Sub Advice

[FDNewbie]

Hey guys,

I'm lookin to completely upgrade the soundstage in my 80. Wanted to get your feedback on what one of the best audio shops in the area recommended.

1) Speaker upgrade: Memphis 15-PR63V2 speakers with swivel tweeters for the fronts: http://www.amazon.com/15-PR63V2-Memphis-Reference-Coaxial-Speakers/dp/B007SY1TPQ.

I'm told Memphis makes very nice, high quality speakers, and this specific speaker will allow you to swivel or tilt the tweeters up in your direction, thereby avoiding the need for a component system w/ separate tweeter mounting.

Part of me thinks this is a good idea, cuz I've been in cars w/ component systems where the high mounted tweeters are too harsh cuz they're so close to your head/ears.

The other part of me has noticed how many of the newer cars are installing tweeters at the base of the A-pillars, and it sounds GREAT. So I'm seriously considering going that route (in which case I'd need a component system up front). In that case, I'd be going all out, with a really nice component system like Dynaudio (best sound I've EVER heard from a car).

2) I showed the shop some of the rear right quarter panel installs other forum members have done. I'm looking for that really strong, LOW end bass that you can FEEL. Their bottom line was:

- A non-enclosed sub is useless. It won't get me the sound I want.

- Slim line subs will hit the mids well, but not the lows. And I go a demonstration in the shop. I agree.

- They're happy to charge and arm and a leg to fiberglass an enclosure the size of the entire rear right quarter panel space, but they say overall volume is only one part of the story; the subwoofer mounting depth is huge as well, and you just don't have enough space for that.

- Also, I'm told that for really good deep bass, you need a box (not fiberglass enclosure) made out of MDF wood, which again would *significantly* decrease the volume of the enclosure too, cuz you can't contour it like you can fiberglass.

So at the end of the day, it looks like the only option I have without (permanently) taking up storage space (and a heck of a lot cheaper) is to utilize a pre-existing sub box in trunk w/ a quick disconnect, should I need to remove the box for storage space.

Thoughts?

 

[scottryana]

I had a box made for the passenger rear, fits great very little intrusion into the cargo area and fits a reasonable sized 10" sub. I don't know how much bass you're looking for but mine sounds great without trying to sound like I should be installing spinners on the LX. I will have to go get a pic.

 

[scottryana]

Some pics

 

[NLXTACY]

Scott, your and my version of "very little intrusion" seem to be miles apart

Although if we ask Delancy, its about 11"

 

[scottryana]

I mean what is that like 1.5-1.75"? It's not much at all. Lol

 

[FDNewbie]

Scott, thanks for sharing. How much bass...I could care less about what ppl outside hear lol. My primary concern is, I like to FEEL the vibration from the bass, especially the lower notes. That's what I'm goin for.

That box isn't too big at all...I can deal with that. And I'd probably see if I can paint-match the box to the panel (or cover it with the felt-like gray material which matches the gray interior I have). Here's the big question though. Can the 3rd row seat fit both "deployed" and stowed up against the wall/window with that box in place?

Oh and nice Weathertech rear trunk mat. I love mine

 

[scottryana]

Oh you know I have no idea if the 3rd row will work. I yanked it out and had them in my garage until just recently and I tossed them since I couldn't give them away. lol.

It is a 10" JL Audio 10W3v3-2
http://www.jlaudio.com/10w3v3-2-car-audio-w3v3-subwoofer-drivers-92150

Oh you can definitely feel it, it isn't huge and booming, and a 12" sub would probably be better since the interior in the 80 series is such a large space, but I am really happy with it.

 

[B Point]

I just go with a 1x12 box in the back. I can take it out when hauling other gear or camping and it has a real thump since the box has the proper size/volume. It's the simplest, cheapest, and most effective way to get to the low Hz's.

 

[JCruse]

That is EXCELLENT! Scotty, where did you get the panel? How much was it?

I don't even want a "sub"woofer, I just would like a woofer of a reasonable size in the car.
6" is just too limited in what it can do.
The only low notes I need to hear are the open E string on an electric bass, and the kick drum.

 

[scottryana]

I just had it done at my local stereo shop, wasn't too expensive. But I am not sure I have the breakdown since it was during a bunch of other work.

