Anyone install a Sub in the Drivers kickpanel?

[austin21v]

I have a 21v riders edition and I am looking to get more bass out of the stereo. I have replaced all the speakers w/ audiobahn marine components and added tower speakers, but still lacking in the bass... I wanted to add a 10in Sub at the drivers kickpanel and hide the amp in the waterproof compartment right behind it. I have seen many boats with the freeair sub's mounted there I was just wondering if they added a new piece of carpeted wood or if they cut directly into the floorboard/kickpanel?

Any suggestions before I fire up my jig saw...

[chpthril]

I have a 21v riders edition and I am looking to get more bass out of the stereo. I have replaced all the speakers w/ audiobahn marine components and added tower speakers, but still lacking in the bass... I wanted to add a 10in Sub at the drivers kickpanel and hide the amp in the waterproof compartment right behind it. I have seen many boats with the freeair sub's mounted there I was just wondering if they added a new piece of carpeted wood or if they cut directly into the floorboard/kickpanel?

Any suggestions before I fire up my jig saw...

That is the perfect place for 1 or 2 subs. Both the factory and owners without, have installed there.

That panel does not seem to be a structural support, so cut away.

Regardless fo what sub you go with, build/buy a box. My factory Kicker 10" is a "freeair" but would over extend and hit the grill. I built a simple box and it made a huge differance in bass quality.

I have a Kicker kx700.5 (5 channel) that runs all my cabin speakers and the sub. Im very happy w/ it.

Do a search for "sub install" on here, there are a couple good threads with lots more info and pics. Good luck and post some picks for us.

[Tequilasun]

Correct-a-mundo...

I have been thinking I need to add a bit of support to my kick panel, our 10 inch sub rattles it a bit, Maybe I'll glue in some marine plywood or resin soaked MDF.

This reminds me, I really have to build a new box to surround the back of that sucker. Thanks, I need more projects.

[dcsnowwake]

I have a box that is getting built in there for my sub, ill post pics when its done

[Dan and Christy]

I had Matt's guys put a 12" sub in the kick panel before I picked up the boat last summer. It sounds great! He did build a box for it and covered it in matching carpet so when you lift the front seat up it looks completely stock.

[austin21v]

Thanks for the info , I'm headed out this weekend with me tools and my camera. I'll post pics when I'm done. No stereo shop here just do-it yourself style...:D

[scottcarlye]

I have an 06' 21i. The drivers kick panel has a pre-perforated cutout underneath the carpet for the factory 10". Not realizing this, I cut a 12" cutout. While cutting the kickpanel I found the factory cut out. I mounted an infinite baffle (free-air) marine grade kicker sub. It hits pretty good but would do far better with an enclosure behind it. Problem is you will loose some storage space.

[bschmaus]

Perfect place for the sub. That is where mine is mounted and it sounds great!

[evil0ne]

Mine is in a sealed box (too big if you ask me, must be 2.0ft3) in that location and it does take up most of the storage there but it rocks the boat.

[NICKYPOO]

2cu.ft. sealed? How big is your sub?

A sealed enclosure is the only way to go. I, if all your going to listen to is bass, then you might consider a ported enclosure, but this opens up a whole new can of worms. Bigger box, what size port is needed for your particular sub, ect, ect. A sealed box will sound better for all types of music anyways. I've got a 10" RE sub in a .72cu.ft. sealed box mounted up high under the dash. I filled it with poyfill as well. It will put out more bass than I even need. It's tight, clean and LOUD. A boat is a wonderful space to put a sub as the whole boat, more or less, becomes a speaker. You don't need 2 15" subs running 5000 boomin' watts. You'll shake that poor Tige to death. You'll be amazed how much bass a mild mannered sub set up will produce.

Here's a thread from the archive.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2229

[sparky216]

Sealed enclosure is the way to go, I just got a quote for a new 10'' JL 10w3 w/ enclosure. A JL a4300 4ch amp with fader know so I can run my tower speakers seperate from my cabin speakers. Installed with all cables for around 600.00.

[evil0ne]

2cu.ft. sealed? How big is your sub?



