Hi Guys,
The reason his setup works is because low frequency content is a) omnidirectional and b) made up of long waveforms. The low "E" on a bass guitar (tuned to standard pitch) is around 41.2Hz. Since wavelength = 1,130 (speed of sound in feet per second)/frequency (in this case, 41.2Hz), we get a wave 27.4' in length. It travels right through the trunk, engine compartment, padding, whatever - as if it is not there. The only thing that will stop a soundwave is mass, and the longer the wave, the more mass required.
...and there just isn't enough mass there to make any difference. High & mid frequency content is different. It reflects all over the place. Doesn't matter. But lows - it's a long wave. That's how they talk to submarines. Recording studios spend a lot of money keeping outside sound out & inside sound in. Ask someone that works in one about their wall thickness & construction. Absorption of standing waves (via bass traps) pertains only to acoustics.
I've got a J&L 8W0 in the passengers footwell, but it just doesn't cut it when the top is down. Lost a lot of legroom too. Wish I would have tried this first. A friend at work gave me a sub box last year for free. I'm going to try it in the rear trunk.
I didn't buy this car to haul groceries with anyway...
What's the airspeed of a swallow?
English or African - it doesn't matter.