Is this Cabrio Sub placement ok?

[Grif]

This is fporro's Cabrio.







If I were to do this, I'd only be running one woofer. And would attempt to make it a little cleaner. But would this even sound good? Will this effect the driveability of the car at all?

If this is in fact, bad, I'd put full range components in the front (6.5" in the doors) and a sub in the trunk. But from what everybody is saying, I wouldn't be able to hear the sub in the trunk. Conundrums.

fporro's install intrigues me.

Help me with what to. do
-Grif

[TopOfTheLine89]

Cool, idea. I look forward to hearing what STEREOINSTALLER has to say.

[Red88]

That would sound like a large amount of ass if the subs aren't enclosed in SOMETHING.

[Boardhead]

I was considering cutting holes in my verts cross-brace panel but decided rigidity and driving experience was more important than sound. I ended up designing a sub enclosure that acts as the back seat-back. On a scale of 1-10 for bass, I would give the enclosure performance an 8. However, it is way better than the bass in most verts. I may try upgrading the subs after I finish my 5-lug swap. In the photo, the rear seat had not been recovered and the sub speaker covers are laying on the seat. The purpose of the sub covers is to provide some stealth.

[Grif]

WOW that looks... dare I say, IDEAL?

I bet with them covered, it would look... well, bearable!
How much work did that take to fabricate those? VERY interesting concept.

BUT however, how does a sub sound in a standard box in the trunk? (No porting)

Dangit where is stereoinstaller.

-Grif

[StereoInstaller1]

Both of those installs pictured would sound LOTS better if they had a more appropriate woofer, something intended for an "Infinite Baffle" installation.

The spec you are looking for in an IB woofer is a Qtc of over .6, and a fairly high Fs of about 30hz. A HUGE Xmax is required if you are trying to get it to handle any power, too.

Gl finding anything that fits those particular parameters. Gotta go back to 1989 for anything good. Old Nakamichi woofers, JL "IB" series, hell, even Pioneer did some decent stuff.

I designed an 8" woofer that was made by Eminence. I bought them in quantities of 100, so only 400 were ever made. Used in groups of 4, they made amazing bass in an infinite baffle install...

Next 'vert I do is gonna be expensive.

The Kenwood "thin 8" sounds great in its recommended .5 cu. ft. enclosure, so what I was thinking is fiberglass boxes built into the rear side panels, then reupholster the entire side panels.

I would run the two of them with a 2 ohm stable mono amp, there are lots to choose from.

I would guess $1600, minimum. Likely more, depending on upholstery.

Luke

[Grif]

So are you saying, with something like the Kenwood Thin 8, (Keep in mind, a SINGLE one) a set up (like fporro's) would sound fine? Is the airspace behind that wall about right? (say, with dynamat stuffed in there) That would serve as a good infinite baffle set up? (I'm an audiophile, but in the case of the E30 vert some compromises need to be made)

I'm not looking for a crazy thump, I'm just looking to fill up the low end with clean bass.

Then again, would a simple box in the trunk sound better then this..?

Jesus I don't want to do this if its gonna sound like shit. :(
Sorry about the long list of questions. But somebody's got to ask them.

-Grif

[StereoInstaller1]

Grif, I didn't say anything like that at all.

The thin 8" is a total pile of crap without a proper box. I am gonna build 2 fiberglass boxes into the side panels...a MAJOR pain in the butt.

FPorro and that other guy BOTH need different woofers is what I said.

C'mon, it is tough for me to type. Read my crap carefully, please!

Luke

[StereoInstaller1]

Grif, I didn't say anything like that at all.

The thin 8" is a total pile of crap without a proper box. I am gonna build 2 fiberglass boxes into the side panels...a MAJOR pain in the butt.

FPorro and that other guy BOTH need different woofers is what I said.

C'mon, it is tough for me to type. Read my crap carefully, please!

Luke

[Grif]

Oi.
woops I read that completely wrong. After I went over and realized you said .5 it hit me that it would sound like shit in that set up.

I'm starting to not want a subwoofer. It's just too damn complicated in a cabrio.

Instead, as an alternative, would/could you recommend me some baddass full range 6.5" components? They would have to reach lower frequencies to compensate for no sub obviously, (I dont expect it to be as good) but I'm confused as to what exactly is made for that. (I'm thinking, there are some cars out there that sound great without a sub.)

Edit:
Lets say I had 800 dollars for a HU, Amp, and a set of 6.5 Components.

[Grif]

Oh yeah, obviously I'm going to go audition some. Just need some direction.

[Grif]

Sigh. I now feel stupid for even asking in the first place. It seems that this would be just way too much work to get a sub in. As for mounting speakers directly on the wall, HELL NO. But however, I'm thinking about cutting a small hole ported to the trunk to at least attempt to make the trunk and "cabin" a little more androgynous. And then a box in the trunk firing towards the hole. I doubt cutting into that hella thick wall will effect structural integrity at all.


Any one have any opinions on this? or should I just stick with 2 6.5's in the doors. 2 speakers in the doors sounds ALOT easier. -.-

[StereoInstaller1]

All of those cars that sound OK without a sub have a roof.

A pair of 6.5's in the door will be OK, certainly can be loud.

An issue is where the window motor is makes it tough.

Here is something to think about: as the "quality" of speaker goes up, the band of information it is supposed to play shrinks...as in, top notch components REQUIRE a subwoofer and the use of a high pass filter. They have no bass at all, plus they cannot handle bass. It is not what they were designed for...make sense?

If you wanna try something, go to WalMart adn buy a set of the Pioneer components they carry. Just about the best sounding FULL RANGE component out there, and will work OK with no sub...plus, they are only $130/set!

Wait until you see them...they are burly!

Luke

[Grif]

Sounds pretty akamai. I'll try out some similar speakers too.
If it doesnt suit me, I'll try out the sub in the trunk.

Thanks for your help. I'll come back when I install.

[Wiglaf]

actually the vert's double wall makes that mounting into a pretty decent box, just a few holes to cover up.