Wow! My first post regarding the marketing blurb for the Subsolutions box seems to have drawn a bonfire sized amount of flames. A few folks mentioned that there were no alternatives for sub-bass in the Av, so here goes some thoughts on sub possibilities and general audio upgrades.
1. JL Audio Stealthbox: The upside of this enclosure is the fact that the interior is not visibly modified. The bad side is that you lose some depth in the center console and it has to be replaced if you ever plan to remove the enclosure later. Who is it made for? It provides excellent sound quality and respectable spl, especially from a single driver. It will satisfy an listener of jazz, blues, country, classical or rock. If you are a dedicated rap or hardcore techno fan, you may be a bit disappointed in the fact that it will not deliver bone jarring volume levels. It does, however, have excellent linearity throughout its range and has good low frequency extension. Truly a winning product from a company known for great products and customer service!
A link to the appropriate stealthbox: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/suburban_2000.html
The driver in the stealthbox (W3): http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/w3.html
Airesearch also makes a center console enclosure for the Avalanche and a few other GM products, the ? ? ? ? QL-C1SYT108, can be purchased at Zeb audio, a highly respected internet dealer, at : ? ? ?http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/q-logic_q-customs_enclosures.html
How does this enclosure compare to the JL box? The most basic difference is the fact that it comes unloaded, so you have to find an 8" driver for the enclosure, so the performance can range from good to bad depending on your choice for it.
An idea that doesn't require a modified console for sub bass: the JL IB4 woofers. Any infinite baffle sub could be used for the application, I just mention this one specifically due to the fact that I have the JL page open and I have installed these subs in this manner and can personally vouch for their outstanding sound quality. They can be found at: http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/ib4.html
These subs do sound great, but if you're looking for gut wrenching spl, look elsewhere. However, if you plan to relocate your midbass and tweeters to a new home, such as the kick panels, the doors would be free for these subs to do a great job. The install truly counts here, and will make the difference between so-so and oh-wow! Take care that you or the installer totally isolates the front wave from the rear wave of output by thoroughly reinforcing the door panel; the easiest way to do this is with a dynamat door kit or similar product. Not only will the sub sound much better, you're also helping to quiet the interior a bit as well.
Other Sub thoughts for the AV:
The intermediate console between the center console and the dash could make a good sub box with a little work. ?The passenger side floorboard could also provide a good home for a sub if care was taken in the design of the enclosure and the install, as well as the driver selection. All of the aforementioned enclosures would provide one thing that most vehicles lack, which is a sub reinforcing the front stage. ?Want a sub system primarily for great sound quality and not necessarily sheer volume? Look at the Focal 5WS. This little 5" sub will rock and has low end extension that is shocking for its size. They are a bit on the pricey side, and multiples will be needed to produce respectable output, but once 3 or 4 are in an enclosure, the sound spectacular! They can be found at: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?http://www.focal-jmlab.fr/gb/car/utopia/5ws.htm
The kick panel can be used for a sub enclosure, especially if you're not scared of a little chopping. Why only use it as a sub box though, especially with the other sub options out there? A set of kick panel enclosures will be a great location for your midbass/tweeter, and as a result definately helps equal the pathlength difference from driver to passenger, resulting in a wider soundstage with a better centered image. The prefab Q-logic product is great, especially after a little reinforcing with some fiberglass. They can be seen here: http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/q-logic_q-forms.html
I hope this has been constructive, and is accepted with less controversy than my last post. Thanks!
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1. JL Audio Stealthbox: The upside of this enclosure is the fact that the interior is not visibly modified. The bad side is that you lose some depth in the center console and it has to be replaced if you ever plan to remove the enclosure later. Who is it made for? It provides excellent sound quality and respectable spl, especially from a single driver. It will satisfy an listener of jazz, blues, country, classical or rock. If you are a dedicated rap or hardcore techno fan, you may be a bit disappointed in the fact that it will not deliver bone jarring volume levels. It does, however, have excellent linearity throughout its range and has good low frequency extension. Truly a winning product from a company known for great products and customer service!
A link to the appropriate stealthbox: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/suburban_2000.html
The driver in the stealthbox (W3): http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/w3.html
Airesearch also makes a center console enclosure for the Avalanche and a few other GM products, the ? ? ? ? QL-C1SYT108, can be purchased at Zeb audio, a highly respected internet dealer, at : ? ? ?http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/q-logic_q-customs_enclosures.html
How does this enclosure compare to the JL box? The most basic difference is the fact that it comes unloaded, so you have to find an 8" driver for the enclosure, so the performance can range from good to bad depending on your choice for it.
An idea that doesn't require a modified console for sub bass: the JL IB4 woofers. Any infinite baffle sub could be used for the application, I just mention this one specifically due to the fact that I have the JL page open and I have installed these subs in this manner and can personally vouch for their outstanding sound quality. They can be found at: http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/ib4.html
These subs do sound great, but if you're looking for gut wrenching spl, look elsewhere. However, if you plan to relocate your midbass and tweeters to a new home, such as the kick panels, the doors would be free for these subs to do a great job. The install truly counts here, and will make the difference between so-so and oh-wow! Take care that you or the installer totally isolates the front wave from the rear wave of output by thoroughly reinforcing the door panel; the easiest way to do this is with a dynamat door kit or similar product. Not only will the sub sound much better, you're also helping to quiet the interior a bit as well.
Other Sub thoughts for the AV:
The intermediate console between the center console and the dash could make a good sub box with a little work. ?The passenger side floorboard could also provide a good home for a sub if care was taken in the design of the enclosure and the install, as well as the driver selection. All of the aforementioned enclosures would provide one thing that most vehicles lack, which is a sub reinforcing the front stage. ?Want a sub system primarily for great sound quality and not necessarily sheer volume? Look at the Focal 5WS. This little 5" sub will rock and has low end extension that is shocking for its size. They are a bit on the pricey side, and multiples will be needed to produce respectable output, but once 3 or 4 are in an enclosure, the sound spectacular! They can be found at: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?http://www.focal-jmlab.fr/gb/car/utopia/5ws.htm
The kick panel can be used for a sub enclosure, especially if you're not scared of a little chopping. Why only use it as a sub box though, especially with the other sub options out there? A set of kick panel enclosures will be a great location for your midbass/tweeter, and as a result definately helps equal the pathlength difference from driver to passenger, resulting in a wider soundstage with a better centered image. The prefab Q-logic product is great, especially after a little reinforcing with some fiberglass. They can be seen here: http://www.thezeb.com/caraudio/q-logic_q-forms.html
I hope this has been constructive, and is accepted with less controversy than my last post. Thanks!
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