What subwoofer direction is best? HOW TO TEST! - CarAudioFabrication
Автокөліктер мен көлік құралдары
When we install a subwoofer box into a vehicle its location and orientation plays a role in the performance of the subwoofer enclosure. What direction should we aim the subwoofer box, where should the sub box be installed? Let’s do some testing using a USB mic and REW to find out what happens when we change locations!
▼ Tools:
➜ USB Microphone: amzn.to/2hDCWsq
➜ Long Audio Cable: amzn.to/2irn3oO
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Car Audio Fabrication - Master Car Audio - Design, Build, Install
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@yanke3s1
6 жыл бұрын
i just took the bluetooth boombox that i just posted on my channel and faced the 4 front facing mini woofers into the floor on a wood floor(carpet) and it seems like 3 times more bass im not kidding....any comments or recommendations
Man I feel so dumb! I've had my system for a few years now and all that time I had my three 10's facing to the back of the car (saturn ION). Bass was very good. So yesterday I decided to face them in to the car. HOLY SHIT! It is much louder, hits twice as hard and sounds much cleaner! Love it! Feels like I added another 10"
sound quality comes first but i also prefer not modifying the vehicle any more than necessary. Im 52 and have been messing with sound systems for almost 40 years. The technology available today makes it possible to create incredible systems in a stealth fashion. I just wish the auto manufacturers would designate spaces for the items we need to install to build these new systems that utilize the factory radio and special features. finding room to hide components is getting more challenging every year even as i have become a much better fabricator. I had to hide an amp in a fold up seat bottom in my sons 4 runner and the audio control in a home made bracket under the passenger seat. Couldn't figure out how to hide the ported box with 2 12s. Hmmm lol. Thanks for what your doing. Its nice to see someone genuinely enjoy sharing their passion. Keep up the good work.
You've influence my Jeep sound system like you have no idea! I off road a lot so space/stealth plays the biggest factor for me. Hey mark! I sent you an email about my build. I know you're a one man show but when you can let me know what you think. Thanks man. Love this build.
Nice shirt!! 👌👌👌👌
@davidvalentin3981
7 жыл бұрын
he's showing you some love after he burnt you! LoL still both of you are great guys!!!
Mark, you have so much better attitude then Steve Meade. ;0
@83malibuwagon
2 жыл бұрын
Agreed, I hate arrogance.
Definitely sound quality followed by practicality and then looks. Love your videos dude.
That's very interesting that the side firing seems to be slightly better performance. I wonder if that's why Alpine chose that location for the subwoofer. I know they did a TON of testing when they took over the Jeep Wrangler audio line and really improved on it over the Infinity stuff.
Man I love your videos! They kick ass on a lvl I can respect and relate to. I've learned sooo much more than I ever did in years cruising forums to learn audio. Mad respect! Keep up the killer work bro!
Yeah! I just bought the mini dsp Mic Umic1, and I've been using REW good fine tuning! SO fun!
Love the opening with the camera shake that matches the bass, brilliant!
Was wondering this very question today, and here it is! thanks bro.
I have always loved a Stealthy amplifier Location, a box that can produce lots of Lows but also looks great and sounds good on super low bass and metal and old country.
An Insane Audio head unit would look sweet in your jeep. Added that to my JK 2dr Rubicon and I really like it. Replaced the speakers and added an amp. My next project is the Sub. Your test in this video saved me the work of testing locations. My 2dr is very limited on space. So, I am going to replace the rear seat with a full vehicle width box to house my Amp, Sub, and a 3 gallon air tank for my compressor. It should also provide the needed storage for recovery gear. I stayed away from using the location you chose because I need the room. Thanks for all your videos. I feel like I am prepared to start the build.
your awesome the best tutorials ever, you speak clearly and make it easy to understand everything, thanks big time
You are a legend. I've been looking for a reasonable mic and EQ software for a while now. Just ordered that same setup mic thanks to you.
@CarAudioFabrication
7 жыл бұрын
Nice! Have fun with it!
That box looks swell!!
