I have to agree with this guy! A 10' or 12" in a sealed box, preferably an JL Audio W3 or Orion.

 

Also make sure that your Hands Free Link System is not interrupted by the uninstalling of the Factory system.

 

Simple, use the factory head and all speaker channels!

edit- I don't think that having the sub disconnected will be a problem.

 

The amp measures 5 1/2W X 7L X 1 3/4 H

All processing and equalization is done by the HU. The HU does equalization to correct for car acoutics, speakers and give the desired sonic signature of designer, Elliot Scheiner.

Building a sealed box around the stock sub location would be very difficult since the seat belt anchors, rear speakers among other things that are located in this area. There is also a metal crossmember that runs along the back trunk area that would have to be addressed. Just too many things to try to seal even before you build the box. I looked at all alternatives before I did my install. Hate to say it but the best way to go is a seal box for a 10 or 12 if you want accurate bass. I went with a sealed 10.

Finallygotmine:

Here is a link to my install. Keeping the stock HU and replacing the amp,speakers, etc has given me an amazing boast in SQ. There are signal processors such as the cleansweep and the 3sixty that can correct for HU stock equalization. The stock HU is actually very good, it's the amp and speakers have to be upgraded for better sound.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=133822


Here's a link to some amp equalization measurements done by JL Audio

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118874&highlight=cleansweep

 

so all you need is loc's after the stock amp and you can leave it hooked up to an aftermarket amp?

 

i was looking into doing the same by installing an 8 inch sub where the oem one is located. JL audio made a sub that is called the IB4 it is now discontinued. I'm sure you could probably find this sub on ebay or maybe even you local jl authorized dealer but i know for a fact that is the sub that fits right into the oem sub port without any slicing and dicing

 

For those concerned about space, what about aperodic membranes? They have virtually no box and from what I remember, provide excellent sound quality.

 

Thats the sub I have installed in my car. Provides decent bass

 

KOP,

Where did you find out that the stock HU does equalization ? If that is definitely true it would be interesting to find out what frequencies are being boosted/cut. I have my bass and treble controls both set on +3 for all my listening.

 

What amp did you add on the sub? And did you put the sub where the stock one once was?

 

Thanks for the info.


With regards to a removable box, that's what my last set up was. The amp was more or less permanently attached, but the sub box had two wires running to it..disconnect those and you could just pull the box out.

My main concern with this set up again is the fact that the box + amp is heavy and weighs down the rear of the car (which as you know is already lower than the front)...I do not want to intensify this effect. I could easily take one of my subs and put it in a new, light weight box, which combined with the amp, wouldn't be too heavy (and be removable). Could I just disconnect the wire from the stock amp to the sub and run it to my amp? Or would I need some device in between to cut down the input strength?

 

Yes put the sub in the old space and used a jl 250/1 Amp

 

What other JL subs can we use? I can't seem to locate the JL 8IB4

 

I emailed JL and they indicated that the only "free air" subs they currently make are the marine units. Elemental Designs makes an 8" than can run free air or sealed. Check the thread on "sealed box in stock location". https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=143388

 

I have a JL 8IB4, with the original box that it came in that I'm not using and willing to sell. PM me for details if you are interested.

(clarification: by "box" i mean packaging, not an enclosure)