 

[FDNewbie]

I just go with a 1x12 box in the back. I can take it out when hauling other gear or camping and it has a real thump since the box has the proper size/volume. It's the simplest, cheapest, and most effective way to get to the low Hz's.

That's pretty much what they suggested to me, and I'm strongly leaning that way. Cuz in fact, with the room I have in the back, I could go with TWO 10" subs (or 12") and the box would literally just sit in the trunk space between the 3rd row seats and the lift gate.

So...any thoughts re: the tweeters/component systems anyone?

 

[Deltron]

When you take your sub out to go camping, what you do with the hot wire to power the amp?

 

[scottryana]

The amp stays in. The speaker wire isn't really "hot".

 

[Deltron]

Doh! Didn't even think about just mounting the amp somewhere else. I've only had one sub and the amp was mounted to the box.

 

[superstan26]

I don't know ur listening style, but I would recommend jl audio, and nothing else for sub woofers. They make top notch quality both in manufacturing, and sound. The amplifier, and head units are equally important. I don't know how much you wish to spend, but the w7 series is amazing. I had a 13w7 when they first hit the market. I was driving it with an alpine head unit, and a mtx 1000d amp, I loved setting off car alarms with it as I drove through parking lots, however, I pd dearly as I can no longer hear certain tones well, and my hearing is already damaged at 31.

My best advice is buy quality, buy more than u think you'll need, and buy once. You shouldn't have to max everything out to drive the sub where you like to hear it. jl now offers amplifiers which are equally impressive I would recommend a matched set, and calling it a job well done.

 

[FDNewbie]

Dude I've had JL w7s. Their volume requirements are RETARDED. Sure sound nice, but you need another 80 just for the enclosure space LOL.

 

[retrofive]

I don't know ur listening style, but I would recommend jl audio, and nothing else for sub woofers. They make top notch quality both in manufacturing, and sound. The amplifier, and head units are equally important. I don't know how much you wish to spend, but the w7 series is amazing. I had a 13w7 when they first hit the market. I was driving it with an alpine head unit, and a mtx 1000d amp, I loved setting off car alarms with it as I drove through parking lots, however, I pd dearly as I can no longer hear certain tones well, and my hearing is already damaged at 31.

My best advice is buy quality, buy more than u think you'll need, and buy once. You shouldn't have to max everything out to drive the sub where you like to hear it. jl now offers amplifiers which are equally impressive I would recommend a matched set, and calling it a job well done.

Dude I've had JL w7s. Their volume requirements are RETARDED. Sure sound nice, but you need another 80 just for the enclosure space LOL.

JL W7 FTW! LOVE mine. Pushing it with 700w old skool pheonix gold Ti amp.

 

[2KCruiser]

I have two 10" JLW10, each in its seperate box on either side. They are not large, each one is only 1.2cu ft. Anytime I need more cargo room, just unplug the speaker wires and boom, you have room, but no boom boom. See what I did there, lol.

 

[retrofive]

I have two 10" JLW10, each in its seperate box on either side. They are not large, each one is only 1.2cu ft. Anytime I need more cargo room, just unplug the speaker wires and boom, you have room, but no boom boom. See what I did there, lol.

This is exactly how I set mine up, but with a single W7 box, amp in the stock amp space and quick disconnect. Super easy if I don't need to bring the boom and need/want more space.

 

[superstan26]

Pretty sure the w10 was a typo.

If you're not looking for anything too extreme. I'd recommend the jl audio w3 series, they are what I would consider entry level pro class sound. They don't require a lot of space, sound great ported, or sealed, and run fine on relatively low wattage. If you don't listen to rap, you'll probably enjoy the speed, and crisp bass of a 10" in a sealed enclosure. Ported will give you more depth, but will have a less even range. A 12" can supply rich bass tones, but will sacrifice the crisp kick you'll hear on metal.

I've had a 10w3 that I ran in a custom ported box that would shake the rearview of every car near in my immediate proximity. Two 12w0's in a bandpass that hit hard, but lacked range, and a 13w7 sealed, and ported that would hit notes so low you couldn't hear them, and would blur your vision, stop your breath, and literally almost make your ears bleed.

If were to make a system for my listening style now, I would want something fast, and crisp, and it would be based upon jl10w7's in sealed boxes. But that's not to say everyone has to be like me, I've heard jl 8's sound ridiculous with the right music.

Happy listening whatever you decide!