@lionelpatterson1436
2 жыл бұрын
It is swollen
the question at the end of this video has opening my mind, and all ur video are very helpful for me as the amateur. thanks, bro...
I just time align mine.. front stage effect and helped me do well in IASCA SQ comps
I try to shoot for SQ but I also like the double bass to feel like it's kicking me in the chest sometimes....ya know what I'm sayin
@bashns7743
5 жыл бұрын
I got a 2011 chevy impala and im trying to achieve that chest pounding bass, i know in suvs and hatchbacks is possible, do u know if its possible in my car and how?
@klubstompers
4 жыл бұрын
@@bashns7743 Kick panels
@bashns7743
4 жыл бұрын
@@klubstompers what you mean?
@klubstompers
4 жыл бұрын
@@bashns7743 some 8" kick panels on the floor in the corner of the foot well. Just Google kick panels.
@gabrielleleiba1947
4 жыл бұрын
@@bashns7743 bad ass subs big bass
Stealth and then Quality. Anyone can put a box in a trunk but making a system integrate is key for me now. I'm doing a Jeep unlimited build myself this winter.
@brianbunge8560
7 жыл бұрын
Coopers_dad I'd love to see what you do with it. I've got a 2016 JKU and I want something stealth with great sound quality.
Happy New Year. Fantastic video education series. Questions: 1. when building a down firing subwoofer box, what is your recommendation for the amount of space for the legs (height, 1, 2, or 3 inches)? 2.Does the texture of the floor, let's say a smooth carpet verses a heavily textured. Does the heavily texture require additional height (inches)? Thank you in advance.
I...effing love the detail of this video!
Dude thank you for all the knowledge!! I have learned alot from you.
Marvelous work and working spirit in audio field salute you sir
Great experiment, confirmed what always figured. Side firing was a little surprising. Downfiring is best all around option.
Late comment but good question at the end, I went for seamless integration and also completely sound deaded my car to improve audio quality by making my quieter, I also can easily swap out from slim to big box for max spl. So I've got everything :)
Hey Mark. Thank you so much for all your awesome videos and tips. Just a question. Say your planning a build for your car and you want to do this test to find the ideal location but you haven't built the sub-woofer yet because it will be custom designed to fit the location it goes in but you don't know what that is yet, what would you do then?
Your videos are super detailed - I feel more like I am in a classroom instead of watching a KZread video. Very good explanation.
Great videos! I'm planning my system out now and am wondering if I had a sub on the left side of the vehicle and a sub on the right side - pointing at each other, would they cancel each other out at all? Assuming they were in phase. It's in a full size Bronco, so similar layout to your Jeep. Keep up the awesome videos. Thanks
I got my new installer building one for the shop, I have the Dayton Audio EMM-6, RAW as well. Keep up the great work hope to see you at K-Fest/SEMA?
I usually don’t care much about aesthetics, though I am getting more into that. Usually my goal is a good balance between SQ and SPL
This is a easy question to answer because u can have great sound quality and sound pressure tucked under panels . I'm planning my build now with stealth priority number one but yet in still it's going in a 16 suburban and I wanna keep my first row of passenger seats , I also wanna do door panel speakers with pods . All of these thing can be done at specially when u pay extra close attention to detail like one would if they have been following your videos for as long as I have . Keep up the good work.
I love SQ and SPL and Stealth. Not a huge rolling bass guy but I love the new EDM and deep house mixes they're creating these days.
I've always found every setup i've had the best sounding is facing rear from backseat.
sound quality! I'm working on series on my channel but I'm on a budget trying for best sound quality I use your videos to help my build
As for the question, yes. My biggest thing is a good sound quality that's hidden but has spl abilities when I need the extra bump. My first system I ever had was stolen while I was at work so all my systems since then have been on the stealth or to big to take without dismantling the car side.
I was wondering about this, thanks
Subed and Thank you for the tips 👍
I flipped my subwoofer box today which houses my 12 inch pioneer previously in a rear facing position. I also had two 6 by 9s mounted on top of the subwoofer box each in its own enclosure. So today flipped the subwoofer to be upfiring and the two midranges to face forward. Car is the local equivalent of a 2012 Mazda 6. I feel like the sound is fuller and the bass louder and deeper.
