What are the Shallow-mount disadvantages?

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

The m-class is pretty much a shallow-mount already. My old 12s were in a box that was 6" deep including MDF. I think the 12 is only like 5 or 5.5" deep

Just looked, and the new s-class shallows are oly 2-2.5" slimmer than the m-class subs

 

[jdes 10+ year member]

Let's take a look at a few things:
Pioneer's shallow subwoofer specs out like this:

# 12" 4-ohm shallow subwoofer

# carbon and glass fiber reinforced IMPP cone with woven-fiber surround

# Air Suspension Control System eliminates traditional spider structure

# cast aluminum basket

# strontium magnet

# power range: 50-350 watts RMS (1400 watts peak power)

# frequency response: 18-1000 Hz

# sensitivity: 88 dB

# mounting depth: 3-5/16"

# sealed box volume: 0.50-1.00 cu. ft.

# $199 from an authorized dealer

And the Boston Acoustics G212 specs out like this:

# 12" 4-ohm subwoofer

# copolymer woofer cone with foam surround

# RadialVent cooling for increased power handling

# power range: 75-300 watts RMS

# frequency response: 20-350 Hz

# sensitivity: 89.6 dB

# mounting depth: 7-1/16"

# sealed box volume: 1.00 cu. ft.

# $199 from an authorized dealer

Now, I chose two VERY popular woofers that are the exact same price. In this scenario, the flat sub out-performs the deeper subwoofer in "frequency response" (I keep putting that in quotes because mfg's put frequency responses out there for gullible people who think it's good...just like peak power ratings on subs and amplifiers), destroys it in mounting depth, operates in a smaller enclosure (half the size of the deeper subwoofer), handles more power, and has more descriptives on the cone //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif.

In my previous post I was saying how I could see your initial thoughts / mindset on shallow-vs-deep subwoofers, but I think you're barking up the wrong tree now.

I highlighted the things that were worth mentioning to me and those were the RMS, the single vs. dual voice coils for flexibility(always a good thing), the weight, and the small difference in air space. I compared same company subs(pioneer) as I feel that's closer to apple to apples as they use similar/same materials and quality. You compared pioneer's shallow mount to a conventional Boston sub?!

My point was it seems that companies are adding shallow mount subs to there line-ups that are costing 2x of it's own comparable sub with less performance, flexiblity, and only a small amount of space savings. I've seen where some shallow mounts had the same air space specs as the companies other comparable conventional sub counterparts. What are you gaining then? Some air space from the less intrusive motor?! And what are the chances that you cannot fit a 5 1/2" depth sub? So it seems to me that unless you're going to put a sub under the seat or in the glove box or the kick panel the trade off is not even close to worth it

 

[jdes 10+ year member]

Just looked, and the new s-class shallows are oly 2-2.5" slimmer than the m-class subs

Exactly. only 2" with similar or the same airspace specs with less performance for 2x the price! Why not just get a sub that performs in very small enclosures? It's enclosures that take up space not subs right?

 

[jdes 10+ year member]

One more thing. My 92' MR2 turbo which is only a couple if inches longer than a Lotus Elise(and that's the trunk). No one over 6' 4" I think can even fit inside of it and there's still room for a 10" sub with about .65 cu. ft. and mounting depth of about 5 3/4" behind the seats of this tiny 2 seater. What car cannot accommodate these specs?

 

[Electrodynamic 10+ year member]

One more thing. My 92' MR2 turbo which is only a couple if inches longer than a Lotus Elise(and that's the trunk). No one over 6' 4" I think can even fit inside of it and there's still room for a 10" sub with about .65 cu. ft. and mounting depth of about 5 3/4" behind the seats of this tiny 2 seater. What car cannot accommodate these specs?

Every single cab pickup or extended cab pickup owner that still wants comfort. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

And everyone who wants to do a false floor and keep it as shallow as possible.

And everyone who wants to use their trunk and not take up 75% to 100% of their trunk space.

And everyone who wants as little weight as possible (enclosure's can weigh a good bit).

Why not buy a sub that affords you smaller enclosure space and less weight if it affords you the same amount, if not more, bass.

And yes I compared two different companies - because they are the same price. One offers much smaller enclosure volumes and less depth and is the same price. The other is bigger and requires a larger box (again, more weight).

 

[energizedsbs 10+ year member]

One more thing. My 92' MR2 turbo which is only a couple if inches longer than a Lotus Elise(and that's the trunk). No one over 6' 4" I think can even fit inside of it and there's still room for a 10" sub with about .65 cu. ft. and mounting depth of about 5 3/4" behind the seats of this tiny 2 seater. What car cannot accommodate these specs?

under the back seats in my supercrew ford f150... I need shallow mounts.. theres only a couple of tens that will fit under there... I rather get 2 shallow 12's or 3 shallow 10's than 2 lower line tens that i have to wedge under there... now kicker has 6.5's and 8's that I just looked at today..might do 6-8's or 8-6.5's under the seats... they didnt have them hooked up yet so i didnt get to hear them.. but my point is that I can only fit 2-10's under the back seat..or multiple shallow mounts ftw...

 

[Hintzyboy 5,000+ posts]

Every single cab pickup or extended cab pickup owner that still wants comfort. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif
And everyone who wants to do a false floor and keep it as shallow as possible.

And everyone who wants to use their trunk and not take up 75% to 100% of their trunk space.

And everyone who wants as little weight as possible (enclosure's can weigh a good bit).

Why not buy a sub that affords you smaller enclosure space and less weight if it affords you the same amount, if not more, bass.

And yes I compared two different companies - because they are the same price. One offers much smaller enclosure volumes and less depth and is the same price. The other is bigger and requires a larger box (again, more weight).

I have a single cab s10. I'm not a very tall guy, but I still have room for a sub with ~7" mounting depth, 2 cubes ported with chimney ports, and a small amp rack. All without sacrificing legroom. You just have to work with every single inch in the cabin, but you can pull it off.

 

[ALHII303 10+ year member]

Exactly. only 2" with similar or the same airspace specs with less performance for 2x the price! Why not just get a sub that performs in very small enclosures? It's enclosures that take up space not subs right?

I have an MR2 and an extra 2 inches in that car makes a world of difference because if you make a truck box that fits perfectly on that shelf depending on the shape of the magnet you have only a mounting depth of 5 inches then you woul probably want to space it an inch away depending on your pole vent. So that nets you 4 inches of depth now do you see the importance of a shallow mount because though 2 inches in a sedan may be nothing but in an mr2 that extra 2 inches makes a world of difference about if your box will fit or not.