How important is sub placement?

[kola]

I currently have the JL Audio Stealthbox (W1) in my Explorer. It is satisfactory. However, I used to have a cheap 8 inch sub sitting in the back. It pointed towards the rear hatch, about four inches away, and it seems to me that it hit harder - as hard as an 8" sub can hit - than the W1.

I went with the Stealthbox because it is out of the way, and I do like that. But it seems I have given up some sound.

Does aiming the sub at the rear hatch make that much of a difference?

Thanks

 

[leenjen]

yes, it makes a big difference.
i had two 12s facing up in my daytona. when i decide to make them rear-facing, i got a +3db increase. that may not seem like much. but when talking bass, +3db is actually double.

the enclosure is also a major factor. the box is just as important as the woofer. the stealthbox is small and has very little airspace. if you put your subwoofer in a slightly larger enclosure, you would get a lot more bass.