JL Audio Stealthbox Review

Magnetic Z

Bit the bullet and got the Stealthbox. Replaced my 10" dual voice coil Bazooka with this. Was hoping for a little more low end frequency extension. This definitely has that! I asked what the low end went to - by way of calling the JL rep. He said "Something like 28HZ". The Bazooka is specified at 39HZ for low end response. I actually had to change the EQ settings on the AVIC-8000 a bit. I was overcompensating by bringing the 50HZ lowest band all the way up (to try and squeeze more low end out of the Bazooka). Now, I have it pretty even with the last three lower frequency bands. All the bass notes from 120 down to 30HZ range sound fairly even and linear to my ears. I am pushing the Stealthbox with an Alpine MRV-M500. The gain was fine where it was with the Bazooka sub. The bass has a MUCH stronger presence and sounds really clean. Lower notes shake the seats and you feel it in your chest. That was EXACTLY what I was looking for. There is no lack anywhere in the bass spectrum now! Caution: If you roll the windows down, the bass just gets ridiculous at that point. It feels like you are effectively sitting in a bandpass box! Highly recommend a remote gain control for your amp.

The enclosure is supplied with a bracket system that would require the woofers be pulled, holes be cut in the mat and the interface bracket be attached to the vehicle frame. Decided to just wedge box in place for now with some materials I had. The carpet is a very close match to the interior (see pictures). I am rather picky about stuff like that.

Conclusion: It IS a lot of money, BUT the sound is awesome. It really lacks for nothing in terms of quality bass reproduction, IMO. Typically, I'm not a big fan of sealed enclosures, but this seems to have the best qualities of ported and sealed. The look of the box is very appealing to me and looks like an OEM part. Am very happy with it!

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JC-Nismo

Looks good, congrats.

Magnetic Z

Thanks!

murf51

I have been thinking about this box, do you feel it impedes your view at all? Doesn't look like it takes up too much space compared to the zenclosures box? Looks good man!

Magnetic Z

Thanks....short answer - no.

Long answer - If you look eye level at the rear view mirror through the rear hatch (when closed), the top of the Stealthbox is well below the bottom of the rear glass window. I think even if someone was just a little over five feet tall, it still wouldn't impede their view.

Not sure of the zenclosures (never seen one in person). But, here is a reference photo of a 10" bazooka that was in there before. It really isn't any taller and if you look at the flap in the mat, it doesn't really protrude any further either. The space on either side of the Bazooka wasn't really that usable to me, anyway.

Also: Not sure if you have a back-up camera, but I use mine when backing out, too (our cars have some significant blind spots, as is). It is a great investment for these cars, IMO.

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murf51

Cool that pic helps for reference, and yeah I put a camera in, it is a must!

Magnetic Z

Thought I might mention one more thing. Changed the phase of the woofer on the AVIC-8000, since they are facing the bumper (away from the listener). That made a huge difference in the way it sounded - lowest spectrum seems to hit harder and there was a little bit of a mid bass harmonic going on that seemed to go away, too. Was already happy with it, but this change is worth trying on your head unit if your speakers are facing towards the rear bumper.