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Speaker Enclosures

For what it's worth, I installed a subwoofer in the Scrambler this past weekend. Now while I had every intention of of preparing a detailed install of what I did unfortunately that was not the case. I admit that this will be the worst write-up ever but here's what I did for a very successful installation/end product.

I purchased a Sound Ordnance B-8PTD from Crutchfield, the sub usually sells for $400 but it was on sale for $200. It is a shallow box, 125 watt self powered enclosed woofer that I wanted to install beneath the middle seat to avoid a loss of beer hauling cargo space. The nifty thing with this unit is the separate remote volume knob that controls the woofers output. This is really handy as you typically have to fiddle with the head unit while driving and with the location of the radio in the Jeep, doing this while underway and safely, is almost impossible. I mounted the volume switch below the wiper witch which makes access very easy... eyes on the road while driving easy.

Here's what I did.
- pulled the rear seat
- affixed the woofer to the bed floor utilizing 3M 45lb double stick tape
- use a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer kit to run heavy gauge wire directly to the battery, the kit also included a twisted pair of heavy gauge RCA cable to connect to the back of the Alpine head unit
- I ran both of the wires along with the signal line and volume control from under the seat, along the driver's door jamb and under the dash using a 3/8" wire loom tubing
- I repainted the seat bolts with a rattle can and then replaced the seat
- ran wire through the firewall... etc, we've all done this!
- installed the volume control under the wiper switch with 3M tape... I love that stuff! :bacon:

Gratuitous photos:

Here's the box it came, how cool is that? Really pi$$ed my wife off, she thought I had purchased an RC plane.


Fuzzy photo of the subs volume control switch, looks clearer in person.


Photo of the sub under the middle seat, I probably should have moved it further back but I can do that next time I pull the seat (the benefits of using 3M tape)


Final picture of everything installed. Alpine head unit, Alpine amp installed under dash, Helix components with separate tweeters, Alpine 6x9's and the new subwoofer. All in all I am very pleased, good sound at highway whining speeds!


The sub looks like it is still on sale, highly recommended for anyone thinking about adding some BOOM.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777B8PTD/Sound-Ordnance-B-8PTD.html?tp=114

x777B8PTD-o_front.jpg
 
Wait, where did the 6X9's fit?
Do you have any speakers in the dash spots?
What about those little pod tweeters???
Missing some vital info here!!!!

Way cool BTW.

Gueon said:
Final picture of everything installed. Alpine head unit, Alpine amp installed under dash, Helix components with separate tweeters, Alpine 6x9's and the new subwoofer. All in all I am very pleased, good sound at highway whining speeds!
Click to expand...
 
hefavitzen said:
Wait, where did the 6X9's fit?
Do you have any speakers in the dash spots?
What about those little pod tweeters???
Missing some vital info here!!!!

Way cool BTW.
Click to expand...

Sorry, this was Part III of an endless saga. Part II was posted up on a hijacked thread that Manhattan started I believe.

Here's the info on the head unit, amp and speakers.
- the Alpine head unit was a basic $149 model with blue tooth and hands free (very important for wheeling safely)
- the Alpine mp was a 2 wire $129 model that I 3M taped (did I mention I love this stuff) to the heater core box beneath the dash. No wiring necessary, one plug installation.
- the 5 1/4" component speakers were Blue Helix models, I mounted the mid/woofer in the factory location behind the dash and stuck the tweeters on the dash by the wing vents using tape (again)
- the small speaker crossover was mounted to the back of the dash using more tape... just can't get enough
- the Alpine 6x9's were freebies that I received for buying the stuff mentioned above (thanks Crutchfield), for now they are in simple enclosures wedged between the roll bar and fender well.

The 45 watt x 4 channel amp puts out more than enough volume for the mid/tweeter combo. The addition of the new subwoofer further frees up valuable amps to power the dash speakers. I can get it pretty loud with absolutely no distortion or popping. I could not be happier.

More pics.

