Subwoofer Location?

stomsf · 02-06-2008, 10:55 PM

So I just got my new Kenwood KSC-SW10 Subwoofer and think it'll get installed over the weekend.

However, when I do get it installed, I'd like input on where to mount it. I've heard of two options that are attractive, both with pluses and minuses:

Under the Driver seat (no Nav).
- Pro's -- no lost space, simple access.
- Cons -- not enclosed, is it going to be too much bass?
In the cargo area in the "compartment" above the spare.
- Pro's -- no lost space, enclosed.
- Cons -- will it be muddy and will I lose fidelity my having it in the trunk? Harder to access controls but I think it'll be a "set it and forget it" operation.

I don't want to leave it out in the cargo area or in the back seat. Opinions??

Steamboatsig · 02-07-2008, 01:20 AM

Put it under the seat. If it is too much bass, use the wired remote to turn down the gain.

Trust me, once you start feeling the bass, you'll be wishing you had more.

Subwoofers and bass is about moving air, if it is located in the enclosed compartment, you will not have the air movement you need to feel the bass. You'll end up with more rattle than nice smooth bass.

patsparks · 02-07-2008, 03:58 AM

I'm no expert but I recall being told by an audiophile that the bass speaker should be further away than the other speakers which is why good car sound systems have the bass in the back and hatch backs are preferred.

How about in or above the rear left side storage bin?

Steamboatsig · 02-07-2008, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsparks

I'm no expert but I recall being told by an audiophile that the bass speaker should be further away than the other speakers which is why good car sound systems have the bass in the back and hatch backs are preferred.

How about in or above the rear left side storage bin?

You're right, but he said he didn't want it in the trunk out in the open. His option was to put it in the trunk enclosure. That would hinder the performance of the unit. It would be like putting your home theater subwoofer in a closet with the door closed.

Ideally you would want the sub in the rear of the vehicle facing backward bouncing the front waves off the rear wall of the vehicle. There are two waves that eminate from the sub, the front wave, and the rear wave. By bouncing one of the waves off the rear wall, it reinforces the other. If you face it forward, the rear wave cancels some of the front wave. There is a crude diagram about cancellation on the internet somewhere. I can't find it.

The Kenwood unit is relatively small so having it under the seat should be fine. I guess there is only one way to find out! Give us a review after you install it. You can always move it.

smittylube · 02-07-2008, 02:01 PM

I put mine in the wrong place-maybe, rear compartment. I think it sounds great. They do put subs in trunks I think, and they sound great.
If you do put it under the seat you can run the wires under the carpet & through the existing hole- I ran my remote control for it to there.
I can hear it just fine in the rear compartment but as you know everyone has different taste in sound & music.
I think it is a great, little, no hassle unit for sure. (I just did the SW10 a month or so ago).

What you might do is wire it up & try moving it around & see if you hear much difference & then locate it in the best spot for your ears.

Steve

Steamboatsig · 02-07-2008, 10:06 PM

If you do mount the sub in the compartment in the trunk, how will you get to the spare? You would have to rig some sort of disconnect plug. I thought about mounting my amp in there, but the guys at the installation place were concerned about heat. Thats also when they asked me about a disconnect plug to remove the tray to access the spare. Just a thought.

Btw, here is my sub. JL Audio 10"W3's with dual 2 ohm voice coils. I had a larger box loaded with two of these subs, but it was overkill in the Prius. Nevermind that the larger box weighed close to 75 pounds.

This is where I mounted the EBC (External Bass Controller):

smittylube · 02-08-2008, 01:11 AM

I bet that one sounds great!

Steve

patsparks · 02-08-2008, 06:42 AM

I thought in here would be concealed by the luggage curtain and be out of the way, allowing access to spare wheel and under floor storage but it may require a custom enclosure.

Steamboatsig · 02-08-2008, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsparks

<IMG style="MAX-WIDTH: 800px; ; WIDTH: expression(this.width > 800 ? 800: true)" alt="" src="http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/6181/inbootnt7.th.jpg" border=0>

That is my ideal location. I am still waiting for a company to make an enclosure for that area. I searched everywhere. As of now, the only way would be to have an installer make a custom enclosure using fiberglass. That would be around $300. I'll wait until a mass produced model comes out.

