An under-the-seat sub or a couple of open air subs?

[dsw1204]

I am in the market to purchase my very first sub. I have a small car ('91 Accord) with a small trunk that has a lot of "stuff" in it...so I don't want to get a big sub and put it in the trunk.

I am considering either a Kenwood KSC-SW11 powered sub that will fit under the passenger seat or a couple of Kicker 8" open air subs and put them in the read deck next to my 6x9's. My preference is to get a tight, punchy bass rather than a big boomy bass. I know neither one will give me too much of a big, boomy bass, but which setup will give me more of what I am looking for?

My system is rather simple. I am currently running an Eclipse 55040 head unit with Infinity Kappas in the doors and a couple of Eclipse 6x9s in back. All powered by a 25x4 at 4ohms Alpine amp (which I will be replacing with a 50-70 watt per channel amp).

Your help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

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[kero48]

So you are going after SQ (sound quality).

For SQ you would go with a sealed enclosure (tighter bass) which are smaller than their ported brothers.

(2) 8's in a sealed enclosure. Would make for a nice setup, small enclosure and would def provide more performance than the Kenwood.

You would need a separate amp to power them though and for best results a custom built enclosure to meet the subs air volume requirements.

What's your overall budget as that will determine a lot.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

So you are going after SQ (sound quality).
For SQ you would go with a sealed enclosure (tighter bass) which are smaller than their ported brothers.

(2) 8's in a sealed enclosure. Would make for a nice setup, small enclosure and would def provide more performance than the Kenwood.

You would need a separate amp to power them though and for best results a custom built enclosure to meet the subs air volume requirements.

What's your overall budget as that will determine a lot.

Many top sound quality cars use ported.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

ported can be tighter and more accurate than a sealed when the port area and box size tuning ratios are done right.

 

[dsw1204]

So you are going after SQ (sound quality).
Are you aware that for SQ you would preferably go with a sealed enclosure which are smaller than their ported brothers.

You could possible get away with a 10" sub in a sealed enclosure and throw it in your trunk or even an 8" sub in s sealed enclosure. I am currently in process of putting together a replacement sub, (1) 8" in a ported enclosure.

You could even go with (2) 8's in a sealed enclosure. Would make for a nice setup, small enclosure and would def provide more performance than the kenwood.

You would need a seperate amp to power them though and for best results a custom built enclosure to meet the subs air volume requirements.

What's your overall budget?

Yes, I am going for SQ, but as I said, I am limited for space which is why I am considering the under-the-seat sub. I don't know if the Kenwood KSC-SW11 would give me the tight, punchy bass I am looking for. I am not looking for an overwhelming, boomy bass.

Kicker makes a little 6.75" sub (6.75" CompRT 2 Ohm) that I was thinking as a possibility. I was thinking maybe installing these on the read deck, next to my 6x9's and maybe enclosing them with a sealed box. The box for those needs only to be .18 cu. ft. to .75cu. ft, which is a pretty small enclosure. If I did it this way, would it pose any problems being so close to the 6x9's (installed on the same rear deck)?

But, which way would give me better SQ, the under-the-seat Kenwood KSC-SW11 powered sub or the Kicker 6.75" CompRT 2 Ohm subs? Note: If I did the Kickers, I would get a 5-channel amp, maybe a Soundstream TA5.1250.

So, what do you think?

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Sundown and DD both make much better 6.5 inch subs.

 

[dsw1204]

Sundown and DD both make much better 6.5 inch subs.

Would be wise to install these in the rear deck, next to the 6x9's, with a sealed enclosure around them? Also, who is DD? I don't know them.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

The rear deck most likely doesn't have enough support to make it worthwhile to hack out 8" holes for more speakers. Are you also thinking of reinforcing the structure? Any flex is going to result in lost bass. You sound like a good candidate for a trunk baffle(usually called infinite baffle on car audio forums).

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

Would be wise to install these in the rear deck, next to the 6x9's, with a sealed enclosure around them? Also, who is DD? I don't know them.

digital designs, currently the king of car audio. Most average joes dont know about high quality competition level gear. Its not just loudness its amazing sounding too, will put any kicker in its grave along with its whole family.

You can do subs that were made to do free air on your rear deck like CDT 6x9 subwoofers and just take out the 6x9 speakers. However, you'll need to sound deaden and brace your rear deck a bit. Some stinger expert roadkill will do the job. Concentrate on having an amazing front stage and you will not miss the rear speakers one bit. You can probably bridge that alpine amp and get better sound for your kappas.

link: http://store.513electronics.com/cdt-audio-cl-69sub-6-x-9-subwoofer-pair/

 

[kero48]

I think I was more focused on the below as to why I recommended sealed including that he has limited space.

"My preference is to get a tight, punchy bass rather than a big boomy bass"