help choosing subs

[smashedz28 110]

Lately ive been considering upgrading the sub stage in my 1998 s10 extended cab truck. Currently I have a pre fabbed sealed downfire box. says its 1.75 cu ft per side (holds 2 12's). got 2 ppi subs in there powered by a older fosgate 1000.1bd. Not really liking the way it sounds sealed up. I know its a pre fab box and all but i love the output of a ported box. Love the lows. Of course if i could i would slap a btl or 2 in there but thats not realistic for me right now. Im on a budget. I will be building the box myself. And more than likely getting an audiopipe 1000 or 1500 amp. Current fosgate is screwy and i dont want to use it. When i look at the t/s specs of a sub to be honest i dont know what the hell im looking at so choosing the right sub is a bit harder for me. As i mentioned i love the lows. now besides price im limited on space. Im a big guy in an extended cab truck and i need the seat back ALMOST as far back as it goes. a while back sefugi had showed me something he had done in an s10 and i really liked the design (picture). lets get to the point.. budget would be at very most 150 a speaker, i would like 2. and unless i can find a set of 12's that will perform well in my space and fit in the budget ill more than likely go with 10's. 2 speakers i have looked at and I like the price, but not sure if they fit the goals i want. the IA 187 10" and the SSA Dcon 10", im sure there is a ton of others out there and thats where i need the help. Im open to anything you guys can offer, maybe a different design? amp isn't really what im needing advice on, i know a 1000watt+ amp isnt recommended for 2 300 watt speakers lol. not a big deal for me, just want to select a sub ill be happy with. Appreciate any help given.

[///M5 2,833]

Sure you can't use your amp? That will chew a ton of your potential budget. What is screwy with it?

[REVpuggie 23]

Sure you can't use your amp? That will chew a ton of your potential budget. What is screwy with it?

that...... and a single woofer setup could further widen the choice for a potential sub or give room for improving the front setup , better kickdrivers and door mods for instance that would also greatly improve the way you experience bass coming from the sub you end up choosing .

[smashedz28 110]

well... i bought it off craigslist a year or so ago, the ground terminal on the amp is the problem. the screw that binds down the wire is horrible, and im not talking just stripped out. appears it was drilled out even farther and attempted to be re threaded for a bigger screw. looks like hell. I have to hot glue my ground wire into the thing. Also lately i have been noticing it cutting out a low volumes, could very well be a loose wire but ive had it with that amp lol. the budget im on and express here does not include another amp, ive already accounted for replacing that pos.

As far as the front stage goes im happy with that. have 2 4 x 6's in the dash and a pair of 6.5's in the doors. all running off a MB 4125. just want to get more 'push' from the bass is all.

Im not the most handy guy with building things, but that design i posted is something im for sure i could accomplish, and i even like the way it looks. but hell.. maybe this is a dead cause.. looking for an spl sub in a small area and at a cheap price?

edit: I also have a 15" Q i picked up a while back just sittin here. im sure that thing would make me happy.Friend has a 12" Q in a ported box i built him and for being a 'sq' sub it sounds great, sure the 15 would sound great also, but i cant see getting that thing in this truck.

Edited January 4, 2011 by smashedz28

[smashedz28 110]

anyone got any cheaper subs they can recommend for me? any experience with the 187 10's or the dcon 10's in ported boxes?

[emh9009 199]

measure the space you have available, and i'm sure someone will chime in if you're able to fit the 15 in. depends on how much room you want to give up.

[smashedz28 110]

its not the space in worried about. its the difficulty of building a box to use up the space. Current pre fabbed box is 1.75 per side, seperated in the middle i got 3 cu ft right there and it doesnt take up much room at all. the room is back there but its going to need a tricky box to use up that space. with the design i have in mind (picture in 1st post) ill be using a basic square slot ported box, easy construction there. tomorrow im going to rip out what i have in there, maybe i can shit on the passenger in my truck and just fit the 15 on the passenger side lol. sit that seat as far forward as it needs and have mine kicked back. ill take some pics tomorrow along with stripping everything out, maybe ill find a way to squeeze that 15 in there or who knows, maybe even slap this pair of 12" kickers i got laying in the garage in there to hold me over.

[///M5 2,833]

well... i bought it off craigslist a year or so ago, the ground terminal on the amp is the problem. the screw that binds down the wire is horrible, and im not talking just stripped out. appears it was drilled out even farther and attempted to be re threaded for a bigger screw. looks like hell. I have to hot glue my ground wire into the thing. Also lately i have been noticing it cutting out a low volumes, could very well be a loose wire but ive had it with that amp lol. the budget im on and express here does not include another amp, ive already accounted for replacing that pos.

Drill it out completely and use a nut and bolt.

As for the box, take out what you have, remove the rear seat and then measure and re-post.

[smashedz28 110]

if time permits ill be taking out what is in there in a few hours, back seat is a folding seat so no need to remove. ill post back later today with whatever i have.

edit: drill it out and use a nut and bolt?.. cant exactly picture that in my head, a bolt going thru the terminal.. how would that hold the wire? it would need to pinch onto the wire wouldnt it? ill post a pic of the amp when i get into it later today for you to see. thanks for the response.

