HELP!!!

[HotWheelz]

Ok, now, normally I know plenty about stereos to get me by, but for some reason I am completely stumped on the deal. I recently attended a stereo competition, and my car hit EXTREMELY low compared to most everything else there, and I can't figure out why.

Right now, I'm running two Audiobahn ALUM12Q's, with a Kenwood Excelon KAC-X801D 1600 watt amplifier pushing them, and thats just the sub setup, not going into the highs.

As for the box, it's similar to a lot of camaro boxes I've seen, where a board runs diagonally across the recess of the hatch. The only thing different between mine and most others is the little lip that evens out against the back of the hatch, mine just runs diagonally up.

I can't figure out exactly what is hurting my sound. I know the way it's setup, it's not exactly airtight. I have placed rubber tubing along the edges of the box, filling in most of the holes where the air is leaking out. I know I'm still leaking SOME, but I don't think I'm leaking so much as to make that much of a difference. However, I sould be wrong.

If anyone out there can give me an idea of what the problem is, or has any suggestions, I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[96_V6_Fbody]

What direction and angle are they facing, this has a lot to do with it.

[speedy-v6-camaro]

What kind of head unit do you have. You may be running to low quality of a signal that you can't turn your gains up. I have a Kenwood Excelon that puts out 4 or 5V and a Phoenix Gold Line Driver that bumps it up to 8V. This basically reduces the signal lost in transit to the amps. I can hit pretty hard except that my whole ****ing car rattles.

[HotWheelz]

The subs are facing up and towards the front of the car, if you understand what I mean. The box runns from where the hatch closes, and down across the recess off the hatch.

As for my headunit, I'm running a Pioneer DEH-P5200. I've never had any problems with it in the past, but then again I've never been running an amp like this before either.

Also, to give you a little more info, I believe the gain on the amp is nearly cranked, and the subs are wired parallel, taking them down 1.5 ohms. Is there perhaps a better way to wire them?

[96firebird311]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by speedy-v6-camaro:
This basically reduces the signal lost in transit to the amps. <hr></blockquote>
That is incorrect.


If your box isin't air tight, that's the first thing to fix. Use wood glue and/or liquid nails. You want louder? Go ported. Also, are you sure you have everything wired correctly? How are your subs wired together? And to the amp?

[camaro_speedemon]

Sealed will always meter lower than a ported box. What kind of numbers are you pulling? Camaros aren't exactly good SPL cars to begin with. I would say you should be around 140. What I gather from the specs on the amp, your probably running close to 800W max in your current setup.

First deffinately fix you leaks, leaks in a sealed box hurt tremendously. If you want louder I would go ported.

[InsaneCamaro]

If i understand what you are doing ur running just a board that fits where the flap folds over the trunk?? If so u are basically running free air speakers, and if your speakers are not made for that that is a big problem.

[InsaneCamaro]

also dont run ur amp at full usually best is at about three quarters, over cranking will distort the output of the amp and affect the quality coming out.

[HotWheelz]

Here's a picture of BASICALLY what my box looks like. This isn't my setup, but its the picture I got the idea for mine from. Hopefully this will give you guys a clearer idea of what I've got



Now, as for ported or sealed, I really have no idea whether these subs are supposed to be free air or not. I've checked out everything that came with them, which says nothing, and the Audiobahn website has the specs but that's about it. I had thought about porting them, but I really had no idea if that would make much of a difference.

And for whoever asked what I was hitting, I was able to hit a 131.

[megabass]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by HotWheelz:


And for whoever asked what I was hitting, I was able to hit a 131.<hr></blockquote>


My goodness, that figure is just horrible for two 12s and a 1600 watt amp. I truly think a 10 in a stealthbox could do more than that. You may have more than one problem. But let's start with the box. Do you know how much air space each sub has? Next, any air leaks in the box not only lower your spl, but may damage the subs. A good indication is a slapping or crackling noise. Honestly, if you could spare it, I have a used ported box here that will get you close to the 150s if your amps and subs are decent. You can ask v6maro how his old system sounded because he ran the same box.

One more question concerning your box. What is it made out of. Just curious.

Moving on. A HU with less than 4v pre-outs makes amplifying the signal difficult without turning the gain on the amps way up. Which is bad because that causes distortion. I know, because my old pioneer HU only had a 2.3v per-out. And if my gain wasn't all the way up, I couldn't even hear the subs.

Next, check your wiring. What kind of wiring scheme are you running to the subs? 2ohm, 4ohm, 8ohm. That makes a diff.

Also make sure all your wiring connections are tight. I'm talking speaker wires and power and ground wires. The ground wire to the amp should be the same size as the power wire feeding the amp. Are you getting enough current to the amp? All these things can make or break a systems output.

Steve
www.subthump.com

[96firebird311]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by HotWheelz:
Here's a picture of BASICALLY what my box looks like. This isn't my setup, but its the picture I got the idea for mine from. Hopefully this will give you guys a clearer idea of what I've got



Now, as for ported or sealed, I really have no idea whether these subs are supposed to be free air or not. I've checked out everything that came with them, which says nothing, and the Audiobahn website has the specs but that's about it. I had thought about porting them, but I really had no idea if that would make much of a difference.

And for whoever asked what I was hitting, I was able to hit a 131.<hr></blockquote> A 131 with two 12"s is very low. Are you using a WHOLE BOX? Or did you just make a wood baffel the same shape as the security flap? A properly built ported box will always get you higher numbers. Lemme know if you are willing to build one, and I can give you some recommendations on size and port length. [img]smile.gif[/img]

EDIT: Or you could buy Mega's. Sorry man, didn't mean to step on your toes. You clicked on reply 2 minutes before I did. ;)

[ June 13, 2003: Message edited by: 96firebird311 ]</p>

[megabass]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by 96firebird311:


EDIT: Or you could buy Mega's. Sorry man, didn't mean to step on your toes. You clicked on reply 2 minutes before I did. ;)

[ June 13, 2003: Message edited by: 96firebird311 ]<hr></blockquote>

No problem ;)


But honestly, get yourself a nice box. Last time I heard, v6maro's box I built him was still for sale. Here's the post with pics and info http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread...hreadid=297517

The one I have is exactly like that one but it has white vinyl insted of gray. Either way, can't go wrong there. Hopefully, you're not trying to run just a baffle with the subs playing free-air.


;)

[HotWheelz]

I think that's exactly my problem. How much would you take for that box? I don't know how much I can spare, but shoot me a price. Either reply here, or drop me a line. My e-mail is darkshadow999@hotmail.com.

[InsaneCamaro]

I think your best bet would be to buy a sealed box because theres really not a whole lotta room to do the correct porting for speakers in a f body without making the whole back half just a big box.

[96firebird311]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by InsaneCamaro:
making the whole back half just a big box.<hr></blockquote>

Gotta do what you gotta do. So be it! :D