Free air setup.

[Toxis]

Weird there's another thread made today about IB setups but I just started thinking of going IB today at work while talking to the manager of the CA dept. My plan originally was to go with a single 12" SR12DVC which I own and put it off an Xtant 1001x amp. Now I am thinking less power so I snagged a 3.1 Xtant just in case. So I can either do 300 or 1kw of power for subage. So I'm thinking of 3 8's sealed (need shallow/efficient subs) or going 3 8's or 2-3 10's or potentially 1 12" IB in the rear deck. I'm looking at Image Dynamics because I know they work great IB but have heard that Elemental Designs works well IB. I'm guessing by looking at it, my SR12 won't do well IB in the rear deck... so if that won't work, what do you think I should go with? Mind you I listen mainly to hard rock/metal and electronica. So I'm looking for some output but nothing HUGE. I'm sure everyone knows but Sound Quality is my main focus. I love the sound of IB so I'm inquiring on this vs. 1 SR12 sealed.

PS - I have an 06 Civic Coupe and will be running SR6500's off of 4, yes 4, Xtant 1.1 monos.

[audiobliss]

Woooooow. SR6500's off four monoblocks. That's. Just. Sweet. !!!

[exalted512]

Its ALWAYS better to have more power, as long as you gain it correctly. Most elemental designs subs are just tang band knock offs, but not as good quality and more expensive. I wont even go into the fact that the owner is a scam artist.

Doing IB, as I mentioned in the other thread, means all the holes in the rear deck filled, including ones with speakers in them. Having a speaker in the hole is not covering it up. The output isnt as great, but when done right, sound excellent.

Personally, I'd go with the SR12 sealed...in fact, thats what I'm going to be doing in my g/fs car, except probably a 10"
-Cody

[Toxis]

problem with that is A: I need to do a false floor which I am not sure I want to lose my spare or B: I would have to do a side enclosure and lose trunk space which I'm not entirely sure I want to do.

[exalted512]

You could put the SR in the back deck with the enclosure hanging down from the back deck. Youd lose a tiny bit of space, but youd still have complete access to all the floor room.
-Cody

[MacLeod]

If youre not wanting to give up trunk space than IB is the way to go (although I second Cody's suggestion of a single SR124 in a sealed box with 1000 watts).

That being said, I would go with a pair of SR104's on the rear deck for that 1000 watts. As mentioned in the other thread, IB means a whole lot less power handling.

Also, remember that youre going to have to fortify the crap out of your rear deck or youre going to get all kinds of rattles and buzzes.

With 1000 watts, you could use a SR104 in a sealed box and still have plenty of output. The 10 would require a much smaller box and so you wouldnt lose nearly as much trunk space. Just a thought.

[1996blackmax]

You could put the SR in the back deck with the enclosure hanging down from the back deck. Youd lose a tiny bit of space, but youd still have complete access to all the floor room.
-Cody


I've had a VCR and a Changer hanging from my rear deck before. These things actually got in the way when trying to put larger items in the trunk. Granted they were more towards the rear edge, but alot smaller than an enclosure, this is the reason I never tried going with a sealed enclosure setup hanging from my rear deck (it was for an 8"sub).


Try looking at some 8" Soundsplinter sub, RL-i8's. They can take about 500 watts RMS and require very small enclosures. They are some great sounding subs too.

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rli8_subwoofer_information.html

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rli_ignition_series_subwoofer_information.html

[MacLeod]

Do you work for Soundsplinter?

[1996blackmax]

Why do you ask?

[exalted512]

I've had a VCR and a Changer hanging from my rear deck before. These things actually got in the way when trying to put larger items in the trunk. Granted they were more towards the rear edge, but alot smaller than an enclosure, this is the reason I never tried going with a sealed enclosure setup hanging from my rear deck (it was for an 8"sub).


Try looking at some 8" Soundsplinter sub, RL-i8's. They can take about 500 watts RMS and require very small enclosures. They are some great sounding subs too.

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rli8_subwoofer_information.html

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rli_ignition_series_subwoofer_information.html

But you can still easily access your spare tire, as well as it takes up A LOT less space than a box on the floor of the trunk, granted you could just take those out.
-Cody

[PoweredByDodge]

Who needs a spare? I went without a spare for a long long time, that's what AAA is for. I mean, ya, a spare is great, but if its "hey I can make a killer audio system without a spare, or a ****ty one with a spare" -- then f*ck the spare.

That being said, load the b*tch up with power until your ears bleed. There is no such thing as 'a good listening level' -- blistering is all there is my friend.

[MacLeod]

Why do you ask?

Cause thats the only brand of sub you ever recommend. I figure you must own stock. :D :p

[1996blackmax]

Actually you are incorrect...... :D

I have also recommended other companies such as JL, Alpine, Fi, Image Dynamics, Arc Audio and others. I just saw that he did not want to take up too much space, and still wanted some good output. My friend actually has one of those RL-i8's. I am still impressed with how much output that little thing has. When he went and got his system installed the guys at the shop actually kind of laughed at the little sub. It was already inside of the .3x cubic foot box. By the time they had the amps all in, they were not laughing any more. I wished I could have been there to see that. Point being, youll be hard pressed to find a 8" sub that will outpeform this one, specially at this price.

