Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Any under the front seat subs out there?

29K views 86 replies 41 participants last post by  Mattk11 
#1 ·
Hey everyone,

Just reaching out to see if anyone has installed a sub under either of their front seats. I had a Kicker 8" hideaway under the driver seat of my 2011 Patriot and loved it - but didn't know if it was possible, or worth trying in a 2015 JK Wrangler.

I really don't want to occupy the little cargo space I have with a box. If the JL Audio Stealthbox wasn't so much, I would try that route - otherwise if anyone has tried an under the seat method, could you let me know how it worked out - and even what you went with?

Thanks so much!
 
#3 ·
The weathers getting warmer so I needed a project. I was building a few sub boxes and decided to update my own under-seat subwoofers.

As you can see from the post above, I am currently using Sundown SD-2 10" woofers in .5 cu ft boxes. I've built these boxes for 5 or 6 different low profile 10" woofers and these are the best sounding I've tested. But is it good enough??

I decided to tweak my fiberglass mold a little to squeeze out a little more volume. Final boxes are now .6 cu ft. Also decided to have them sprayed with Line-X for a different look. Dropped a newly designed Sundown SD-3 10" woofer for fit and hope to get them finished up this weekend. I'm liking them so far...
Subwoofer Loudspeaker Car subwoofer Audio equipment Electronic device

Subwoofer Loudspeaker Audio equipment Technology Electronic device
 
#5 ·
The weathers getting warmer so I needed a project. I was building a few sub boxes and decided to update my own under-seat subwoofers.

As you can see from the post above, I am currently using Sundown SD-2 10" woofers in .5 cu ft boxes. I've built these boxes for 5 or 6 different low profile 10" woofers and these are the best sounding I've tested. But is it good enough??

I decided to tweak my fiberglass mold a little to squeeze out a little more volume. Final boxes are now .6 cu ft. Also decided to have them sprayed with Line-X for a different look. Dropped a newly designed Sundown SD-3 10" woofer for fit and hope to get them finished up this weekend. I'm liking them so far... View attachment 2203249 View attachment 2203257
View attachment 2203265
That looks awesome man. What is the max mounting depth on the box? You ever consider selling these?
 
#7 ·
I don't even remember how I learned about Sundown subs. I always recommend listening to speakers before you buy, so I decided to test a few different subs and had to order them online because they weren't available locally. The Sundowns are crazy good subs. I may be becoming a fanboy myself. They sound great and have ridiculous output. Plus they are almost indestructible. The SD-2 is rated at 500 watts and many people don't hesitate to put double that through them. The new SD-3 is a little more delicate because it's underhung and has a single layer spider but still has 2" of excursion. Insane for a "shallow" sub. I got them installed today and I can't believe they are only a 10" sub. Trunk Vehicle Car Subwoofer
Audio equipment Technology Electronic device Auto part Cable


Vehicle Car Trunk Subcompact car City car
 
#27 ·
I don't even remember how I learned about Sundown subs. I always recommend listening to speakers before you buy, so I decided to test a few different subs and had to order them online because they weren't available locally. The Sundowns are crazy good subs. I may be becoming a fanboy myself. They sound great and have ridiculous output. Plus they are almost indestructible. The SD-2 is rated at 500 watts and many people don't hesitate to put double that through them. The new SD-3 is a little more delicate because it's underhung and has a single layer spider but still has 2" of excursion. Insane for a "shallow" sub. I got them installed today and I can't believe they are only a 10" sub. View attachment 2206361 View attachment 2206401

View attachment 2206409

Great work! I really want to get my hands on a set of these. If anyone is currently making these or has a set, please let me know.
 
#8 ·
Hello MAttk11
i love your boxes,do you have a number or web site for buying the boxes??do you sell it the boxes if order to you??and how much it will cost it??you must now that i live in France so i payed the shipping too....can you give me more information about your work or how i can contact you?.....thank you
 
#9 ·
Hello MAttk11 i love your boxes,do you have a number or web site for buying the boxes??do you sell it the boxes if order to you??and how much it will cost it??you must now that i live in France so i payed the shipping too....can you give me more information about your work or how i can contact you?.....thank you
Hey, I'll be in Paris in July. I sent you a PM.
 
#11 ·
I fiberglassed a little in high school back in the 80s, then did a custom box in my '98 MB E320, so that was a 10 year break. I started up again 15 years later when I got my Jeep in 2013 because I wasn't happy with the JL Stealthbox and wanted something that was actually stealth and could be heard with the top down. It only took me two years to get to the point I'm finally happy with the subs. I have an empty pair in my garage I'll sell if the French guy doesn't want them.

