So now that I have the new Z I've grown weary of the stock stereo that it came with. So now I'm starting consider my options and a question hit me, as I read through the forum I notice that few if anyone use the stock sub location behind the driver seat. I see a lot of people go for a strutbar box or pull the spare for a fancy flush mount. Is there a reason I'm missing here that people don't want to use the factory location?

Opinions / advice?


Thanks.

 

I sealed off that area and tried a 10w3v2 in the stock location and it still didnt sound like it should have. That is why I went with a custom under strut box with a pair 10w6v2's. I just didn't like the way it sounded.

 

So was it's an issue of airspace or was it an issue of the material the "box" is made of?

 

I think for most people it is more about not getting the required "oomph" from a free-air configuration (no box). I do plan on going the f-a route, though. A good, powerful amp and a pair of quality 2-ways in the back should work well to add bass to the sub. I am not going to aim at winning any db show trophies. Just a nice, thumping sound.

 

A couple of reasons - free air woofers aren't in the same class as sealed or ported ones. That hole behind the drivers seat is large enough but has holes everywhere meaning the "spring" of the woofer doesn't load up against a solid volume of air - it's loose and sloppy. This is why when you buy subwoofers for the house they come in boxes with calibrated volumes of air. There is a whole science of adjusting the box size to match the Thiel-Small parameters of the driver for different types of responses.

Secondly that large space behind the driver makes an ideal space to mount amplifiers out of sight. Those holes that allow air to leak into the woofer area now allow for a bit of the heat to leak out.

I found that putting the seal all the way back against the woofer wasn't the best thing for the sound either.

 

What everyone above said, plus rattles and the issue of the driver being directly behind your seat.

 

Click here for the original thread.

That's a Peerless XLS 10" subwoofer in a 0.7ft³ sealed enclosure. That subwoofer can get in an enclosure as small as 0.4ft³ like this white Z.




Both subwoofer setups provided plenty of bass. It's not gonna shake your teeth loose, but it is great for a daily driver.

 

^^ That is awesome! I would LOVE to do something exactly like either of those. Where can we buy those enclosures? Also, is that the best sub for stock or the small, corner location?

 

honestly bro, i think it sounds a lot better if you just do the trunk space enclosures, either under or behind the strut. everyone else seems to think the same thing. you have a lot more to work with and that can save time and money. also, in case you were interested, JL makes a really clean stealth box.

 

On JL's website it shows only an option for black. I need something that matches frost interior. That JL box looks awesome though.

 

Those were actually custom built here in Houston, TX. I'm working on trying to get some molds done, but your best bet is to find a reputable installer in your area. The Peerless subwoofer is the best sub for that application, because they will play in a sealed environment as small as 0.4 cubic ft. Thier shallow mounting depth is also needed to make the installation a success I think its 4 and 5/8" deep if i remember correctly.

 

+1 having a free air sub or even a sealed sub pushing air into an open space(the car's cabin) is not going to achieve the subs true potential [behind the seat mount]
A trunk mount enclosure will produce the results most of us are looking for, provided that the enclosure is built properly. This is more achieveable because of the greate space availability, hence being able to provide more enclosure cubic air space and also because the rear hatch acts as a ressinator. Try picturing the hatch as a giant megaphone.