Built a lightweight 8" sub box

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by Ben@TTR, Jun 7, 2008.

  1. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    I decided to build this box to lighten my car a bit without losing the bass boom bottom :naughty:
    I took out my single 12 setup, which is for sale in another thread for anyone interested. I've heard that the factory 8 box sounds like crap so I tried to make something that sounds good and still fits under the pass seat.

    Here are some pics of what I came up with. Sorry about the quality of the pics, camera was stolen so I used my cell.

    I started out building a small frame out of 1/2" mdf instead of 3/4" to make it light. Then cut out a ring for the sub to mount to and glassed the top of the enclosure. I did this also to save weight and to elevate the sub slightly to maximize airspace. I was able to squeeze out .35cuft
    [​IMG]

    Here it is cured and the hole cut out for the sub
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I packed the box with polyfill to give it a deeper tone. I purposely didnt use body filler to smooth the enclosure to save more weight.
    [​IMG]

    I covered the face of the box with foam to give it a plush look and to cover some of the uneven surface.
    [​IMG]

    Then I covered the box with some black headliner material
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    I am pretty pleased with how it sounds given the cheap sub I used. It was a Memphis Studio 8 I had laying around thats probably 5 years old or better :) I fits nicely and it goes unnoticed, which is great. The whole thing weighs less than 10lbs. I would like to compare it to a factory Subaru sub to see how I did. :sx:
     
  2. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    I want one! I want something a little more powerful under the seat to give my female passengers some extra joy with the ride :naughty:

    What are you doing for an amp?
     
  3. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    lol..some cheap 250watt amp i had laying around. I cant remember the name of it, but its underneath the drivers seat. I have gotten some compliments from my wife about the sensations though :naughty:
     
  4. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    sending pm now!
     
  5. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    Replied
     
  6. SUBY_RUE

    SUBY_RUE Member

    Shweet, I'll be over later. I want to hear it.
     
  7. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    you'll have yours soon! :gfight:
     
  8. SUBY_RUE

    SUBY_RUE Member

    shweet..... I'll take my wife out for a ride...lol.
     
  9. SUBY_RUE

    SUBY_RUE Member

    I picked up my subbox today and installed it and..... damn!!! It's perfect if you want a very clean, crisp and not overpowering system in your car. It will also hit some lows as well. Very clean and compact, Weighs nothing compaired to what I had in the trunk. For $70 bucks, cant beat it. Espeacially when I was quoted $225 bucks at a local shop for the same idea.

    Thanks ghost, I am very happy with how it sounds and looks.

    I'm running a 8" kicker comp w/ a 580 watt amp.

    Hers some pics of what it looks like installed. (dont look at how dirty my car is:eek3::unamused:)

    [​IMG]
    slides under seat perfect.
    [​IMG]
    fits under seat with no problms, seat slides freely.
    [​IMG]

    WARNING!!!! Will rattle your gooch...
     
    Last edited: Jun 11, 2008
  10. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    :rofl: lol thanks! I re-designed it a little. I was blown away at how good it sounds.
     
  11. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    Awesome, Ghost, I'll pick up mine this weekend, I'll pm you my number .
     
  12. socrates42

    socrates42 Member

    are you selling these now? cause that would be awesome
     
  13. Has anyone done a stealth box for a wagon before? I am going to be helping out a friend of mine setting up his system. I like the idea of the under the seat boxes, anyone else done some clever setups?
     
  14. Sparta

    Sparta Active Member

    mine is going in a wagon and under the seat in place of the stock one
     
  15. I ment other than the under seat box. Maybe not even a stealth box, but clever box's, building sub into paneling in the rear, etc.....
     
  16. Caffeinated

    Caffeinated Member

    That looks really nice.

    I've been toying with the idea of making an enclosure that fits a 10" sub inside the spare tire, but I may rethink it and follow a similar route as you.

    Where are your amp(s) located? Also, is that enclosure mounted to the car in any way?
     
  17. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    yeah, I started selling them for $70 if anyone wants one. I didn't mount mine or SUBY _RUE's but I plan on including some sort of bracket to mount it down.
     
