under the strutbat- the only way to go! hardly takes up any room, and it pounds!

 

Do you have the JL stealth box or something custom?

 

>under the strutbar the only way to go! hardly takes up any room, and it pounds!

+1!

I also wanted to place a sub in the stock cubby for months,
due to space phobia. Then I read several great reviews on this
forum from folks that went through the expense and hassle to
build custom sub cubby fiberglass enclosures and after wards
due to compromising sound moved it under the hatch!

Summary of stock sub location issues:
) too close, you hear the speaker mechanics flapping
) "massage chair effect" distracts from listening
) Great 10" subs' large size are very challenging to properly seal
) A powerful sub in the middle of the A frame
causes rattles. That's probably why Nissan's
Engineers spec'd an anemic low power sub.
) Expensive custom fiberglass enclosures. I was quoted
$1200 for system install labor from a talented stereo shop.

Then I discovered and bought a www.zenclosure strut box.
They were very knowledgeable and professional, located in FL. It fits
perfectly in the dead space under the strut. It delivers INCREDIBLE
clean/tight bass with one JL10W6V2! I should have sobered up sooner.

 

If your looking for something to vibrate everything within a 1 mile radius to get peoples attention then the stock location is no good, it will rattle the car like nothing else. However, if you just want a little more bass (enough that you can feel it and the person in the car next to you might be able to hear it) to up the sound quality (rather than up the getto'ness) then throw a basslink behind the drivers side seat. Basslinks are made for open air applications (no sub box) so it still sounds good. I have one in mine and it sounds great, its not going to win any competitions but thats not what I'm looking for.

 

Do you have pictures of this setup? You guys keep swaying me back and forth! I am willing to sacrifice some sound quality to keep the grocery space under my strut bar, but I don't want it to sound like a$$! This is what I want to do - I can't remember if I posted it already....I wish the guy whose system this is would weigh in here - but I can't remember where I got the pic.

 

The only thing more important than the proper amp for a sub to "work its magic" is a quality enclosure (not only structural integrity but also the right airspace, etc.). "Free air" subs are commonly used in places where an enclosure is not practical. Also, anytime you have the opportunity to have the sub(s) face away from you, take it. A big problem with having your sub right behind the seat facing you is that you hear the actual sound of the sub instead of the low end frequencies it produces.

 

sundevil67,

The dual sub looks impressive, but is too much bang for the stock spot.

Instead, get a custom track tower Thule roof rack
(whistles less than round Yakima) and put your
groceries in a luggage carrier. Maximize your
storage and immerse yourself with awesome sound.

Sorry I typo-ed the website.
www.zenclosures.com has pics of sub boxes they offer.
The one I bought: Nissan 350z Custom Sub Subwoofer Box Enclosure
Unlike most strut enclosures this one leaves open space
between the strut and Aframe.

Good luck in your decision.

 

"luggage carrier"? What do you mean exactly? The thing is, I often find myself using that cargo space underneath the strut bar when I have a long day of work and school - backpack, briefcase, lunch bags, jacket, dry cleaning - it adds up! Maybe I should look into the Z luggage to maximize the space.

http://www.courtesyparts.com/Merchan..._Code=Z33-BGST

 

The Aframe to strut-zenclosures space is ~16"Tx10"Lx40"W,
so a large duffel luggage fits perfectly.

When replacing the stock rear speakers, I removed the
metal sub plate to more than double the glove box storage.
The amps are under the seats, so now they are heated!

>"luggage carrier"? What do you mean exactly?

For more space expand to the roof with an AL tube
~30Lx42W luggage rack. Look for a stylish one.
If my SO ever grieves about Zstorage, I'm getting one.

There is a guy nearby that drives an immaculate 60's Jaguar
coupe with a roof rocket box and goes Windsurfing all the time!
When I first saw him I laughed, but he always is smiling.

The Z hatch space offers a fidelity opportunity not to be
squandered on the stock low power sub location.

Good luck!

 

wow i was also wondering about the stock location, i guess back to the drawing board....

 

anyone happen to have a guess on how many cu. ft it is? heh, i'd rather know before (not after) i take the back apart, hehe

 

Here is a design template that someone created for behind the seat:

 

thanks a bunch man... wish i could use my dual JL 12 box.. but that's the perils of the roadster i guess.. hope it sells (it's up on ebay, and i think it'd fit a normal Z)

 

I am leaning back towards behind the driver's seat after looking at how much cargo space the Zenclosure would take up. How much do you guys think an installation like this should cost? How long should it take a pro shop to handle? I had a mixed experience at this last shop, and I want to be armed with as much info as possible before I commit.



thanks.

 

Hey guys!

I don't have my Z yet but I have been toying with the idea of where i'd want to put my two Alpine Type E 10" subs since I won't have room for the box I have now. I was really considering behind the seats, but I realized the Z has no glove box and it'd be nice to have some concealed space for the driver to access only.

Anyways, my question is, I remember someone had said a long time ago that under the carpet, towards the rear of the trunk, is a small area of dead space. Has anyone thought about putting a sub into the flooring of the trunk in the Z? I don't have one yet so I can't physically inspect just how large this hidden trunk area is. Personally I didn't want to put the subs under the strut bar just incase I take a trip somewhere and have to pack a bag (duffle bag=closest thing to a golf bag like nissan instructs rofl) and that would sorta ruin it.

So, has anyone done that yet?

 

I've got Pioneer subs behind each seat using factory brackets (bought an extra one to replace the glove box). Sound quality is good, but hampered by some rattles (fixed with lots of dynamat). SPL is poorer, maybe half the volume of an equivalent subwoofer setup in the boot (or about 3db quieter). Rubs your back nicely...

The main benefit is saving on all the weight +++ MDF of Two enclosures.
Be sensible like me and use the big strong metal boxes Already there!

Can provide pics if you want.

 

I would like to see some of those pictures, please

 

Cool! i'll take shots tomorrow

 

Are they free-air subs? How would you compare your setup to the bose stereo?

 

>The main benefit is saving on all the weight +++ MDF of Two enclosures.

Why would you need two enclosures? My single sub strut www.zenclosures.com weighs under 23#. The only way to put two 10" speakers in the stock location for a lower net weight is using low power open air subs. High-power fidelity subs require a sealed enclosure. Instead of using two low power subs, get an awesome sub/enclosure for the best fidelity. There's no free lunch.