Ditch the Subwoofers?

[ZPilot 10+ year member]

I have a 350Z with JL amps (300.2 and 500.1), XRi Competition separates, and a Stealthbox with 2 10w3's. It has been a royal PITA because the mid-bass dries up on the freeway despite my sound deadening and sealed enclosures. The Clarion HU has no real EQ, so it's hard to tune the system.

I took the Stealthbox out to have a repair done (shop inflicted damage), and drove home for 3 hours on the interstate. The system sounds great without the subs! For whatever reason, I can hear the bass guitar better now, and there is none of the loud/soft freqs from the sound waves cancelling/magnifying each other (I forget the tech term for this). The woofers in my doors go down to 48Hz, which aint bad.

I got my Stereophile test disk #3 and listened to chromatic scales and various test tones. The lower register isn't as loud as the upper register, but it's all there. The system still needs some tuning, but I'm thinking about getting rid of the subs and 500.1 altogether.

Anyone else running without subs?

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[MemphisSoul4U 10+ year member]

I am at the moment in both my vehicles, but not by choice.

I miss the bass from subs.

But it's preference.

If you like it better without subs, take em out and sell em.

 

[mikeyboc 10+ year member]

I would think about adding an EQ and tuning.

 

[nauc 10+ year member]

i bet its the subs crossover... try playin with it, i bet its cancelling out certain sounds

 

[PatFitz9 10+ year member]

maybe you just need a different sub(s)

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

sounds like cancellation issues to me.

 

[ZPilot 10+ year member]

I would think about adding an EQ and tuning.

This would be a good way to spend the money from selling the subs/amp. Maybe I could run a smaller sub just to fill in deep bass (30-60 HZ) if I miss it.

What's a good eq for $100-$300?