Fiberglass 10" Subwoofer Cubby Box

[blackfunk]

Thats a different style of design. The box being sealed where the mounted sub is more of a ported design. Either can sound good if properly designed. Sealed designs generally have a bit of a tighter sound and tend to be smaller. Being that we have limited trunk space I like the smaller design a bit more.

[cspcrx]

The box would hang off the bottom of the rear deck then?

Yes

[cspcrx]

Thats a different style of design. The box being sealed where the mounted sub is more of a ported design. Either can sound good if properly designed. Sealed designs generally have a bit of a tighter sound and tend to be smaller. Being that we have limited trunk space I like the smaller design a bit more.

Not sure if your talking about the setup i described, if so it is not a ported encloser. It is a small sealed enclosure, it is just firing up throught the rear deck hole where the stock sub would be.

[teylix]

Yes

That sounds terrible. That rear deck would need lots of added weight/dynamat to minimize rattles and would take up usable trunk space.

[Deckdout2]

Can't find the thread, but it's been done numerous times in the past. Not the direction I would personally take, but it's been done.

[Mr. Spectacular]

Man!! I'm pretty sure I've travelled 4 out of the last 7 weeks so it's been tough to make headway, but I am working on this stuff whenever I can find time. I've spent a lot of time fine tuning the shape of the original box and am very pleased with how it's coming along! I never knew shaping something could be such a meticulous task. I managed to snap a few shots today though. Here's what I'm working with.

I like how you can see the contour and unique shape the box requires to fit in that space


Here you can see where I bowed out the left side for more airspace and so I can make sure that hunk of a magnet on my 10w6 has plenty o' space.



Finally got all the finish sanding done and primed for coats of wax. Oh and a special project right behind it as well ;-)



More updates to come!

[13ttaz]

In for updates and one of the first production versions of your cubby box Mr. S. Indeed, my 10" sub is sitting quietly in the garage yearning for a cubby box to call home!

[Works2shoot]

Oh the money you could make fabbing these for members!

[cspcrx]

I am amazed that a company has not come out with a stealth box or some other designed box for our cars. Are the A4s the same in the truck? If so it would fit at least two models for over 5 years.

Teylix, not sure why you feel its a "terrible" idea when a lot of BMW guys do this already. A light weight box could easily be made out of mdf and fiberglass then bolted under the deck. Using a thin sub would keep your truck space and the box could go forward some as there is a lot of space up there.

Excited to see how this works out.

[k9lovr]

Oh the money you could make fabbing these for members!

+1....would be interested as well

[Bludool]

Subscribed...

[Mr. Spectacular]

Making progress!

[djjacks77]

Count me in, looks awesome.

[MiniMort]

Looks good!


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[B18b1ex]

Waiting for final outcome.

[13ttaz]

What is that "special project"????? "Enquiring minds" want to know.

[UmbroVR6]

can this box play the really low frequencies? below 40hz? i have the same sub in a probox and it sounds amazing, but into a small sealed enclosure i would give up alot of that sound. but i love the look.

[Mr. Spectacular]

What is that "special project"????? "Enquiring minds" want to know.

haha those minds will have to wait and see! But they should like it

can this box play the really low frequencies? below 40hz? i have the same sub in a probox and it sounds amazing, but into a small sealed enclosure i would give up alot of that sound. but i love the look.

The sealed and ported discussion is another topic in and of itself. There are sure to be differences in the enclosure you have now verses a smaller sealed one. There are lot of other factors too. I know our signals are processed some form the B&O, but I have an audio Control LC2i to aid with the strength of what's sent to the sub. This helps in terms of overall volume and clarity. I knew i was going to redo the box so I never fine tuned the system when it was in my car, but it did get pretty low. I could try and run some test tones once I make myself a new one and let you know what I experience.

[the4siswickid]

Do we really need an LC2i type box in our system?. My amp already has a high/low converter.... And bass doesn't seem to roll off. Thoughts?


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[UmbroVR6]

I could try and run some test tones once I make myself a new one and let you know what I experience.

that would be awesome if you could do something like that! thank you!

[teylix]

Do we really need an LC2i type box in our system?. My amp already has a high/low converter.... And bass doesn't seem to roll off. Thoughts?


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Some amps don't have that high/low setting so yeah, then you need the line out converters. But if you do have one (like my jl 500/1 does) then you dont need one.

