25 replies to this topic

[Hiluxman]

Hey everyone,
Well I've come to the conclusion that if I want a sub(s) in my Hilux, I will need to either compromise front passenger legroom or go for an under seat solution. Now I've looked around and I'm considering the following slim active subs:

DNA - http://www.ebay.com....=item27c3546622

Phillips - http://www.ebay.com....=item2a12999b12

Alpine - http://www.alpine.co...php?item_id=161

MBQ dual - http://www.ebay.com....=item1c206df40d

It seems that the MBQ one is the best value for money and the alpine you get the least value for money however is it better to get something thats a good brand name over something that has more to it but is get a lesser known or unknown brand? ie. would the alpine end up being better than the MBQ?

Thanks

[mad89]

Focal iBus20

/thread!

[HERTZ-1]

I've heard both the Philips and the DNA.
Vibe do one that is much better than both.
LITEAIR8CUA
http://www.vibeaudio...eair-optisound/
300W RMS mono amp built in. $349 RRP

Posted from my portable device.

[Mr_xr6t]

Yeah I have hear a lot of these when my mate was looking for one and the focals where the best by far

[KGB]

I'd probably go with the Focal as well. Another to consider is the Qmax Invisibass.
Talk to Marty at FHRX, I think he had a special on the Focal recently.

[Hiluxman]

I just found of those focal ones on ebay. It's got free shipping so that's a bonus. Do you guys think it is a good price they're asking?

http://www.ebay.com....=item4164f61c70

[Mr. Drifter]

What is different between the ibus20 and the bus20?
cause I can't find the ibus20 on the focal aud site, but can find the bus20...

[SSSpoosah]

The BUS20 retails at $479. Ring around a few places locally and see what they can do. Even if you pay a bit more than the ebay price, you get the reassurance of warranty

[SSSpoosah]

What is different between the ibus20 and the bus20?
cause I can't find the ibus20 on the focal aud site, but can find the bus20...

Hmm true I didn't pay attention to that. But the power handling does seem to be a bit higher on the ibus20. Maybe a new version/edition?

[mad89]

iBus20 is the new revised model. Try the international Focal website for specs etc.

[Big_Valven]

Focal BUS +1

[Hiluxman]

Judging by focal Australia's website, doesn't look like they have the iBus 20 yet, they only have the Bus20. Looks like I may still have to source it from overseas.

Edited by Hiluxman, 07 May 2012 - 12:00 AM.

[shiny_car]

Maybe check with a retailer. The new Focal speaker ranges - Integration and Performance - are being released here now, so I would expect any new subs to be close behind.

[mad89]

Judging by focal Australia's website, doesn't look like they have the iBus 20 yet, they only have the Bus20. Looks like I may still have to source it from overseas.

iBus20 is the new revised model. Try the international Focal website for specs etc.

^^^ The Focal iBus20 is available in Australia (as are the new speaker ranges). The Focal AU website just hasn't been updated yet.

I'd advise having a chat to Marty from Fhrx Studios - he's used a whole range of different underseat subs in a variety of applications, so will be able to advise appropriately on whats good and whats not!

[broadz]

Why not build an enclosure behind the front seats? Yes there are limitations in a ute (trust me i've been there, done that) but these slimline active and usually plastic encased solutions are not a complete replacement for a decent well thought out "proper" sub install.
The big Question that will dicatate how well a behind the front seat install will sound is how tall are you? If you need the seat the whole way back, you may be limited to shallow mount drivers which isn't too bad. Just your subwoofer choices are far less and generally dont perform as good as a full sized sub. IMO providing it is installed in a large enough enclosure it will perform better than these plastic underseat subs. A lot of people make the mistake of buying shallow subs and choking them in a far undersized box and then complain how poorly they perform. A good example ive seen was 2 twelve inch pioneer shallow drivers being replaced buy a single 10 with the exact same enclosure.. It sounded far better and played lower (maybe not quite as loud)
In my case, I decided to go for the lack of passenger footspace as I wanted the best possible SQ sub I could fit and that was the ONLY place I could keeping my dual cab a 5 seater.

[Hiluxman]

Why not build an enclosure behind the front seats? Yes there are limitations in a ute (trust me i've been there, done that) but these slimline active and usually plastic encased solutions are not a complete replacement for a decent well thought out "proper" sub install.
The big Question that will dicatate how well a behind the front seat install will sound is how tall are you? If you need the seat the whole way back, you may be limited to shallow mount drivers which isn't too bad. Just your subwoofer choices are far less and generally dont perform as good as a full sized sub. IMO providing it is installed in a large enough enclosure it will perform better than these plastic underseat subs. A lot of people make the mistake of buying shallow subs and choking them in a far undersized box and then complain how poorly they perform. A good example ive seen was 2 twelve inch pioneer shallow drivers being replaced buy a single 10 with the exact same enclosure.. It sounded far better and played lower (maybe not quite as loud)
In my case, I decided to go for the lack of passenger footspace as I wanted the best possible SQ sub I could fit and that was the ONLY place I could keeping my dual cab a 5 seater.