Nice photoshop job, by the way.

zenMachine · 02-10-2008, 01:58 AM

I have mine under the seat. The remote control is mounted in the triangular window area on the driver side, the wire is run under the carpet and up along the A pillar. Easy to reach to make adjustments if necessary. But this is rarely used now that I have the settings just right for just about every kind of music. No need to be concerned about too much bass. Once you have it tuned, it sounds great. The massage effect is a nice bonus.

02-06-2008, 10:55 PM	#1
stomsf Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 50 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Subwoofer Location? So I just got my new Kenwood KSC-SW10 Subwoofer and think it'll get installed over the weekend. However, when I do get it installed, I'd like input on where to mount it. I've heard of two options that are attractive, both with pluses and minuses: Under the Driver seat (no Nav). Pro's -- no lost space, simple access. Cons -- not enclosed, is it going to be too much bass? In the cargo area in the "compartment" above the spare. Pro's -- no lost space, enclosed. Cons -- will it be muddy and will I lose fidelity my having it in the trunk? Harder to access controls but I think it'll be a "set it and forget it" operation. I don't want to leave it out in the cargo area or in the back seat. Opinions??

02-07-2008, 01:20 AM	#2
Steamboatsig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Altadena Posts: 324 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Subwoofer Location? Put it under the seat. If it is too much bass, use the wired remote to turn down the gain. Trust me, once you start feeling the bass, you'll be wishing you had more. Subwoofers and bass is about moving air, if it is located in the enclosed compartment, you will not have the air movement you need to feel the bass. You'll end up with more rattle than nice smooth bass.

02-07-2008, 03:58 AM	#3
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,265 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 128 Thanked 185 Times in 143 Posts Friends: 33	Re: Subwoofer Location? I'm no expert but I recall being told by an audiophile that the bass speaker should be further away than the other speakers which is why good car sound systems have the bass in the back and hatch backs are preferred. How about in or above the rear left side storage bin?

02-07-2008, 02:01 PM	#5
smittylube Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 51 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Subwoofer Location? I put mine in the wrong place-maybe, rear compartment. I think it sounds great. They do put subs in trunks I think, and they sound great. If you do put it under the seat you can run the wires under the carpet & through the existing hole- I ran my remote control for it to there. I can hear it just fine in the rear compartment but as you know everyone has different taste in sound & music. I think it is a great, little, no hassle unit for sure. (I just did the SW10 a month or so ago). What you might do is wire it up & try moving it around & see if you hear much difference & then locate it in the best spot for your ears. Steve

02-07-2008, 10:06 PM	#6
Steamboatsig Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Altadena Posts: 324 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Subwoofer Location? If you do mount the sub in the compartment in the trunk, how will you get to the spare? You would have to rig some sort of disconnect plug. I thought about mounting my amp in there, but the guys at the installation place were concerned about heat. Thats also when they asked me about a disconnect plug to remove the tray to access the spare. Just a thought. Btw, here is my sub. JL Audio 10"W3's with dual 2 ohm voice coils. I had a larger box loaded with two of these subs, but it was overkill in the Prius. Nevermind that the larger box weighed close to 75 pounds. This is where I mounted the EBC (External Bass Controller): Last edited by Steamboatsig; 02-08-2008 at 01:43 AM.

02-08-2008, 01:11 AM	#7
smittylube Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 51 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Subwoofer Location? I bet that one sounds great! Steve

02-08-2008, 06:42 AM	#8
patsparks An Aussie perspective Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Adelaide South Australia Posts: 9,265 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 128 Thanked 185 Times in 143 Posts Friends: 33	Re: Subwoofer Location? I thought in here would be concealed by the luggage curtain and be out of the way, allowing access to spare wheel and under floor storage but it may require a custom enclosure.

02-10-2008, 01:58 AM	#10
zenMachine Just another Onionhead Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 1,985 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 5 Thanked 15 Times in 11 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Subwoofer Location? I have mine under the seat. The remote control is mounted in the triangular window area on the driver side, the wire is run under the carpet and up along the A pillar. Easy to reach to make adjustments if necessary. But this is rarely used now that I have the settings just right for just about every kind of music. No need to be concerned about too much bass. Once you have it tuned, it sounds great. The massage effect is a nice bonus.