Bass head with an idea and thinking out loud.

Ok so I've plastered this idea over a few threads today and decided just to start a thread on it. I got the idea the other day while just messing around and looking at stereo stuff online because I want to change some things about my current set up. Mainly I want some harder hitting bass. My idea is to build a box that will take up the center of the back seat and go down to the floor in an "L" shape and will hold 4 8" Kicker L7's. I want to build it to look like a storage compartment of sorts and have the subs hidden behind a layer of fabric so that you can't see them by looking in the truck and a cup holder/tray thing on top and hopefully look somewhat stock to the average person/would be burglar.

It will probably be a while before I get everything together to build it but I've been doing mock-ups with cardboard that I have laying around, in it's current stage I have about .7ft^3 and for 4 Kickers I'll need 1.3. Another idea it to utilize the space behind the rear seat so that the box up front isn't so big, maybe a tunnel thing that will fit between the seat back and bottom to give me some extra space in the back.

Someone earlier turned me on to Sundown Audio's SA-8 and I may look into them and buy them but I have no experience in building vented boxes so if some audio guy's want to step in here and help out feel free. Again this is just an idea that I'm throwing around and may not get past the mock up or may go on to make me some money if I can get it right, who knows? Feel free to post thoughts you have about this idea, again I'm just thinking out loud here so who knows where it will go?

Edit: I just wanted to add that if anybody watching this thread and that wants to build something like this for personal use is more than welcome to use my measurement and mock-up's.

 

Current Plans.

I'm going to use this as a post to save people the reading and add what I'm currently planning on doing.

Head unit is still up in the air but I'm thinking of running a Pioneer DEH-80PRS I've been drooling over the DEX-P99RS but that's a little more than I want to pay for a head unit. The speakers for sure will be Hertz Hi-Energy line probably HSK165XL series just because it's what a friend of mine has had in the past and I love every ride I took in his truck, he now bumps Mille's like a boss, still unsure of an amp probably something JL or Alpine. Box design shown in thread with 2 JL Audio W3's or 6's. Everything will be put together in that order starting with the HU because it's got a nasty hiss/static in the Ipod plug in and just sound bad all around but it's given me 5 good years of use.

TL;DR
Head Unit: Kenwood KIV-701
Speakers: For sure Hertz Hi-Energies HSK165XL package
Amps: JL Audio 900/5
Subs: Alpine Type-R Thin mount in a ported box probable tuning will be somewhere around the 30Hz range.

5-10-2012
Settled on the Pioneer DEH-80PRS for a Head Unit.
Sale Pending on an Alpine PDX-5 hopefully it'll be mine.

8-5-2012
I have purchased the Type-R tested it and love it. Box is in the works and soon to be built. Purchased a Kenwood KDCX995 haven't done anything with it yet.

9-10-2012
Head Unit: Kenwood KDC-X996

Mid and Hi's: Hertz Hi-Energy HSK165xl component's. All in factory locale for now.

Low's/Sub: 10" Alpine Type-R Thin in a Mr. Marv box for behind the rear seat.

Amp: Alpine PDX V9

Processor: Maybe.

Deadner: Rammat Audio planning on 50% coverage of CDL tiles on every panel and full coverage of MLV to keep everything quiet. I'll also be sealing the doors for the mid's.

 

I may need this one if not I'll delete it later.

 

How much power do you have available? Will this be an SQ system in any way or do you just want to get loud? You can certainly do it with those sundown subs but you're going to need power. The more the better.

PS: Can you really not find any more than 1.7 cubes? I feel like you should at least be able to get at least 1 between the front two seats on it's own.

 

Any reason why you're only considering 8's and not a larger (and more efficient) sub?

 

It seems to me that installation/removal of the finished product won't be all that easy. So why not just trash the rear seat and put in a couple of buckets and use the whole central area for box volume?

