2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Stereo Question

[IdaH.O.Train]

I need advice from anyone who has put a subwoofer, either powered or not, under the rear seat of their QC. What did you go with? Did you build your own box or buy a custom one. I really don't want to spend the dough on custom one and think I can build one myself. Any help/advice is appreciated. BTW, I am thinking about going with a 10" single sub.

 

[Jeff H]

Have you been to any electronics or stereo stores? They should be able to answer all your questions.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I have the JL Audio 12" center seat "Stealth" box. It fits INSIDE the front center seat. No holes to drill, nothing to cut and the best thing is, you dont lose any under seat storage. Takes all of 45 minutes or less to install, its completley invisible and theftproof. I have a 300watt amp under the passenger seat powering it and i can blow people out of the truck with it. I paid about $430. 00 for it last year, they may be even less now. Definatley worth looking into.

 

[Oil Ape]

I have the 12" enclosure made by Q-Logic. It is a big $$$ piece but luckily I didn't actually have to buy it. It really works well but on the downside it eats up a lot of space and I really don't listen to music to take advantage of it. On the flip side it does have two cup holders and creates a nice center consol in the back seat.

 

[CumminsPower98]

Oil Ape: I am considering the Q-logic box when I have the money to buy one and wonder how easy it would be to just unhook and remove if I needed the space for passengers? I don't very often haul people back there but have before. It looks to me like it would be easy to take out. Right now I have an amp under my drivers seat and if I want bass I have to put my HUGE box with two 12s on the rear seat.



Thanks,

Mark

 

[EMDDIESEL]

The single 12" under the center seat i have is plenty, i have heard dual 12" setups its not much more then the single, especially since its right under you as opposed to behind you. You can feel it right through the seat.

ALOT cheaper too and as i mentioned, no loss in passenger or storage room.

 

[rspinks]

NoCal I'm trying to stay low $ as well, most shops around here seem to recommend letting them fabricate a custom box. If I was confident in their work quality I'd consider this, but if it is just going to be fabbed out of particle board then I'd almost rather build it myself.



Obviously box volume is the critical design parameter, but I want to know more about interior damping materials (wool or insulation), whether baffles are required, etc. I'll try digging up some info on other sites about sub box design.

 

[rspinks]

Emdiesel, I meant to ask you regarding the center console Stealthbox what is the interior volume? From the cutaway view on their site it looks like a relatively small volume for a 12" driver. Not dissin' their product or anything, I'm just curious how it works. If I don't build a rear underseat box this is the next option for me I think.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

The center seat JL sub is awesome, I don't have one, but have been in trucks with it



The sound is great

 

[Oil Ape]

The Q-Logic box comes out in under 15 seconds. The only thing holding it in is the pressure from the rear seat and the contour of the floor. All you do is untwist the thumbscrews with the speaker wires and pull the box out. On the drivers side under the rear seat I have the amp mounted and on the other side next to the jack enclosure I have a Clarion 12 CD changer in a "gray glove" to match the interior.



I agree that one good 12" sub can outperform 2 or more cheaper subs. I have the Orion XTR3 in mine coupled with a big Kenwood mono amp and a Clarion head unit. I can crank it up and could crack the glass if I wasn't careful... I don't think another would improve my sound any. In fact, I find myself turning the bass down more often than up.



I really like the JL idea but what does it do to the functionality of your front center seat? Granted that seat isn't very comfortable to begin with but I do use it on occasion.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I like your handle Oil Ape Kin to Greased Pig?



Doc

 

[Oil Ape]

I put myself through college working in the university auto shop servicing their fleet and driving the campus wrecker. I was in the heavy diesel/hydralic end of the shop as a mechanic's helper and as such did all the real nasty, dirty, tear down jobs on the big rigs and heavy equipment and got the nickname of "The Shop's Grease Monkey," but that title was already taken on the TDR so I had to modify it slightly.

 

[Oil Ape]

Remember that making a sub enclosure is much more than making it fit under your rear seat. If the enclosure doesn't have exactly the right cubic inches and design, the sound doesn't bouce around correctly and it doesn't sound right and will destroy your subwoofer. If you make it yourself copy one of the major manufacturers dimensions exactly such as Q-Logic's or JL's design for the sound box.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

The center seat is still 100% functional and is still padded, its just not as "Plush" as before.

 

[Oxjockey]

Originally posted by rspinks

but if it is just going to be fabbed out of particle board then I'd almost rather build it myself.

Particle board is the material of choice due to its inherent density. If you build one yourself, you'd be wise to use it.



Bryan

 

[Cooker]

Originally posted by Oxjockey





Particle board is the material of choice due to its inherent density. If you build one yourself, you'd be wise to use it.



Bryan

Actually Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is a better choice than particle board. MDF is more dense than particle board and tends to hold together better should it become wet. It is only about $4 more for a 4'x8' sheet of 3/4" MDF vs 3/4" particle board.



Particle board is fine to use, but given a choice MDF is better.



-Ryan

 

[work2muchplay2little]

MTX Thunderform

I installed one of these about a year ago and have really enjoyed it. Good build quality and performance.





http://www.mtx.com/caraudio/products/enclosures/DRXP20.cfm

 

[Oxjockey]

True, MDF is a better choice than particle board. I have a hard time finding it, though and have just used 3/4" pb.



Bryan

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

JL Audio Twin subs set-up...OTT? No!!!

I would be the first to admit that my aftermarket system is pushing the envelope, but several TDR members in the USA and Canada, when I was passing through last year, have commented that the end result is very pleasing. Just click on the JL Audio subwoofers link in the truck bio below left for more pictures.