[Mr. Spectacular]

Do we really need an LC2i type box in our system?. My amp already has a high/low converter.... And bass doesn't seem to roll off. Thoughts?


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When i was in the research phase, I found that those who had the lc2i were happy with it's performance. I am as well. My amp also has the hi/low input option which can be used to turn the amp on as well, but what i found was that those who opted for this setup has issues with the signal being strong enough in a consistent manner to keep the amp on. I chose to avoid the possibility of this challenge and get the unit so i can't speak on the sound without it. I also do notice roll off with the aftermarket sub in. My setup wasn't fully tuned so I can't say how much of a correction the LC2 makes, but I was able to ensure a clean and simple remote signal by tapping the fuse box in the cubby going through the lc2 and the strongest, cleanest signal possible being sent to my amp and on to the sub.

Some amps don't have that high/low setting so yeah, then you need the line out converters. But if you do have one (like my jl 500/1 does) then you dont need one.

Teylix were you using the hi/lo setting as a remote on as well?

[the4siswickid]

When i was in the research phase, I found that those who had the lc2i were happy with it's performance. I am as well. My amp also has the hi/low input option which can be used to turn the amp on as well, but what i found was that those who opted for this setup has issues with the signal being strong enough in a consistent manner to keep the amp on. I chose to avoid the possibility of this challenge and get the unit so i can't speak on the sound without it. I also do notice roll off with the aftermarket sub in. My setup wasn't fully tuned so I can't say how much of a correction the LC2 makes, but I was able to ensure a clean and simple remote signal by tapping the fuse box in the cubby going through the lc2 and the strongest, cleanest signal possible being sent to my amp and on to the sub.



Teylix were you using the hi/lo setting as a remote on as well?

Ok - excellent tip. I ordered one, so we're good. Any chance your box could be made to fit the low profile JL series woofers WITHOUT a need to relocate a bunch of equipment in that cubby??? I really don't want to move stuff... :-) I'll even go down to the 10" low profile if I have to, but would prefer not. LOL

[Mr. Spectacular]

Ok - excellent tip. I ordered one, so we're good. Any chance your box could be made to fit the low profile JL series woofers WITHOUT a need to relocate a bunch of equipment in that cubby??? I really don't want to move stuff... :-) I'll even go down to the 10" low profile if I have to, but would prefer not. LOL

Honestly, relocating the amp (and sat unit if you have it) is probably one of the easiest parts of the whole install. Undo a few screws and swing 'em into their new position. A 5 or 6 inch straight iron plate fastened with some screws and you're good to go. With materials in hand, it would probably take 5-10 minutes. It took me longer to get the trim panels off and I knew where to look. Granted now I can remove all the trim in the trunk in less than 5 minutes but that's what experience will do for ya ;-)

That being said, I get some folks just don't want to move that stuff. I don't know how much space there is but I feel like it's not much. Are you talking about the TW's?

[teylix]

Teylix were you using the hi/lo setting as a remote on as well?

My JL setup is in my other vehicle (Tiburon) where I have an aftermarket head unit (Eclipse CD5000 with 8V outputs!) with a remote wire in the harness. So I didn't need to bother with the signal sensing setting.

I'd probably tap the fuse box in the trunk for remote turn-on wire.

[the4siswickid]

Honestly, relocating the amp (and sat unit if you have it) is probably one of the easiest parts of the whole install. Undo a few screws and swing 'em into their new position. A 5 or 6 inch straight iron plate fastened with some screws and you're good to go. With materials in hand, it would probably take 5-10 minutes. It took me longer to get the trim panels off and I knew where to look. Granted now I can remove all the trim in the trunk in less than 5 minutes but that's what experience will do for ya ;-)

That being said, I get some folks just don't want to move that stuff. I don't know how much space there is but I feel like it's not much. Are you talking about the TW's?

Yes, exactly. The TW subs...


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[Mr. Spectacular]

I'd probably tap the fuse box in the trunk for remote turn-on wire.

Completely agree.

[Mr. Spectacular]

Yes, exactly. The TW subs...


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Those TW's that are 3.25" deep could maybe fit but getting the airspace they need doesn't look promising with keeping the stock amp where it is. It would be an entirely different shape of a box too. I don't think I have the energy or time to fabricate something for it. Sorry bud

[Mr. Spectacular]

On another note, made good progress today pullin' double duty! Layers and layers. I'm exhausted.

