Subwoofer Hell!!!

RiverLance2012

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
30
I just recently paid about a grand to have a stereo shop install 8 new highs and mids in my caravelle 18ft. They Sound Great!!! They also made a custom dynomat box for the 2 10" kicker marine subwoofers I bought. Problem is they put it under the back seat firing down and I can't hear any bass at all. You can feel the bass throughout the boat but it just doesn't resonate out!!! I am wondering should I just build 2 subwoofer enclosures underneath both front dashes and have them subs firing out. I think this would sound alot better because right now that box under the seat is just taking up room. Feedback Please!!!
 

mark1905

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 25, 2008
Messages
535
Re: Subwoofer Hell!!!

Yup. This is a very common problem when people try and put subwoofers on a boat using automotive experience. It doesn't work the same at all! Check out this thread regarding the issue: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=547359

I may sound like a parrot, but if I was you.. I would buy 2 - 10" Bazooka tubes and take the driver out of them and put in those Kickers. Install them under the dash facing the hull. You'll be shocked. You need to create resonance by utilizing the sound waves emitted by the front of those speakers.. but if you place them wrong or without having something to resonate off of, you'll either muffle them or lose them to the air. In this case.. you're completely muffling them and creating zero audible resonance.
 

RiverLance2012

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Jan 15, 2012
Messages
30
Re: Subwoofer Hell!!!

Okay well if I get the bazooka Tube, aren't they already amplified??? Will I need my amp anymore or do I disconnect the tube and just run my wires to the tube???
 

mark1905

Chief Petty Officer
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Messages
535
Re: Subwoofer Hell!!!

You can buy an amplified version of the Bazooka tubes and a non-amplified version. Here's a link to the non: http://www.amazon.com/Bazooka-BT102...Q7JE/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1337024727&sr=8-8

What amp are you using?

The downside to the Bazooka's is that the subwoofer is complete junk and can't handle barely any power. But.. the enclosure is golden. It sucks to have to pay so much money for just a plastic tube, but it's what works and when you look at the option of trying to build a weather proof, round, perfectly ported enclosure.. you'll end up spending as much if not more money along with hours and hours of time.

So.. get the tubes.. and right away go ahead and unscrew the sub and toss it... sell it on ebay.. whatever. Get yourself a few SS screws and mount that Kicker sub in it's place. Use some foam tape around the rim to seal it. It should fit perfect or just slightly off.. but the foam tape will seal the sub in even if one or two screws don't totally line up. Put the tubes under your dash facing outwards.. and use the enclosed mounting straps to secure the tubes. Hook your amp right up to them like you have your other subs. I dropped in a pair of huge 12" Pioneer 3500w competition subs into my 12" tubes and seriously.. it's deafening. The bass out of these is unreal.

What series of Kickers do you have? I'm hoping that it's not the square ones. Also, if you're not using a gigantic amp to power them (something around 200w RMS per channel), then you can use the stock woofers. I can never do anything half way.. that's my problem. I'm running 900w RMS to each one.. :D
 

RiverLance2012

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Jan 15, 2012
Messages
30
Re: Subwoofer Hell!!!

I have an mtx amp, its plenty to power what im gonna put in the tubes if I buy them. I have a pair of mtx 8500 12's that I would put in the tubes and they hit harder than any sub I've ever bought. I figure if I buy the tubes I better go with 12's cause I want to make sure I have some bass. And just curious I have almost zero room under my passenger side dash, can I just mount them toward the side firing into the front of the boat or do they need to be firing towards the back of the boat???
 

mark1905

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 25, 2008
Messages
535
Re: Subwoofer Hell!!!

Anywhere that you can mount them so that they face something and allow the bass frequencies to bounce and resonate off of will work. You can get them and play with them and see. I too don't really have under dash space. I have mine wedged as much as I can under either dash, but facing towards the hull. See attached pics. They're just barely sticking out but don't really interfere with foot space and in fact make a nice little vibrating foot rest.. :D

IMG_2810.jpg IMG_2813.JPG

Get the tubes, do the conversion, then play around with placement and see where you can fit them. One nice thing about the design is that if need be, you can always quickly take them out if you want by just unstrapping them. But.. after you get them in and hear them.. you'll be hooked..
 

SteveMcD

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 21, 2011
Messages
182
Re: Subwoofer Hell!!!

On the other hand, haven't you noticed your boat gets on plane faster with them pointing down?:)
 

RiverLance2012

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 15, 2012
Messages
30
Re: Subwoofer Hell!!!

Okay I've finally figured out what im gonna do. I am gonna put a ported box under the drivers dash. 12" mtx 7500. I already hooked it up and tried it and it slams!!! I'm just gonna build a template around it to make it look good. Thanks Everyone for the input.
 

mark1905

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 25, 2008
Messages
535
Re: Subwoofer Hell!!!

Nice!

Ported box under dash = win

Free air subs, subs under seats or hidden or facing out with zero resonance = WHOOSH, fail.
 
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