simply cutting out the foam insert in the spare tire well. I wasn’t concerned with cutting the foam, as a replacement insert is less than $50. The fuse on the amp itself is only 20 amps so it won’t put to much burden on hybrid electrical systems. I installed by using a Honda speaker connector plugged in to a Kicker LOC that senses the speaker output and uses that for power and it includes a remote turn on lead so you don’t have to search for one or splice in to your factory harness. No cutting or splicing at all. About 1 1/2 hrs total install time. (To be fair, I have installed amps before) I want to add that this thing is built like a tank! It is heavy. No it won’t affect your gas mileage! It weighs less than an average newborn baby in a car seat. A newborn won’t decrease your mileage so this won’t either. In closing, this sub won’t compete with SPL systems. I think most people don’t want that anyway. For the average consumer wanting a well rounded bottom end, this is a great choice and will most likely need to be sailed back considerably to not overwhelm you. More is always better! You can cut it back knowing you have much more available. And it is 100% invisible and leaves cargo room untouched. Highly recommended!

Update: So I ended up with the JBL because I got a refurb unit for half off and it is worth every penny. Hits harder throughout all ranges and sounds more natural; it's cleaner. It's still a spare tire sub, but it's heavier and is just better built overall. Only con is JBL not including a wiring kit. I added a pic comparing the two; JBL on the right. Installed in a 19 CR-V exl. Originally had a 2nd gen Alpine type r 12 in a slot vented 2 cubic ft box and it flexed the roof at 550 watts. I'm a basshead, but it was just too much at times. And the box took up a lot of space, so I put it in a 1 cubic ft sealed box and it sounded meh. I dealt with it for awhile but then I ended up getting 2 kayaks and needed the cargo area space for the add-ons, so I found the JBL spare tire sub and almost pulled the trigger. But seeing as how the Rockville has the same wattage @200w rms, I figured I'd save a few hundred. Well, the JBL has an 11" woofer vs the Rockville 8" and I'm kind of wishing I'd just spent the extra cash, because even though this thing really brings a stock system to life, the low low end isn't there. 50-80 hz this thing does well, though. My cr-v has factory components front and rear at 180 watts total, and this sub does round out the sound quite well. Can't really hear it outside of the vehicle. It honestly sounds like if you went and bought 100 watt aftermarket component door speakers and amped them. So overall, it's decent for the price, especially considering they give you pretty much everything you need to install. I've put in a lot of systems, so I already had a crimper, wire strippers and heat shrink tubing, which you will need. So, all said and done, I'm going to keep it for awhile and if I can't get used to it, I'll get the JBL and donate the Rockville to the wife.

I've installed this in a '23 GR86 in the [lack-of] spare tire well. It's a great fit and I was able to trim the factory Styrofoam insert such that it looks near factory and it's hidden underneath the carpet. And WOW, the sound is impressive - much louder than I expected. Factory sound in the Premium GR86 leaves a lot to be desired, but this sub improves it greatly. Sure, the factory mids/tweets still aren't great, but it's amazing what a little bass does to make it less noticeable. I love the remote gain/bass/crossover/phase controller - no need to ever touch the device in the trunk. Comes with everything needed to install (power, ground, speaker, RCAs, flex loom, grommet, etc). The included threaded shaft fit into the factory location and needed to be cut down just a bit - but it works great.

I got to start off by saying, I installed this the proper way in my new 2019 Mini Cooper JCW. I was hesitant on getting a subwoofer, for I kept telling myself I was no longer in high school and in need for 2 15" square subwoofers with 1000W of power. However, my love of music found me in search of a bass thumping addition to my new car. Since the Mini Cooper already lacks space, I had to find a packaged subwoofer that I told myself had to go beneath the cargo compartment. That left me with very few choices, and I decided it had to be a "under the seat" subwoofer. Did some research, and found a few spare tire subwoofer. Now, there are only a few on the market, including the JBL BassPro and with my current budget already sinking a lot of money into performance and other parts on this car, I decided to keep it tame, so I went with the Rockville RockGhost. I hooked it up via the driver's side straight to the battery, going through the firewall, tied up the power cable, remote input cable, and remote along the driver's side with the OEM cable harness, tapped Hi-Level inputs straight into the Harman Kardon factory amplifier. I also hooked up the remote input with a 6 panel switch, allowing me to turn off and on the subwoofer at will from the driver's seat. Now the fun part. This. thing. knocks. I'm a huge fan of hip-hop and R&B, and have been my whole life, DJing for almost 8 years. The bass is controllable from crisp and low, to BANGING and knock your clothes off. Now, I know I drive a Mini Cooper, so small package means more thump, but this subwoofer produces some of the cleanest and consistent lows I've ever heard. Paired with my factory HK system, which I just upgraded with Bavsound speakers, I am in audio heaven. Now, every drive I take it more than enjoyable, as I can drown out all the horrible Los Angeles drivers who are angry 99% at life and take it out on other drivers. Even in traffic, I can get a free seat massage at will. Bottom line, for the price, the included wiring and parts, instructions, and best yet, the actual purpose of this subwoofer will leave you happier than ever. I am going to put this in a spare tire eventually, and it will be the complete package. I haven't heard the JBL BassPro spare tire subwoofer in person, but this subwoofer is hard to beat for an 8" subwoofer with the same RMS power and total power rating as the JBL . (JBL is a 11" subwoofer).

