JL Stealthbox Install / Review

[rallyshark]

So I'm not saying your wrong (because I don't have the technical knowledge about the subject) but, in my experience, having a Line Out Converter has made your suggestion unnecessary.

Case in point; my Maverick is only 1 month old. I traded in a 2023 Trailblazer for it. In that small SUV I had this:

https://www.jlaudio.com/collections...3-car-audio-h-o-wedge-subwoofer-systems-93136

Same Amp and same LOC. It was (is) a beast. Never messed with the factory EQ. Prior to that I had a Fiesta ST with a big ported box, LOC + AMP as well. It also hit very hard and never messed with the factory EQ (Sync 3).

IDK, like I said, I have had a LOT of subs in a LOT of different vehicles. The last 4 have all used the factory radio with an LC2i. The biggest factor seems to be box size/configuration and vehicle interior architecture. Open cabins (hatchback/SUV) with big ported boxes have ALWAYS hit harder. The old performance saying seems to translate pretty well, there is no replacement for displacement.

You are just limited in what you can get from an under seat sub in a Maverick unless you are willing to start removing/fabricating something extreme.

I can't comment personally about the LC2i, but I can say with 100% certainty that the factory signal is cut below 40-ish hz. A straight LOC won't really help, but the LC2i may help some. I would recommend anyone with a sub(LC2i or not) to do the Forscan setting and listen to the difference for yourself. I'm running a full parametric 31 band DSP set up, and I had to max out my settings and move multiple bands below 50hz to get response down to 30hz and it still wasn't where it should be. Response below the heavily tweaked DSP response of 30hz was non-existent.

Now, with the factory EQ set to flat, I have solid response below 20hz and my DSP isn't tweaked to the max anymore. The sound is much better and it now sounds like it should. I'm sure the LC2i can help with the accubass setting, but it can't bring back signal that isn't there. Anytime you start heavily boosting signal in certain frequencies, you will lose some sound quality at some point. I'm not knocking the LC2i, and Audiocontrol makes good stuff. It is just a matter of it can't make signal where there is none. Now, depending on music, some people may never notice. I listen to a lot of different stuff, and I knew something was missing for sure. Doing the Forscan setting made it sound like a completely different system for me. I think the Forscan change is so easy and relatively inexpensive, that it is a no brainer. That is literally the only change I made in Forscan, and it was worth every penny that cable cost me(and I got the expensive one). That's just my 2 cents.

On a side note, the JL stealthboxes may not be a bargain, but I do believe they make a damn good product with great fit and function.

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[tellyouwhat]

well it took me a little while to come to terms with paying $800 but I finally decided it was worth it to me, I figured maybe another $500 for amp and install. Man was I wrong, local shop just quoted close to $2k for sub, amp, wires, and installation. having a hard time stomaching that

 

[KDub01]

well it took me a little while to come to terms with paying $800 but I finally decided it was worth it to me, I figured maybe another $500 for amp and install. Man was I wrong, local shop just quoted close to $2k for sub, amp, wires, and installation. having a hard time stomaching that

That isn't too far off what I paid all in ($1800~). Granted my Amp was $380 (JL RD500/1) and the L2Ci was $140. So just basic components were $1300(ish). This doesn't even include fuse + wiring. The only reason this really stung was because it "could" be hard to resell the sub if/when I move on from the Maverick. Otherwise, I view a sub as a semi-long term purchase. Most of this stuff will carry over to my next vehicle (just like the LOC and Amp did from my last vehicle).

 

[Toddman45]

I'll give JL credit where due, the box looks fantastic and I understand why they kept the pocket but that little pocket is killing the ability to get down low, it's probably halved the box's volume.

If JL sold these bare for about $250-300 without a sub I'd buy one and modify it to remove that pocket, I'd guess you could get close to 0.75 cubic feet doing that.
I've got a really nice Alpine sub that works great in small volumes and my DIY box fits and looks ok but this is CLEAN.

The only way to come close to .75 cubic foot for a box under the rear seat. Is to use the entire space under both sides for a single sub.

I would say if you utilized every square inch of space in that under seat storage area you might come close to 1 cubic foot.

 

[zach57x]

The only way to come close to .75 cubic foot for a box under the rear seat. Is to use the entire space under both sides for a single sub.

Exactly, the JL box without the pocket maybe will give you .3-.35. groundshaker or the cheap eBay option are much better routes

 

[Toddman45]

Exactly, the JL box without the pocket maybe will give you .3-.35. groundshaker or the cheap eBay option are much better routes

I agree. I have the Ground Shaker box for the p.s. and I believe it's .45 cubic foot. I'm already kicking myself for not buying the dual box package for $310. Which gives you the second box for only $90, 2 is always better than 1.