Now I have some serious work to do on the mid-bass. I have Focal 6 3/4s in my pods, but the enclosure is way too small. Most component woofers are intended for IB. I even installed aperiodic vents in the pods to try to improve it but it didn't do much for the 80hz to 160hz range but they did smooth things out a bit. Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
#16 ·
#25 ·
I've got a 5 channel Kenwood amp sending 300watts to my factory sub enclosure with an aftermarket Sony 8". Its a 2014 JKUR. The bass is significantly better than stock but its still too muddy for me.

Here is my question. Can I add a powered under seat sub and still continue using the existing sub? Basically run two different subs and then tweak each of them to hopefully give me the punch I'm looking for?
 
#26 ·
I've got a 5 channel Kenwood amp sending 300watts to my factory sub enclosure with an aftermarket Sony 8". Its a 2014 JKUR. The bass is significantly better than stock but its still too muddy for me. Here is my question. Can I add a powered under seat sub and still continue using the existing sub? Basically run two different subs and then tweak each of them to hopefully give me the punch I'm looking for?
as long as there on to different amps it's not an issue.
 
#30 ·
Boston, they should arrive to you any day. Can't wait to hear how you like them!

We just shipped a commissioned rear sub enclosure for a 2-door. First of its kind....and more work than I care to repeat, but it's freaking nice. Drops right in the rear storage and works with or without the rear seats, check it out:
 

Attachments

#41 ·
We've had a few people use the JL TW1s with success. We tested them and they were good sounding woofers but not as good as the TW3. The standard cut-out on our enclosures is 9 1/4 - 9 3/8" depending on Line-X buildup and how they come out of the mold. The TW is just over 9" so you would have to be sure the woofer is centered perfectly. If you use a larger woofer, sometimes the opening must be enlarged.

In our opinion the Sundown SD-3 was better sounding, played lower and louder than the JLs. Its just an opinion but I don't have any measurements or data to support it. The Sundown is underhung so very low distortion, it has an inverted surround so requires less space in front of the woofer, and the power handling is almost double with an inch of excursion. It really a standard woofer with a wide, flat magnet and no pole vent. I don't sell Sundown's so I don't get anything for my opinion but I use them myself after trying a few high-end shallow 10s (2 JLs, Alpine, RF), most of which cost as much or more.
 
#47 ·
Sometimes the simplest answer is the one overlooked. Perfect will be doing it. Don't suppose you have a link?
 
#52 ·
Has anyone tried this from Alpine
https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500PW...&awnw=g&awcr=161947167981&awdv=c&awug=9004518

Crutchfield gets retail price, I have seen it for less on Amazon w/o the brakets. Anyone know a place with a deal on the kit?

But I guess with the brackets and cables it should be plug & play.
I picked this up a couple months ago. I was hesitant as the same model without the wrangler specific wiring harness and under seat mounting brackets is $200 less. Here to tell you that I bought this and installed it in 45 minutes and its worth every cent of the $500 price. It wont shake the neighbors but with it mounted right under your arse it sure feels like it would. Its my current favorite mod on my jeep.
 
#54 ·
I was facing the same decision but after research decided I would spend some money now and go with one of Mattk11's custom under the seat sub enclosures. I PMed him last night for a quote and sent payment. I then visited Amazon looked up his recommend 10" sub and a mono amp to drive it. I can't wait to get this installed and tested. I am starting with one side because of budget. Will most liking add the passenger side when summer comes and I run Olive topless and doorless. That is if budget allows and Matt has any left or does another batch.
 
#56 ·
I had a 2010 JKR that had the Alpine system upgrade. That stereo was good enough for me. I traded it in for a 2015 JKR that did not have the Alpine upgrade. Do you think a sub/amp would be good enough to get it to where the Alpine system sounded like? If not, I am not against a 4-channel amp + component speaker upgrade in addition. Does anyone have any experience with this?
 
#79 ·
I had the same sad transition man. I now have an awesome? New 2018 Rubicon Recon with pretty much the worst sound system ever :( what did you do to match the Alpine setup?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#63 ·
I'm starting to think about getting a sub in my JKU. Under the seat just seems to make sense.

The custom one from Mattk11 would be great but by the time I bought the box, sub, and amp it's way more than I want to spend.

Also I can't believe the alpine Jeep specific sub is ~$500. Maybe I'm cheap but I just don't want to spend that much.

So, is the only other option one of the kickers or sound ordinance type enclosures?
 
#66 ·
Have any of you guys had any experience with Rockville? I'm looking for a slim sub I can fit under the seat that's actually audible with the top off. I've read a lot of good reviews on Amazon but they're sort of a no name company. Thoughts?

https://www.amazon.com/Rockville-RW...&qid=1499867920&sr=8-1&keywords=Rockville+Sub

I have not, but even if the 200w RMS rating for the amp is close to true, I still think you might have issues with it being loud enough when the top is off.

However, with Amazon Prime you could give 'er a try without much risk.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top