  18. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    my amp is under the driver's seat.
     
  19. SUBY_RUE

    SUBY_RUE Member

    my amp is still in the trunk. when I get the chance I will relocate it.

    Its a great upgrade from stock subs. its not for crazy low end bass but great for mid range. It will rshake your rear veiw mirror whe turned up enough... :)
     
  20. JJang12

    JJang12 Active Member

    what would be recommended amp and sub?? How will these comparable to Infinity basslink?

    I'm about to order Alpine PLT-5 for its simplicity and price (this excels Infinity basslink in sound quality and performance).
     
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2008
  21. socrates42

    socrates42 Member

    would this fit under the drivers seat? I already have my amps mounted under the pass seat....
     
  22. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    yes, it will fit under the drivers seat. as far as sub recomendations, anything that will work well with .4 cuft. then you just need an amp that's rms power matches the sub. kicker's comp 8 works great. the box has a 4 1/4" mounting depth.
     
  23. kevingroover

    kevingroover Member

    how did you get like 5 inches under the seat, I maxed out at 3 & 1/2 under the passenger seat of a 2002 wrx wagon. i used an 8inch pioneer shallow mount and had to unbolt the seat to get it under there
     
  24. SUBY_RUE

    SUBY_RUE Member

    I had to slide my seat forward and slide it under. The back side of the seat sits lower when the seat is all the way back.
     
  25. scoobaru

    scoobaru Active Member

  26. socrates42

    socrates42 Member

    would this box be the correct dimensions for a JL 8w3v2?
     
  27. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    this box would be a bit small for the JL 8w3v2. It would still sound great if you like rock music but it wouldnt play low frequencies especially well.

    as far as the under seat dimentions of the 02 wrx, they must be a great deal different. a good idea would be to fiberglass the bottom of the enclosure to maximise mounting depth instead of using wood. hope that will help ;)
     
  28. socrates42

    socrates42 Member

    Mostly electronic music, so tight deep bass is what I'm looking for
     
  29. SUBY_RUE

    SUBY_RUE Member

    I put my system on a SPL meter yesterday (outlaw) and hit a 130.9. Not to bad for a 8" :)
     
  30. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    Cool! but you're still a loser! :rofl: just kidding. you didnt have to beat me though. I got second place with my 8 @ 130.8db, oh the humanity!
     
  31. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    If anyone is interested I have three more i need to get rid of. They are like SUBY_RUE's covered in black headliner material. I little larger/nicer than the one in the OP @ .4cuft & 4 1/2" mounting depth. Asking 70 bucks each.

    please pm me if you are interested. thanks!
     
  32. SUBY_RUE

    SUBY_RUE Member

    Thanks again ghost, I'm digging the hell out of my new set up.
     
  33. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    bump for butt bass lol
     
  34. J_P

    J_P I like pudding pops Supporting Member

    I have a very strong opinion here, but it's just an opinion. If you want the best range including deep bass nothing touches round Kicker subs in a sealed box. I cracked the windshield in my 87 s10 blazer with 2 Kicker Comp 10's in a sealed box running 180 watts rms a piece. I spent the next 10 years chasing that sound again with larger more expensive subs including JL Audio 10W6 and Rockford Fosgate Power subs, and none compare to the overall powerful sound of Kicker.

    ok, off my soapbox.

    Seriously though if you are looking for a decent price on stereo equipment including Kicker this site has been good for me:
    http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/

    Nice job on the box it looks clean. I'm going to try 4 Kicker 8's in a fiberglass enclosure, we will see how that goes :sx:
     
  35. Ben@TTR

    Ben@TTR Member

    sweet! what are you putting it in? keep us posted on the results
     
  36. J_P

    J_P I like pudding pops Supporting Member

    05 STi, I'll post up pics with progress. I should be getting started in the next month or so.
     
  37. Alex

    Alex Community Founder Staff Member

    Have you considered picking up the basic vendorship package yet? That should be on your to-do list if you continue to sell these products *wink*
     
  38. Mad Mallard

    Mad Mallard the mad mallard

    wonder how this would do in that box space.
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2008

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