Small sub, but want big bass!

[rjay 10+ year member]

So I just recently installed my small audio setup in my truck, 07 Silverado (new body) crew cab. Headunit is Pioneer AVH-P4200DVD, factory door speakers (for now), and RF P3 shallow 10" sub ran by RF P300 mono amp. So I got it wired to a 2ohm load and getting 300watts and it just isn't enough! I guess I was just expecting too much. I listen to rock and alot of rap and this sub just can't handle low bass like I was hoping. Kind of wanting to keep it to a single sub setup (if possible) and sub size either 8" or 10". Seen alot of people recommend the Sundown SA-8, and thought about it in a foward facing sealed box. Being an 8", does anyone know if it can still produce the low notes at a loud volume? I don't need anything that people can feel comin down the road a few blocks away, but I do want strong, clean bass inside the ride at a loud volume, if that makes sense!

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[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Its in the box. I personally dont now how a shallow sub compares to its non-shallow counterpart, but I would assume its xmax is very limited.

Id go for a regular subwoofer and have a box custom built for the sub and tune low depending on what the sub likes.

 

[kmanian 5,000+ posts]

ported sa8 will suprise you.

 

[rjay 10+ year member]

I will have to check around and on the box building, as I definitely don't have the skills to build one. I've got an Alpine MRP-M500 amp laying around, you think that should push SA-8 good enough?

 

[Burton6431 10+ year member]

ya it should, but SA8 for sure will give you what you "expected"

 

[thisistiny 10+ year member]

I hear nothing but good things about SA's. You should go for it!

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Compromises can go a long ways towards reaching your goal. Placing a shallow mount sub in a small sealed box and expecting a lot of low end output is simply not being realistic. Its time to start looking at a compromise, either in space requirements, or output expectations.

 

[Cruzer 10+ year member]

does anyone think the sundown sa-8 sealed, will be louder than the 10" rockford sealed?

i think your looking for ported, but u cant build a box, and its probably going to be hard to fit.

if i were u i would get a ported box for the 10" u already have. perhaps the sa-8 will be louder ported, but u already have the 10, it only needs .75 cubic feet ported

 

[killa101 10+ year member]

Compromises can go a long ways towards reaching your goal. Placing a shallow mount sub in a small sealed box and expecting a lot of low end output is simply not being realistic. Its time to start looking at a compromise, either in space requirements, or output expectations.

Exactly.

If you look at Hoffman's iron law you will see that you can have two of the following: low end extension, high efficiency, small enclosure size. So in order to get the low end output you want you will either have to give up some space for a larger enclosure or have a not so efficient setup. If you lose efficiency it means you will need more power to get the same output from your sub.

 

[Louisiana_CRX 5,000+ posts]

you need a DD 1508

 

[Buck 5,000+ posts]

you need a DD 1508

He needs to loose the backseat like I did in my F150.

But seriously, if you listen to rap, you need to go ported.

 

[rjay 10+ year member]

Yeah, I definitely have to keep the backseat! However the whole underneath of the back seat can be used for the box, I mean I guess I really don't need that space now that I think about it. So you think the 10" ported will be quite a bit of difference or should I not even mess with the box for it, and focus on a different setup? I believe there is enough room for two tens, but probably not for a ported box, it would have to sealed. I seen online the pre made sealed boxes for two tens, just don't know they would be any good.

 

[audioholic 5,000+ posts]

Under-seat enclosures generally fire up, into the seat, which sucks balls.

Just sayin...

 

[thegreatestpenn 5,000+ posts]

someone local has 2 american bass xd 8's (same as dd 1508) for 150. you should buy them, use one and sell the other to make some money back.

 

[rjay 10+ year member]

One last thought, my buddy has two JL audio 8w3 and will let me have them for pretty much the same price as the one SA-8. I want to stick w/8's so I can have the box with them facing foward. Again the amp I would be using is Apline MRP-M500 wired to a 2ohm load (500watts). I know alot of people think JLs are overpriced/overrated, but do you think that would be a better way to go? Or would the single SA-8 actually out do both of them? Oh yeah, the box for either one will be a ported one. Really appreciate the help.