Sub box for a ranger?

[MaicoDoug]

A friend & I used to play around with round woolfers placed into a paper "sonotube" tube only 3-4 diameters long totally open and was amazed how the bass was emitted, 8 to 10 inch. I see these days there are 18" speakers. The JBL PA system I restored with some Crown amps works nice & has one cab with an 18". I may get the DJ contract for out Filipino Christmas party this year. They keep signing up DJs using distorted junk. When you have very little distortion you just can't turn it up loud enough I hate to say However they do like the 80s anthems....

 

[flyin-lowe]

I used to be a custom car audio installer/fabricator. I have been out of the game for almost 14 years, but I miss it. Anytime I get the chance to get into it, gain, I jump on it.

Here is a pic of my last big install.

View attachment 117387
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Clegg, very nice work. I would like your input on the smaller powered sub's that can under the seat. We just purchased an 04 Ranger for my 15 year old son's first vehicle. I was planning to just upgrade the factory speakers and add a double din radio that has carplay. He's not an audiophile nor am I. But I also know how kids are. Would like to get the best sound at the best price but don't want to take up room in the extended cab behind the seats, so it's either just stock speaker upgrade and that's it. Or adding the powered sub under the seat. I know it's not going to pound like a set of 12's or something but I assume they are a decent upgrade, would love to hear your thoughts...

 

[WutUp Clegg]

A friend & I used to play around with round woolfers placed into a paper "sonotube" tube only 3-4 diameters long totally open and was amazed how the bass was emitted, 8 to 10 inch. I see these days there are 18" speakers. The JBL PA system I restored with some Crown amps works nice & has one cab with an 18". I may get the DJ contract for out Filipino Christmas party this year. They keep signing up DJs using distorted junk. When you have very little distortion you just can't turn it up loud enough I hate to say However they do like the 80s anthems....

Well, I am part Flippanese, and I used to be a night club DJ, as well as a mobile DJ. When my kids became teens, they wanted to get into DJing, so I bought them some equipment. I purchased a couple of JBL EON-15 powered speakers and a DDJ-REV1. I also added an 18" sub with it. It sounds pretty good. I love these new systems. They are so much easier and convenient. No more lugging around cases of CD's or records, and no more buying an entire album when you only need one song from it.

 

[WutUp Clegg]

Clegg, very nice work. I would like your input on the smaller powered sub's that can under the seat. We just purchased an 04 Ranger for my 15 year old son's first vehicle. I was planning to just upgrade the factory speakers and add a double din radio that has carplay. He's not an audiophile nor am I. But I also know how kids are. Would like to get the best sound at the best price but don't want to take up room in the extended cab behind the seats, so it's either just stock speaker upgrade and that's it. Or adding the powered sub under the seat. I know it's not going to pound like a set of 12's or something but I assume they are a decent upgrade, would love to hear your thoughts...

They do add bass, but expect a teen to blow it quickly. They are nothing close to being a booming sub, but they will add extremely noticeable depth to the system. The biggest question is, how much are you willing to spend. There are a lot of other better options our there. Also, Carplay is nice, but the current options are so unreliable. My kid's truck, I'm just having him rely on BlueTooth. I will install a mount so he can mount his phone in a more visible location.

 

[MaicoDoug]

Hey Clegg,

Look at this head unit...Atoto S8
Worth every penny. "Blow it quickly"? Well there was this guy....Dick Dale, teamed up with this guy Leo Fender......playing half blown stuff sounds good-
Dick Dale, what can I say except he is (was) on the sweetest guys you'll ever meet. Invented the broken speaker sound by starting his "concerts" with torn speaker cones on purpose cutting with a knife. So don't tell your son anything 'bout Dale. He just may adopt!

Como sta?
I love my JBL SR4700 system. 2x15". The horn weigh in at 50lbs each with a 4" voice coil. The newer self powered stuff is not what I'm into with all that digital distortion. Not even close to the analogue. Buts that just me hauling around the big smelly stuff!

 

[flyin-lowe]

They do add bass, but expect a teen to blow it quickly. They are nothing close to being a booming sub, but they will add extremely noticeable depth to the system. The biggest question is, how much are you willing to spend. There are a lot of other better options our there. Also, Carplay is nice, but the current options are so unreliable. My kid's truck, I'm just having him rely on BlueTooth. I will install a mount so he can mount his phone in a more visible location.

