Anyone install a Sub in the Drivers kickpanel?

[austin21v]

I have a 21v riders edition and I am looking to get more bass out of the stereo. I have replaced all the speakers w/ audiobahn marine components and added tower speakers, but still lacking in the bass... I wanted to add a 10in Sub at the drivers kickpanel and hide the amp in the waterproof compartment right behind it. I have seen many boats with the freeair sub's mounted there I was just wondering if they added a new piece of carpeted wood or if they cut directly into the floorboard/kickpanel?

Any suggestions before I fire up my jig saw...

[chpthril]

I have a 21v riders edition and I am looking to get more bass out of the stereo. I have replaced all the speakers w/ audiobahn marine components and added tower speakers, but still lacking in the bass... I wanted to add a 10in Sub at the drivers kickpanel and hide the amp in the waterproof compartment right behind it. I have seen many boats with the freeair sub's mounted there I was just wondering if they added a new piece of carpeted wood or if they cut directly into the floorboard/kickpanel?

Any suggestions before I fire up my jig saw...

That is the perfect place for 1 or 2 subs. Both the factory and owners without, have installed there.

That panel does not seem to be a structural support, so cut away.

Regardless fo what sub you go with, build/buy a box. My factory Kicker 10" is a "freeair" but would over extend and hit the grill. I built a simple box and it made a huge differance in bass quality.

I have a Kicker kx700.5 (5 channel) that runs all my cabin speakers and the sub. Im very happy w/ it.

Do a search for "sub install" on here, there are a couple good threads with lots more info and pics. Good luck and post some picks for us.

[Tequilasun]

Correct-a-mundo...

I have been thinking I need to add a bit of support to my kick panel, our 10 inch sub rattles it a bit, Maybe I'll glue in some marine plywood or resin soaked MDF.

This reminds me, I really have to build a new box to surround the back of that sucker. Thanks, I need more projects.

[dcsnowwake]

I have a box that is getting built in there for my sub, ill post pics when its done

[Dan and Christy]

I had Matt's guys put a 12" sub in the kick panel before I picked up the boat last summer. It sounds great! He did build a box for it and covered it in matching carpet so when you lift the front seat up it looks completely stock.

[austin21v]

Thanks for the info , I'm headed out this weekend with me tools and my camera. I'll post pics when I'm done. No stereo shop here just do-it yourself style...

[scottcarlye]

I have an 06' 21i. The drivers kick panel has a pre-perforated cutout underneath the carpet for the factory 10". Not realizing this, I cut a 12" cutout. While cutting the kickpanel I found the factory cut out. I mounted an infinite baffle (free-air) marine grade kicker sub. It hits pretty good but would do far better with an enclosure behind it. Problem is you will loose some storage space.

[bschmaus]

Perfect place for the sub. That is where mine is mounted and it sounds great!

[evil0ne]

Mine is in a sealed box (too big if you ask me, must be 2.0ft3) in that location and it does take up most of the storage there but it rocks the boat.

[NICKYPOO]

2cu.ft. sealed? How big is your sub?

A sealed enclosure is the only way to go. I, if all your going to listen to is bass, then you might consider a ported enclosure, but this opens up a whole new can of worms. Bigger box, what size port is needed for your particular sub, ect, ect. A sealed box will sound better for all types of music anyways. I've got a 10" RE sub in a .72cu.ft. sealed box mounted up high under the dash. I filled it with poyfill as well. It will put out more bass than I even need. It's tight, clean and LOUD. A boat is a wonderful space to put a sub as the whole boat, more or less, becomes a speaker. You don't need 2 15" subs running 5000 boomin' watts. You'll shake that poor Tige to death. You'll be amazed how much bass a mild mannered sub set up will produce.

Here's a thread from the archive.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2229

[sparky216]

Sealed enclosure is the way to go, I just got a quote for a new 10'' JL 10w3 w/ enclosure. A JL a4300 4ch amp with fader know so I can run my tower speakers seperate from my cabin speakers. Installed with all cables for around 600.00.

[evil0ne]

2cu.ft. sealed? How big is your sub?

I bought the boat from someone else that had it done already. It is a JL of some kind, one of the older models where all of the cones look the same so it could be a W6, W3, W1, etc. The box just looks way bigger then 1 cu ft. It's either that storage compartment is super small or the box really is that big.

[sparky216]

2cu.ft. sealed? How big is your sub?

You'll be amazed how much bass a mild mannered sub set up will produce.

Here's a thread from the archive.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2229

Totally agree with Nick statement. Unless your into rap/rb music and want that specific "bass" sound stick with 1 10 and power it well. With the speaker itself if you don't go marine grade make sure you get rubber surround as opposed to foam.

[austin21v]

So putting a box in for the sub is the way to go? I listen to all types of music and I am just looking for a little more bass to fill the gap. I'm not looking to vibrate the boat loose. I purchased a 10in. 200watt Kenwood marine Sub Setup that is freeair, I allready have 6 Audiobahn 6.5 components (4 in the boat, 2 on the tower) and it rocks. If you are looking for good marine grade speakers check out the Audiobahn marine I compared to them to the Polk's before I put them in and if you think the polk's are better then you haven't listened to Audiobahn's cause they scream and are crystal clear all the way through the volume. I think I will try freeair first we'll see.

[NICKYPOO]

All that and and you're going freeair anyways?