Sub enclosure Ideas ?!

[BigDaddy13440]

Nice work. Interested to see this completed and buttoned up.

Been doing this a loooong time. Started when I was 20, working for a small stereo shop, gradually started doing installs on my own. Did a Mustang Hatchback with (6) Cerwin Vega 12's, a Trans Am with (3) Kicker 15's, and a little Ford Ranger Extended Cab with (8) American Bass 10's. Too much, too loud!!!

As for my own vehicles, I had a S-10 Blazer that I cut the wheelwell completely out, and made a rectangular enclosure to fit a 15" Image Dynamics sub. I then had a '90 Old-school Suburban, I fabbed up an enclosure for (2) Celestion 15's on one side, and then had a whole wall of bins above it and on the opposite side for tools and supplies. That also had a center console that started against the dash then came up over the front bench seat, that held (2) 10's.

Then came my '96 Tahoe, built enclosures similar to this one on both sides, had the Celestions in each rear corner, as well as a center console housing the (2) Powerbass 10's and (3) amps. I sold that last summer, the body was falling apart, but the guy that bought it was going to use that console in his Denali.

 

[massivespl]

**** it just wall it off lol

 

[BigDaddy13440]

**** it just wall it off lol

Which series subs are those, and what are you pushing them with? Are you a member over at SSA.com?

 

[massivespl]

Nsv3 18s
2 crossfire 8ks

I'm a member on caraudioclassifeds.org and caraudio.com

 

[AppocAlexx]

@BigDaddy13440 That is pretty legit. Wouldn't mind seeing some of your other work. I done only one similar job like that to my hatchback mustang. I removed the rear seats and used the dip where the seat cushions were to house and make the air space for the 2 12" subs. It turned out pretty nice and for my first real fab job I did pretty good. Wish I still had my old Razor phone with the pics on it. I ended up tearing it out bc I found that my rear seats were needed more than I expected. Not gunna go into detail with what the back seats were for but use your imagination lol. Other than that iv only built single sub enclosures and modified other to fit my needs.

Your build is a lil more than I want to take on for now and I would like to leave the factory panels in place. But your build did give me a good insight to what I may be looking into if I build that enclosure. Reps sent. Thanks for the feed back and spreading your knowledge.

 

[Denaliz]

Love the idea of sub in custom quarter panel. Saves the limited space we all have behind 3rd row.

I'm running a JL 12" 3v3 4 ohm sub. I picked this sub specifically based on small space requirements for a sealed box.

Had a custom built/tuned box built and installed behind my 3rd row seat. I still have use of the right side and space on top of the box. Very happy with the results. I'm able to quick disconnect it if I need use of space for family trips.


I was running a kicker ix1000.5 for power but bought an Arc Audio 1200.6 last week. I'm having it installed song with new Focal K2 6.5" components in front, moving hertz components to rear and an Audison Bit Ten D DSP with DRC to replace the current Lc6I LOC.

 

[ridingagain]

I just went through this myself, trying to decide between the options. I ended up getting the stealthbox on ebay for $400, and I'm so glad I did. It sounds incredible, unless you're doing a large box in the rear, I cant imagine the other openings delivering the same sound quality.

I have 2 12's in a subthump box in my D-max, and the stealthbox sounds better and hit's harder. I was pretty blown away with how good the base sounds from it. I had one years ago in the older style center console, and there's no comparison to the newer one.

Install was really easy, a little work tightening bolts from under the truck in a tight space, but pretty straight forward. The only negative, is the sound is really geared for the front stage, and not nearly as impressive sitting in the back seats. This didnt matter to me, it might to others.

You must have been the one that beat me out of ebay bid so i had to buy new....
I'm going to be installing mine soon. Good to know install is easy. Did you have to sound deaden or foam the console area to avoid rattles?

 

[Jesburban]

I did use just a little bit of dynamat type deadener, but very little. I did my whole stereo system at the time, so I used it mostly for the doors and had it available. I just used a little where the brackets for the bose amp was, and where I drilled through the floor.

It doesnt rattle much at all, unless you leave things in your console where the cup holders are. Loose change, phones etc. will drive you nuts bouncing with the bass up. I tightened up the stealthbox snug from underneath, so far I'm really happy with it. Let me know how you like it.

 

[AppocAlexx]

Love the idea of sub in custom quarter panel. Saves the limited space we all have behind 3rd row.

I'm running a JL 12" 3v3 4 ohm sub. I picked this sub specifically based on small space requirements for a sealed box.

Had a custom built/tuned box built and installed behind my 3rd row seat. I still have use of the right side and space on top of the box. Very happy with the results. I'm able to quick disconnect it if I need use of space for family trips.


I was running a kicker ix1000.5 for power but bought an Arc Audio 1200.6 last week. I'm having it installed song with new Focal K2 6.5" components in front, moving hertz components to rear and an Audison Bit Ten D DSP with DRC to replace the current Lc6I LOC.