Do you have a video like this regarding trunk installs? I realize there are different factors for different cars but would love to see some generalized graphs and maybe even compare the waves to the jeep's or a SUV.
thanks very much for giving us ideas I'm trying two times da same thing in deference cars and also different amp I got da wt u show us,,,,,great great great!!!!!! all da best
I don't normally subscribe, you sir earned it!
I have that Dayton mic. it's a great deal!
Great video, question though, does an epicenter help in having more bass available?
First! YESSSSSS I am the best at this game!
@chunk386
7 жыл бұрын
CarAudioFabrication know your a busy guy. I emailed you about a box build blueprint. I'd still like to get with on you it.
@DeBoSS212
7 жыл бұрын
are you gonna measure the subwoofer in a open environment and get the cabin gain transfer function of the vehicle???
@SuperKanuuna
7 жыл бұрын
CarAudioFabrication make video with vented box
@ChannelZeroOne
7 жыл бұрын
Guess he never got with on it.
@grazryan
4 жыл бұрын
I love the Confidence and i have no problem agreeing with you on that!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 love you videos
Years ago I spent most of a day setting up a sub in the cabin of my boat installing it in the only unused space. After getting it all set up I cranked up the radio and had no bass at all. The speaker was moving like crazy, but the sound was like holding the speaker in open air, just air fluffing sound. That day I learned the term "standing wave". I could move the speaker about a foot in any direction and get good bass, but not in that spot. Having no other options without loosing storage spaces I turned the speaker around so that it was firing under the floor of the boat instead of into the cabin and it worked great.
Very helpful, though I have one question. How does an inverted subwoofer installation affect this? Where the cone is firing inward in the enclosure.
Niiice! as for my likes, I'd say sound (clarity in volume) and stealth, in that order of priority
I prefer stealth in my everyday driver. Can't give up all the storage space in my Suv. Happy new years btw!!
GREAT INFO...but how about the positioning of a port from a ported box enclosure? I'd really like to see some of those results...please.
i have a 2014 single cab ram. with quite a bit of storage place in the back of the seats. i just got 4 rockford t1 12s swallow for it. i have a rf t-2500 ready to power them. im pretty excited about that :)
What would be interesting is the same test with ported box. But not just one box, do one with rear facing subs and rear facing port, rear facing subs with forward facing port, forward facing subs with rear facing port, etc. etc. Same cubic feet on all tests.
do you intend to try the same measurements with the top and doors off? I'm curious how open air will affect frequency response and equalization
My priority for sub placement is SQ + Stealth. Both are equally significant in case of car with a small boot. If boot space is large enough then only SQ is important.
I'm super late but I love SQ. I like hearing all the instruments and notes in a song. I like stealth too. My 2015 VW beetle is a hatchback and I tried all the locations, no down fire option with the box. I found that it sounds best on the right side facing left. At 46, I'm done with big bass. I've even went as far as adjusting the fade/balance to get the best center sound for me while driving. If all you can hear is the driver door speaker, then to me you're not getting the sound quality of the whole system. I've upgraded all of the speakers also and HU. I've set the distance between driver location vers each speaker and sub. The Kenwood HU has to many options for the speakers. Lol. Two amps. I think that it sounds nice. But that's with my ears🥰
Man I love your videos keep doing your thing
I'm absolutely up to sound quality and stelthness! While having a relatively inexpensive car, surprising some passengers with an amazing sound always makes my day. I enjoy myself too though 😄
sound quality and stealth.
@CarAudioFabrication
7 жыл бұрын
Nice!
@DeathInANuse
7 жыл бұрын
Always shaking my head when I open up a new piece of equipment and see the window decals in with the manual. Might as well just say "Hey over here, this is the one you want!"
@kuromurasaki5273
5 жыл бұрын
agreed. as clean an install as possible, with the best sound quality I can afford is always my goal.
