Subwoofers

[vweaver]

My subwoofer install in my '16 quad. I didn't want some oversized sub-box, and I also didn't want to lose the fold-flat floor.
Top pic is amp (during install) Bottom pic is almost finished.

These are 8" pyle subs (PLPW8D) with an Alpine (MRV-M500 Class D mono) amp. I very selectively chose the amp to match the subs. These subs each require .88 cu.ft of enclosure volume, which I matched very closely using the existing storage well.
You wouldn't believe how hard these 8" subs hit! Shows what properly matched equipment and enclosure size will do for you.

Probably 20+ hours of research and planning, maybe 8 hrs install (over a few days). I have about $300 in it.

 

[TXCOMT]

Sweetness...great job!

TXCOMT​

 

[justintaylor]

compared to the stock setup, how is it? i have the alpine system but would like some more clean and crisp base to the volume. i dont really use the under seat storage for anything so i could likely get away with doing the exact same thing!

 

[BWL]

The boxes fit nice, but do you mean .88 for the pair?

 

[Darth]

Lookin Good

 

[vweaver]

compared to the stock setup, how is it? i have the alpine system but would like some more clean and crisp base to the volume. i dont really use the under seat storage for anything so i could likely get away with doing the exact same thing!

 

[vweaver]

It's my understanding that if you have the Alpine system it has a subwoofer under the rear seat?
I haven't heard the Alpine, but the fact that Crutchfield has a page dedicated to replacing the Alpine speakers tells me they are better than normal, but not much.
If it's crisp clean bass you want, you'll want to port the enclosure. Because 1) I'd rather have bigger bass and 2) porting it with my design can be done either by not porting to exact recommend specs, or with a lot more difficulty to do it like it really should be done.
At lower (easy to talk over) volumes, you don't hear a lot of difference. Once you get to 1/3 to 1/2 volume is when the difference is night and day. Some does depend on the bass frequency within the song and source quality. I do wish it had a CD player. I'm using a thumb drive with downloaded mp3s for decent quality compared to radio or satellite.

 

[vweaver]

The boxes fit nice, but do you mean .88 for the pair?

Each speaker is recommended by the manufacturer to have .88 cu ft of box (other brands may have a little different req.)

 

[BWL]

Each speaker is recommended by the manufacturer to have .88 cu ft of box (other brands may have a little different req.)

There isn't room to get a box with .88 cu.ft per side internal volume on each side flush mounted like yours, which is why I asked. Lucky to get .5. Lots of 8s are in the .4-.5 range, which is why I was going to go that way with sundown sd3 subs rated for .4 sealed and custom fibreglass a box. For example the biggest pre fab fibreglass I've seen is the netaudio dual 12 tall box, which connects both sides and requires a seat lift and no load floor and that's 2.0 cu.ft total combined. The 40 side only tall is only .625 . Not saying the box doesn't look good because it does or that it doesn't sound good. Just the math doesn't add up.

 

[justintaylor]

It's my understanding that if you have the Alpine system it has a subwoofer under the rear seat?
I haven't heard the Alpine, but the fact that Crutchfield has a page dedicated to replacing the Alpine speakers tells me they are better than normal, but not much.
If it's crisp clean bass you want, you'll want to port the enclosure. Because 1) I'd rather have bigger bass and 2) porting it with my design can be done either by not porting to exact recommend specs, or with a lot more difficulty to do it like it really should be done.
At lower (easy to talk over) volumes, you don't hear a lot of difference. Once you get to 1/3 to 1/2 volume is when the difference is night and day. Some does depend on the bass frequency within the song and source quality. I do wish it had a CD player. I'm using a thumb drive with downloaded mp3s for decent quality compared to radio or satellite.

it looks like a good viable option for a new set of subs. the enclosure is nice. i will have to do some thinking on it. did you snap any install pictures?

 

[WilliamS]

For those asking the Alpine isnt a bad subwoofer. Its just a low digging, window shaking, bass wave creating, neighborhood havoc machine. It does round off the sound nicely but it does leave something that the bass heads desire. Me I have 2 12" Type S getting pummeled by 1200 watts.

 

[vweaver]

There isn't room to get a box with .88 cu.ft per side internal volume on each side flush mounted like yours, which is why I asked. Lucky to get .5. Lots of 8s are in the .4-.5 range, which is why I was going to go that way with sundown sd3 subs rated for .4 sealed and custom fibreglass a box. For example the biggest pre fab fibreglass I've seen is the netaudio dual 12 tall box, which connects both sides and requires a seat lift and no load floor and that's 2.0 cu.ft total combined. The 40 side only tall is only .625 . Not saying the box doesn't look good because it does or that it doesn't sound good. Just the math doesn't add up.

I did some recalculations, and you're right about the driver's side, anyway- it's closer to .5 ft³ than .88 The passenger side however, is much closer to .88
I estimate the netaudio's box only provides about 20% ft³ more room due to the 3/4" board and 1/8" fiberglass liner. It doesn't seem like it would be much, but that box has a LOT of surface area that adds up. With no liner and using 1/2" board (thanks to shorter span, smaller subs) I get 'extra' space.
Bottom line, if you can get subs that require less space, by all means take advantage!

 

[vweaver]

it looks like a good viable option for a new set of subs. the enclosure is nice. i will have to do some thinking on it. did you snap any install pictures?

No, just the two attached. You get excited to get to the end of the job and forget to take more along the way!

 

[justintaylor]

No, just the two attached. You get excited to get to the end of the job and forget to take more along the way!

It always happens like that!! i cant count the amount of times ive done that. ive learned now to at least do a before and after. so i can see how far ive come since the first picture. then i forget to do progress pictures.

 

[2010 Infantry Vet]

Nice job man. Did you build the enclosures your self? Does pyle still make subs? They were good back in the day.

 

[PowrRam]

Very interesting. I wanted to install subs in those locations but every solution I found sacrificed the fold-flat floor, which, like you, I didn't want to give up.

I would be interested to hear more details about the components and the install.

Thanks for posting this.

 

[vweaver]

Nice job man. Did you build the enclosures your self? Does pyle still make subs? They were good back in the day.

Thanks. Yes it was all done myself. Apparently they do! Lol. I always liked them, so I didn't hesitate when I got a great deal on them.

 

[vweaver]

Very interesting. I wanted to install subs in those locations but every solution I found sacrificed the fold-flat floor, which, like you, I didn't want to give up.

I would be interested to hear more details about the components and the install.

Thanks for posting this.

What would you like to know?

 

[PowrRam]

What would you like to know?

For starters, where did you get the enclosures? Did you custom make them or have them made for you?

 

[vweaver]

For starters, where did you get the enclosures? Did you custom make them or have them made for you?

The "enclosures" are 1/2" plywood tops, snuggly fit to the storage wells. Made a template from cardboard, then cut the board, using a belt sander after to angle the sides for tight fit. Slightly rounded the edges to wrap heavy black felt (Walmart had great quality/price). Hot glued fabric to bottom to hold temporary then stapled. There is a 3/4 x 3/4 x @5" block glued and screwed to the bottom of the board to keep the board level. I actually haven't fastened the board to the wells yet- between the tight fit, block, and weight of the sub, it hasn't moved, so I'm waffling about drilling into the sheet metal, considering options.