General question about subs

[99_3.0]

Hey all. I just put in two 10 inch rockfords in my truck. My brother already had them installed into a sub-zero box and has the amplifier mounted on the backside of the box. Since I have a 99 xlt ranger there isn't very much room to fit that huge box in. With my seat all the way back it leaves about two-three inches of room. Would it be better if I mounted the amp on top of the box and flipped it so the subs would be pointed up? Would it make a difference in the sound quality or performance of the sub?
Basically what I'm asking is that if there is more air or space between the subs and whatever it is bouncing off of, would it sound better?
Thanks in advance

 

[LittleHorse]

its always a good idea to have as much room in front of the speaker as possible. I thought I could get around that rule once with a sub firing vertically right into a trunk lid. It sounded like ass and hardly even put out any sound, until I opened the trunklid and then it sounded great. I remade the box, same volume, same port, same dimensions, only I put the sub on the side pointing backward where it had about a foot in front of it, and it sounded perfect.

 

[Nhaz]

I recently also finally found time to install my box from my old vehicle.

I also ran right into the same problem you did. In my case though the box is simply too large period to be placed flat with with the speakers pointed forward or backwards.

my solution to the problem was to bolt the amp to the back side of the box thus making the wire length to the speakers about 8 inches.

Then I put those silly fold down seats in the back of my XLT down. And then placed the box with the speakers facing upwards and the amp on the bottom between the seats and the box itself straddling both seats. and i had to use a cargo strap across the box from seat to seat to keep the box from flopping forwards/backwards.

My second reason for having the amp on the bottom was due to the fact that i felt that putting a large amp in the back window for all to see was asking for someone to smash the window out in a attempt to steal it. which would be funny since its bolted down. and with the added weight of the box it must weight in at about 90 pounds. Love to see someone try to run down the street with that.

I found this position to work fairly well. although I also found that since I had the box in my trunk of my last car and now its inches from my back you have to play with the levels to get it to sounds right.

I feel i should mention that since you are dealing with 10 inch speakers instead of 12's or larger your bass sounds are going to be tighter and it will not be the ultra sub bass lots of people seem to want. i choose 10 inchers myself for what i call mid bass. which means that when a guy hits the bass drum and you can feel the thump across the room. im aiming for that instead of the sloppy rumble people seem to like. hard on the ears though =>

 

[4x4fun]

i would put the amp under neath the seat. and yes having more space around the sub will make it sound better. at low freq's its really hard to notice considering youll be so close. but if you have a wedge box. and no amp on the back it should fit just fine...

 

[99_3.0]

Awesome, thanks for all your input guys. Much appreciated