I'm getting some good info from this forum, and being a web designer, I am impressed at what the powers that be have done here.
I have several questions about a system I am putting together.
Starting out with a Pioneer DEH-P800PRS for the headunit.
Replacing the OEM speakers with 4 Infinity 6022i speaker sets
I guess the questions concern the sub.
I was considering an Infinity Basslink II powered sub, for the compactness of it and the good reviews I've read.
However, for aesthetics, I am also thinking about constructing a box to fit the empty space on the drivers side in the trucnk or buying one from http://subthump.com and installing an 8" or 10" Infinity Reference sub, driven perhaps by a Pioneer GM-5300t 760 watt amplifier
What I am looking to achieve is not the high volume annoying thump, but a pure and balanced sound stage.
I listen to a lot of jazz and Mexican banda type music where the instruments are competing for attention. In the case of Mexican banda or mariachi, the tubas keep the beat and that is what I am trying to make make balance without the heavy thumps.
Does anyone have any guidance or suggestions on this?
Full Version: Help and old guy out
Yup, sure do. I'm liable to get a lot of flack on this, but here goes anyway. If you are a purist and don't want the thump in the bass, then don't build a car stereo. OK, so that is out! 
No less an authority than Paul W. Klipsch--the godfather of modern stereo speakers, stated that in order to get down to 31 Hz, the box behind the speaker had to be from 9-12 cubic feet, 9 cubic feet if the box is ported. So, what does this mean to you? First, those fancy schmancy so-called subwoofers mounted in an itty bitty enclosure in a car can't get that low, becuz they don't have the enclosure volume...it's impossible to do--physics won't allow it. Wanna bet? There are tons of small home subwoofers out there, that can get down to 20 Hz in a house (what do I mean by small? Check out SVS on the Internet and look at the 'SB-12 Plus' box subwoofer). What they do is build a stupidly strong and ported enclosure out of 1 inch MDF that is acoustically sized to the driver (generally 12 inches) and a Class D amp that is tuned to the box and the driver. This setup eliminates the annoying thump of bass that we hear when others who merely think that is bass do the drive by bit.
What most car stereo enthusiats think is bass is really what is called doubling. Rather than go low, the speaker gets louder--it "doubles" the loudness to make you think it is getting lower and THAT is the thump. In fact, if you can hear it, it isn't very low. True subwoofer noise isn't noise at all, it is a pressure wave setup by the driver and coupled to various walls within your listening area. It is nearly impossible to do this within a car, but you can get close. The final problem that you have heard is that most enthusiasts turn up the bass to outrageous levels, and the music they play contains tons of bass.
The best you can do is buy the materials, make your own box, pick out the driver and then pick out the amp and a contour network to tune the whole affair. And, keep tuning and experimenting until you eliminate the bass thump. The rear end of a Firebird is nearly perfect for this sort of thing. However, the steel body has to be reinforced with lots of Dynamat to stop vibrations from the steel, and you must use a ported enclosure. The ports are easily purchased from a variety of aftermarket suppliers. Only one good 12 inch subwoofer is needed and you have picked one of the best drivers that I know of.
Somebody, just a few days ago, showed a photo of a beautifully made dual subwoofer enclosure for his Firebird. I think you can find it, check it out. That guy must be a box building master, his enclosure is impressive.
No less an authority than Paul W. Klipsch--the godfather of modern stereo speakers, stated that in order to get down to 31 Hz, the box behind the speaker had to be from 9-12 cubic feet, 9 cubic feet if the box is ported. So, what does this mean to you? First, those fancy schmancy so-called subwoofers mounted in an itty bitty enclosure in a car can't get that low, becuz they don't have the enclosure volume...it's impossible to do--physics won't allow it. Wanna bet? There are tons of small home subwoofers out there, that can get down to 20 Hz in a house (what do I mean by small? Check out SVS on the Internet and look at the 'SB-12 Plus' box subwoofer). What they do is build a stupidly strong and ported enclosure out of 1 inch MDF that is acoustically sized to the driver (generally 12 inches) and a Class D amp that is tuned to the box and the driver. This setup eliminates the annoying thump of bass that we hear when others who merely think that is bass do the drive by bit. What most car stereo enthusiats think is bass is really what is called doubling. Rather than go low, the speaker gets louder--it "doubles" the loudness to make you think it is getting lower and THAT is the thump. In fact, if you can hear it, it isn't very low. True subwoofer noise isn't noise at all, it is a pressure wave setup by the driver and coupled to various walls within your listening area. It is nearly impossible to do this within a car, but you can get close. The final problem that you have heard is that most enthusiasts turn up the bass to outrageous levels, and the music they play contains tons of bass.
The best you can do is buy the materials, make your own box, pick out the driver and then pick out the amp and a contour network to tune the whole affair. And, keep tuning and experimenting until you eliminate the bass thump. The rear end of a Firebird is nearly perfect for this sort of thing. However, the steel body has to be reinforced with lots of Dynamat to stop vibrations from the steel, and you must use a ported enclosure. The ports are easily purchased from a variety of aftermarket suppliers. Only one good 12 inch subwoofer is needed and you have picked one of the best drivers that I know of.
Somebody, just a few days ago, showed a photo of a beautifully made dual subwoofer enclosure for his Firebird. I think you can find it, check it out. That guy must be a box building master, his enclosure is impressive.
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