Print Page | Close Window

Hiding a powered sub

Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=74048
Printed Date: May 09, 2024 at 3:55 PM


Topic: Hiding a powered sub

Posted By: garretcar
Subject: Hiding a powered sub
Date Posted: March 06, 2006 at 7:48 PM

I know this sounds like a weird concern, but I have a powered Infinity BassLink sub mounted behind the passenger seat in my car.  I wanted to keep it in the cabin to get the best sound (it sounds great right now), and it fits very well behind the seat.  Now, I want to hide it.  I'm concerned about theft, and I also want to cover it so that my kids don't step on it when they ride in my car.  I'm was thinking of building a custom-fit wooden cover to go over it, essentially encapsulating the area behind the passenger front seat.  I can paint to match colors, etc to make it look good.  It would be great for hiding the sub and even serving as a footstool for the kids in the car seat on that side.  But I'm concerned about the acoustic implications of doing this, and also if it would be possible to damage the sub by enclosing it like this (essentially the sides and top of this custom cover would be solid wood, meeting at the front and rear seats to totally enclose the area).   The only open space would be the open area under the front seat.   I just don't know enough about enclosures and subs (that's why I bought a powered one!)  to make a decision about building this kind of cover.    Would this work as I described it - or by tweaking the design?   Are there better alternatives for hiding/protecting it without putting it in the trunk?  Thanks as always for the help.  This forum has provided much great advice in the past.  I'm longing for the day I can actually help someone else...




Replies:

Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: March 06, 2006 at 8:19 PM

I'm guessing you have this BassLink mounted horizontally, firing upward as described in the manual?  You can build a cover for it so that it doesn't infringe on the sound by keeping the cover free and clear of the driver and the BassLink module.  Cut a hole in the top of the cover larger than the driver.  If the sub is 10", cut the hole at least 12" or more to allow for sound wave dispersion.  This will, along with the larger hole in your protective cover, allow for the angled dispersion from the driver.  Build the cover so that it fits very close, but not touching, the BassLink.  Cover the hole with a heavy-duty grill.  Keep the protective box spaced off the floor similar to the way the sub is mounted...by using legs.  This will allow a flow of ventilation for the built-in amp.



-------------
Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.




Posted By: geepherder
Date Posted: March 06, 2006 at 8:20 PM

I'd make the cover a little bigger than the basslink, so it has some room to breathe.  That should also keep the two from rattling against each other as well.  Make sure it's secure so it's not moving around and you should be fine.



-------------
My ex once told me I have a perfect face for radio.




Posted By: garretcar
Date Posted: March 07, 2006 at 12:29 PM

Thanks for the suggestions.  I hadn't thought of cutting out and putting in a rigid grill and spacing off the floor.  I can cover the grill with some speaker cloth too.  You mention the mounting orientation - yes, it is mounted horizontally firing up.  But that brings up another concern.  I'm already getting some complaints from the other half that the passenger seat is too far up and can't go back.  The unit also has a vertical mounting option. Would mounting it vertically with the driver firing at the back of the passenger seat be a problem - like blocking the sub or otherwise harming the acoustics?  That would give me more seat adjustment room.





Print Page | Close Window