10" shallow mount subwoofer choices

[AutoAudio]

I'm looking for a 10" shallow mount subwoofer to fit in the OEM location. I've seen several recommendations here for the Sundown subs, but at 4.75" to 5.25" mounting depth, those aren't nearly shallow enough for this application. 3.75" is the OEM depth, but I'll be raising it up 1/2" to 3/4" with an added MDF adapter ring, so I should have 4.25" to 4.5" of available top-mount depth. I have 1-3/8" clearance to the bottom of the OEM grill, so between the added MDF and the lip/surround of the sub, there isn't much to work with there for raising it up any more.

Also, it needs to work in a free-air application, which limits things further. Not many in that size range are specifically rated for free-air use, but I'm told most will work as long as their Qts rating is 0.50 or higher and their Xmax is 4mm or higher. Does that sound right?

A few of the potential subs I've found are, more or less in order of appeal:

- Rockford Fosgate R2SD2-10 ($60), 3-7/16" depth, 0.68 Qts, 8mm Xmax, only 45 Hz at the low end

- MB QUART NLP254S ($65), 2-7/8" depth, free-air rated

- MTX TM1004 ($90), 4.39" depth, free-air rated, only 40 Hz at the low end

- Pioneer TS-SW251 ($90), 3.13" depth, 1.09 QTS 6.6mm Xmax

- Boss D10F PHANTOM ($40), 3.375" depth, 0.81 Qts, 5mm Xmax

I've never listened to Boss or MB Quart speakers, but I know Boss has a lousy reputation and MBQ's has headed in that direction since 2010 or so. The specs on the MBQ are definitely the best of the bunch, though, so if anyone has [positive] experience with that model, that would be a good reassurance.

Power handling isn't a big concern, as I'm only looking to add some solid thump to fill out a mostly OEM setup. 4 ohm (via single or dual voice coil) is preferred.

I'm sure there are others I've missed, but that's the list I've managed to assemble so far.

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[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Out of those I like the mb quart

But look at kicker comp line for ib or the earthquake sws they both were designed for ib rear deck.

Thr kicker actually sounds great ib in my experience

 

[AutoAudio]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Have you sampled the MB Quarts, or is your vote for it based on specs alone?

Does Kicker have one that shallow? I thought all of their's are 4.75" and up.

I've heard good things about the Earthquakes, but it seems like they would distance the rest of the system too much and require a lot of fabrication to upgrade the other OEM spots to match. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Well the mbquart is discontinued and the comp is too deep.

The sws should be a drop in replacement. It comes in 10inch size. And doesnt need much power. Its considered a drop in upgrade for bmw rear deck subs

 

[AutoAudio]

I guess I should shop around for the Earthquakes... The measurements would be perfect. Do you happen to know if there's a difference between the SWS-10 and SWS-10X? Most stuff is listed as 10X, so I'm guessing they're one and the same.

If only the MB Quart were discontinued from pre-2010, it might speak well to the quality. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

I guess I should shop around for the Earthquakes... The measurements would be perfect. Do you happen to know if there's a difference between the SWS-10 and SWS-10X? Most stuff is listed as 10X, so I'm guessing they're one and the same.
If only the MB Quart were discontinued from pre-2010, it might speak well to the quality. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

the only difference in the sws10 and sws10x is the year made. and mq still is ok but not my choice.

 

[winkychevelle 10+ year member]

Peerless 835028 10" XLS Shallow Subwoofer

Tang Band WT-1427G 10" Neo Subwoofer

couple more options

 

[JL Audio 5,000+ posts]

tried ppi? I think they have one maybe?

 

[AutoAudio]

I'm not sure how I missed the Peerless 835028 on Parts Express' site. I must have filtered it out of the results somehow. The Tang WT-1427G doesn't look like it would work though, being a Qts of only 0.25.

The shallowest PPI model I found is the SN.10 at 4.5". It might be able to squeeze in, but it would be pushing it.

 

[AutoAudio]

I installed an Earthquake SWS-10 today. It sounds quite good and couldn't be much closer to a drop-in OEM fit. I had to cut a MDF ring since the screw holes were ever so slightly off from the OEM mounting plate, but there was plenty of space to work with. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Gary S 10+ year member]

You may not need a shallow mount subwoofer... how about an old school style woofer... The Rockford Fosgate R1S4-10 ...check the manual, but I believe the mounting depth is 4.41" ...... 7 mm Xmax, and it's not expensive.

The QTS is not that critical... just don't overpower it... if you hear any noise from the speaker, just back down on the volume or gain control and learn it's limits. An amp with an adjustable subsonic filter would also be a good idea.

 

[AutoAudio]

You may not need a shallow mount subwoofer... how about an old school style woofer... The Rockford Fosgate R1S4-10 ...check the manual, but I believe the mounting depth is 4.41" ...... 7 mm Xmax, and it's not expensive.

Bit late for that. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif If I have to replace the Earthquake, I'll keep that in mind, but it would really be pushing the limits of the available space.