The Alpine head unit, fairly basic just in case someone wanted to have more than I did...
x500HD138BT-o_angle.jpeg

The Alpine "PowerPack" 2 wire amp, way cool and CHEAP
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_500KTP445A/Alpine-KTP-445A-Power-Pack.html
x500KTP445A-o_wire.jpg

Blue Helix component speakers, perfect fit behind the dash and the high mounted tweeters really deliver
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_975B52C/HELIX-Blue-B52C.html
x975B52C-o_front.jpeg
 
Awesome! I'll add that to my list of desired upgrades :)

is quite a long list!
 
I have been thinking about an upgrade and adding a sub as well as Bluetooth. But i am afraid to have that much $$ in equipment in my Jeep.


Dain
 
I just installed a Sony MEXBT3100P in the motor home. All I can say is WOW! Was going to buy it from Crutchfield but it wouldn't be here in time, then found it at Best Buy for just a little more... Paid $130. Now its on Amazon for $95 with FREE shipping!!! Bluetooth, remote, sub output, built in crossover.

Sent from my HTCEVOV4G
 
Adult Origami....

So while watching college football today I decided to try and build a rear passenger compartment speaker box template using materials I had on hand, namely a couple of Bud 30 pack cardboard boxes.

Here is what I ended up with...

Looks easy enough, a few straight cuts with an x-acto knife.


All taped together




Plenty big enough


Test fit










I think the idea would be to have it padded/upholstered at a shop instead of using carpet. I would also add an inset cup holder, really like that idea for the kids. 6x9's fit easilt on the top and I could even put some smaller 4" mids in the side. Not sure what to do on the bottom, I am guessing a light gauge mdf to contain some of the bass response.

Cool no?!
 
Really like the "bud box" prototype. For the bottom, will you leave that open? Or, will the bottom be closed... and how will you make the curve?
 
Manhattan said:
Really like the "bud box" prototype. For the bottom, will you leave that open? Or, will the bottom be closed... and how will you make the curve?
Click to expand...

The bottom needs to be closed to maximize bass response, I am thinking some of that flimsy mdf with some caulking/sealant and wood screws. Should be easy enough to cut...?
 
I would think you could build up the curve with maybe three pieces of thinner flexible board glued together laminate style. Would just be rectangles you bend, glue and clamp in place. Maybe some small blocks at three points on the inside walls of the box to use to screw the curved boards to.

Just my random thought for the evening.
 
If the box is going to be covered, it might be just as easy to use 1/4" or 3/8" strips - maybe 1.5" wide - running across the bottom... it'd be strong and there'd be no worries of the curved MDF failing (glue, etc.)
 
I've never done a fiberglass box, but have seen it done on TV a number of times (and I stayed in a holiday inn express last night). I think that would be easier and faster? Pretty sure you just pull the glass fleece tightly over the curve, staple gun it in place, and paint the nasty goo over it. Let it cure. Sand the rough spots.

Anyone have real expertise in this?
 
tower210 said:
I've never done a fiberglass box, but have seen it done on TV a number of times (and I stayed in a holiday inn express last night). I think that would be easier and faster? Pretty sure you just pull the glass fleece tightly over the curve, staple gun it in place, and paint the nasty goo over it. Let it cure. Sand the rough spots.

Anyone have real expertise in this?
Click to expand...

I've always wanted to try using fiberglass... maybe I should mock up a simple box using this design, make a mold and then try to make one out of fiberglass. I'm with you, it looks easy on TV! :smokin:
 
Gueon said:
I've always wanted to try using fiberglass... maybe I should mock up a simple box using this design, make a mold and then try to make one out of fiberglass. I'm with you, it looks easy on TV! :smokin:
Click to expand...

Yes, but did YOU stay at a Holiday Inn Epress last night?


Dain
 
I saw on one of the auto shows on Spike where they used fleece material instead of the fiberglass mess then painted on the resin mix. Seemed a lot easier to work with. I was thinking about trying it on speaker enclosures in the future.
 
I built mine out of MDF assembled with staples and glue. It is built referenced to volume needed for the subwoofer. I thought of building using fiberglass but was concerned with having an enclosure that weighed 30lbs.


0725121808.jpg
 
I was thinking MDF just like what was done with the bud box, just the curve on the bottom fiberglass.
 
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