Since most don't put the make of their car for comparison, I have a 2013 Toyota RAV4. I hope this helps someone else who is on the fence. I'll start with, "just buy it, already!" You will not have any regrets! For the price, two in one and out of the way! Its virtually invisible! Don't fall for the added stuff that they recommend that you buy, you don't need it! It comes with everything that you need. I kept my head unit mainly because I have xm radio, HD Radio, bluetooth, cd (yes I still use it and still the cleanest sound to me), most of those are extra on a new unit! That's ok, I'll rock with this for now. I replaced all six speakers but I kind of wish I could've heard what this sub would've sounded like with the older ones, still no regrets as they don't distort and play plenty loud for me. I drive them about 65-70% of what I use to with the old ones. I went with infinity purposely because they have a lower ohm rating which doesn't steal a lot of power from the head unit and the clarity is so much better! Everything sounds so much better and this sub was the last piece of the puzzle and it really brings it all together! As good as the Infinity's are they just can't produce what the sub can. I listen to everything from salsa, merengue, rap, rock, jazz, vocals, classical, techno, metal, reggae...all of it! Some on here have said you won't be shaking the windows in the cars next to you, but you will yours and that's fine with me! Bass is tight and clean! The way it should be! And you can control every aspect of it right at the controls, all for $150, are you kidding me! I can't speak for the life of this thing yet and I hope it does last. I will say, what you do need if you're installing it yourself, I forget what they are called, basically to tap the speaker for your +/-, my head unit didn't have rca outs as an option so I went to the enclosures near the foot on both sides of the front doors. You'll want the "taps" so that you don't have to cut the wire like I did or make a space w/o cutting the wire, then stripping it while leaving the wire intact. Still worked! That's all I have, ENJOY, I KNOW I WILL!

My wife wanted more base in her 2020 Encore GX, but did not want to loose much, if any space. Everything you need to install this in your vehicle is included. It fit perfectly and we lost no space. We have all the controls Gain, Base Boost and LPF set at 1/2. The base is turned to 0 on our stock deck. We used the high inputs and wired it to our back door speakers. It has 10 times more base than we expected. The only issue we had was the threaded rod that came with it to mount to the spare tire did not work for our vehicle. We bought a threaded rod, washer and wing nut that matched the threads of our existing tire mount. It was under $20. I am amazed at the amount of clean base this thing creates. I have recommended it to other and will continue to do so. On regular music rock, hip hop or country it is awesome!!! It really shines when you play bass music or bass enhanced music. It is so loud and deep you can barely think straight. I love it but it is a bit much for my wife at full power. She also loves it very much!

Definitely worth the money. I put it in the wife Nissan Murano 2015, she likes bass but not the over powering kind. The unit is capable of giving you a bass headache. It comes with a install kit, the more expensive types of spare tire subs do not.(did not like the the ground wire on the kit.they give you ample cable, I just think a ground cable should never be separated.)There is a wired remote for gain etc. the remote is not needed if you have a proper head unit or above average factory stereo. From you can see of the sub woofer It seems like it’s made from good materials. I hope the amp holds up the test of time. Not fives because I know nothing of Rockville and I’ve only had the unit for one week. So far so good. Update it’s been about year and a half she’s still pumping. No issues. Going for 5 stars. The other 3 manufacturers on amazon, from the numbers have less power and cost more. Wonder how clean the sound is for them. I plan on getting a 2019 S5, a car that still has a spare tire.(doughnut) I’m definitely getting another one. Again, great for the wife’s car.I don’t know how it lasts under very very heavy hitting. Good luck.