Feedback Requested - Sub Options

[Rob911]

Hello everyone,

I have a 23 XLT hybrid with the six speaker factory sound system which IMO was very subpar. Based on the information I found in this forum I replaced the front tweeters and door speakers last weekend with a set of Powerbass OE65C-FD speakers and this made a huge improvement. These were a stock drop-in, easy to install and money very well spent.

I have two questions that I would appreciate your feedback on.

Question 1: Would replacing the rear speakers with aftermarket 4 inch speakers make a big difference? (I've seen pics of the rear factory speakers and they actually look like they have a fairly beefy magnet, unlike the front door speakers). I would appreciate feedback from anyone that has already replaced them with another set of 4 inchers.

Question 2: I would like to add an 8 inch sub, and I am trying to decide on one of the two following options.

Option 1: build a small sealed custom box and place the sub in the storage area under the rear seat with a small amp either beside it under the seat between the storage area and the battery or on the rear bulkhead OR...

Option 2: buy a slim/underseat powered subwoofer like the Rockville SS8P and mount it on the rear bulkhead behind rear seat.

I have never heard a slim underseat subwoofer but I would think that it would not compare well with a traditional "sub in box" approach. I'm thinking that Option "A" would be cheaper and simpler to install, and that the cost for option "B" would be slightly more and require some wood working on my part but it would sound better and deliver a lot more bass. I'm leaning towards option B but any feedback from those that have experience using both would be really appreciated. FYI - I've had plenty of 10 inch and 12 inch subs in boxes (both sealed and ported) in the past but never a small 8 inch. I'm just looking to improve the sound quality of what I currently have, I don't need to wake the neighborhood up.

Thanks everyone.

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[colinl]

I'm going to share my opinions and experiences, and hopefully you and others here on MTC find it useful in some way.

I have a truck with factory B&O and upgraded most of it. I still have the sync3 unit (of course), B&O amp, and factory rear speakers. I replaced the front door and dash speakers with Focal RSE-165 components, the center channel with a Kenwood KFC X3C, and built a small box for the driver's side bench seat tub with an Alpine R series 8" sub and Kicker Key 500.1 amp.

It is pretty awesome for sound quality. I have had louder systems, definitely. With a calibrated mic, I have seen it play 105-107dB playing music. It plays to volume 30 without perceptible distortion.

I also have very recent experience with something maybe closer to what you're looking at. My 17-year old has an old Suzuki Grand Vitara and when it was new (for my wife) I put a set of Polk DB series components in the front and 6.5 coaxials in the rear. It was like that a long, long time and then last year my son and I put in a new receiver to enable wireless carplay & android auto, Kicker Key 200.4 amp, and a MTX Terminator 8" powered sub.

Whew. Having typed all that, let's start with Q1. I mentioned I have stock rear speakers. I almost bought a set of Focal 4" coaxials that use the same tweeter as my front components. Why not? Two reasons: the position is absolutely terrible. The C pillar mount is basically free-air, there is no meaningful enclosure for the rear of the speaker. You will never get good midbass out of a speaker that size, mounted that way. Second reason: it fires directly into the head of a rear seat passenger, so they won't get a good soundstage at all. I prefer to just fade them low and let the rear passengers enjoy the front speakers which as noted above have plenty of output.

I am not ruling out the possibility that someone has upgraded their rear speakers and they like it. That's very possible because the stock non-B&O rear speakers are really poor. I just don't see the need/value, personally. For you (OP) I would absolutely buy an amp for the front speakers first. If you're going to upgrade literally everything, do the rear speakers last. As far as what amp that is a whole conversation by itself. First thing to do is identify what speakers you're going to power and identify amps that meet those needs in your budget.

Q2 you can find my build thread. I included dimensions and I have heard from a few people who literally built the same box, and I haven't been shy about saying that if I sold my complete truck today I would consider a prebuilt Ground Shaker or Sound Decisions box for sure. My son's MTX Terminator 8" is WAY better than the 10" Rockville I heard in a co-worker's car. Both of them do not hit very low, but the Terminator does ok in the 40-100hz range. It's definitely more of a woofer than subwoofer, and I got it for like $120 on sale last year. The output my 8" Alpine with 500w pushing it is not really comparable. It's way louder, and thanks to the DSP built-in to the Key 500.1 amp, it hits way lower without any resonant peaks and valleys that people usually call "cabin gain". It is smooth as hell. If you don't have the budget for this amp and this sub, get the amp and whatever sub you can justify.

 

[Rob911]

Hi Colin,

Thanks for all the information, I really appreciate you taking the time. When I was younger (in the 90s) I had a few multi-amp multi sub systems and used to get way over 100 DBs of crystal clean sound.... your system must sound awesome.