 

[Toddman45]

well it took me a little while to come to terms with paying $800 but I finally decided it was worth it to me, I figured maybe another $500 for amp and install. Man was I wrong, local shop just quoted close to $2k for sub, amp, wires, and installation. having a hard time stomaching that

Was the nearly $2,000 quote for the JL stealth box, amp and wiring, or were you also getting the door and speakers and the rear speakers replaced as well?

As the JL stealth is 800, say 300 for a nice Class D Alpine or JL mono amp, and 100 for the amp wiring kit and another 100 for a LOC or Loc pro harness adapter for amp signal. So near 700.00 for install, sounds high. But, depending on the shop that does the work, that might be right on labor charges.

 

[Blinky]

The only way to come close to .75 cubic foot for a box under the rear seat. Is to use the entire space under both sides for a single sub.

I would say if you utilized every square inch of space in that under seat storage area you might come close to 1 cubic foot.

You had me second guessing myself so I had to check back to see the photos I took when building my box and you're mostly correct.
I'd done a basic popcorn peanut volume measurement of the tub and each side was about 0.85 or so, that's probably where I got thinking about 0.75 for the JL.

 

[tellyouwhat]

Was the nearly $2,000 quote for the JL stealth box, amp and wiring, or were you also getting the door and speakers and the rear speakers replaced as well?

As the JL stealth is 800, say 300 for a nice Class D Alpine or JL mono amp, and 100 for the amp wiring kit and another 100 for a LOC or Loc pro harness adapter for amp signal. So near 700.00 for install, sounds high. But, depending on the shop that does the work, that might be right on labor charges.

pretty close, also add in bass knob 40, “shop parts” 60, and tax of 115.

 

[Toddman45]

pretty close, also add in bass knob 40, “shop parts” 60, and tax of 115.

Yeah I'm not sure what the going rate is these days it seems high to me. Last time I had a shop install a stereo for me was when I was 19 and just didn't feel like doing it, and I learned the hard way you're better to do it yourself. Since then I've been DIYing and saving a ton of money.

 

[tellyouwhat]

Yeah I'm not sure what the going rate is these days it seems high to me. Last time I had a shop install a stereo for me was when I was 19 and just didn't feel like doing it, and I learned the hard way you're better to do it yourself. Since then I've been DIYing and saving a ton of money.

I thought it was high too but I had another shop quote $2,300 for same set up! yeah man last time I had stereo installed I was 18 or 19 and prices have def changed. I wish I knew how to install myself.

 

[Toddman45]

I thought it was high too but I had another shop quote $2,300 for same set up! yeah man last time I had stereo installed I was 18 or 19 and prices have def changed. I wish I knew how to install myself.

In my personal opinion, if they do really good work and pay attention to the small details it's worth the price. I would definitely do my Research on said shop, before paying a shop to install any stereo gear in my vehicle.

 

[oysterville]

I thought it was high too but I had another shop quote $2,300 for same set up! yeah man last time I had stereo installed I was 18 or 19 and prices have def changed. I wish I knew how to install myself.

The addition of the FM band really started the price creep.

 

[AVC]

If you didn't go into Forscan and set the factory EQ to Flat, then you're likely missing out on a lot of the JL sub's capability. Without the Forscan change, all bass below 35-40hz is not going to be present in the signal your amp/sub are seeing. If you haven't done that, doing it will make you feel like you added another sub again

The penalty of not using Forscan to do "flat EQ" is two fold:

1) Massive boost around 65Hz in the front and rear speaker circuits, which your sub will way over accentuate. No combination of head unit or subwoofer settings to satisfactory blend in your aftermarket sub. You'll never be happy with it. 2) pretty much everything below 55Hz is RAPIDLY attenuated, which means your sub won't get much of the "good stuff" it is designed to handle.

 

[tellyouwhat]

The penalty of not using Forscan to do "flat EQ" is two fold:

1) Massive boost around 65Hz in the front and rear speaker circuits, which your sub will way over accentuate. No combination of head unit or subwoofer settings to satisfactory blend in your aftermarket sub. You'll never be happy with it. 2) pretty much everything below 55Hz is RAPIDLY attenuated, which means your sub won't get much of the "good stuff" it is designed to handle.

appreciate the info but kind of bummed to hear this. I am not really one to mess with software. too bad no other option to get most out of sub

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