I have to ask one question-how do all of your multi sub systems sound? I have one 10 inch Kappa pushed by a 400 Watt Alpine amp matched to an MTX 420 quad amp powering 2 Polk 6 3/4 full in the rear and 2 Polk 6 3/4 separates in the front, and the sound is nicely balanced without highs or lows overpowering each other. When the radio is at 40 or above in volume, the inside rear view mirror is shaking enough to be noticible. Anything over 50 is not comfortable to listen to, even with the windows all open.

For the record, I am not someone unfamilar with loud music, having been to concerts including Led Zepplin, Judas Priest, Black Sabbath, Van Halen, etc etc etc. But, I have been in a few friends cars with multi subs in their trunk and was not impressed with the sound. Lots of thump, no mid's or high's. It may be heard from a block away and rattle cars stopped next to them at a traffic light but inside you are not exactly hearing the music like the artists intended for it to be heard. I have always attempted to recreate the way music sounds at a concert in my systems. Especially speaker placement, particuarly the tweeters since they are the most directional.

 

I love the sound of my sub system. I have always love multi sub setups.
I feel they give a fuller sound and run more efficiently with less distortion. I can use multiple smaller subs that can move very fast for tighter transient response, while still having alot of cone area to hit the low lows.

Of course I have a tuning for SQ and daily driving which balances the sub stage to the mid stage and highs very nicely, and then I have an all out SPL tuning to get loud.

When tuned nice, I can get a near flat response on an RTA.

 

What does this look like underneath??? Is the spare still in place??
Is this full enclosure or just a board laying over the spare tray area??





Looks Great I love it

 

Looks nice and is practical. I recognize that everybody has their own ideas and preferences. My goal has always been to keep my HHR as functional as possible while still having a good sound system. Also, living in the Big Apple, it has to be stealth. So, by my standards, your system is perfect (surpasing mine in the 'hidden' department) although you did give up your storage compartment. Mine is packed with my tools, cleaning supplies, change of clothes for my daughter, folding chairs, a kite, a frisbee, etc. I like the way you can reveal your system at shows by simply lifting up the carpet.

What is left behind your factory sub? If I may suggest, it was pretty simple to do what I did. And yours could be much nicer than mine, since I butchered my original sub grill when I enlarged the hole trying to get a 10 inch to work in there. All you would have to do is cut out around the indented grill, then attach a hinge to the panal and the grill. On the other side, attach a small piece of metal as a stop. Add a little velcro to each side to keep it closed and you have a hidden storage compartment that is actually pretty large inside. I fit several bottles, including spary car cleaner, windex, rags positioned to keep the bottles from bouncing around, Armoural, etc.

 

Lee I would love to see your idea for the spare sub enclosure. Do you have it in another thread? Me thinks a how to is in order

 

Thanks for the comments. Its the nicest setup ive ever had. The sub box is sitting on top of the spare tire and the surrounding area. The vinyl cover is just a trim piece around the subs and amp. The box has a piece of black formica over the top and the rest is raw MDF. The spare is accessible, but i wouldnt wanna have to take it out. The box and subs is kinda heavy and awkward.

 

Do you mean the sub box I made, or the way I made the panal where the factory sub went into an extra storage compartment?

Both were pretty basic. The sub box was a real pain to build, though, because all of the cuts had to be angled and mitered. The box is not a rectangle-it is a parallelgram. But that is what allows it to be small enough to fit without wasting any space as well as locking it into place when the seat is in position.

 

I want the compartment in the stock sub area. I would have to rebuild my sub box to even use this idea, but I'm leaning towards that anyway.

 

Here is my install:

 

pics of mine right now. the am and everything is attached underneath so it folds up to get to the spare tire. still neet to build a mount for the bottle

here is the old one which fo some reason wasnt as loud as the current even though it was 2 12s and now just one