removable sub
 

I was thinking that I would like to go ahead with a sound system upgrade over the base stereo, and I would like to have a sub. The catch is that I want it to be easily removable for track days.

Do you have any ideas for locations (probably the spare tire well) and components? Is there any good quick-disconnect hardware out there that is designed to be used repeatedly? Do you have any tips for box construction?

I'd like it to be invisible when installed, just because I live in Oakland and I'd prefer the car not get broken into. Any ideas welcome! I would love to have 500W-1000W and really high quality components (although audiophile stuff doesn't make sense in this car without noise reduction)

Thanks much!

Easiest way to do this is a z enclosure box. All you do is pull it out unhook the wires and your done. I know it would not be invisible but would be a lot better than any hidden sub under your trunk floor.

I hear you... the problem is I park on the street in Oakland. There is no way I can leave a sub box out in the car overnight. That means I would have to bring it out to the car every single time I want to use it :icon14:

LOL true but if you are going to want hi fi audio and have close to 1000 watts of power for your audio you are not only going to want a nice size box and sub but also to dynamat your car. I am not sure what other options. I know a lot of the boxes I have seen in the spare tire area are using the JL slim sub "not a fan" and some are ported "not good for SQ" I will try to think of something for you.

Ever think of tint for your back windows?

Thanks for thinking about it - hopefully it's an interesting problem. I wonder if I could do 2-3 8" subs or something like that. It's interesting that you don't like the JL slim.

I know what you mean on dynamat. To me, the car won't ever sound great without 100 extra lbs of sound dampening. My goal is for it to sound undistorted at decent volume with the windows down at highway speed. Even in that environment, I have my audiophile tendencies - I don't need perfect imaging (obviously), but crappy ported Kicker noise is just not what I will be happy with.

Tinting the windows could work... I was hoping to leave cargo room open for the occasional trip, but that might be the best route...

No problem, if you have any more questions just ask.

I would like JL a lot more if they where more reasonably priced. But because they decide to charge more than others "does not mean they are better" you can get the same or better stuff for the same or less price from other manufactures.

Where did you make this information up at?:confused:

Ported subs are bassy and dragged out even when tuned properly. A sealed enclosure will help you have tight accurate bass.

That’s incorrect.................
A sealed sub will have a gradual roll off as frequency decreases.
A ported sub will give you more output down to its tuning frequency.

You might be able to dip lower into the frequency range with ported but it is not going to be tight as a sealed.

Two things that correlate to the subject at hand. Big, you know your stuff and you are correct about the ported subs not being as solid and tight as a sealed sub. Even with a custom built box you are still going to have that boomy sensation from the air exiting the port. Now saying this you will be able to go lower in the frequency range as you mentioned. For people into rap they do not much care for how good the bass is as long as it is loud. Which is fine. Also in a small car like the Z a ported box would be the last thing I install in one.

Second thing Conch you need to get off your high horse and realize that you are not gaining any respect nor the attention you are trying to get. Pioneer has some good products but as time and people have told. That is not the case anymore. I have been in the business for 15 years and I have seen the best of pioneer and now the worst. Leave big alone and stop crapping up everyone's threads.

Ported boxes use a vent (called a port) to reinforce low bass response. You get more output than you would from a sealed box at any given amplifier wattage. Some people prefer the sound of ported boxes for rock, heavy metal, or any hard-driving music.

All things considered, you're probably looking for something to replace the spare tire. With the spare tire removed, you have between 7" and 8" of depth to play with, which doesn't leave you many speaker options. The option I'm most fond of at the moment is 2fast4thelaw's JL13W5 installation (see his thread here) Something similar will give you the stealth look you're looking for, with the potential of being removable for track days.

There are a number of other shallow mount sub options available that serve as alternate's to the JL13W5, but you get what you pay for. JL makes quality gear, as do a number of other manufactures. As we all know, when you starting trying to achieve 'perfection', cost increases exponentially compared to 'what you get'. Achieving 80% may cost $10, 90% will cost $100, and 95% $1000 (and so on...), its up to you to determine what you need. This holds just as much weight in vehicles, as it does in audio. JL tends to be on the higher end of both price and performance, however you can get 'similar' performance for less money if you so desire. The Pioneer and Elemental Designs low profile subs come to mind.

