Clean Sub Install Finished!
10-05-2008, 12:44 PM
#1
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Clean Sub Install Finished!
After vacillating over which components to use and how to get the job completed, it's finally
done.
Equipment:
Sub:<a href="http://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/default_en.htm">Hertz HX250</a>
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/img_hx250.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/hx250_prosp.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/tec_hx250.gif">
Amplifier:<a href="http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=PDX-1.600">Alpine PDX 1.600</a>
I was contemplating building the box myself, but common sense finally kicked in and I had a local place do the work. I'm glad I went that way as it only took from 9am-5pm for them to complete the job, with some minor work to tweak it the next day. If I had done this myself, I can guarantee it would have taken a few weeks and not been one half as good quality.
Here are some pics, enjoy...
BEFORE INSTALL
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/IMG_2866.jpg">
AFTER
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/Sub1.jpg">
I cut out some of the styrofoam for the Alpine amp, which is quite compact and now sits perfectly on the right side of the trunk under the carpet. I wanted an OEM replacement for the sub that sat in the rear deck, but there is no such aftermarket sub available to fill the bill. A free-air or infinite baffle sub would require making the trunk airtight, a real pain the butt. The simplest way to get good quality bass is to use a sealed box with the appropriate subwoofer. The most logical place IMO to fit the sub box is the left side trunk cubby.
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/Sub4.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/Sub3.jpg">
The key with this install was to maximize trunk space. All I have lost space-wise is the cubby hole on the left, which I can live with.
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/IMG_2986.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/sub9.jpg">
And btw, it sounds fantastic, the car finally has a nice bass kick that can be modified to taste with the gain control. I highly recommend a sub mod, it adds another dimension to all audio heard inside the car.
Update: Oct 20, 2008
Put the finishing touch on the whole project.
Needed to close the gaping hole in the rear deck because I decided to take out the OEM Bose sub.
I figure closing the hole will dampen some of the bass, but it will also keep out some exhaust drone that i have
noticed since the hole was opened up.
The lack of bass can be easily remedied with a little twist of the gain **** on the amp. Closing the hole
will also keep the interior of the car a wee bit toastier on cold winter nights.
And just for fun, i decided to vacuum and detail the interior because i was in the mood.
View of the hole from inside the trunk
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/holebefore.jpg">
The guys at the audio install shop were nice enough to cut out a 1/2" MDF board in the shape of the plastic
protector plate for the OEM sub. It slid right into place from on top of the deck. It wasn't possible to
screw it from underneath, so i used some general purpose silicone caulking. I might paint it grey/black in
the future if i get the urge. I'll keep it like this for now.
Little trick i learned from a painter when using caulking was useful here:
Ever wonder how your home/condo baseboards have a perfectly smooth caulk against the drywall?
Well, they keep their fingers wet with water while gliding their finger along the joint to smooth out the caulking.
Keeping the finger wet is key and you won't end up with a mess of goo all over the place.
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/mdfboard.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/holeclosed.jpg">
After this hole was closed, the bass was dramatically reduced. So i just cranked up the gain and we're
back in business. The bass sounds much tighter now with the hole closed and I have eliminated all of
the exhaust drone the open hole was allowing me to hear.
Great mod, I highly recommend this.
done.
Equipment:
Sub:<a href="http://www.hertzaudiovideo.com/default_en.htm">Hertz HX250</a>
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/img_hx250.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/hx250_prosp.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/tec_hx250.gif">
Amplifier:<a href="http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/products/product.php?model=PDX-1.600">Alpine PDX 1.600</a>
I was contemplating building the box myself, but common sense finally kicked in and I had a local place do the work. I'm glad I went that way as it only took from 9am-5pm for them to complete the job, with some minor work to tweak it the next day. If I had done this myself, I can guarantee it would have taken a few weeks and not been one half as good quality.
Here are some pics, enjoy...
BEFORE INSTALL
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/IMG_2866.jpg">
AFTER
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/Sub1.jpg">
I cut out some of the styrofoam for the Alpine amp, which is quite compact and now sits perfectly on the right side of the trunk under the carpet. I wanted an OEM replacement for the sub that sat in the rear deck, but there is no such aftermarket sub available to fill the bill. A free-air or infinite baffle sub would require making the trunk airtight, a real pain the butt. The simplest way to get good quality bass is to use a sealed box with the appropriate subwoofer. The most logical place IMO to fit the sub box is the left side trunk cubby.
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/Sub4.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/Sub3.jpg">
The key with this install was to maximize trunk space. All I have lost space-wise is the cubby hole on the left, which I can live with.
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/IMG_2986.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/sub9.jpg">
And btw, it sounds fantastic, the car finally has a nice bass kick that can be modified to taste with the gain control. I highly recommend a sub mod, it adds another dimension to all audio heard inside the car.
Update: Oct 20, 2008
Put the finishing touch on the whole project.
Needed to close the gaping hole in the rear deck because I decided to take out the OEM Bose sub.
I figure closing the hole will dampen some of the bass, but it will also keep out some exhaust drone that i have
noticed since the hole was opened up.
The lack of bass can be easily remedied with a little twist of the gain **** on the amp. Closing the hole
will also keep the interior of the car a wee bit toastier on cold winter nights.
And just for fun, i decided to vacuum and detail the interior because i was in the mood.
View of the hole from inside the trunk
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/holebefore.jpg">
The guys at the audio install shop were nice enough to cut out a 1/2" MDF board in the shape of the plastic
protector plate for the OEM sub. It slid right into place from on top of the deck. It wasn't possible to
screw it from underneath, so i used some general purpose silicone caulking. I might paint it grey/black in
the future if i get the urge. I'll keep it like this for now.
Little trick i learned from a painter when using caulking was useful here:
Ever wonder how your home/condo baseboards have a perfectly smooth caulk against the drywall?
Well, they keep their fingers wet with water while gliding their finger along the joint to smooth out the caulking.
Keeping the finger wet is key and you won't end up with a mess of goo all over the place.
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/mdfboard.jpg">
<img src="http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/Stunners4/holeclosed.jpg">
After this hole was closed, the bass was dramatically reduced. So i just cranked up the gain and we're
back in business. The bass sounds much tighter now with the hole closed and I have eliminated all of
the exhaust drone the open hole was allowing me to hear.
Great mod, I highly recommend this.
10-05-2008, 02:39 PM
#5
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Looks good. I'm glad you changed your mind and went with a real enclosure in the corner.
I didn't have a grill on mine for a while and was always nervous with items in the trunk. Now it's covered over and I am much more comfortable.
Do you have any ventilation for the amp under the trunk floor?
Do you have any ventilation for the amp under the trunk floor?
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10-05-2008, 05:34 PM
#10
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Yeah, i looked long and hard for a thin IB sub, but none to be had.
The box isn't ideal, but sounds quality is very good.
The amp has no ventilation, that's the advantage of the alpine amp, it's small and is not supposed to need ventilation. We'll see if i have issues. I really like that it's hidden in the nether regions of the trunk.
The amp has no ventilation, that's the advantage of the alpine amp, it's small and is not supposed to need ventilation. We'll see if i have issues. I really like that it's hidden in the nether regions of the trunk.