Well my Hilux is a dual cab man so can't do anything behind the FRONT seats. Nor can I do anything behind the rear seats either as there is literally about 1-2inches of room behind them. Also with the 2005-onwards hilux dual cabs, you can't retract the backrest of the rear seat down without modification so. As for under the seats, I was going to order a custom enclosure for under the seats for a 10 inch sub however it required there to be 160mm under the seats. I only have 100mm under the passenger's seat and with the driver's seat adjusted up I get a maximum of 130mm. There would be only one more option, to comprise front passenger legroom. I guess the front passenger could still put their feet on it if I get a strong grille for the sub. What do you guys think of that idea? Would this be very practical?

[Hiluxman]

I've just been researching a bit and found a pioneer sub and enclosure combination that would take up barely any passenger legroom and because the box downfires the sub, it means that my passengers won't damage my sub. This is the sub I was thinking:
http://www.ebay.com....=item2a15f3b465

This is the enclosure: http://www.ebay.com....=item4164f3d4e4

How would that combination sound with a good mono class D amp or a 4 channel (also hooked up to components in the doors)?

[Hiluxman]

I've actually had another idea with this sub box. I am thinking the smaller 8 inch version (http://www.ebay.com....=item4164d07480) with the 8 inch sub (http://www.ebay.com....=item3cba5170d0) and this amp (http://jaycar.com.au...SUBCATID=1028#4) or this amp (http://www.ebay.com....=item2c5b270292). The way I will set this up is instead of putting the sub at the footwell of the front passenger, I will put it on the hump at the centre rear seat as centre passengers usually put their feet either side of the hump. Also, instead of mounting the box in the downfire way, I will stand it up on its side so that the cup holders can still be used and face the sub to the rear of the car.

However I have a few question about this.
1) Will this set up sound better than a slim active sub under a front seat?
2) Do you think it is practical to put the sub on the centre hump at the rear of the car?

Thanks

Edited by Hiluxman, 07 May 2012 - 10:40 PM.

[Chopper]

Watching with interest mate. Having the same trouble with a triton. Free bump

[Prime mova]

I had a 1991 Hilux D/cab so my knowledge of the 1997+ later models isn't so good, but IMHO subwoofers need air to make the best sound, restrict the air compromise the subs ability to play.

Have you looked under the back bench seat for space? Imo you need a proper enclosure and sub if you want the best from your music.

I'm starting my own build w/Rockford fosgate IB-200's under the front seats which I've done loads of research about! I'm also having a small enclosured sub in the luggage area. My post is here: http://www.mobileele...80#entry1301780

[HERTZ-1]

Pioneer TSWX77A on the back wall possible?

Posted from my portable device.

[Hiluxman]

Pioneer TSWX77A on the back wall possible?

Posted from my portable device.

Can't do that one mate. Like I said before I have literally 1.5-2 inches behind the rear seat. It also becomes less (more like 3/4 to 1.25 inches) when u retract the bottom of the rear seat up. This is because the backrest moves closer to the back wall when you do this.

[Hiluxman]

I had a 1991 Hilux D/cab so my knowledge of the 1997+ later models isn't so good, but IMHO subwoofers need air to make the best sound, restrict the air compromise the subs ability to play.

Have you looked under the back bench seat for space? Imo you need a proper enclosure and sub if you want the best from your music.

I'm starting my own build w/Rockford fosgate IB-200's under the front seats which I've done loads of research about! I'm also having a small enclosured sub in the luggage area. My post is here: http://www.mobileele...80#entry1301780

Yeah I've had a bit of a look there mate. There are two tiny storage boxes under the bench at the rear. One has the wheel spanner and jack and the other has barely enough to fit a phonebook (and thats the smaller type phonebook, not like the yellow pages). Maximum height I could have for the sub box is around 350-400mm as any higher would intrude the rear centre passenger too much. I also cant have it anymore than 250mm wide as this would go over the hump. And I can't have it anymore than 180-200 long as the cup holders would be useless.

[HERTZ-1]

Can't do that one mate. Like I said before I have literally 1.5-2 inches behind the rear seat. It also becomes less (more like 3/4 to 1.25 inches) when u retract the bottom of the rear seat up. This is because the backrest moves closer to the back wall when you do this.

bugger

[SSSpoosah]

Just FYI mate, here is a review of the ibus20. It's by Marty so as Rick said, they are available in Aus

http://www.avhub.com...once-again.html

[mad89]

Just FYI mate, here is a review of the ibus20. It's by Marty so as Rick said, they are available in Aus
http://www.avhub.com...once-again.html