I have the base stereo. I want to upgrade it.

Following up on my earlier posts, I now have a pair of 6.5 inch JL Audio 6W0 subs that came used (from eBay) in a nice, compact, sealed MDF enclosure. The enclosure is too big to fit into the pass-through, and I have considered and pretty much rejected the hassle and appearance of putting a custom sub enclosure in the pass-through.

So, barring that alternative, I could:

(1) Amplify the subs in their current enclosure (either stereo or mono) and set it it the dip in the trunk. (I could bolt the amp to the enclosure.) I could then upgrade and amplify the factory door and parcel shelf speakers and be done with it. I would need at least five, and maybe six channels for this approach.

OR

(2) Replace the parcel shelf speakers with the JL subs, using little enclosures underneath them (I have another thread on this subject) and upgrade the door speakers. I would then have one amp driving the subs and another amp (or two more channels) driving the door speakers. So I would need three or four channels for this approach.

So ...

which approach would sound better?

With approach (1) (put the subs in the trunk), I will still have four sets of mid and high frequency drivers, but I will need more amplifier channels (four or five) and the bass may be muffled and muddy since it will be in the trunk.

With approach (2) (put the subs in the parcel shelf), I will reduce the number of mid and high frequency drivers from four to two, but (I think) improve the clarity of the low frequencies, since the woofers will be pretty near my ears and unobstructed.

And for that matter, under approach (1) I can't believe the bass would be very good if the woofers are in the trunk and I have the pass-through closed with the storage box. Or would it? That may be my biggest confusion right now. How can these teeny subs sound powerful or clean if they're covered up in the trunk?

TIA.

 

I'm by no means an audio expert, but personally would go with your option #2.

If you upgrade your door speakers with a nice, effective component set, you should be fine.

 

Thanks, Tamas! I'm leaning that way, too. Seems cleaner to me. I have some Inifinity Reference speakers for the fronts. 6000CS (?) I think they are; drop-in size. Nothing fancy, but I expect they'll sound good based upon others' experiences posted here.

 

The drop-in size would be the Infinity 6800cs (since the holes are for a 6x8 speaker). The 6000cs are 6.5" woofers - but they still should fit just fine with a proper mounting plate.

 

Yeah; 6800CS is what I bought; thanks. $80 or so on eBay, new.

 

While the 6W0s are capable subs, they aren't all that strong. The difference in sound and impact between installing these in the trunk and in the cabin will be much greater with these subs than with any other.

Rear fill isn't always necessary for good sound. There are even times when it's detrimental to imaging, but it's really up to each listener's tastes, and the car's environment. But if you do want rear fill, you should be able to arrange things so that you can have both.

---jps

 

Thanks, Sputnik; I value your opinions. I think I'll go with option (2) and see where it takes me. I really appreciate the advice.