Free-Air Subwoofer in Back Panel

[Edinite]

Hey, has anyone tried using a free-air subwoofer in the back storage panel? This should only require a simple particle-board or MDF face panel to mount the subwoofer, then probably some acoustic padding in the space between the sub and the sheet metal. The free-air sub would require no box, just probably some sealing around the perimeter of the factory side panel. It would require more power and not bump quite as hard as a sealed enclosure, but it would be hella cheap & easy to construct, as well as save space like the megabuck stealth boxes. With no box on the inside, you might even be able to fit a 12"! Any thoughts?

 

[Demon17]

dont think it would sound very good at all. it would definately raddle way to much

 

[jimbo74]

welcome to the site, i would agree it would rattle too much.... the interior panel is plastic, and its just clipped onto the metal walls of the truck..... normally freeair subs are mounted to a rear deck of a car and with the way a car is cinstructed the rear deck wont flex like the plastic panelclipped onto a metal wall....

 

[Edinite]

Yeah, I didn't think of that. You would need to attach the panel to the sheet metal more solidly. Still, though, the solution might be as simple as adding some steel L-brackets in critical spots, and replacing the clips with screws where possible. I might experiment with this since I'm always looking for cheap solutions to expensive problems.

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

Aren't we all!?!?!

...I might experiment with this since I'm always looking for cheap solutions to expensive problems.

Aren't we all!?!?!

 

[davesexplorer]

Behind that panel wouldn't be considered free air, a car trunk maybe something like that, but just behind that panel isn't that much cu ft, I'd look to a "regular" order box, sealed, ported, abc, bandpass, horn, something like that.... And there aren't too many subs around any more that are good for free air.

 

[Edinite]

Yeah, I know a preformed box would sound best, but before I bite the bullet & spend $250+ on a preformed box, or spend a week making one myself, I want to see if I can get some halfway decent bass using spare plywood and stereo stuff I already got in my garage. Net cost $0. You see, I'm both cheap and lazy.
I'll keep yall posted.

 

[draft]

I hate cheap people, especially when I used to work at CC, that's the worse.

Do things right the first time and only pay once. Seeing as you're not spending any money on this free-air thing, you're going to end up doing double the labor in the end, I called it, you remember that.

 

[Edinite]

True that, but I have much more time than money. Besides, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If it doesn't work, I can always spend more money. No need to hate. Stay tuned for results.

 

[XplorerKid]

True that, but I have much more time than money. Besides, nothing ventured, nothing gained. If it doesn't work, I can always spend more money. No need to hate. Stay tuned for results.

100$ ill have a 12" Sub, in a Box at your door that i know will most likely sound better than what your tryign to do....

 

[Wagonized]

wont work very well at all

the plastic pieces arent strong enough and will resonate taking away your sound.

you're best off to build a small mdf enclosure (should cost like $20) or try your hand at fiberglassing