Where To Fire Subwoofer?

[chartman18 10+ year member]

I searched threads about where to fire subwoofers, and most say firing it upwards to the trunk lid makes it sound bad, so me getting a 15" subwoofer is out, since it wouldve been the only way to fit one.

Now, currently, I have a Fi Q 12" facing into the cabin with the seats down (unless guests are in the back), and I was wondering if its going to sound better/be louder/lower if I face it towards the trunk?

I love feeling the bass and the way it sounds clear when facing into the cabin with the seats down, but Im trying to find a cheap alternative of making it louder/lower, and if facing it towards the trunk would help? My friend has a shitty 15" audiobaun facing his trunk, and it feels like hes almost as low as I am with a Fi Q, but i thought to myself, its probably bc his 15" moves more air, and its facing the trunk, but I dont know.

Im kinda lazy to test it, because its all organized and done with, and it'd be a ***** to redo just to turn it around, find out its not as good, then have to reput everything back.

Thanks if you help me out.

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[Lakota 5,000+ posts]

Well, nobody can really tell you which way will work best because it's different for every vehicle. The two ways that work best for most trunks are firing forward and firing to the rear. Car audio involves a lot of testing to get maximum performance.

 

[TheFiverMan 10+ year member]

........nvm

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

you have to play with it, theres no really set way to point your woofers. (depending on install)

though most of the time its better to point the woofer to the rear of the trunk.

 

[chartman18 10+ year member]

Ooh ok. Your right, I should test it sometime.

Whats the reason why it could be better facing the trunk? Because in my head, I think, facing it right at me would mean more bass while sounding clear, and towards the trunk would mean rattling and vibrations on the car itself, not inside? Thats how I picture it?

Any more input?

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

how sound ways work.

usually you will be better off facing the subs to the rear if they are just thrown in a box and placed in the trunk.

facing the subs forward to shoot in to the cab, requires more work as in sealing off the front of the subs from the trunk. same as mounting the woofers in the deck lid.

 

[diminishedpower 10+ year member]

bass depending on frequency takes up to 8 feet or more to reach its max "output" persay. So by facing it to the trunk your in essancy lengthening the distance the sound has to travel making it seem louder.

Someone correct me if im wrong

 

[DDeitz 10+ year member]

so if they take up to 8 feet to reach max distance then in a big suv\van facing forward would be better then back?

 

[SethPhillips 5,000+ posts]

bass depending on frequency takes up to 8 feet or more to reach its max "output" persay. So by facing it to the trunk your in essancy lengthening the distance the sound has to travel making it seem louder.
Someone correct me if im wrong

that is true.. in theroy... the sound wave comeing from a woofer is very large.. and takes about that mutch room to complete it's cycle..

 

[diminishedpower 10+ year member]

well like everyone said its in theory but in some vehicles you get more cancellation facing it one way compared to the next and so its not as loud. You have to just experiment and find out for yourself

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

its about 37 feet for 30hz.....

 

[bryce-man 10+ year member]

haha well that sucks^ cause mine are about a foot behind my back lol

(ext cab Ranger)

 

[chartman18 10+ year member]

interesting. i didnt know about that 8 feet deal. i might just have to change it around now.

will it sound louder or lower, or both?

 

[iagrdshaka 5,000+ posts]

sub up/ports to drivers side is loudest in my trunk car. Test out different variations and find out for yourself