[1996blackmax]

But you can still easily access your spare tire, as well as it takes up A LOT less space than a box on the floor of the trunk, granted you could just take those out.
-Cody

True, but just wanted to point my experiece with having stuff hanging from the rear deck. In my experience it still took up too much space as I could not even get a cooler in my trunk without taking these things off. His needs may be different, my car is a daily driver and I haul everything around in it.

[MacLeod]

I have also recommended other companies such as Fi,

Ooooh. I like the Fi's. A buddy of mine has a pair of 12's in a sealed box and not only are they great SQ subs but for fun he goes over to the SPL lanes and hits 139+ with them!

[PoweredByDodge]

For fun, I go over to this chick's place and hit her with an 8+. Less than 139, but still respectable.

[1996blackmax]

Ooooh. I like the Fi's. A buddy of mine has a pair of 12's in a sealed box and not only are they great SQ subs but for fun he goes over to the SPL lanes and hits 139+ with them!

I was actually going to pick one up a while back. Scott is a pretty cool guy that will take the time to answer any questions you have. I plan on trying one out a little later down the road.

[Toxis]

I've seen the FI's online but never heard any. Which models does your buddy have Mac? I'd consider a single 10" Q as it needs a very small box.

As for the dual SR10's, no go. I already have the 12" but the SR's are too deep for rear deck mounting. I like to put the seats down and get some more room to haul things, like my wakeboard. I'd consider a large sub but by time you add an enclosure, you really need to reinforce the hell out of the panel for all the extra weight. I really would like to do something shallow... what about the Tang Band shallow 10? Maybe a pair of them IB? Is there anything anyone would recommend for decent output off the 3.1?

I did find an old school Image IDW15 on eBay... that'd be fun to put free air in the rear deck. lol Doubt it'd fit though.

[MacLeod]

I dont know which model he's running, but knowing him its probably their top of the line.

[1996blackmax]

Their top SQ driver is the Q series...from there the offerings become more geared towards SPL.

[Toxis]

Hmmm... Q10? Small sealed box suspended under the deck? Hmmm...

[PoweredByDodge]

I done it - I like it

[Toxis]

how would you describe the sound? What genre would you say it'd be best for?

[PoweredByDodge]

Toxis, actually I did two 8" subs in a sealed box, mounted about 2 inches below the rear deck, with a 6x9 inch hole cut into the rear deck, and an old 6x9 mesh grille glued over the hole (so it looked good). A solid amp board (mount board) was then bolted to the fender wells, and covered the 'secret sub box' bedhind it.

For comparison, it kind of sounds like just a single 10" -- like one really good single 10". It's not super deep, but it's crazy punchy as hell.

It sounds very nice with country music, techno / dance / trance / acid / house / and the like, classic rock, heavy metal, and pop. It's kind of ****ty with heavy rap music though... not enough bottom end. See, with all the other genres of music, there is 'music through the whole range of frequencies' (more or less)... so I don't really notice that the super low **** isn't there... but when you get to rap, its all 40 hertz burps (at least the crap I've been accustomed to)... so its noticeable.

But that's because I'm using 8's -- they're response is like 45 hertz to 500 hertz. With 10's, you should have a response of like 20 or 25 to 200 or so.

Basically -- I like it... it worked for my need. But it was a PAIN IN THE ASS. Cutting sheet metal sucks.

Here's a pic of the trunk (I dunno where the hell I put the pic of the back deck... but it looks just like a normal back deck with two 6.5" plain back speaker grilles on the right and left, but in the middle it has another plain black 6x9" grille that the subs sit under)...

[Toxis]

wait you did two 8" what? FI doesn't make an 8" now so either they used to or you're referring to another post.

[PoweredByDodge]

I didn't use FI -- I used Phoenix Gold Tantrum drivers. I may have been unclear -- I haven't used FI products before... rather, I have done the 'install a sub in a sealed enclosure under the rear deck' before.

[Toxis]

aaahhh. I wish I could do that with my SR12 but it's too deep and heavy. Might say screw it and go false floor.

[Toxis]

so does anyone have any ideas for 2-3 8" or 10" subs IB in a rear deck off 300w?

[Toxis]

Leaning towards two Image 10's IB... either the ID or IDQ's depending if 300w is enough.

[MacLeod]

IDQ's sound good to me.

[Toxis]

I know I'm bumping an old thread of my own but I'm still considering this idea of going IB as I cannot find a sub setup for my trunk I can live with. If it wasn't for the fact I leave my seats down during the summer to haul wakeboards, I wouldn't have this problem. And if I didn't just blow a tire a couple weeks back, I'd just do a false floor and be done. Ugh! So I'm back to the 3-8" idea off 300w. That is unless someone can give me an idea to put my amps which take up too much square footage........ for a small coupe. Any new ideas?

[Joe08867]

Here is a pick of some JL's in a rear deck lid.
http://www.comutek.com/test/3_JL_rear_deck.jpg

Found that here: what should i do w/ my rear deck? (http://www.civicland.com/forum/car-audio/1006-what-should-i-do-w-my-rear-deck.html)

I would say to build two walls to line the sides of the trunk to mount the amps. Kind of angled inward toward the rear seat. This way you still have the pass through feature.

Scroll way down the page for the pic I found. This is pretty much what I mean except on both sides of the trunk. Side of trunk mounted amps. (http://forum.mazda6club.com/lofiversion/index.php/t92447.html)