Sub Box

[D'Ecosse]

Well, finally finished the sub-box - lot of work but quite pleased with the end result.
It has internal volume (gross) of exactly 0.6 cu ft. which is pretty respectable, with virtually no loss of leg room. I managed to keep a pretty shallow angle on the box, which also helps create a comfortable foot rest (once the lid is on to protect the speaker).
I started out by removing the old speaker along with all the brackets associated with mounting it, then re-routed the wiring harnesses so there was a clean bay for the glass lay-up.
Then I masked up the footwell, including creating a fake "wall" on the left side to lay the glass against on that side and waxed it all before laying the glass.
Here are some steps of the box along the way .......

 

[D'Ecosse]

another ........

 

[D'Ecosse]

Face mounted to complete the box .......

 

[D'Ecosse]

End result with speaker installed
Speaker is a Phase Linear Aliante Si 10"

 

[D'Ecosse]

One more - as a point of reference for the position of the box face, check the location of the grill on the console tunnel

 

[D'Ecosse]

The final step will be to replicate the face shape in a top panel, with a grill installed to protect the speaker - the whole protective face will be covered in the carpet to make it appear like a regular solid carpet from the top - no speaker will be visible or more importantly, in danger of damage!

 

[prova4re]

Looks great!
How long did it take you?
Now that you are a pro, do you want to make one more?

 

[Veleno]

Looks great! I was thinking about this same sub and I'm glad you did it first so I can get your impressions of it. So what do you think? How well does it work with your box? Do you get good imaging/sound quality with it? Did you change your door speakers to the same line? Can you just give me the pros & cons (in your opinion) of the sub?

Thanks

 

[D'Ecosse]

Looks great!

Thanks!

How long did it take you?

Too long!!!!!

Now that you are a pro, do you want to make one more?

I now understand exactly why these things have such high ticket prices from the vendors who have them available - lot of work involved. I'd like to help but really not too motivated at any price to do it again!
I'd certainly consider making the face plates available for anyone who wants to make their own box. I'd much rather be working in wood than glass!

... I was thinking about this same sub and I'm glad you did it first so I can get your impressions of it. So what do you think? How well does it work with your box? Do you get good imaging/sound quality with it? Did you change your door speakers to the same line? Can you just give me the pros & cons (in your opinion) of the sub?

See the running story here for other details of the system, speakers etc. Speakers are CDT Eurosports.
I'm really delighted - the sub is awesome, designed for small enclosure and SQ - required only 0.45 cubes so I actually had a little to spare.
The sub was a $450 unit but I felt I'd rather have the money in the component as opposed to the box! (Something just didn't sit right with me to spend $500+ on the box & $150 on a speaker!) The boxes I could find on the market however fell far short of the required volume anyway - One box advertised as 0.7 cubes was actually only 0.32 when I measured it after receipt!!!! (Why I decided to make my own!)
The composite sound is now almost complete & I'm very happy with it.
I have to say that a 10" is really a tight squeeze, even with this compact unit - (mine is actually 10-3/4" which exacerbates the problem even more however). The issues are really that a 10" is simply very hard to fit in that space - the overall height of the face of my box is ~13" so with the backing plate around the speaker requiring at least another 1/2" around, made the total of the backing plate almost 12"; this then leaves only 1/2" for the flange of the box.
Make the face taller is a thought: won't work! To make the face taller, you would need to tilt the speaker further towards horizontal, which won't work for most speakers: This unit worked because of a very small mounting depth also. You have to strike a balance for the face angle between the height required & the mounting depth required - these are contradicting requirements unfortunately so the "sweet spot" is very narrow & may not work for many speakers.

 

[ChrisK]

Looks good Ken. Your system is coming along real good and fast. I only wish I was as fast as you are I'm moving along like a slow pig. I just hope I get mine done for this summers car shows.

What sub where you using again? I'm still debating if I need an 8" or my JL 6.5" sub will be enough for me.

 

[D'Ecosse]

... What sub where you using again? I'm still debating if I need an 8" or my JL 6.5" sub will be enough for me.

Thanks Chris - your system not too shabby either!

http://www.phase-linear.de/produkte.asp?p=subwoofer&grp=6&ser=44&view=serie&lang=EN -

If anyone needs contact info for one of these try Peter Lufrano at [email protected] - he is the US importer. Check out his other goodies at http://www.theautophile.com/ (tell him Ken from Pleasanton referred you)

I think that even the 8" version of this speaker would be a great asset. Honestly, I'm not sure you can possibly get great performance from a 6.5" that is essentially the same size as your mid-drivers (albeit designed specifically for lower frequencies).

 

[racerX]

nice. now get some sleep. thanks again for the door plates. Very nice work.
I picked up some gear this weekend so I am getting closer. I too don't move as fast as you. Enjoy Boom...Boom...Boom...
ps Can I send you my 804/805 tomorrow?

 

[D'Ecosse]

Enjoy Boom...Boom...Boom...

Hey!!!! .... it sounds just like that - how did you know?

ps Can I send you my 804/805 tomorrow?

Sure, no problem - may as well start off with the stock head & see where you go from there - did you get the female RCA's?
I'll e-mail address.

 

[robr]

heh, peter lufrano is EVERYWHERE . guess we all know who to go to when we want the best. got my dynaudio system 340 from him many years back.

 

[D'Ecosse]

heh, peter lufrano is EVERYWHERE . ....

Super nice guy too, he's local to me - I saw his show/demo car in person & listened to his system - unbelievable!!! That's his daily driver too.
See it here - http://www.theautophile.com/products/C70.html
Check out the other show cars - makes you feel quite humble with our menial efforts relatively.

 

[(NSX REY)]

Nice Ken!

Great job Ken! I can't wait to see it and hear it in person. maybe you can give me a detailed procedure and materials list so I can try to replicate your art work

 

[Ojas]

The sub was a $450 unit but I felt I'd rather have the money in the component as opposed to the box! (Something just didn't sit right with me to spend $500+ on the box & $150 on a speaker!)

LOL! I like your logic. Looks great - thanks for all the info.

 

[D'Ecosse]

The job progresses - made a cover plate to protect the sub

 

[D'Ecosse]

The back-side - I milled out a ledge for the grille to mount in - no fixing required, is perfect snug fit.

 

[D'Ecosse]

Installed - still needs to be covered with carpet (will probably stretch across the entire face, even covering the grille)

 

[D'Ecosse]

Hmm ......... problem - the mat now doesn't fit

 

[D'Ecosse]

No problem - Hrant to the rescue with a custom mat made to my pattern!

 

[D'Ecosse]

Excellent fit, fabulous quality

 

[D'Ecosse]

Original Honda Zanardi's vs Hrant customs
(Hrant's on right)

 

[D'Ecosse]

Back side of Hrant custom - these can be ordered with rubber dimple back, or as I did with the foam back - these mats are really nice, very thick super pile.