I bought the boat from someone else that had it done already. It is a JL of some kind, one of the older models where all of the cones look the same so it could be a W6, W3, W1, etc. The box just looks way bigger then 1 cu ft. It's either that storage compartment is super small or the box really is that big.

[sparky216]

2cu.ft. sealed? How big is your sub?

You'll be amazed how much bass a mild mannered sub set up will produce.

Here's a thread from the archive.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2229


Totally agree with Nick statement. Unless your into rap/rb music and want that specific "bass" sound stick with 1 10 and power it well. With the speaker itself if you don't go marine grade make sure you get rubber surround as opposed to foam.

[austin21v]

So putting a box in for the sub is the way to go? I listen to all types of music and I am just looking for a little more bass to fill the gap. I'm not looking to vibrate the boat loose. I purchased a 10in. 200watt Kenwood marine Sub Setup that is freeair, I allready have 6 Audiobahn 6.5 components (4 in the boat, 2 on the tower) and it rocks. If you are looking for good marine grade speakers check out the Audiobahn marine I compared to them to the Polk's before I put them in and if you think the polk's are better then you haven't listened to Audiobahn's cause they scream and are crystal clear all the way through the volume. I think I will try freeair first we'll see.;)

[NICKYPOO]

All that and and you're going freeair anyways? :confused:

[Razzman]

2cu.ft. sealed? How big is your sub?

A sealed enclosure is the only way to go. I, if all your going to listen to is bass, then you might consider a ported enclosure, but this opens up a whole new can of worms. Bigger box, what size port is needed for your particular sub, ect, ect. A sealed box will sound better for all types of music anyways. I've got a 10" RE sub in a .72cu.ft. sealed box mounted up high under the dash. I filled it with poyfill as well. It will put out more bass than I even need. It's tight, clean and LOUD. A boat is a wonderful space to put a sub as the whole boat, more or less, becomes a speaker. You don't need 2 15" subs running 5000 boomin' watts. You'll shake that poor Tige to death. You'll be amazed how much bass a mild mannered sub set up will produce.

Here's a thread from the archive.
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2229

Nicky, what have you got powering that sub? I'm putting a 10" RF in a .79cf box in mine as well.

[sparky216]

All that and and you're going freeair anyways? :confused:

I don't see the advantage, plus you know you speaker is safe from harm and elements w/ enclosure.

[NICKYPOO]

I'm running a RF P2002 bridged. 250+ watts bridged. It works out real nice. I have the "boost" control mounted on the dash so that I can turn the bass up or down from there. I got it for like $125. Get yourself a bag of poyfill and stuff that box full.

[Moki]

freeair as in no swim suit:confused: , because you don't want do that to your sub.

[zad0030]

This is the most I can do, Hope it helps a little....

[chpthril]

Mine is in a sealed box (too big if you ask me, must be 2.0ft3) in that location and it does take up most of the storage there but it rocks the boat.

I know my box is not the correct size to produce the best sound, but I think just adding a sealed box improved the bass 100%. Mine is 12x12x6, not much bigger than the sub itself.

[austin21v]

freeair as in no swim suit:confused: , because you don't want do that to your sub.

It really makes that big of a difference.... You would think the small space behind it would be enough to produce decent sound without a box.

[NICKYPOO]

I know my box is not the correct size to produce the best sound, but I think just adding a sealed box improved the bass 100%.

I'd say that statement is 100% accurate. Seriously, it makes all the diference in the world.

[T*]

Yes - a Kicker CVR 12". And a Kicker 4" tweet (same series speakers that are factory throughout the boat).

My boat is an '05 and was to have the 'perforated' cut-out for a 10" sub, but I never found it (not even when cutting for the 12" - I don't think it was perf'd or I'd have encountered/intersected with it). In hindsight, a 10" sub would have been the better way to go. As it is, I have a 3 vent heater mounted on that same panel (which I had to move up six inches or so (a pain in the A##) to accomodate the sub, and due to the duct work, building a box in there would be quite a challenge, if not nightmare-ish. I have no doubt that my 12" would hit better with a box of proper volume, but it is more than adequate as-is. A 10" w/box if I had to do over again. If you have to/decide to run free-air, you'll want to weather-strip your access door (and latch mechanism) to seal more air and cut down vibration.