[k9lovr]

coming along nicely!

[QuattroRocket]

Does that special project have to do with the other side of the trunk ?

Great work ! I would be down for a prefab setup to save me paying someone to build from scratch once you have a mold to "pop em out" from !

[the4siswickid]

Those TW's that are 3.25" deep could maybe fit but getting the airspace they need doesn't look promising with keeping the stock amp where it is. It would be an entirely different shape of a box too. I don't think I have the energy or time to fabricate something for it. Sorry bud

Lol... Bummer.


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[Mr. Spectacular]

coming along nicely!

Thanks!

Does that special project have to do with the other side of the trunk ?

Great work ! I would be down for a prefab setup to save me paying someone to build from scratch once you have a mold to "pop em out" from !

Haha you guessed it!! I popped the plugs out of the molds today and will be prepping their surfaces throughout the week. You are welcome to get in line

Lol... Bummer.

Don't fret. You still have options.

[Mr. Spectacular]

And now for more updates!!

As QuattroRocket so cleverly discerned, the other project I was working on was a box for the right side. Last night I finished up the layers of reinforcement for both molds and today I couldn't resist staying home to pop 'em open!

I started with the left side box. Turns out I neglected to build s flange into the plug so this was a doozie. First I popped it from the platform I used as a flat surface.


Then I realized I didn't have any leverage to pop it out so I tried to get creative


That was useless so I tried again. The idea was to brace with my feet and pull and hammer. Exhausting and completely unsuccessful.


Finally I ran to Home Depot, got some large screws, put the original platform back, and was able to use my wedge and get her open!!


Success!!


I will not lie I got a giddie when I finally got her open. I trimmed the flashing and was on to the other mold.

Then it was time for the other one. Of course I ran into the same issue of not having a flange for leverage, so again with the pulling and prodding. Finally I got this one as well.


So today was a fun one. A lot of work to get to this point and I can say it felt good to see my molds that I've spent literally the last 5 or 6 weekendstooling over from early morning to sunset finally in the form of an official mold. So here they are in all their glory!



Now I finally get to spend some time inside prepping the tooling surface. This is has been a very fun learning experience. I've improved my fiberglassing technique and learned how to and successfully made a mold!! So close to having my speaker back in car with the look I was going for the first time

[QuattroRocket]

Haha you guessed it!! I popped the plugs out of the molds today and will be prepping their surfaces throughout the week. You are welcome to get in line

Whats the interior volume looking like ?

[13ttaz]

Nice job Mr. S! Definite round of applause earned. And I particularly liked the final boudoir photo of the cubby twins.

Obviously a lot of time and effort from you on this project, well done.

[cspcrx]

Well done, and both sides!

[the4siswickid]

I want the right side one!!!!! Volume please???? Lol


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[UmbroVR6]

I want the right side one!!!!! Volume please???? Lol


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i'd like a right side one too if this project comes to fruition.

[Mr. Spectacular]

Whats the interior volume looking like ?

Since a fabricated box will differ from the mold, I can't quite quote exact volume. The right box will spec out for a JL 8w3 though and the left for a 10w3 or w6.

Nice job Mr. S! Definite round of applause earned. And I particularly liked the final boudoir photo of the cubby twins.

Obviously a lot of time and effort from you on this project, well done.

Thank you very much! The acknowledgement actually means a lot. Though exhausted, I'm excited to actually make a box using the mold. Should be fun and hopefully worth it. Who knew so much time and effort went into these things. A finished box is within reach!

Well done, and both sides!

Yea buddy! Thank you very much

I want the right side one!!!!! Volume please???? Lol

This makes me happy. I'll let you know what the final volume is once I've made a box using the mold.

i'd like a right side one too if this project comes to fruition.

I would hate to disappoint you so I will work on the fruiting lol

Really appreciate the acknowledge folks. Between the research and fabricating I'm sure there are several hundred hours between these two and the work only continues as I make sure the result is worth it. I've got some plans for my box that if executed correctly should be pretty sick so I'll keep pushing to the finish line!

Next Steps: Prep the mold surfaces, fine tune the shapes for the face/baffle, make a box.

Cheers!