Subwoofer in Driver Kickpanel?

[akdoc]

I can't decide on a subwoofer setup/location for our new 24ve!! I like the look of the sub or subs mounted in the drivers kickpanel, but I don't know about not having a box for the subs. So here are the few things I am considering:

1. Mount 2 JL 10w1v2-4's or 2 JL 12w1v2-4's in the driver kickpanel with no box built behind them.
-Here I am concerned with using these subs in a "free air" setup.

2. Mount 1 JL 13w1v2-4 in the driver kickpanel with no box.
-Same concern as number 1

3. Mount 1 JL 12w3v2-4 in the driver kickpanel and try to build a box around it.
-I am concerned here with trying to build the box inside that storage compartment.

4. Put 2 JL 12w1v2-4 in an MDF box and put the box in the storage compartment in front of the driver.
-Here I am concerned that the subs will be muffled being shut in the storage in front of the driver.

Someone help, my wife will appreciate it, she is sick of hearing about subs and the mounting location!!!

[talltigeguy]

Some subs are meant to be 'free air' applications and others need a box.

I have a single 12W6 JL there mounted at the driver's seat (no box) and it rocks.

The compartment itself acts as somewhat of a box even though it is larger than a sub box ought to be, so I rarely hear of a problem with any sub there.

[jsz]

I've got 2 12" subs in a box in the compartment under the glove box. The compartment definately muffles the sound. I'm doing to move mine to the driver kick panel.

Talltigeguy- was your sub meant to be a free air sub? I considered mounting mine like yours with no box but I did a test where I ran the sub in the box and then lifted it out. It sounded much better in the box. I'm wondering how good of a "box" the kickpanel compartment will be? The spec sheets seem pretty specific when they measure air space. I'm guessing that compartment is 2-3 times larger than my box and I'm wondering how that will effect the sound.

Any of you sound pros have any advice?

[akdoc]

jsz,

I know for sure that talltigeguy's sub, a JL 12w6 is not a free air subwoofer. But he did say it sounds great. That was my concern as well, would a regular sub (not free air) sound good mounted in that location.

[talltigeguy]

I got my sub at a discount since it had no packaging or anything. Plus I think it was a few years old, but supposedly unused (it seemed unused). I was told it was a great sub and would work well, so I really took a leap of faith and bought it from a guy on Wakeworld who had 10 of them.

To answer the question more directly, when I bought it I didn't know if it was a free air sub, but someone who knows more than me said it would work good in that location.

[NICKYPOO]

A non-free air sub might sound "good" but, it won't sound nearly as good as it could. Even the free air subs don't sound as good as a sealed box type. A lot of wasted potential, power and money. My question to you is, how much bass do you need. A good quality 10" or 12" sub with the right amount of power in a properly sized sealed box can give you some increadable bass while being cost, power and space effective. The real trick is figureing out how to build the right size and shape box that will fit through the access to the helm compartment. I can help you with that if needed. It sould be as deep you can make it, meaning you want the back of the box as far away from the speaker itself as it can be. That is why the prefab truck boxes don't sound all that great. They are too shallow.

Oh yeah, putting a sub behind closed doors is a waste in my opinion. I am coming from that particular set up to mounting under the helm because I was sick of having to open that compartment up in order to have some "clear" sounding bass.

[akdoc]

NICKYPOO,

Do you suggest that you mount the sub on the driver's kickpanel wall, and then build the mdf box behind it in the storage compartment, or would you just cut a hole in the kickpanel wall that will match up to where the sub is behind it?

I have made a few boxes for subs and I know how to calculate air volume, but I was just trying to figure out how to make it look good without losing a ton of sound quality.

I had the same problem as you in our old boat, I put the sub in a compartment that was closed and you could not hear the sub that well. I then just put the box in front of the driver. That was better but it did not look good and it was in the way of the drivers feet.

[NICKYPOO]

I built the box and mounted the sub into it in order to make sure that I had a good sealed enlosure. From there you can cut the hole in the kick panel for the sub and mount the box to the kick panel. The end result will be a flush mount sub in the kickpanel with a good sealed enclosure. Not the easiest way to do it but, it looks cool when it's all said and done. I'm without a digital camera at the moment but I'll see if I can bum one and get some pics up.

[bneub]

Talltigeguy & Nickypoo,

What amp are you driving those subs with?

[NICKYPOO]

1- 10" RE sub in a sealed .77cu.ft. MDF box with about 70% ployfill running off of a Fosgate P2002. The spec. sheet from the bench test on this amp shows 267w bridged. I'm into my bass set up just about $250 with amp, sub, box and wiring. Very pleased with results.

[Nick Howard]

Just fyi, our factory subs do include an enclosure behind them that's mounted in the storage area under the dash.

If you install your own sub, I would suggest building an enclosure. You'll get a much tighter bass response than with out one or than with a free air sub. And unless all you listen to is hip hop with heavy bass (which admittedly, I do), you'll want the tighter bass response. In my opinion, however, even hip hop sounds better with an enclosure.

I've had a couple of friends who have mounted their subs behind the observers seat and it did greatly decrease the effect. Both of them would leave the passengers seat open when anchored so that they could hear the subs better.

Nick Howard
Tige' Boats
Midwest Regional Sales Mgr.

[talltigeguy]

I have a Boss c1600 that runs 300 watts bridged RMS to the Subwoofer. It is a cheap amp, but has done the trick for my needs.

Now you guys have me wondering how much better it could be in a box...another potential project!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rushin]

I did the same thing, mounted a enclosure in the compartment on the forward side of the wall for the sub to be in.

[G-MONEY]

"Just fyi, our factory subs do include an enclosure behind them that's mounted in the storage area under the dash."

Nick Howard,

I have a factory sub and I did not receive an enclosure behind it. Did tige forget to install this in my boat????

[Nick Howard]

Hey G-Money,

Since your boat is an '05, it would not have received an enclosure. The enclosure was not added until 2006. And actually, some of the early 2006's may not have received one yet either.

Hope that helps some.

Nick