Ok, I have a friend who really doesn't want a sub ( ), and he's thinking of putting 6x9's in his parcel shelf to get some more punch... but he does seem to believe me when I tell him the 6x9's will ruin his pretty nice front stage (Alpine SPR-176A's run off front 2 channels of alpine MRV-F540)... so what are people's opinions of using 6.5" or 8" woofers in the parcel shelf?

If they are mounted on a good baffle and crossed-over quite low (around 80-100hz) with a reasonably steep slope, they shouldn't be too directional, and so hopefully won't ruin his front soundstage, while giving him plenty of punch, correct?

They'd be run off his rear 2 channels, so around 50-60rms each...

This must have been tried plenty of times before, so lets hear your thoughts...

6x9's in the rear parcel shelf can be used for low bass duties if you cross them over properly, ie around 80hz LP, and you EXTENSIVELY deaden the shelf. that, and you would want to use quality 6x9's so maybe take a look at boston or alpine offerings etc.

if this is done you basically have a small infinite baffle subwoofer arrangement that works well as long as you dont expect huge SPL or ultra tight and clean bass. because the 6x9's are treated as subs (ie low passed) if you set the gains and crossover point sensibly, they should blend with your front stage and help fill in the low end - rather than upset it like full-range rears would do.

funnily enough, this is how i had my first system when i was saving up for subs, kinda fun

[ December 19, 2002, 09:20: Message edited by: T-Bro ]

Yeah, i figured he could simply low pass a pair of 6x9's, but i was thinking dedicated 6 or 8 inch woofers would sound better considering they're purely designed for the lower freq's... (and why pay for a tweeter if you're never gonna use it??)

what sort of parcel shelf. I suppose you could deaded/strengthen/rebuild the pascel shelf and run mabey 2x 8" midbass drivers in the back, something like Morel 8HCW, or even some JL 6" subs. This though will wreak havoc on a flimsy parcelshelf, ratteling it, and most "subs" require a box as such, but utalising some midbass drivers could be ok. Still when you think about it, 2x Morel 8HCW's will cost arround $500-700, and for this you could get a nice simple 10" and a small discrete stealth box and run it from the rear channels. This will give you much better sound for less price

All in all, i think it would be easer to convince him to buy a 10" sub.

Yeah, believe me, I've tried... guess I'll keep trying...

car; 1995 honda accord

i think the main problem of 6x9s is their low xmax and relatively low power handling.

they're primarily designed as a full-range speaker to be run off a HU or modest amp. but ideally they should be HP'd to remove the really deep subbass (eg: HP 50~70Hz 12~18dB/oct); or else they'll reach physical limits above modest volumes.

so LP'ing them will not fix that problem. ideally they would be BP'd, with a HP and LP.

using a dedicated subwoofer, even a small one, should avoid these probs. they will be designed with higher xmax and powerhandling in mind.

but have fun experimenting.