Would I be able to run a couple of 8" subs in the rear panel where the stock rear speakers are? Or is that completely pointless to not run the subs inside an enclosure in the trunk? I was considering a couple of the Kicker Solobaric S8L7.

I know that there would be some metal panel cutting required to even get the subs in there, but if that is done, is it feasible to even run the subs that way?

I hope that the experts can shed some light on this. Thanks for any help.

 

well if you're not looking for that much bass, i wouldnt see why that would be a bad idea. Of coarse, a free air subwoofer would be needed, and I just dont like how free air subs sound. You'll also need good room underneath to clear the huge magnets.

I really dont see a point. Plus, you'll have no rear sound, just solely front components.

If you want a little bass, get a sub solutions enclosure..(very small)
or an infinity basslink

 

The Kicker Solobaric S8L7 are 450W RMS/900W peak each... I don't think that would classify under the 'not that much bass' category. Or were you implying that I could NOT use those subs in the type of setup that I suggested?
Isn't that the whole point? Very few people actually put speakers in the rear (outside of subs). I suggested the idea at a couple of shops today and I got a "Why??? " out of them. They said to either go with subs in the rear or no speakers at all.

I am looking at getting the Focal Utopia 165W 2-way component speakers in the front.

 

Man, if you want mad bumps and not to take a TON of room, check out my setup.

I have 1 12" IDMAX with a MTX6500d running it, it POUNDS hard, and nearly the same speakers in the front, the 165k's. This system has great tune-ability to it. I can make it SQ as you can get it, and with 2 simple adjustments on teh HU it POUNDS with the best SPL systems IMO. Sure, you can go louder, but this setup has the best of both worlds. Just make a custom box for the back and you might even be able to save some room too!

 

Well, you made one intelligent comment and that is the clearance issue for the speakers. The problem is that our trunk has those cross braces that help to keep the trunk open that will impede the magnet of a very large speaker. While I have seen people remove them and use hydraulics, it's not an easy task. If you can do it, I say go for it.

Now, as far as free-air sound ... it really has to be done right to sound good and that may be why "killer" says he doesn't like the sound. A really good free air setup requires 40+ man hours just sealing the trunk off from the rest of the car. Sealing the trunk off is the key to a good IB setup. This means dynamat, silicone, expanding foam, whatever you can do to get this accomlished. Once you are all done though, you will certainly appreciate all your hard work b/c it will sound great.

As far as having no rear sound ... that doesn't matter AT ALL. I, for one, haven't run rear speakers in my car since ~1994. I find no reason for them. I don't have a problem with them and plenty of cars sound good with them, but I find they are a waste of wattage and many people overpower their rear speakers and too much sound comes from the back. Rear speakers should be used solely as "rear fill" and should be so detuned you can barely notice them.

According to IASCA judges, the sound in your car should replicate a good concert venue as much as possible. All sound should seem to come from the front of the car, should be well centered, have good imaging (read: separation of instruments, voices, sounds all with specific soundstage "placemnent") and should not be too heavy on any one frequency. NONE of these requirements necessitates rear speakers.

I just have my 4 x 75 portion of my amplifier running two tweeters and two mid's up front, that's it. Then the 600W subwoofer channel takes care of sub duty. You can take your rear speakers out all together (instead of just unplugging them) for increased SPL (in a non-free-air setup), just make sure you dynamat the rear deck so it doesn't rattle you to last place.

My short suggestion is: if you are up to many long man hours to get it right and get the right speakers, infinite-baffle setups are TOTALLY worth it.

 

The other benefit of IB is efficiency. You will be fine with a single mono amp with about 250 watts to the pair of subs. May even be able to blow those subs with less power in an IB application.

 

Thank you for making me seem unintelligent.
I just happen to like sound comming from the rear of the car, no just 2 speakers blasting to the left and right of me.
As you said, my 6x9s are tuned very low and I cannot hear them unless im sitting in the back seat. I like a more theatrical sound that surrounds me and my passangers.

 

Of course you do, that's why you want to use 6x9's instead of 6.5's.