which 8" midbass?

[joeman 10+ year member]

I need some 8s to add responsive kick to the 80-150hz range for my 3000GT. I want to make a couple of small (1cube) ported glass enclosures in place of the rear 6x9 spots. They will be fairly shallow enclosures, 5-7" deep.

Right now my system is...

Alpine IVA-d300 head unit

Alpine MRV-F545 (100x4RMS)

Seas Lotus reference fronts

looking to replace>> Alpine type-X 6x9 rears

Alpine MRD-M1005 (1000wRMS)

pushing 2 Brahma 10D4's

100sqft of Damplifier Pro throughout.

So really the only thing missing is that tight midbass thump. (those 6x9s are super weak!) The Lotus comps are GREAT, but they arent really suited for below 150Hz. My brahmas pound up to about 80hz and then start to taper off.... so I need something that's going to add punch, balancing out that area working with 100watts. I guess I would need 90+ sensitivity rating and good SQ to match the rest of my system.

I would even be open to a component set with tweets and crossover because I do have an unused 3" tweet spot on my dash.

I can go anywhere from $50-$500 for the set depending on quality. What do you guys recommend?

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[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

My vote goes to Dynaudio Mw172's. They should blend with your Brahma oh so nice. Killer midbass, 3"VC so you can pile on the power, and its shallow design for an 8".

 

[inapontiac 10+ year member]

my vote is RE8s i have for sale

 

[MiniVanMan 10+ year member]

So really the only thing missing is that tight midbass thump. (those 6x9s are super weak!) The Lotus comps are GREAT, but they arent really suited for below 150Hz.

Those Lotus comps should hit 80 hz no problem. Something is seriously wrong with your install if they can't. Before spending more money, tell us how you've treated your doors.

We may be able to give you some ideas to clean things up up front.

Like I said, and I'm surprised nobody else caught it, those Lotus' should have NO problem hitting 80 hz with authority if installed correctly.

 

[iyamwutiam 10+ year member]

Right now the Morel 266s are dirt cheap -partsexpress is blowing them out-- On Ebay. Very similar to the Dyns - at 1/3 the price-oops I meant 1/4th .

They are shallow, high QTS and will work great in doors.

 

[Symon_say 10+ year member]

Dayton RS225

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

Peerless SLS 8's. they are cheap and freaking wang. all you need is to give it an honest 75 watts @ 8 ohms IB in doors. output is pretty insane and its cheap, $60 a driver. thats the midbass i'd probably be using if i could fit them. nice balanced sound, good low end extension and punchy to boot.

 

[joeman 10+ year member]

Those Lotus comps should hit 80 hz no problem. Something is seriously wrong with your install if they can't. Before spending more money, tell us how you've treated your doors.
We may be able to give you some ideas to clean things up up front.

Like I said, and I'm surprised nobody else caught it, those Lotus' should have NO problem hitting 80 hz with authority if installed correctly.

I had them installed at Tweeter. They built a custom mdf panel but I think the OEM baffle is behind there. I also gave them a door speaker kit from secondskin (round rubber mat). and trusted them to install the Damplifier correctly. I never had it apart as to not void the warranty. But the passenger speaker fell out after the first week because of stripped screws and I saw what was inside.... the x-overs were mounted right behind the magnet. They fixed the install and insisted this was an ok place to have the x-overs. I was pissed because what good is my speaker kit doing now?

Anyway, the whole setup sounds awesome until 7/8 volume and then certain notes are fuzzy below 150hz from the Lotus.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Go back and have them fix the incredibly bad install job they did. Their intention was most likely to have it sound bad, then 'upgrade' you into one of their own products.

 

[joeman 10+ year member]

I tried that already. All I ended up with is a few bux off the labor charge. And if I go somewhere else it voids the warranty. What would be a correct install? pods? I guess they couldnt find any better place for the x-over, since it is a sportscar there's not so much room. Heres a couple basic pics.

and here's the 6x9 spot

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

Voids what warranty? Their labor warranty? We already know that that doesnt amount to much .. go somewhere else and have it done right.

 

[joeman 10+ year member]

I did the box and HU but they installed the comps, amps, rack, wiring, and sound damping... so if anything they put in blows up or comes loose they will fix it for free.

I've already set my HU xovers and it fixed the SQ So now I just need to fill in the weak area. Eventually I might get the comps redone at a better shop, but that's money I'd rather spend on some good midbass 8s for now.

 

[6spdcoupe 5,000+ posts]

What you already have certainly has alot more potential than what the install is allowing. What good is fixing something that falls or comes loose if its not functioning properly to begin with?

With that being said, Ill second the vote on the MW172, but youll most likely be back with issues on them as well with the track record of your installer...

 

[joeman 10+ year member]

Anyway, I just want to know which 8 will hit the hardest & cleanest between 80/150hz using 100-150 watts, while fitting less than 6" deep to be safe.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

if that install is fixed then there wouldn't be a 'weak area' and no need for 8"s