I have a non-Bose 2003 and will be putting a sub in a sealed box under the rear deck. I don't want sub enclosures filling up the trunk. Will a single 8" with a 150W amp be loud enough? I'm figuring that a sub driving sound through the rear deck into the horn-shaped enclosure provided by the deck and rear window will help efficiency a bit. I don't need to be heard a block away but if I'm doing the work to build the box, two subs should be better than one, but noticeably better? Obviously two subs cost more and I'd be able to buy a more powerful amp (more cost also) but would the difference be worth it?

Since the deck opening is only 7.5" x 11", the hole is somewhat smaller than the cones of two 8" speakers but will there be a problem if the deck covers part of the speaker cones?

Thanks,
Rick S.

 

Several point arise here.

Will 1 8" be "loud enough?" It depends on music type, listening habits, speaker efficiency, and tons of other factors.

Will blocking off part of the cone cause problems? It will not significantly decerease sound output, but it could increase vibrations where the sound waves have a direct (and short) path to un-damped surfaces. (you might also try a single 10" sub- it will be cheaper than 2 8" subs- even though I personally prefer 8" subs).

 

THanks, Pat. As for music type, mostly blues, contemporary, soft rock. I don't listen at really loud levels. I think if I do my homework and match the enclosure to an efficient sub, one 8" should be fine. Thought about a 10" sub but I don't think it'd fit on the rear deck since there's only about 9" front-to-back before hitting obstructions, that's why the idea of 2 8" ones, long and narrow footprint.

When you hear of people using 2 12"ers, a single 8" seems puny. I'm sure a few dBs are lost through the rear seats with in-trunk enclosures and having a sub in the rear deck, under that big sloping piece of glass will give a reasonable output.

Rick S.

 

I run a single 12, but if I had the time and money do buy 2 8"s and make a decent box, I would be all over it. I perfer the tighter, punchier bass of an 8 (or 2 of them, or even 4 of them!) to larger woofers. I had a single 8 in my curent max, but it did not sound right. I think that it was overpowered. 2 would have been perfect, though!

For the music that you described, one or two 8s will be enought to "fill out" the sound lacking in the OEM system.

 

While on the subject, where can I tap into wiring to connect to the sub amp? I was hoping the wiring for the Bose sub would be under the rear deck somewhere but I'll bet it's not. How do most folks connect to the stock radio?

 

I just finished building an enclosure that mounts underneath the back deck for my 2003 SE. It will house two JL 8W3v2's in exactly 1 cubic foot. I had to cut a 18 x 8.5 inch opening in the back deck. Carpeted the enclosure last night and it fits perfect. I'll start on the amp rack Monday. If anyone is "serious" about doing this, I can post some pics and measurements. Actually has been very easy so far.

Shane

 

Isn't 1.0 a little big? THey call for .33 per sub...

I will post later about the wiring, rickso03.

 

> Isn't 1.0 a little big? THey call for .33 per sub...

I've seen several 8" subs looking for .33 to .55 ft3 so 1ft3 seems a bit big but okay. I just don't like the idea of CUTTING the deck. 2-8"ers should almost fit in the stock 7 1/2" by 11 1/2" rear deck opening with just a little overlap of deck on the cones which should be okay.

My plan is to remove the rear deck plastic cover, bolt the sub enclosure to the underside of the deck, cut a grille-hole in the deck cover (didn't I say I hate cutting?) and re-install the cover. What's a good grill for the deck cover? Was thinking I could find a Bose grille at the scrap yard and use that. Any other ideas on what would look stock?

Would maybe a 10" in a sealed enclosure in the trunk sound okay instead? Would involve a lot less "cutting and pasting". I have that setup in my Escort and it sounds pretty good. Just wondering if/how much the rear seats muffle the sound.

Also a little puzzled on the wiring, not how but where. I don't relish the thought of taking the dashboard apart to get to signal wires, then snaking then to the trunk.

Please keep me "posted",
Rick S.