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General => Car audio => Topic started by: mk2mark on 30 July 2007, 11:18

Title: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: mk2mark on 30 July 2007, 11:18
Is this a stupid idea altogether? It's a mk2 so I can remove the little shelf and fab up something discreet, I'm just wondering if it would sound rubbish, but can't see how it would since it's a subwoofer, the longer wavelengths mean you can pretty much put them anywhere?
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Len on 30 July 2007, 12:27
It would depend on how big an enclosure you can build in. Plus how well its secured.
Maybe check out the Focal 5" sub? Thats a small diameter but very deep speaker.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: mk2mark on 30 July 2007, 13:30
Should get a decently sized enclosure in, may be a little small, but I'm not too bothered I'm not altogether after that huge boomy sound.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Len on 30 July 2007, 13:36
Well if you go for conventional sub then it will be the depth of the speaker you will have to gauge everything by!
You wont be able to use the dash as it wont be strong enough! Ypou will have to think on the lines of brackets fixed to the firewall and inner wing.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: mk2mark on 30 July 2007, 14:58
Oh no, I'm not worried about how I'm going to fix and build the enclosure, I'm just worried if it'll sound crap with the sound coming from right in front of the passenger.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Len on 30 July 2007, 15:05
Subs come from the back normally and the sound tends to bounce off loads of surfaces before it gets to your ears.
Having it there will probably drown out your front speakers unless they are good ones and amped.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Uruk Hai on 30 July 2007, 16:47
Its possible that as subs are "felt" more than hear'd then it might be O.K, You'll probably just feel it a whole lot more with one that close to you   :grin: :grin:
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Len on 30 July 2007, 16:59
Find the right note/frequency and give ur female passenger an orgasm!
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: tommk3cab on 30 July 2007, 18:07
apparantly its ment to be 33hz but thats a load of ****. yeah, like len said, the danger will be that it is overpowering because its so close, a 10 inch might be your best option as both the size and the noise you want would fit. may not get much passenger legroom though, IIRC mk2 front seats dont go all that far back.

If you want the noise of a sub but want to keep your boot I know someone who is selling some killer underseat custom made builds if you want me to find out more about them for you, such as price and what you will need to power them because I think they are pretty power hungry but I know they sound very good.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Ridg on 30 July 2007, 18:29
my mates got 2 6" 's in the footwell of his 3 series and it sounds mint, he's also got 2 8"'s free floating on the parcel shelf but even with those off the ones in the footwell produce enough bass to give a good quality sound.

the main problem he has is when people with long legs want to sit in the car
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Heyho on 30 July 2007, 20:38
In terms of sound quality, a sub in the footwell will, if anything sound better than in the boot, as it will be more "in time" with the rest of the speakers.  Don't be concerned about it drowning out the other frequencies - that's what your gain knob is for. :wink:

I should think that you could easily build a sealed enclosure for a good 10" or 8" driver that will fit neatly up under the shelf.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: mk2mark on 31 July 2007, 08:32
What about a 12" ? :shocked: I'll post up pics when I'm done, there's a surprising amount of room!
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Dubster2 on 01 August 2007, 01:23
As said before. where would he passenger put their legs?! Would be a nightmare on a long journey! Also would you mind the speaker being kicked and knocked as that's sure to happen with so little leg room!
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: mk2mark on 01 August 2007, 11:42
It's hopefully not going to take any more room than the little shelf thats there at the moment, it may not work but I think I can do it.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: monzablue16v on 01 August 2007, 22:57
Put a couple of 8" subs in a custom door build it will sound the nuts and won't get in the way too much :)
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Heyho on 03 August 2007, 19:05
If you want to have a go with a 12", then why not!  I was considering the size of the enclosure!

What you need to consider is that the larger the sub, the louder it will be, and as you'll be that much closer, and with no obstructions, it won't need to be as loud as it would when in the boot.  Best to match the driver to the amp you'll be powering it with. 

I'd go with a 10" in a sealed enclosure, but do what you want and make sure you post some pics.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: mk2mark on 06 November 2007, 15:50
Pics:
(http://www.iol.ie/~locoblade/mystuff/cars/sub1.jpg)
(http://www.iol.ie/~locoblade/mystuff/cars/sub2.jpg)
(http://www.iol.ie/~locoblade/mystuff/cars/sub3.jpg)

Sorry about the crappy photo quality, the photos make it look awful too! Soundwise it's great, there's no boomy drone bass, just clear punchy accents which is exactly what I wanted - just as well because with the small enclosure I don't think I was going to get anything else. It really is far more subtle than it looks, people only notice it when their legs start vibrating!
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: vw-bob on 06 November 2007, 16:12
just wait until all your connections are vibrated loose behind the dash. good luck finding them  :smiley:
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: b4rks on 06 November 2007, 18:07
Fair play chap.

I put an 8" where the glove box was once in a citroen ZX.  Along with amped front speakers, a healthy set of ported 12s in the boot and a decent headunit it sounded utterly amazing.  You're on to a winner...... but you already know that :)
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: mk2mark on 06 November 2007, 18:35
Well it works for me, I need the boot in this car for the goalie gear. And now I have realistically high quality sound (for a car) so I'm happy. It took me a long time to decide if it would be worth the extra kilos, adding weight to a car is not my thing - ever, but I'm glad I went for it.

Thanks for the sage advice bob, I'll be sure to keep a close eye on my connections.
Title: Re: Subwoofer in passenger footwell?
Post by: Heyho on 06 November 2007, 20:15
Well done chap.  Nice to see somebody actually having a go, and pulling it off.

You've really got me thinking now, as I've just picked up a nice rainbow hammer 10".  I'm sure that it would sound incredible front-mounted!