Secondly, I'm with Steven above. While the amount of bass is proportional to area and Xmax, so more small speakers are in theory equal - at anything less than full power the larger surface area produces more bass (speaker cone movement is not all that linear). Or if my science is screwed, at least that's been my experience.

 

This will probably end up being an SPL build over SQ because the sub's I've got now are awesome just not enough punch for me, but my experience with L7's is that while, imo, they sacrifice a little bit of sq for spl they do still sound good. Right now with the rough measuring I did last night I only got 0.7 cubic feet for 4 L7's I will need 1.32 minimum for a sealed box. What do you mean by "How much power is available?" I have just the basic alternator and an interstate battery, no tow package on my truck so I don't have the bigger alt.

The thoughts behind the 4 8's is that I right now it seems that I don't have the room to put anything bigger than 8's back there and with four 8's rather than, say, two 10's is that they will get louder and move more air, even if only by a small margin. I might could do an 10 facing the seat on the bottom portion of the "L" and one firing down in the seat on the seat/top part of the "L''. I could put the subs firing up but I'd rather not, but I'm open to suggestions from you guy's because it's just a thought that I'm messing around with right now.

I don't want to mess with the seat unless I have to, I understand where that is coming from but my thinking that I have right now is that 4 8's would move a little bit more air than 2 10's. If my math is right then 2 10's will have an area of 157in^3 whereas 4 8's will have an area of 256in^3 and will move more air. Again it's just a idea so input is welcome.

 

Remember, cone area is only part of the equation. Air moved is a cubic (volume) measurement so area is not a complete measurement. You need to take area and multiply it by the linear stroke of the subwoofer; Xmax. That will give you the volume of air moved.


You also need to consider the efficiency of the system. If you have two 8" subs that are 80db efficient then the total system efficiency will be 83db. Then you could consider running twice as many 8's and get a total system efficiency of 86db per watt of power....or you could just run a sub that's 86db efficient right out of the box....something to consider

When I asked about available power I was referring to what amp you planned to use. That makes a huge difference in what subs to use if you're trying to pair them with an existing amp.

 

Can we get some pictures of the space? I'm not familiar with your year model and which cab you have so I'm having a hard time visualizing it. Mind sharing your measurements?

PS: I have a neat idea but it depends on your space available so I'm keeping it to myself till we figure out your space constraints.

 

Sure that's a thought. I was thinking of using 1 Kicker 10DX1000.1 wired to give a 1ohm final load for 2 subs for a total of 2 amps for full power to all subs.
Link to amp.http://www.crutchfield.com/p_20610DX1K1/Kicker-10DX1000-1.html?tp=35834&nvpair=FFBrand|Kicker

 

That's fine just give me a few minutes.

 

You have that amp or are thinking about getting it?

 

Thinking of getting it. Measurements otw to live.

 

Got some pics of your mock up?

How wide do you want to go? External dimensions?

How tall on the seat?

I assume you are talking something like this in another post you made:

 

A bigger version of that. I'm doing a mock up now about to post a picture.

 

Basic shape.

 

^That's what I'm thinking too. But have it extend up between the front two seats and effectively replace his center console. I think Hillbilly had a box like that in his truck at one time too. (what ever happened to that guy?)

I'm thinking that if he can get the length he could....I shit not....build a tapped horn for a single 10. Wouldn't that be sick?

 

Wrong forum . He still hangs out on DIY, but I dont see much out of him. I think he got the sound he liked in his Dodge, and went fishing. Literally.


While some might give up a center console, I sure wouldnt. Storage and ease of removal if needed would keep me away from that.

In the picture, I could see about 1 cubic ft, maybe a hair more. It looks like he is sitting on top of the tranny tunnel, which looked to be about 8" wide, so only 6.5" internal. If you have the space, I would look into 2 drivers firing up (losing the cupholder and armrest feature) or consider a single "good" sub down firing. Do that ported, and you should be pretty happy.

The reality is, a box that size wont give you room for a lot of stuff. You will almost always be limited in one direction...

 

What's under the rear seats in that model?