Edited January 5, 2011 by smashedz28

[smashedz28 110]

made it out there, did not get measurements but I was able to get something that will hold me over till i find another job and buy what i really want for it. Ended up using all the same equipment but changed the box with another i had sitting in the garage. I did take a few pics though ill share.

the space im working with

amp terminal

and just the 15" Q sitting behind the seat (no way that thing will fit in there lol)

camera died as i was doing this so no pics of what i ended up putting in there, its a big ass box surprised i got it to fit and still sit comfortably. I did have to remove that tire jack in the middle.

M5, as i was out there i kept thinking... 'wtf is he talkin about?.. nut and bolt thru the amp.. think i understand now, bolt going all the way thru and use a ring terminal for the ground wire and attach it under the terminal?.. thats the only way that made sense to me.

Edited January 6, 2011 by smashedz28

[///M5 2,833]

Yep, and I see a ton of space although I'd still take the seat and cupholders and all that extra crap out.

[Julian 641]

if it's worth it to you, you could give dB-r a call and see if they could maybe repair it.

[emh9009 199]

Yep, and I see a ton of space although I'd still take the seat and cupholders and all that extra crap out.

Give some dimensions, i think you could do it.

[smashedz28 110]

i believe it could be done also. just dont think I could make the box. would need all types of dips and angles to use up the needed airspace. Tomorrow ill get some dimensions, im curious to see what you mad scientists can come up with would be nice to have that s10 sounding good but it is only a work truck, my real system is in my tahoe...broken down tahoe lol. appreciate everything guys, ill post back with some dimensions tomorrow.

[emh9009 199]

Thought about making a false floor so you have a flat bottom to work with? Would remove all on the bumps and curves of the natural floor. Not too hard. And there is only one way to be able to build a box, just get out there and try. If you dont like it you can always build a new one. They're cheap(er) and fun to do!

[smashedz28 110]

yea, already planned on the false floor, its the angle ill need to clear the seat and get a port in there. straight cuts is no problem, its the angles that worry me. ill get some dimensions and maybe someone can help me get the right degree angles made, a sheet of mdf isnt expensive, i have everything i would need except a table saw (would have to use the ole craftsman 19.2v circular for that) would sure be cheaper to buy the wood and get that 15 i already own in there rather than buying up another sub or 2 to fit a design im stuck on lol. Your almost motivating me...lol. thanks

[emh9009 199]

Home depot cuts i believe, just how precisely is the question. or you can use a straight edge as a guide, if you don't have a table saw. Check Eclectic Enclosure Designs for a box design when you get all of your measurements done and want a design. Great guy and great skillzz!

[smashedz28 110]

check this shit out lol, diggin thru the forums i run into this... My link same year s10 and everything... it is possible and it looks damn easy!

[PHATBOi 38]

check this shit out lol, diggin thru the forums i run into this... My link same year s10 and everything... it is possible and it looks damn easy!

That is a sexy setup. No more excuses, time to do work!

[smashedz28 110]

got that right, 22" height and 14" depth i have to work with, width is where it can vary. need about 4 cubes tuned around 30-32ish i would say for the 15" Q . had to go out and measure in the dark after seeing that damn picture lol.

im one of those RE calculator guys, someone check this out, its as close as i could get it, but i hear how off that calculator can be

not 100% sure about taking into consideration the displacement of the sub, would i just subtract the displacement from the box volume? Also Fi's website says the displacement is 0.19cuft. i assume thats for the new generation Q, mine is the older gen. If someone could help me with that i think ill be able to knock this one out no problem.

Edited January 6, 2011 by smashedz28

[emh9009 199]

You dont "NEED" 4 cubes. they recommend 2.8-4. And yes, take the sub displacement from the total volume. Don't forget to take port volume as well. I'm sure that the old/new models are close enough you dont need to worry about any changes from the .19 ft^3 displacement. It won't change much anyways if it is off a smidge. If you have any doubts on that calculator, i highly recommend looking at the link i gave you, again.

[smashedz28 110]

got my request in for bromo, thank you man, should have this design shortly and ill get to buildin

[REVpuggie 23]

got my request in for bromo, thank you man, should have this design shortly and ill get to buildin

So you ended up spending no money exept for wood ?

Tip: make a double baffle and make bracings to stiifen that box up

[smashedz28 110]

so far $0 spent. ill need to buy some wood, sure no more than $40 at the very most. and ill be paying bromo $10 for his design. I still hate this fosgate amp i have but after ripping everything out and checking all my connections its doing alright for me now, ill use it. plus its gonna work great for this sub since the sub is D1 and the amp makes its 1000watts at 2 ohms.

[smashedz28 110]

15" Q installed! sounds decent. its no BTL but didnt expect it to be. box is 3.37cu ft, tuned to 33.21hz. double baffled and braced with 1" dowels. fits in the back and my seat is where im comfortable. Took a 20 minute drive to play with it a little and ended up blowing a fuse lol. i got those cheap ass 60a or so glass fuses which im going to replace for sure. Ended up spending about $75 for wood and supplies. still need to go out and get a few fuses to replace the ones i got, and i need a can or 2 of that stone looking spray people use on their boxes. Just want to thank everyone who gave me hope for fitting this thing in my truck. i didnt think it could be done.

next up.. big 3 in this truck, ill take a few pics of it tomorrow and show you guys.

Edited January 10, 2011 by smashedz28