I guess i've never measured this, but i typically can tell whether the speakers are facing the front or back of the vehicle, by whether you hear it more coming, or leaving. In the cars i've had, when they face the back, i hear it more from the front. facing the front, i hear it more from behind the vehicle. Also pretty negligible difference from the cabin. Any thoughts on that?
I have the best of both worlds with mine. But ported setups get much more picky. Like will your port be on the same side as the sub or on a enclosure wall, and then figuring out where the port loads best in the cabin lol. But when you get it where it belongs it's definitely worth it. That's a great setup for a daily jeep 🤘
Quality and Looks for sure.
Nice to know that the direction of the speaker doesn't really matter. It makes perfect sense, it depends much more on what your box is physically touching. I had to move my 2x12" box behind my driver seat (SUV) on top of folded down back seats so I can still use my trunk for storage. The fact that it has to reverberate through seat padding before the vibration reaches the hard car body makes me need more power. Luckily, I have a lot of wattage to play with lol.
@kennymccormick8295
Жыл бұрын
Bass is omnidirectional.
nice, i am making a fiberglass enclosure for my l7 in my 89 supra right now that is side facing. glad the subbass frequencies from all that hardcore jungle will be slightly tuned up.
Awesome shirt. I go for a good mix of sound and space size.
Keep up the good info videos . Think I'm going to subscribe 👍
@CarAudioFabrication
7 жыл бұрын
Thanks, glad to have you here.
Sounds like the masterchiefs body armor was healing
@taelorsare25
5 жыл бұрын
ScoobaruSTi RIGHT!?!?!?
@haydenwestbrook7841
4 жыл бұрын
yes
in my youth clean install and spl. now that i am older 34, clean install that looks sleathy and SQ is at the top of my list.
would a ported box be better for this test
I really dig the amplified shirt
What about an "up firing" speaker test like I have in back of my Expedition. And I definitely go for sound quality and looks in my system 👍 great vid
I’m doing a downfiring box in my Jeep Liberty. I will be using 2 10” Kicker comp R’s at 2 ohm. My goal is to cover the rear floor so that it looks like there is nothing there and still has enough support to load things in the back without compromising storage space.
i like to have my system to be fairly matched but i like to get loud but clean never have more bass than music usually bass a bit lower but with huge bass output
Do you think that microphone would be okay for semi-accurate spl measurements?
What would you recommend for a ridgeline? Up or down firing? Or behind back seat
i played around with something like this, found out having the sub face about 3-4 inches off the right inside rear of the trunk was significantly louder than any other position
I wanted a messurment, so close to the backseat as u can get, facing backwards vs. playing into the backseat. Im going for a sidemount in my next build, a 8" in a Toyota Aygo, and still have access to the spare tyre with a permanent box mounted....
Are there any differences in port direction? And whats your opinion on sub boxes that have both up and rear facing speakers? Thanks for the reply. -Cheers mate
I've had people argue with me and tell me I don't know anything about car audio because my subs face forward. I did what you just did without the sound equipment just listened to a bunch of different styles of music, From inside and outside the car. Forward sounded the best hands down, full clear bass. Rear facing sounded like the car was falling apart, and bass sounded flat.
I like my install to look super clean since it is a reflection of myself in the job as well as its safer and easier to work on it when the relays are wired properly and tucked away and mounted securely or the adjustment screws are accessible. I prefer it to be seamless, not invisible. When someone looks at it, I want them to this kind it could've come from the factory that way. No flashy Fast and Furious shit for me. But, in the end, sound quality is most important because what's the point that of installing audio equipment if it doesn't sound great.
Nice video. How about underseat subwoofer ? The best position is under the driver or passenger seat ?
Can you make a Video on multiple bullet tweeter installation
i have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and i run my dual 12 inch MA Audio box towards the back door seems to have the best sound overall
Sound Quality!Aways!
I prefer a good balance SPL and quality with a nice look while still leaving some room for gun cases when leaving to shoot, currently doing Quad 10s facing up with 1500 RMS in a slot ported box
Two things are important for me; sound quality and stealth. Theft is bad here, especially with automotive stereos. I don't want to draw attention. I also love all types of music and love hearing each instrument with fine detailing and clarity.
