Sub Positioning

[tracyrick 10+ year member]

I just bought a JL 12W6V2 with a sealed wedge enclosure. My Impreza has a passthrough arm rest in the back seat that folds down, exposing a small gap into the trunk. My question is, what in theory would be the best way to run this sub: Armrest up (no gap, trunk isolated), or armrest down with a gap?

My goal is best SQ.

Eventually I'll be able to experiment with this myself, but for now I can only guess while I start sound deadening, wiring, etc...

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[creyc 10+ year member]

How small is the gap?

SQ wise, it's best that the trunk be directly coupled to the cabin, basically placing the subs in the same listening room. Without walling your car off this isn't really possible however.

If the gap is very small you might get nasty chuffing from the air moving between the cabin and trunk. If it's large enough you'll notice and audible improvement.

 

[tracyrick 10+ year member]

The gap is the size of the armrest. About 18" by 6" is my guess.

I'm not sure what you mean. You mean it would be better to have my trunk completely isolated from the cabin? Or it would be better for example to have no rear seats at all so my car is just one big cabin?

 

[budahbuddy803 10+ year member]

one big cabin... cabin gain

 

[ItalynStylion 10+ year member]

How small is the gap?
If the gap is very small you might get nasty chuffing from the air moving between the cabin and trunk. If it's large enough you'll notice and audible improvement.

I doubt that one 12W6 could move that much air. . .

Also, do you have speakers in the rear deck? If I remember correctly the Imprezas have 5.25's in all four doors which means you don't have any other way for air to escape your trunk besides the armrest. I would say keep it down

 

[ultimate157 5,000+ posts]

Yea my bro's got an 02 rex. Door speakers, none in the deck. I say keep the arm rest down and let the bass be heard! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/naughty.gif.94359f346c0f1259df8038d60b41863e.gif

 

[tracyrick 10+ year member]

Ahh, this air movement thing is new to me. Interesting. I understand frequencies well, but I guess not air movement. If a sub likes an enclosed environment, I guess it already has that in my sealed enclosure, so the trunk doesn't need to be "sealed" also. I'll try it both ways and see how it sounds.

The Impreza has 6.5" in the front doors, 4" in the rear doors. The 4" can be adapted to 5.25" with IA adapater rings. So far I am choosing to go front stage only and ditch the rear speakers.