Thanks for the info. When you say a lot of other options, are you talking something that will sit behind the seats or something that can be tucked away. I assume there are not speaker/head unit combo that will fit in the factory locations and have a decent amount of bass.

 

[WutUp Clegg]

Hey Clegg,

Look at this head unit...Atoto S8
Worth every penny. "Blow it quickly"? Well there was this guy....Dick Dale, teamed up with this guy Leo Fender......playing half blown stuff sounds good-
Dick Dale, what can I say except he is (was) on the sweetest guys you'll ever meet. Invented the broken speaker sound by starting his "concerts" with torn speaker cones on purpose cutting with a knife. So don't tell your son anything 'bout Dale. He just may adopt!

Como sta?
I love my JBL SR4700 system. 2x15". The horn weigh in at 50lbs each with a 4" voice coil. The newer self powered stuff is not what I'm into with all that digital distortion. Not even close to the analogue. Buts that just me hauling around the big smelly stuff!
View attachment 117697

For sound quality, I would love to use components, but that doesn't make the mobilizing very fun. After setting up the lights, setting up multiple components is not fun. Then there comes the taking down and packing up thing.

 

[WutUp Clegg]

Thanks for the info. When you say a lot of other options, are you talking something that will sit behind the seats or something that can be tucked away. I assume there are not speaker/head unit combo that will fit in the factory locations and have a decent amount of bass.

It all depends on what your budget is. You can go custom or go with the "lick-n-stick" option, with is a lot cheaper. You can have custom boxes made that will fit better and provide really nice bass. They don't really have any package systems anymore. That was more of an 80's and 90's deal.

So, what is your budget. I'll show you some options different from what I already have. What I showed you before, would be under $500.

 

[WutUp Clegg]

Here is the box I built for my son's truck. I'll get the final pic up soon. The one I took turned out bad. Yes, the back seats are functional, which was the main criteria when designing the box. Just as long as you're no more than 5'8" and heavy set. Basically, if your teenage girl, you'll be just fine. LOL....


Yes, it is a loud mo'fo!

 

[flyin-lowe]

So I went ahead and just got him started with a new head unit and some upgraded 6x8 speakers to fit into the stock locations (2 in the door to in the rear). It sounds a lot better than the 20 year old stock set up. The speakers I bought should be able to handle some power so if he decides he wants an upgrade hopefully we can just and amp and a sub of some type. He hasn't said anything about it so he may be happy as is. I assume it's just a matter of time. Here is what I put in so far. Both were on sale when I bought them compared to these prices.

Speakers

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-6-x-8-2-way-car-speakers-aramid-fiber-reinforced-impp-cone-pair-black/6559581.p?skuId=6559581

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-6-2-apple-carplay-built-in-bluetooth-in-dash-digital-media-receiver-black/6283607.p?skuId=6283607

 

[WutUp Clegg]

So I went ahead and just got him started with a new head unit and some upgraded 6x8 speakers to fit into the stock locations (2 in the door to in the rear). It sounds a lot better than the 20 year old stock set up. The speakers I bought should be able to handle some power so if he decides he wants an upgrade hopefully we can just and amp and a sub of some type. He hasn't said anything about it so he may be happy as is. I assume it's just a matter of time. Here is what I put in so far. Both were on sale when I bought them compared to these prices.

Speakers

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pioneer-6-x-8-2-way-car-speakers-aramid-fiber-reinforced-impp-cone-pair-black/6559581.p?skuId=6559581

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/sony-6-2-apple-carplay-built-in-bluetooth-in-dash-digital-media-receiver-black/6283607.p?skuId=6283607

Thats a really good start. Next, I would recommend putting sound deadening material on the doors. That will really enhance the overall sound, including the bass.

Those speakers are screaming to be amplified, and that head unit is designed for a full amplified system, including a separate subwoofer output.

 

[flyin-lowe]

Thanks, I did put sound deadening material on the inside of both doors.

 

[WutUp Clegg]

Thanks, I did put sound deadening material on the inside of both doors.

It's also sounds better when you put it on the metal door panel behind the plastic door panel. Kinda like turning the door into a sealed box.