Compact underseat subs - Opinions?

[Devil-V]

I value the space in my car, and I'm trying to find a good alternative for a compact subwoofer that gives some reasonably decent bass whilst taking up minimal space. I'm not so keen on the idea on having to lift out a huge bassbox out of the trunk and storing it in the garage everytime I need the room...

I've heard of a few pros and cons about compact subs. For a start, I know it won't be as deep and heavy like regular sub cones, and they tend to max at around 150W - in addition, they are also prone to water damage if installed under the seat (especially in the UK...).

My question is, has anyone bought and installed any of these, and if so, where in the car, and how good the quality is? I'd be even more interested if there are certain models that even fit under the driver's seat, at it's lowest adjustment setting.

I'm not exactly into heavy deep bass hip-hop, but I like a bit of ommphh every so often, but not the level where the windows start shaking.

 

[Simkid5614]

Kicker makes a compact with a built in amp. I've toyed with the idea of having it under the passenger seat just because i want to move my seat.

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_20611HS8/Kicker-11HS8.html?tp=114

It would be simple. R &L line levels, and a power source.
Question, why prone to water damage under the seat, deep puddles?

 

[Devil-V]

Well, if you live in a damp and miserable country like the UK, I'd be thinking about rain entering the car when you open the door, particularly if it's windy, and rain blows in at an angle, and perhaps any damp shoes that enter the car (especially from backseat passengers). Call me paranoid, but it doesn't sound welcoming! LOL

Can I ask how it sounds compared to a regular sub?

 

[schmiddr2]

If money is not a big issue or you can fiberglass then you can do all kinds of enclosures/locations. Best and easiest is in the cubby side of the trunk...this is what i did. Fiberglass also resists water.

If not using fiberglass then you need to make some measurements to determine maximum potential volume and sub diameter/depth.

 

[Simkid5614]

Ive heard it. But not personally sampled it. Its similar to an. 8 inch sub. Adequate to fill the lows. But not an overpowering bass. Similar to a matched BOSE system with dedicated midrange and a sub.

 

[ryan s]

i did some measurements a year or more ago...theres just not enough space for it to be a practical "trunk sub" replacement (oversimplification: bigger box = lower frequencies). as a midbass supplement, perhaps, its worthwhile.

plus, its even less viable under the drivers seat unless you never ever ever move it.

ive had my amp under the passenger seat for over a year without issue, and i guarantee my climate is worse than the UK's

 

[Thormx331]

I just bought two 12" pioneer premiers (shallow) and they dont sound bad compared to the kickers i have. Im having the same issue as you in that i want to mount them in the car so i can have my trunk back and get rid of the trunk rattle.

Only thing i have thought of it just not having back seats anymore and just making a custom sub box back there.

 

[Simkid5614]

Those are shallow mount powered by an external amp, we were referring to underseat subs, which are self powered.

 

[lashlee]

If you are serious about loosing as little space as possible and willing to do some legwork on your own I would look into a IB (Infinte Baffle) with 8's in the rear deck. You'll have to seal the trunk from the cabin but you potentially have no loss of space and a decent amount of bass. Another option is to ditch the spare and make an enclosure to fit inside the well. I did that in my old Fit and only lost 3/4" to the thickness of the wood. It housed the 10" sub and a small footprint 5 channel amp.