Please send questions to Car Audio and Electronics via e-mail:techpanel@mcmullenargus.com
Well, I have a simple question for you, as I've eliminated all the variables. I'm looking for a new subwoofer for my new car. I got a 2000 BMW Z3 (yeah, I know, first thing people say is, "a Z3 and a subwoofer just don't mix... not enough space."). And I've heard several tech guys tell me that as well, but I've decided to give up part of the limited trunk space that I have to accommodate a sub and a couple amps. Here's what I have so far: McIntosh MC443M mono block amp, McIntosh MC222 stereo amp, Dynaudio System 340, Alpine CDA-7949, Alpine PXA-H510 and all Phoenix Gold ZeroPoint wiring.
This was a very nice system in my Integra, but I have to cut corners on the bass for the Z3. I had two Audiomobile 12 inch dual 4 ohm voice coils in there, and I'd like something to compare with those. What I want is a dual 2 ohm 10" sub that will fit into a .8 cubic foot sealed box or a 1.2 cubic foot ported box; that's about all the space I can give up. I just want to know what's the best sub for the space and requirements.
The only other requirements I have are that it needs to be a good sound quality subwoofer, as I will be competing heavily in SQ once I get it all installed; but it also needs to be able to hit hard for those songs that require the bass to be ear-bleeding loud. That and I want it to be less that $500, but that can be refigured if necessary. So, what do you think, which sub is going to do it for me?Thank you very much,Noah Wallace
How's it sounding????Got a 4-Runner and was wondering if it is possible to create a sub enclosure with hard work and a lot of fiberglassing with enough cubic feet for an Infinity Kappa DVC 10" sub in the rear quarter panels. There exist small storage boxes and an enclosed box for the stock speakers. These will be eliminated to contain the enclosures. Just me Marion B.Via the Internet
My question is to Derek Lee. I performed an install on my 95 Infiniti J30. Subwoofer placement was limited. The J30 has the gas tank directly behind the back seat along with a maze of fuel lines, wires, etc. I went with a sealed box with two 10's in the trunk. I'm going over options to save my trunk space, which is virtually gone. I thought of a custom enclosure in place of the rear fold down armrest. The airspace would limit me to two 8's. However, I'm not sure the 8's would hit as hard as I'd like. My other option is a single 15" in the spare tire well.
Do you have any ideas that may help me out? Do you have any accounts of installations on J30's.Thank you for your time and keep up the good advice. Dan ThackerVia the Internet
There are a lot of vehicles on the road that appear to not have enough room to house subwoofers that can deliver sufficient or even abundant bass performance. Anybody who throws out a blanket phrase like "subwoofers and (insert car here) don't mix" either has no experience with modern vehicle construction, or has no initiative to take on the challenge of creating audio bliss in tough vehicles. At this moment we are planning a system for a Dodge Viper RT/10 as a class project. The vehicle owner wants to get show-worthy bass performance, and is looking for someone who can deliver in this difficult application. Challenge is good!
For a BMW Z-3 or an Infiniti J30 as with many other specialty chassis vehicles like SUV's, minitrucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles, jet-skis, the problem lies in looking to old technology and methods that work great in regular applications, but can't be made to fit in anything out of the ordinary. Here is where I climb up on a soapbox and promote the incredible value of fiberglass and composites for car audio installations.