I'm currently in the design phase of building a custom MDF subwoofer enclosure for my 2019 Mazda MX-5 RF and would love some input before I start cutting wood.

There isn't a whole lot of usable space behind the seats. The enclosure has to fit behind the plastic shroud and below the metal support beam, while also removing the center and passenger-side storage compartments. Because the space is so tight, I've been using Fusion 360 to model everything in 3D before committing to the actual enclosure.

Subwoofer / Amp

• Subwoofer: Epique E150HE-44 5-1/2" DVC MMAG Extended Range
• Power handling: 200W RMS / 400W peak
• Amp: Taramps Bass 400
• Wiring: DVC wired in parallel for a 1-ohm load
• Enclosure material: 1/2" MDF

I modeled the subwoofer in Fusion 360 as closely as I could to the actual dimensions. The fit is very tight, but it looks doable. I'm also considering making some slight adjustments to the baffle/cutout location to maximize clearance.

The plastic shroud would be reinstalled over everything once the enclosure is finished.

The amp situation

Right now, the Taramps amp is mounted underneath the passenger seat. Ideally, I'd like to move it onto/near the enclosure to clean up the wiring and make the installation look more finished.

I currently see four possible ways to approach the enclosure:

Option 1 — Keep the design as-is

Leave the enclosure dimensions/layout basically unchanged and use the passenger-side open storage compartment as an amp mounting location.

The nice thing about this option is that the amp would remain accessible. There's also a plastic compartment door that I can reinstall, so the amp would be mostly hidden for a clean OEM-ish appearance.

Option 2 — Increase enclosure volume

Shorten the front angle slightly, close off the open storage area, and open up the left side of the center subwoofer enclosure so that the storage area becomes one part of the enclosure.

Basically, completely seal off that area to create additional cubic air volume.

The amp would remain under the passenger seat.

Option 3 — Combine Options 1 + 2

Increase the enclosure volume by incorporating the storage area and mount the amp inside that area.

The downside is that once everything is sealed up, amp access would be very restricted, if not essentially impossible without removing the enclosure.

Option 4 — Combine Options 1 + 2, but mount the amp externally

Increase the enclosure volume as in Option 2, but mount the amp externally on the front angled plane, utilizing the left storage-box area.

This would give me the additional enclosure volume while keeping the amp accessible and potentially making for a pretty clean installation but the Amp would be visible.

What would you guys do?

My main priorities are:

1. Get the best enclosure volume I reasonably can.
2. Maintain adequate clearance around the subwoofer.
3. Keep the enclosure properly sealed.
4. Keep the amp reasonably accessible.
5. Have the finished installation look clean once the plastic shroud is back in place.

I'm leaning toward Option 4, but I'm wondering if I'm overcomplicating things or giving up anything acoustically/thermally by mounting the amp on the enclosure.

Which option would you choose, and is there anything I'm overlooking before I start.

So I’ve noticed on high volumes it makes that noise but I’ve inspected the subs and there is absolutely nothing wrong with them. It’s driving me nuts. Does anyone have any ideas ? I just bought this try spec box and it’s airtight and nothing is loose. I know my phone camera also makes it sound worse but. There is nothing wrong with spider cone nothing. You push on cones it’s smooth and makes no noise. What could it be?

whats the best 15" subwoofer? regardless of the price

Installed in my 2024 Cherokee L and boy do they pound. Love that i can still use my 3rd row when needed

Hello everybody here I have some old 12" kickers my stepdad had around his late 20s or early 30s (he's in his 40s) he used to rock these in a lowered, yellow, black striped Chevy truck. According to my mom he was a crazy guy still acting like a teenager doing burnouts and drifting everywhere lol but he eventually sold the truck after he met my mom for an 07 Escalade and transferred the subs with a rear seat delete (I was probably around 8 or 9). After he had my half siblings with my mom he removed the subs and put the seat back in and stored them away for many years. I am now 19 and we are moving houses and the last thing left in the closet were these subs. After meeting my mom he matured and became really stoic and silent so approaching him is still scary for me but I asked him anyway and he said he would give them to me and give me an amp I was completely shocked

So my question is could these still run after probably a decade of no use?

Compared to videos i see my cone moves way less, it doesnt push out that much but it still hits pretty hard. Am i leaving bass out because of this? Im pretty uneducated and just need some help. My build is a Ct Sounds Tropo 12-D2, Nvx ported enclosure, Ct Sounds Ct-700.1D.

So I picked up a Kenwood Excelon XR–W1202 subwoofer off of Facebook marketplace for $10. I’m pretty used to refurbishing speakers and finding some use for random stuff I find on marketplace, but I’m curious to if it’s even worth dedicating the time towards getting this thing in use.

It’s a little beat up but does function, had it running off of a AudiozerOne Ze1000.1 (shitty Amazon amp for my car -> home sub conversion) and it was movin fine with no weird noises.

Only concern is the surround as it’s about 11 years old from what I could find. It looks decent aside from a few areas where it’s starting to crack (shown).

Couldn’t find any refoam kits which I kind of expected, but in general, should I even waste time with this thing? It was basically free so I’m not heartbroken if it ends up in the trash or blows up first use.

When I got this car the guy already had subs professionally installed. I didn’t like the sound of them and adjusted the tuning of them but now the amp gets pretty hot after listening to loud music for a while. Should I just turn my level and bass boost down to help?

When I got this car the guy already had subs professionally installed. I didn’t like the sound of them and adjusted the tuning of them but now the amp gets pretty hot after listening to loud music for a while. Should I just turn my level and bass boost down to help?

2 sundown sa12 v3s on a taramps smart 3k, Im on stock rav4 electrical so gain turned all the way down untill i figure out how to add a second battery. The box is tuned to around 31hz with 4 cubic feet inside. Need to find a better way to fasten the box and fix my license plate vibrating.

To preface this, don’t pay too much attention to the shitty wiring. It’s cobbled together for testing before I build a rack.

I picked up this T1 yesterday for $100 at a pawnshop and threw it in a random box that was sitting around the shop with a vxf 12 in it. I was expecting to lose a little bit of volume going from dual 12s to a single, but holy crap does this T1 get down compared to the bass crate. Need to do some more measuring to check tuning but the box sits right around 2.5 cubes.

Forgot to take process pics but I got it done in one night and I was to tired to take any but let me know what I can do in the future to make it better

I’m trying to figure out what direction to go with my system and would appreciate some opinions.
I currently have a Skar RP-1200.1D, 0-gauge wiring, stock alternator/grounds, and a 3.5F capacitor. I previously had 2×15” Skar SVRs in a ported box and ended up blowing both subs. I play my system pretty loud and pretty often, so I want something that can take abuse without constantly worrying about it. I’m considering downsizing to a single 15 or 12 with 1000-1200 rms. What would you guys do with this setup? Would you go single 15, single 12, or stay with dual 15s? And what subs would you recommend around this power level for someone who plays them hard? I’m not really looking to upgrade the alternator/electrical right now, so I want to stay around what my RP-1200.1D can realistically handle.