Printer Friendly Forum Posts - need a new sub recommendation

For about five years I ran a MTX Thunder 342 amp with a JL Audio 10" sub (4 ohm). The specs on the amp are as follows:

at 12.5 VDC-
60 watts rms x 2 into a 4 ohm load
120 watts rms x 2 into a 2 ohm load
240 watts rms bridged into a 4 ohm load

I can't remember the specs on the sub but it was a single voice coil 4 ohm sub.

I had this combo in my ex cab '95 Z-71. I run a Pioneer head unit that has sub control. The jack box is still installed under the passenger rear bench, and I'd like to keep it that way. The box I have (I built - out of MDF) takes up most of the driver side under seat area and runs over towards the center. The amp is mounted in the center area. The box is right at the required size for a sealed air space box, and the sub is fired down with spacers on the face (bottom) of the box to afford enough clearance so the z-max of the sub doesn't hit the floor. Despite having everything as it should have been, the sub's audio quality was always horrible, and I never was happy with it.

Later on I bought a '99 model C5 corvette and began driving it daily, and transferred this setup into that car. I built a box to go in the hatchback cargo area.The surface of the box was level with the surface of the rear deck (hatch area of the car) and the sub sounded phenomenal. It was firing up towards the hatch window. last year, the original 10" JL sub gave up (the surround tore) so I bought a new one of the same specs, but I think the model number is updated. I just sold the car about three weeks ago, and moved the whole system back to my truck, with the same old box I mentioned before..under the driver side rear bench seat, firing down. Once again I am very upset with the audio quality, and I want something different.

I was thinking that maybe a different setup would be better. Maybe the same box shape but with two 6" or 5.5" subs, or maybe even one - if there is one made that will handle that 240 RMS from my amp running it bridged like I am now - but facing forward towards the back of the driver front seat. Is this a feasible option? I know there isn't much height there, so that's why I am thinking maybe a sub of that diameter.

I am not looking for earth shattering bass; just looking for sufficient low end boost that is lacking without running a sub. I am more for audio quality than dB.

I will have no use for the basically new (less than a year old) JL 10' sub, so I will either sell it or trade it for something I might be able to put in this same area. Any recommendations would be great. My budget would be $100 or so, maybe a little more depending on what I am recommended. The new JL sub I recently bought was like $125 I think.