I'm a little let down

[JasonK94Z 10+ year member]

I own a 2011 Ram 1500 quad cab. Decided to add a sub to the factory system going with a budget type deal. So, I built a fiberglass/wood top enclosure that fits under the back passenger seat. I Went with a Powerbass L-104D sub, and an Alpine MRX-M50 (500 watts @ 2ohm). Factory head unit, Audiocontrol LC2i line converter.

I also should add that the truck came with Kicker speakers installed like below:

Front: Amazon.com: Dodge Ram 2011-2012 Quad/Crew Cab Front KICKER Speaker Upgrade Mopar OEM: Automotive

Rear doors: Amazon.com: 2011-2012 DODGE RAM 1500 2500 3500 KICKER SPEAKER UPGRADE QUAD/CREW FRONT MOPAR: Automotive

The system sounds ok, but I'm just not getting the hard thump I was expecting. It also doesn't seem like the sub can be turned up too far without sounding, maybe distorted? To a certain point in volume on the sub, it sounds clean, turn up the auxilary gain knob any more and the sub sounds like it knocks or smacks something. Hard to describe.

I honestly don't know the exact volume of the enclosure. I just went off what others int he Ram community were doing, but with different brand varieties of subs. They all seem to think it sounds great.

Anyways, just looking for advice on what to do, where to go back and make adjustments, etc. This is my first build/install beyond just a head unit and speakers in past vehicles.

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[BoomTaco64]

add some polyfil. that sub is not a good quality sub either. just entry level. i used to work with them for years and they were entry level at best.

 

[JasonK94Z 10+ year member]

add some polyfil. that sub is not a good quality sub either. just entry level. i used to work with them for years and they were entry level at best.

Ah. Any suggestions on a replacement sub that won't break the bank?

I may throw this pb sub in my wife's car then.

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[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

Ah. Any suggestions on a replacement sub that won't break the bank?
I may throw this pb sub in my wife's car then.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I have a Critical Mass 10 that would be perfect for that box...

 

[The Camry]

ft³ = L * 0.035315

Fill the enclosure with water. Using a 2 liter soda bottle. Fill up the bottle with water. Dump it into the enclosure. When its full. You should know how many liters you put in. Take those liters and use that equation to find out cuft.

Also, sealed enclosure gives flat response but low output. I think your biggest issue is that your not giving it enough power for your output wants.

Also your gains are probably set wrong and your clipping it which will give you that slapping sound. Also, a subsonic filter is needed to be set right. A subsonic filter stops your sub from playing too low of frequencies which can cause over excursion, although thats not usually an issue with sealed enclosure.

 

[JasonK94Z 10+ year member]

ft³ = L * 0.035315
Fill the enclosure with water. Using a 2 liter soda bottle. Fill up the bottle with water. Dump it into the enclosure. When its full. You should know how many liters you put in. Take those liters and use that equation to find out cuft.

Also, sealed enclosure gives flat response but low output. I think your biggest issue is that your not giving it enough power for your output wants.

Also your gains are probably set wrong and your clipping it which will give you that slapping sound. Also, a subsonic filter is needed to be set right. A subsonic filter stops your sub from playing too low of frequencies which can cause over excursion, although thats not usually an issue with sealed enclosure.

Thanks! I have some work to do.

 

[AnthonyO 10+ year member]

From just the looks you are over the .75cu.ft sealed recommended for this sub. This is why its bottoming out. And I have used packing peanuts to calculate internal volume as well. Find a cardboard box with internal specs of 12x12x12. Fill it full of peanuts and pour it into the enclosure. Thats 1cu.ft. I am betting this enclosure is 1-1.25cu.ft

You could probably change to a 12 and have more than enough room sealed.