2 JL 8w3 and a 500/1 JL amp

ch1zy

Ok here is the deal, want to get all your advice. I have a 2011 sport package, NON-bose model.

I currently have Hertz Hi energy component speakers, Pioneer Avic z130bt and I'm running them off a MTX 3404 4 channel amp. The amp's wattage bridged is 150x2 and right now its running un bridged at 75x4 and I'm only using 2 of the channels which is fine for just the speakers in the car with no subs. The amp is hidden under the floor in the trunk, behined the passenger tail light where the styrofoam to the right of the spare tire is. We romoved the styrofoam and built an amp rack, the amp barley fits. I'm going to add subwoofers to the car and when I do I will have to bridge the amp to get more power to blend with the subs I think.

I am between two choices and either way I have a JL Audio 500/1 mono block amp I'm using for the subs. Here are my choices

1.) Magic Box from Wicked CAS with 13TW5 woofer in it and I'm going to install the 500/1 amp in the floor of the trunk closer to the head rests where the styrofoam is( the space between the stut towers and the stabalizing bar).

2.) A custom box with 2 8w3's in it where the styrofoam is in the floor of the trunk closer to the head rests, ( the space between the strut towers and the stabalizing bar) and a custom amp rack in the spare tire that will have slack and will be removable with out unpluging anything so the spare can come out.

I have a custom car audio shop doing this for me, they did a great job on the speakers, head unit, back up cam, and amp install for the first part of the stereo.

So the question is, what do you think will be better, 1 13TW5 or 2 8W3's? Both would run off a 500/1 JL audio mono block amp. Make any suggestions about where to install the amp or better ways to do anything. I'm running 2 amps because I already had them and I'm trying to save a little money. If I had the money and didn't already have the amps I would buy a JL HD 900/5 so don't suggest it because I know it would be easier haha but I'm saving about 750 dollars using the amsp I already have.

MAIN REASON I'M LEANING TOWARDS THE 2 EIGHT INCH SUBS AND WHY I'M SECOND GUESSING MY DECISION

1.) Magic box will take 3 weeks to build, he does not have any in stock, and I can do the 8 inch subs monday.

2.) I think the 8 inch subs will have better sound quality but will they be as loud as the 13 inch sub?

3.) Will the 8 inch subs hit low enough bass?

4.) I'm not looking to shread the car apart with bass, but I do like loud music and I want good sound quality and I want it all hidden with no trunk space loss.

bigaudiofanat

If your simply looking for added bass why not just go with a single 8 inch. It will give you what you are looking for with the fill but not the over intensity of a bigger sub.

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ch1zy

Bigaudiofinat, that's what I was thinking at first but when my audio shop threw in one 8w3 in a box in my trunk just to show me what it would sound like, I wanted more, it didn't sound like much, although there was only about 100 watts running to it. I know myself and at times l like to crank the bass. Which do you think will be a better option, two 8w3's or one 13tw5?

ch1zy

The two JL Audio 8w3's didn't fit so we went with the thin alpine type R in a similar custom box as the magic box, sounds great

37Z

I'm awaiting installing an Alpine Type R SWR843D 8" sub in the rear hatch area where the foam piece is located. The new design of this sub can be mounted without any space under the sub. Theoretically, an 8" sub will not play at the same low level as a larger diameter sub, however their are exceptions. Big and others can chine it on that issue

On the DIYMA web site, a person installed 4 of these Alpine subs in a custom sub box in an Mini Cooper, however, could not produce to a low frequency to his liking.

My 5-channel amp, signal processor, and one sub fit in the foam piece space nearly flush with the rear hatch floor. It sub had to be raised up a little to clear the sub's basket but will look nearly level with the carpet. You can view my uninstalled sub box in my "sub box feeler" post. Once the install is completed, I will post pics.

Unclemeaty

I should say, 2x 8" woofers sound great in my car. I run Polk MM840dvc subs which are on-par spec wise as the 8w6. My system pounds. Prepare to spend some $$ on Dynomat. Polks like the JL8w6 are both SQ performing designs, and are pure awsome for Electronic/Techno, rock, alt, live music. R&B/Rap not as good, but it gets the job done. They sound tight, which is very important coming from our open-eared trunks. Nothing worse than blubbery bass my friend.