I agree on the rear speakers, their location and the lack of an enclosure is really horrible, it appears to be designed for no other reason then to "broaden" the sound stage of the front passengers, to the detriment of the rear paxs.

I was going to go with an amp up front but I find the SPL acceptable for what it is. It is nice and clean up to 21-22. For what they are the 6.5 inch speakers put out decent bass but I think that a nice little 8 inch sub in as sealed box with a 100-150 watts rms amp would be just about perfect.

Thanks for your feedback on the different subs. I personal have used Kenwood, Alpine and Rockford Fosgate, all of which were "back in the day". I searched for an 8 inch MTX sub but I don't think they make anything that small anymore.

 

[colinl]

Hi Colin,

Thanks for all the information, I really appreciate you taking the time. When I was younger (in the 90s) I had a few multi-amp multi sub systems and used to get way over 100 DBs of crystal clean sound.... your system must sound awesome.

I agree on the rear speakers, their location and the lack of an enclosure is really horrible, it appears to be designed for no other reason then to "broaden" the sound stage of the front passengers, to the detriment of the rear paxs.

I was going to go with an amp up front but I find the SPL acceptable for what it is. It is nice and clean up to 21-22. For what they are the 6.5 inch speakers put out decent bass but I think that a nice little 8 inch sub in as sealed box with a 100-150 watts rms amp would be just about perfect.

Thanks for your feedback on the different subs. I personal have used Kenwood, Alpine and Rockford Fosgate, all of which were "back in the day". I searched for an 8 inch MTX sub but I don't think they make anything that small anymore.

It's this little guy:
https://www.mtx.com/tn8ms

I assume it fits under the Maverick front seat, but you can easily measure and confirm if you want a sub there. It definitely fits behind the rear backrest. It is not on the level of the Kicker HS10 which makes sense because the Kicker is considerably more costly. The HS10 is used by a lot of people on MTC and fits behind the rear seat also. https://www.kicker.com/hideaway-hs10

You can start with one of those and if you ever upgrade you're probably going to want to amp the front doors for sure.

 

[jccain47]

Install a PUZU dsp, it comes with a plug and play harness.
I installed 2 Recoil 1779 slim underseat powered subs behind the seat as well as upgraded all speakers on the base factory system. I am very pleased. I have the XLT, I don’t think and under seat sub will fit under either front seat due to the air vents.
I am very satisfied. My subs and new Herts front door speakers are all I need. PUZU dsp allowed me to set several different tuning options for different genres of music.

 

[jccain47]

The PUZU DSL allows me to control each one separately, only run 1 most of the time. DSP is about $135 and has a built in amplifier for other speakers. The DSL is the GameChanger of the system IMO

 

[jccain47]

https://www.puzu-audio.com/shop/car-dsp-amplifier/4ch-to-6ch-car-dsp-amplifier/pz-c7/

 

[Choppy78]

Install a PUZU dsp, it comes with a plug and play harness.
I installed 2 Recoil 1779 slim underseat powered subs behind the seat as well as upgraded all speakers on the base factory system. I am very pleased. I have the XLT, I don’t think and under seat sub will fit under either front seat due to the air vents.
I am very satisfied. My subs and new Herts front door speakers are all I need. PUZU dsp allowed me to set several different tuning options for different genres of music.

How are you liking the puzu? Is it still working? How long have you had it?

 

[jccain47]

I love it. I have it tweaked to different genres of music I listen to. I’d say it’s 5 months old. No issues so far.

 

[Choppy78]

I love it. I have it tweaked to different genres of music I listen to. I’d say it’s 5 months old. No issues so far.

Nice! I am about 8months away from delivery. With that said, I have already purchased vega components for front. vega 4 for rear. Some boommat pods to mount behind speakers.Just purchased the puzu dsp yesterday. I am going with an 8in sub with exact specs box for under rear passenger seat. And a mono amp to power it with exact rms rating. Tossed between a skar SDR and a rockville K6. I'm sure both would sound great regardless. But anyway. Oh I already purchased a 12" lightbar with a front mount, led lights for bed, some interior accessories, and have future plans for mabett seat covers, a Tonneau, 1in zone offroad front lift, black wheels, 245/65r17 it's and I'm sure a looooooong list of different stuff. Wife thinks I'm nuckinfutz. But I'm ready for delivery day!

 

[jccain47]

The only thing I’d suggest while you are doing upgrades is go ahead and apply sound deadening to the back wall, under the rear seats, and in the doors while you have everything apart. It seemed to help reduce road noise.

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