Basically only you can break out your scales- Is keeping the spare tire important? Can I put a visible sub in the back hatch area? Do want higher quality components, or can I settle for less? Once you weigh everything, your choice will be simple.

edit rant removed.

Ported (Pros)
. Much Much Louder!!! (3-6db Increase)
. Increased Efficiency, Increased Low Frequency Output, Relatively Low Distortion!

Sealed (CONS)
. Efficiency Vs. Output

I totally agree with you………………

You just proved one of my points that ported is louder. But that does not mean that it is better for sound quality.

Division………….it’s hilarious how the truth gets edited!!
You left out the Civic!!

How does that even come close to the subject?

That is *exactly* what I want, with provisions for easy removal. I wonder if I can even build in some of the sound insulation onto the enclosure rather than the car.

It sounds like he's happy with the JL 13.5". I'm not worried about the money for the sub - if I'm going to do this, I want to do it right. My understanding of those subs is that they have to have exactly the right volume enclosure - any deviation totally screws them up. 2Fast did it right.

Anyway, thanks for posting - I don't know how I missed that thread!

As far as ported vs. non, everyone knows Big is correct. Sealed is always the choice if sound *quality* is the top priority. That doesn't mean ported doesn't get you more volume, or decent (even excellent) sound if designed correctly, but for flat response, sealed is ideal.

It really hits home………….

A few people think he is correct………………..just google

I posted, then realized - "why bother..." the people who would understand my comments already know- and those that don't need to learn a lesson the hard way.

Actually owning a Z, I can comment here. With the in cabin noise at the levels it is (it is a sports car afterall) it would take a large amount of dampening to have an overall impact on sound quality. Yes - adding some will help... but no more than turning up the volume. The car is solid and well put together, I don't have a problem with rattles- its the road noise that's a killer. Since you'll probably be removing the foam blocks to put the sub in, adding a few layers of ensolite fabric might not be a bad idea. It'll keep you from having layers of butyl like material (edead, rammatt, dynamat, etc) and probably keep you at stock NVH levels, if not a slight improvement. Plus, you can easily roll it up and take it out on track days.

I agree I rode in a Z for 3 days and it was much quitter than my civic was. Very nice ride IMO and adding dampener to remove road noise I find myself asking what road noise? The Z is very solid, I agree Division.

Not sure if you saw my pictures, its a bit big to pull in and out but as you can see there is no way to tell I have a system if I didnt have the Alpine head unit. Stereo hits pretty hard with a single 12". I don't really listen to rap or anything, more Alternative and Rock but either way, very deep base, I put it on Zero and the drums or movies are amazing. Here's my set up and if you wanted it removable you could just build it with quick connects.

Good luck man.

Nice man did you condition the wood with anything? Well MDF

Sorry to say I had a shop do it. Not really sure what they used but they used velcro on the bottom so it doesnt move, they used a very lightweight board on top (the 3 panels) with a thick metal screen so I can still put things in and the sound is amazing!

Not sure about the other set ups but you can put a DVD on whilst music is playing through the ipod and they wired it so it all works weather your driving or parked. Blue tooth cuts everything off too with touchscreen and voice recognition. Pretty sweet set up but I already took a little heat from the other guys about adding weight, fact is I'm not racing the car just yet and if I do I can slide it out pretty quick.

I really like alpine, sounds exceptionally clear. They picked the sub, used to run with JF, Fosgate, etc in High School but that was a very long time ago.. Whatever this sub is, sounds great!

Thx for the compliment though, from you that means alot, you seem to be quite the expert from the posts I've read.

In-cabin Noise Reduction ? - Honda Civic Forum

http://www.civicforums.com/forums/18...reduction.html

I am not asking anything about reducing noise in my car. Stop messing around and posting worthless junk. I was simply comparing the fact that my car is nosier than the Z.

Nosier………I never realized the Honda Civic was more inquisitive than the Z!

It demands to know the TRUTH!

Who Knew?

Thanks - that's a huge help. I will have a shop do it as well, but this provides a great template for what I want. I will also want to incorporate handles to allow it to be lifted out, amps and all. It won't be light, but I will only need to pull it once a month or so, so it's not that big a deal. Should be a cool piece of kit.

It will be a bit before I have the money, but I'll definitely post when done...

Cheers...