Hi all, this is still totally in the what if category for now. just such a different idea that i need some opinions.

i have noticed in my efforts to build my new front stage that i have a good deal of dead space under the driver side dash in my car. it looks like the perfect size for something like an enclosure for a kicker 8" solobaric L7.

I am a bit hesitant with a few concerns such as:

could vibrations from this set off the airbags (being so close to them).

would this improve or hinder the soundstage having all speakers close together up front for an uncompromising SQ setup.

I have no idea how this would go so any and all advice at this stage would be very helpful.

thanks, Dan.

I know this is only a suggestion, but if you went ot the Kicker site at www.kicker.com, there have been individuals who have mounted a subwoofer under the dash...I think its the guy with two 18 Kicker Solo Xs. He had a 12inch Kicker L7? L5 down his dash.

Not sure how it would sound but its a very interesting idea. Would love to hear what it sounds like if you do go ahead with it.

It can work, but you will most likely have a huge amount of under dash rattles that will take a lot of work to stop. Also, remember to actually use it as a sub, not a midbass (eg don't cross it over at 300hz...)

as far as the airbag goes, most of the ones that i have heard of work with a deacceleration sensor under the driver's seat. Personally I'd say that you'd be fine with it, but it might be worth checking. Cant see it being an issue though...

yeah i toyed with the idea of a pair of 8" big excursion, small-box-happy drivers under the dash, but ultimately dismissed it. rattles will be the main problem... and mounting them correctly will be a pain...

having said that, they would bring a whole new dimension to the term "up front bass".

i, too, would love to hear from someone that has been successful with such a project.

d

my biggest fear ( i know this will probably cause a sh*t storm amongst some die hard SQ nuts) is that having all my speakers up front, while giving great imaging, may sound a bit empty. my meaning is that usually the sub/s would be in the boot, and sometimes rear fill would add ambience. but how will it sound if all speakers are up front???

keep in mind that with my particular design, the front stage has perfect on axis angling so performance can be optimised. but unlike a home setup where u sit a decent distance away from the speakers, in a car they are not that far away.

i am thinking that it will either sound really great (also different), but it could go the oter way and sound just muddied and crap. i never crank the bass so i do not think rattles would for as heavily if at all as compared to a real bass lover.

what does everyone think?

and thanks for the input, Dan.

Search for a guy called Earl Zausmer who had 13inch subwoofers in the front kickpanels, and axised mids and tweeters in his dash. He then had two ambience rear speakers and that was it for speakers.