View attachment 61512

Now that I have found my third row seating I can look at doing this and see what kind of space I'm actually working with. A box like this would be the easiest thing I could and I feel you on having the quick disconnects for easy removal when needed, I'm sure ill run into the problem if I throw a box back there at some point in time. Which is another reason that makes me want to do a quarter panel box now.

 

[Denaliz]

Now that I have found my third row seating I can look at doing this and see what kind of space I'm actually working with. A box like this would be the easiest thing I could and I feel you on having the quick disconnects for easy removal when needed, I'm sure ill run into the problem if I throw a box back there at some point in time. Which is another reason that makes me want to do a quarter panel box now.

I have a wife and 3 kids so we do utilize the space at times. I had Car Toys build to box to JL specs. Sounds incredible and my specific sub is. Made for smaller enclosures. I know Sun Down has a model too.

I chose to keep running the center console Bose sub and bypassed all other speakers and upgraded them. Running a 5 channel amplified system on a 6 channel Arc Audio Amp. Channels 5&6 are bridged for more power.

 

[AppocAlexx]

nice that's sounds like it would hit pretty good.

I found a post earlier of someone that got a ebay console box for 130 which is not too bad depending on shipping to me. I may look at doing that for now and then in the future doing a sub behind the seats, that way ill still have some bang if I do need to take this box out.

I think this will be the most realistic plan for me. Now just what subs and amp to get. More research now. lol

 

[Denaliz]

Highly recommend having one made! I did the prefab box first- spend the extra money and have one made you'll be much happier. The cost over a few years that you'll have it is minimal.

I do know BassWorx has a truck box that's pre fab and fits perfect behind 3rd row. It's ported though.

 

[Denaliz]

Here's the page. You can find these cheap online- would make due for now if cost is an issue. I ran one for a short period. A custom box is a lot better for sq and will be built and tuned for your specific sub and vehicle.

 

[massivespl]

Sealed boxes suck^ get ported Forsure. Tons of decent options on eBay

 

[AppocAlexx]

Sealed boxes suck^ get ported Forsure. Tons of decent options on eBay

Ehh, sealed boxes hit pretty hard as long as you have the right specs and enough speaker.

I am a fan of ported boxes tho, much more crisp bass IMO. But to each its own.

 

[Denaliz]

I've run sealed and ported in my Denali. Personally love the sealed sound better. It was more crisp and hits solid vs just loud and vibrating. Comes down to your personal preference.

Just make sure your box matches what your sub is meant for space wise and you'll be ok.

 

[massivespl]

I've run sealed and ported in my Denali. Personally love the sealed sound better. It was more crisp and hits solid vs just loud and vibrating. Comes down to your personal preference.

Just make sure your box matches what your sub is meant for space wise and you'll be ok.

Comes down to if you know how to properly make a ported enclosure... I grantee ported should not just be loud and vibrant things. If build properly ported will sound just as good as sealed but be like 10db louder when you want it to. Sealed boxes were a thing of the 1990s when woofers were meant for that... Almost all new woofer excel in ported enclosures these days.

 

[Denaliz]

It's a debate both sides feel like they are right. Yes the box was spec'd the JL- as any sub should be. I don't care for ported but to each their own.

 

[Brian Wilson]

I built my box for my 2 rockford fosgate p3 15s to fit behind the 3rd seat in my short yukon. Box size was perfect for the subs in sealed or ported configuration. I built the ports so I could cap them when I don't want them. Is is tight,yes. Is it louder,yes. Does it sound good,yes. But I feel like sealed box gives me a more accurate bass across a larger spectrum of music types. It's alot of math and you have to do alot of research on sub size and requirements. But anyone who does car audio should be doing the math and research for every system anyways. My box took me 3 weeks to design, find the right subs, find the right amp, and alter the width and height and placement to make it look amazing and sound great under the tight spaces I was given. But it was well worth it. And it's can be removed completely in less than 3 minutes if you need the space. Assuming you can lift it alone or have a friend.

 

[Brian Wilson]

I built my box for my 2 rockford fosgate p3 15s to fit behind the 3rd seat in my short yukon. Box size was perfect for the subs in sealed or ported configuration. I built the ports so I could cap them when I don't want them. Is is tight,yes. Is it louder,yes. Does it sound good,yes. But I feel like sealed box gives me a more accurate bass across a larger spectrum of music types. It's alot of math and you have to do alot of research on sub size and requirements. But anyone who does car audio should be doing the math and research for every system anyways. My box took me 3 weeks to design, find the right subs, find the right amp, and alter the width and height and placement to make it look amazing and sound great under the tight spaces I was given. But it was well worth it. And it's can be removed completely in less than 3 minutes if you need the space. Assuming you can lift it alone or have a friend.

Did I mention it is hidden with the rear seats up? Can't see it from outside the car or in the rear mirror.