Sub Install Questions

[c_clarke77 10+ year member]

Alright, so I'm totally new to car audio, but I've just been looking around and researching before I actually get a system of sorts, but I have a couple questions regarding subwoofer installation.

Now, I have a '93 Sunbird LE (Coupe), so my subs would most likely be in my trunk. I mostly see subs in trunks in some sort of box, whether it's sealed or ported, facing outwards. My question is: Is this the best way to set up a sub, or are there better or just as efficient ways?

Other ways that I was thinking about were:

- Facing the box inwards, so I could flip down my seats, and you'd see the front of the sub(s).

- Basically, mounting the sub(s) facing inwards like above, but leave it free air (one solid piece of MDF secured & sealed and subs mounted in this, using the trunk itself as a box of sorts).

- Removing the spare tire, and mounting the sub (most likely a shallow sub)facing upwards. (Fit the MDF to the spare tire well, mount the sub, seal & secure MDF, fit carpet around sub, using the tire well as a box of sorts.)

These may be stupid ideas, but it doesn't hurt to try, and maybe if one of these installations seems plausible and would (most likely) work well, I could have a different look than most.

Oh, and by the way, I've been considering Infinity or Pioneer as my subwoofer brand of choice, are there any suggestions, warnings or opinions on these brands for subs?

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[chartman18 10+ year member]

Stay away from Pioneer subs.

 

[Directed_zane 10+ year member]

well first of all...you will need to buy or make your own box..do not use ur trunk/tire well as one....usualy a ported box is the best but it depends on what subs you plan on buying there our some that sound better with no ports and some that sound better with a ported box...i would stay away from pioneer subs...really it depends on how much money you got to spend on them. the box bein in the trunk is also fine that is how most of us do it...you can even go to your local audio shop and get the price on a custom fit box for the trunk.

hope this helps you out!

 

[Djpac 10+ year member]

your first idea of facing the subwoofers forward is a good idea... mainly because it will most likely allow more of the sound from the subwoofer to enter into the cabin of the car... do not go free air, it demands too much power and you will not get the performance you are looking foor... and again, stay away from pioneer and infinity as far as subwoofers go... look into something like AudioQue, Digital Designs, Image Dynamics, MMats, Resonant Engineering, Memphis Audio, Fi Audio, Kicker, or hell... even MTX will do good.

 

[Immacomputer 10+ year member]

Firing the subs forward is NOT a good idea if you don't seal the sub off from the trunk and rear deck.

Running the sub like you mentioned in the second way is called "free-air" or "infinite baffle" and can sound very nice with the correct sub and if you properly seal the enclosure off from the trunk. The problem with this is that the sub will not be as loud as some of the other setups possible and you will lower the mechanical power handling of the sub.

The tire well isn't a bad idea and people have done it before. Most people use fiberglass as the bottom of the enclosure and attach it to an MDF front baffle.