@sxmystix
6 жыл бұрын
I agree with you. I also am big on stealth and sq. For me i build my boxes so you cant tell they exist. I love the look on a new passengers face when my subs kick in and they dont know where the bass is coming from.
I've heard that with a sealed enclosure firing direction doesn't have as big of an effect as with a ported box. Any chance on a ported enclosure position video?
@1ceeb
7 жыл бұрын
Go experiment, it's different for just about any car.
@richardwaugh929
4 жыл бұрын
I have found that sealed enclosures have very tight bass loud at the same time. You can take a cheep amp and sub put it in a sealed enclosure and get twice as much bass as a ported box. Ported box’s need almost twice the out put but they sound amazing because it hits lower.
@MrViper7121
3 жыл бұрын
Ported boxes are boomy and ain't punchy tight and accurate like a sealed sub
@daveyshaybug
3 жыл бұрын
Sealed boxes for smaller cars Ported Is Big trucks
I’d like to see this test done under a pickup truck back seats. Does facing the subs down vs facing up sound better?
Question - When you tested the box facing the Left and Right side of the trunk which one was actually the left and right? Is the Drivers Side the Left? Better question would be which side gave the better result the drivers side facing the side or the passenger side facing the side?
All of the aspects will be important to me
Sound quality first, looks second (with plus points for stealth). I'm curious how the different configurations affect tactile feedback and/or sound localization. I guess the only way you could measure tactile feedback would be with an accelerometer or by putting a bowl of water on the seat and see which creates the biggest ripples. Sound localization would be more subjective.
With this type of box can you attach the amp to it if space is an issue?
Nice Video CAF !! , been working making car sub boxes for my last 20 years and to me always aiming the woofers to rear end of the car give you the best bass possible when isn't for SPL competition. Thank you, CAF very informative vid!! Pdd, ports aiming to sides or rear end aswell!🛠🔈🔉🔊
@captainoblivionthicc1004
5 жыл бұрын
Milton QB do you mean in the back facing to the backdoor of the car
@themountain6437
Жыл бұрын
bro i have 2 12" subs each 400RMS. for your info they are pioneers 306c and 308d4. i have them in separate enclosures, facing each other in the trunk of my car placed on each side. *their ports aren't facing each other; one is on the top, other is at the bottom.* what would be the best possible way to maximize their output? should i place both of them in one box? or should i place them in one enclosure *having separate chambers for each sub?*
@MeltTech1111
Жыл бұрын
@@themountain6437 separate boxes are better, cause the box will be more rigid when its come to handle bass sound wave on the interior. I use to make separate boxes most of the time and always facing to the back of your car. Year 2004 I made a Honda civic 3 door, loaded with two 15" MTX 3000 and each sub hooked up to a MTX 2300 amplifier (mono 2 ohms) and 4 optima yellow top. RESULT=157 SPL we took first place on 2000 watts RMS category. Good times 🛠🔈🎶 Tip: wrap whole trunk if possible with good quality insulation to avoid excessive bass vibration inside and outside, also boost cabin pressure!! 🤜🏼BASS🤛🏼💥🎛
Hello. You should try this with a Ported box. The result should be more different. Because of the Phase difference between Front wave and the back wave, they wil theoretically connect differently.
how to prevent the jeep tailgate from rattling.. i have dual 12inch jls in the back and from the outside when the volume is high the rattle sounds really bad.
I herd duct tapping it directly on your roof works the best 🤷🏻♂️ idk tho sounds to good to be true
I can tell a massive difference from when my subs face backwards vs forwards vs upwards. facing backwards it hits MUCH harder.
Hey Mark, i appreciate all the work you've done, and thanks for all the videos you posted. It really helps, keep em coming. Question for you, do you recommend eq'ing for a subwoofer with a custom fiberglass enclosure that's facing sideways in a SUV open compartment trunk area?
most important to me is stealth and sound quality,
Whats the resonance in a silverado 04 what sub box i need for this truck xtended cab