Hey guys,
Looking at doing a install similar to the below, but i had a few quick questions i needed to ask (just the sub install, not the amps).

1 - with invered subs, do they actually need a box?? I guess what im asking is, with that install is that just a big bit of MDF thats been bracketd in somehow, or is it an actual box thats been made to fit nicely??

2 - If it is a box, where (ideally) is the port, if any? (im going to remove the 10 inch sub in the parcel tray, that should be a nice port into the cabin, and just leave the grill sitting over it)

3 - the rising effect with the upholstery surrounding the subs, how do you fit the cloth so that it 'hugs' the box?

4 - Finally just wondering, if inverted subs sound as good as normal mounted subs??

Sorry to ask some pretty basic questions, just wanted to make sure im on the right track. Any tips etc. will be greatly appreciated

1- its an actuall box under it.. same as mounting a sub the normal way .. just inverted to see th emagnet instead of the cone.. so yes still needs a box

2- probably donst have one.. if it does then i cant see it so it would be out of site..

3- glue it down over all the contours

4- same sh|t differnt bucket

thanks man, ill have a look at it tonight, hopefully if i do it right, ill be able to write up a rookie tutorial.

any other thoughts ???

there may be some, be it inaudible, difference between mounting it the right way or basket out. the only difference it will make especially with big subs like that is the back of the sub might take about 2-3L out of the box volume and if u invert it in adds 2-3L. u have the bonus of being able to make a shallow box too.(if needed)

i have done a bit of this "raised"effect work on a door trim, im planning on doing it to my own car, and simply made up a rectangle bit of mdf to test how it would come out, i have the pic on my phone and cant get it onto the computer unfortunatly. ill see if i can take a pic with a digi cam.

u use a layer of thin foam to make the shape then glue it to the box/door then u lay over ur leather/vynil/carpet and stretch it into the shape i used a pizza cutter(blunted of course) and it worked well. when i dropped the cutter and couldnt get it i actually used the base of the spray can(glue) to roll around the edges as i needed both hands and noone was around(i couldnt pick up the cutter)

i did flames...

Ill be building the enclosures for 10 inch subs.

which actually alerts me to another query. Where/how do i find out the required capacity of the enclosures for my subs???

i actually dont see any "rising effect" in the pics can u maybe circle it in paint and then show me?

I circled it in that photo, i think it best shows it. What type of glue to i use for vinyl on mdf?

each sub has unique specs called thiele small parameters or t/s specs...

these are normally provided with the subs, putitgn these numbers into a box calculator will tell you whether or not its suitable for ported or sealed adn what size give it the best(i.e. liniar) response...

what subs are they? if u dont kno or havnt bought them yet, its somthing to consider when, my sub for instance suits very small enclosures(9-16L) for a 10" that is small. i needed this as i have very limited space.

when looknig for subs u need to think of a few things:

-how much can i spend?
-how big do i want 8" 10" 12" 15" ???
-how many?
-how big will the box/s be?
-are they better in sealed or ported?
-are the voice coils right to suit my amp(or proposed amp)? e.g. DVC 2+2...

ok that lip or "rising effect" is part of the box it will have bee made from fibre glass with most likly a ring for the sub to mount 2 that would be the edge of the wood where it blends into the fibre glass, its very easy to simple fold the vynil over the corner. the trickiest bit is the more complex or curvy the shape is the harder it is to stretch the fabric and not get creases...

as for glue ask a auto trimmer... i used basic contact adhesive in a spray can just for my test piece as it was easy to use. there was a thread not a week ago talking about glue. search it up and ppl named a few brands...

I have 2 alpine type x subs. 10 inch.

The subs in those images, are alpine type x 12 inch models i think... not positive though.

i think ur right about pics...
the subs shud have come with all the necessary specs as well as a few recomended enclosure sizes too, run what they recomend agaist the specs and see if they really are ideal...

u do have the manuals right? if not im sure alpine has them on there site...

If you look back at some of the other before pics it gives away how they acheived the effect. Felt (or similar) is streched over from the MDF ring to the egde of the panel, then fibreglassed over.
If you heat the vinyl it becomes easier to work with and any good quality contact adheasive will do (3m, selleys. For complex shapes it may need to be vacuum sealed (see a dashboard doctor).

ok i have a pic of some raised flames that i did on a test piece, i kno its bin a while(only like a week)

but here it is. Click to view attachment

enjoy!

Very nice poisoner, u use fibreglass for that effect??

looks very hot

nope just a 2nd layer of carpet foam or vynil. under neath in the flame shape then lay glue and stretch over shape. on the top left there was a blank spot so i added a 2nd under layer just in that corner...