Speaker & Sub Options

[Gary in BR]

I also would like to know if it possible. I would think a sub installed into the storage bin would be pretty good.
I think Bose makes one for the 986.
But, I am not sure if it can be retrofitted into a non Bose setup.

Someone who has tried the Bose setup or knows more about it then me chime in.


Thanks
Gary

[pcar-yvr]

I think if you dropped a flat (3 1/4" depth) Sub on the deck - you'd loose a lot of sound to the 'atmosphere' given the position so high and far back.

Doing it right - you'd probably need to go with dual-subs. The advantage of laying them flat though, is that you could likely go with two 12" units. That would definately bump!

These 12" Pioneers would probably sound pretty good:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/POCEN/Products/Car+Audio+Video/Subwoofers/Shallow+Series/TS-SW3041D

Rick's right though - engine access would likely be tough. Maybe one could velcro the whole box for easy removal.

This is another really cool option.

[angman]

Hey PCAR-YVR niec to see you on the forums. I am also in Vancouver and have been planning my system for the longest time.

I have just finished upgrading my dash speakers to Polks and prewired the car for the rest of the system. I already have a 5 channel JL amp in the front right now waiting for the rest of the door speakers and subs to be installed. I looked at many options and will go the route of custom fiberglassing subs (either 8 or 10 inches )behind the seats on the firewall. I don't think this will be a safety issue as the layer of fiberglass should ultimately be more protective than the current carpet and foam behind my seats (please chime in if forum members thin otherwise). This project will be tackled soon as I have been waiting for the weather here to be warm enough to work on the fiberglass.

I have seen one other setup of someone using 3 JL 6 inch subs in a fiberglass enclosure above the engine compartment (can be removed fairly easily) but I don't think it will sound as good as 2 8's or 10's behind the seats. Plus with the canvass and tight spacing back there the sound shouldn't be very good from the 3 sixes.

I will update as soon as I get work underway, but my weekends have been fairly busy lately.

[rick3000]

Fiberglass replacing the carpet only would be fine. Just don't remove the metal engine plate. Also, make sure anything you do is easily removable so you can replace your serpentine belt when the time comes.

[chitowndad]

I put 6.5 inch subs on the doors and they sound great! As far as 8 inch subs on the doors, no way, they won't fit in the stock location using the stock covers. I prefer a stealth look so that's why I went with the door subs. You can also slide a Bazooka or tube style sub behind the air controls and under the stereo (take a look). The side panels behind the stick, below the air controls pop off. I'd also recommend dropping a sub into the front engine compartment along with a new amp!

Good luck, post a picture of what you end up doing.

-Steve

[pcar-yvr]

Received lots of great advice recently from some Car Audio Installers here in Vancouver.

One guy worked on a couple Boxsters and another owned a 996 and .
What I've been told:

a) Subs between the seats won't be ideal as bass doesn't sound great right beside your ear. Lower is better, will sound more natural, and has opportunity to bounce around and get a deeper sound

b) Subs facing straight up on deck can be powerful, but will definately cause the roof mechanism to rattle when the top's down. Not good.

c) Front trunk could sound good - but likely you'll feel it more than you can hear it. May want to port through RH drive steering column hole to improve somewhat.

d) Footwell - may be best sounding option if you are willing to give up on some foot space (which I'm not)

e) Behind Seats - a good sounding option, but will sacrifice putting the seats back all the way. Fibreglass box will take a little less space than a MDF one.

f) Door Subs - like you have suggested Chitown, this is also supposed to be a good sounding option - and is what I will likely end up going for myself. BTW Chitown - what brand of subs do you have??

I don't know if it's been done before, but I may try to get my installer to build custom enclosures for these 8" Pioneer Shallow Subs that are only 2 1/2" deep.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.ca/POCEN/Products/Car+Audio+Video/Subwoofers/Shallow+Series/TS-SW841D

Here's a picture of a guy who's done full depth 8" Subs in the doors. I love the concept, but just don't want it to stick out as far as he's done. Check out the pic (and would love feedback if anybody else has tried this).

[angman]

PCAR-YVR, where have you gone to for advice in town?

The 8 inch in the door is a good idea but that install is horrible. Not sure if you have seen this post on renntech before but this is the best 8" install in the doors that I have seen to date. Those Kickers are greta subs at a great pricepoint too.

http://www.renntech.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=14162

My idea of having the subs behind the seats should work out really well. There have been a few posts about this and I have collected some pictures over 2 years of installs that I have seen. However, no one has gone to the extent of actually removing the firewall carpeting and insulation and doing a custom fiberglass enclosure as of yet (that i have seen). Hopefully I will be able to tackle this in about 2 weeks time. I will create the fiberglas enclosure and then wrap it in real leather to finish off the look. If this works out well I may be able to make a mould for other members. I just need to know if people would prefer a 2 piece design or a 1 piece design. These are the subs that I am thinking of using as well. Cheaper than the Pioneer, the new JL shallows coming out, excellent quality, very little space needed and a super low price point as well.

http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_info.php?cPath=1_21&products_id=106