I'm currently running a stock non-bose sound system with just an amp and 10" sub in a sealed box added. The question I have about the acoustics of the car is that, when sitting in the driver seat or front passenger seat the bass is almost nonexistent... when sitting in the back I can hear it just fine... and if I lean forward towards the windshield (when sitting in the front seats) I can hear the bass just fine too. With all the cars and sound systems I've been through I've never experienced this. I'm guessing something might be wrong with my setup since I can't find any treads addressing something like this. If any of you have any ideas or suggestions I'm all ears to any advice you might have.

My first though was that my sub was just weak haha... but then when I noticed how it sounded good if i leaned forward (like head over the steering wheel) I started to think maybe it has something to do with the sealed box... anyways any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

Try flipping the box 180 degrees. I have absolutely no dead spots with my setup.

 

Thanks Wrathernaut I tried putting my sub in a similar position as yours but sound quality stayed the same... then I tried just about every other location or position I could think of haha. also tried windows up, down, cracked, sun roof open, closed... and still the same... I'm guessing its my set up.

I do have a pioneer head unit on its way with the metra dash kit... (had to go with the metra on my budget, wish I could of got a jdm one) i'll see if that makes a difference. if not, finding a ported box will be my next shot.

i can slam the bass to make it sound good for the front seats but then the back gets over powered with bass.

Just out of curiosity... Does anyone else have this dead spot? try leaning over your steering wheel and see if your bass gets louder...

 

Don't have this problem here... But I have 2 12's in the trunk.

My only guess is that the low sound frequencies are being cancelled out where you normally sit for whatever reason.

 

yups just trying to figure out WHY. thanks.

 

Flip + and - on the sub.

 

It sounds like its just an enclosure placement issue. Without flipping the + and -, move the box around in the trunk until the bass in the drivers seat sounds the best. Obviously after moving the enclosure each time, make sure the trunk is closed and everything is how it would be as if you were driving around. In order for the sound waves of the sub to be in phase with themselves, the best placement for the subwoofer enclosure is with the cone facing toward the rear of the car, and about 2-5" away from the trunk opening. It's not the most efficient for trunk space, but sonically speaking it will give you the best bass response. Also, try opening the little door behind the rear, fold-down armrest that vents the cabin to the trunk..this should increase the SPL in the cabin. If the bass still doesnt sound right after doing all of this, then try switching the + and - leads of the subwoofer (this will determind if the sub is in phase with the other speakers). If you do all of this, it should solve your problem. If you need any more help, PM me!

 

were your other cars hatch backs?

Trunk cars can muffle the sound of the sub quite a bit.

I had the same sub and amp and even box in a friends Scion tc and it was AMAZING!@

Put it back into my G35 and it was ok.

Just remember a car is not an optimal environment for sound. A hatch back doesn't have seats and a trunk to block sound.

What amp and sub do you have? I installed a small sealed 10" Polk audio sub with about 300watts RMS and it was kinda weak also. Had to step it up to a 12" with 1400 watts RMS to satisfy me =)

 

You have the ski entrance open in the middle arm rest of the rear seats right? My easiest solution would be to just get a 12". haha

 

Thanks guys for all the help. I just got the new deck in today and I'm gonna put it in tomorrow after work. I'm hoping I'll be able to do a lot more tuning from the new deck and hopefully help out the prob.

Before I put the new deck in I'll try all suggestions and see if there is a difference and report back. That way if someone else encounters this problem they will be able to read up and see what might help them.

Thanks again for the help guys.

 

Ok just tried everything and changing the + - did the trick... I'm not sure why I've never experienced that kind of thing before, now I know. haha i guess there is no issue with the acoustics of the car, just guys like me who don't know as much as they think they know. I appreciate the help guys.

 

hmmm... I just wished I had Bose in my car....

 

No, no you don't.

It's worse than the non-bose setup.

I have two sedans, one had bose the other didn't.

Bose sounded worse.

Now 100% of the bose setup is gone and I couldn't be happier.

 

Hmmmm... Bose only sounds good turned up IMO, but my non-Bose sounds good low...

 

Kind of off topic but where do you get the pocket boxes I can never find a set. I'm not sure that's what they are called but it's what I call them because they fit that pocket right behind the wheel well and the tail lights.
Thanks