Featured What is the best Mid Bass 8”?

[Aaron Watt]

I’m working on a system for a 1970 Vette.

It currently has 4 two way infinity speakers in the front. Two kick plate and two dash. They work well enough for highs. Especially since the two dash speakers broadcast off the windshield.

I also have a JL 13tw5 subwoofer I am going to pair with a RF Prime 500 amp. This will give me all the low bass I want plus more.

I have a little room left in the rear space of the car. I want good mid base sound that will bridge the gap between the highs of the font speakers and the lows of the JL sub.

I plan to add mid bass speakers that, in actual use, will provide most of the sound. Should go down to at least 100hertz and up to at least 2000 hertz I’m thinking. I want them to go low enough to add punch that blends with the sub, but high enough I can hear podcasts out of them.

I have a midrange budget. Probably like $500 for two 8” speakers. Might buy used, might buy new.

What are the best mid bass speakers for this application? Thank you in advance!

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[chillin 10+ year member]

Not sure if sound stage matters to you, but is running from 100-2000 in the rear of the car will really pull the sound back. You're going to have a drummer hitting cymbals in front of you and the singer behind you.

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

I wouldn't go over 300hz from behind. Really, I wouldn't want anything below ~100hz coming from behind.

 

[chillin 10+ year member]

I've never heard these, but I do have other CDT speakers that I really like. They'd be worth a shot, but I'd probably cross them over 60-120 or something like that. Your components up front should be able to handle 120 and up. If they're distorting, maybe bump it up a bit, 160 or 200. What is your jl tuned to? My last sub was very powerful from 30-55ish. It was in a trunk, so tapered off fast after that. If I was adding amid bass, that's where I would've crossed it over.

ES-08+ SVC

 

[Aaron Watt]

Not sure if sound stage matters to you, but is running from 100-2000 in the rear of the car will really pull the sound back. You're going to have a drummer hitting cymbals in front of you and the singer behind you.

It’s a valid point.

The current 4 speakers in the front are basically infinite baffle with no sound treatment. Even if I do extensive sound treatment, I don’t think I’m ever going to get the mid base I’m looking for out of them.

The road and engine noise on this thing is substantial. I’m looking for mid bass that easily overcomes that, so I’ve pretty much given up on sound stage assuming I have to sacrifice that to get the overall mid bass punch and volume I want.

 

[Aaron Watt]

I wouldn't go over 300hz from behind. Really, I wouldn't want anything below ~100hz coming from behind.

Since the speakers up front are infinite baffle I have no way of getting mid base from them. If I want good mid base, its going to have to come from behind.

 

[Aaron Watt]

I've never heard these, but I do have other CDT speakers that I really like. They'd be worth a shot, but I'd probably cross them over 60-120 or something like that. Your components up front should be able to handle 120 and up. If they're distorting, maybe bump it up a bit, 160 or 200. What is your jl tuned to? My last sub was very powerful from 30-55ish. It was in a trunk, so tapered off fast after that. If I was adding amid bass, that's where I would've crossed it over.

ES-08+ SVC

Thanks for the recommendation. I’ll check them out.

The JL goes from like 20-200. I haven’t set it up yet. I’m in the process of having someone build a stealth box right now. Trying to decide on mid base speakers for the box before I finalize the design. I’ll probably play with the JL sub and mid base speakers once I get them in to see what kind of cross over settings work best. Definitely open to suggestion.

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Honestly if you pull the coaxils you have upfront and do a 2 or 3 way component setup with the mids in your kicks...I think that would get you closer to what you're looking for...just .02 cents though

 

[Aaron Watt]

Honestly if you pull the coaxils you have upfront and do a 2 or 3 way component setup with the mids in your kicks...I think that would get you closer to what you're looking for...just .02 cents though

Thanks!

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

Since the speakers up front are infinite baffle I have no way of getting mid base from them. If I want good mid base, its going to have to come from behind.

I've gotten good midbass from infinite baffles. I've even gotten good subbass from infinite baffles.

 

[Doxquzme Premium Member]

Since the speakers up front are infinite baffle I have no way of getting mid base from them. If I want good mid base, its going to have to come from behind.

Most midbass units are IB so not sure what the issue is. If you want good midnass up front, get drivers that have the size and design to do just that - there are some out there. You'll not find a better pair out there than these. They are designed specifically for midbass in and infinite baffle configuration.

TM8 – StereoIntegrity.com

TM8 loudspeakers are sold in pairs. Order processing time is 3-5 business days.

stereointegrity.com

 

[Warden95]

I’ve been very happy with my Xcelsus xxm875’s but if I swap them out I’ll be going with the SI TM8. He’s got a nice sale going on with them.

 

[Aaron Watt]

Most midbass units are IB so not sure what the issue is. If you want good midnass up front, get drivers that have the size and design to do just that - there are some out there. You'll not find a better pair out there than these. They are designed specifically for midbass in and infinite baffle configuration.

TM8 – StereoIntegrity.com

TM8 loudspeakers are sold in pairs. Order processing time is 3-5 business days.

stereointegrity.com

 

[Aaron Watt]

Most midbass units are IB so not sure what the issue is. If you want good midnass up front, get drivers that have the size and design to do just that - there are some out there. You'll not find a better pair out there than these. They are designed specifically for midbass in and infinite baffle configuration.

TM8 – StereoIntegrity.com

TM8 loudspeakers are sold in pairs. Order processing time is 3-5 business days.

stereointegrity.com

The front speakers are definitely are not power house units. 45w rms. I attached a photo. The kickplate speakers are a little bigger, but still not very strong. I plan to power them from an independent amp eventually, but right now they are powered off of a factory head unit, which doesn’t help.

There isn’t a ton of room in these cars for deep aftermarket stuff - especially the kickplate speakers. It’s designed for 4x6’s.

I may go down the road of completely redesigning the speaker mounts eventually, but for now, the speakers there are decent SQ so I decided to put my money into the rear box.

Evolving the front speakers will have to wait for another day $$.

Thanks for the SI TM8 recommendation. Leaning heavily towards these after a few people have spoken highly of them.

 

[Aaron Watt]

I’ve been very happy with my Xcelsus xxm875’s but if I swap them out I’ll be going with the SI TM8. He’s got a nice sale going on with them.

Thanks for the recommendation. Seems to be a popular choice here. I’m leaning towards these now.

 

[Jimi77 5,000+ posts]

The front speakers are definitely are not power house units. 45w rms. I attached a photo. The kickplate speakers are a little bigger, but still not very strong. I plan to power them from an independent amp eventually, but right now they are powered off of a factory head unit, which doesn’t help.

There isn’t a ton of room in these cars for deep aftermarket stuff - especially the kickplate speakers. It’s designed for 4x6’s.

I may go down the road of completely redesigning the speaker mounts eventually, but for now, the speakers there are decent SQ so I decided to put my money into the rear box.

Evolving the front speakers will have to wait for another day $$.

Thanks for the SI TM8 recommendation. Leaning heavily towards these after a few people have spoken highly of them.

Your problem isn't the infinite baffle. 4x6s aren't the best choice for midbass. Any decent 8" midbass driver will be fine; I wouldn't go breaking the bank.

 

[dragon.breath 10+ year member]

I would just go to madisound.com and buy a set of 8 inch Silver Flutes. They cost around $50 each, so $100 for a set of them. They will out perform speakers that cost twice that.

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

Silverflutes are nice

 

[spokey9 5,000+ posts]

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These work as midbass...I wouldn't cross them much above 500-700 hz though

 

[Old_Slapper]

Speakers in kickpods don't usually have the greatest mid-bass. Even if they are not sealed. The air space is too small. I have found that a good set of 3-way components, in a door that has been sound deadened, works really good.