I've attached a few pics from start to finish - basic stuff. The boat came with a heater vent in that panel; I then moved that vent higher on the panel so that I could drop in a 4" tweet in that hole (the 22i needs more high frequency in/around the driver area, and that is theonly place I could come up with to put it - I installed the other 4" tweet from that pair aiming at the driver from beneath the buddy seat - it does help some). The rest of the pics are self explanatory.

One other thing that I'd add is that I mounted both of my amps in the compartment on the driver's side (same wall as the bow seating - opposite of the sub and heater). Boat came with one amp installed on the same side as the head unit, but with that compartment open to the front with the ski pass-through, it is more likely to see water in it if we take water over the bow. Of course there is the possibility of a heater waterline malfunction, but I like my odds of us taking water in the dunk tank v. the heater failing.

Regards, T*

[austin21v]

Thanks T
I think my 10 will squeze past my heater vent, I am going to install it freeair 1st and I will use your tech. on sealing the door. If that doesn't sound good i might try to fit a box in there to seal it up good. Thanks for the pics, looks like a pretty simple install.......

[Coach]

I put in a Kicker L5 15" in my kick panel. Here are some pics front and in the storage space with the http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2023&stc=1&d=1165795417
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2022&stc=1&d=1165795360
http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=2021&stc=1&d=1165795353

[sparky216]

Coach,
15", HOLY COW you will make wake without even moving..........that is some serious bass there!!!;) Sweet

[talltigeguy]

That L5 is a monster! I am sure it is good for some ballast too.

I might part with the wisdom that has been dispensed here. My boat originally came with a 10 inch Clarion that sounded pretty decent without a box. I have a JL 12W6 that is supposed to have a box and it rocks pretty well without one. I probably never got to really pump up the bass at the Tige reunion in November, but it is very solid. It would probably be a bit stronger with a box, but I can hardly complain.

That little door in the walkway vibrates like mad when my sub starts working, so I usually end up just popping it open, one of these days I will put some weather stripping or something on it to stop the rattle.

[Coach]

Coach,
15", HOLY COW you will make wake without even moving..........that is some serious bass there!!!;) Sweet

The guys who installed it insured me I would create some serious ripples in the water when I am pumping it.

The funny thing about the 15" is that you can feel the air it is pushing on your legs but it doesn't sound that crushing, but when I move outside the boat it gets to be louder and more prominate. All I can say I don' t need a pole to go fishing anymore.:D

[Jeff T]

Hey Coach--I'm thinking about putting a 15in solo in my kick panel too (other option is a 12in). Quick question...why did you go with the L5 as opposed to the L7. If I remember right, you have a 1500.1 pushing it, which more than plenty for the L7 and double the RMS rating for the L5. The reason i ask is I have been wondering if the L7 would require more space (box included) than what is available. Just curious. I'm considering the following: 15L7, 15L5, and 12L7.

Thanks!

[Coach]

Hey Coach--I'm thinking about putting a 15in solo in my kick panel too (other option is a 12in). Quick question...why did you go with the L5 as opposed to the L7. If I remember right, you have a 1500.1 pushing it, which more than plenty for the L7 and double the RMS rating for the L5. The reason i ask is I have been wondering if the L7 would require more space (box included) than what is available. Just curious. I'm considering the following: 15L7, 15L5, and 12L7.

Thanks!

I just went with the recommendation of the stereo shop. They felt the L5 was a great speaker for the money and in a boat the I wouldn't be picking up that much more with the L7.

[Jeff T]

Ah Gotcha. Thanks.

[spharis]

Agreed....I wouldn't drop a ton of cash on the highest of the high end. The marine environment is so much more acoustically unfriendly than the unfriendly environment of a auto. Gains in spending the extra money you will never realize. Mid grade drivers should be fine, use your money for the amps and charging instead.

[Jeff T]

Worth if for a 15 vs a 12 solo?

[Coach]

Worth if for a 15 vs a 12 solo?

Personally I like the SoloBarics over the CVS. They are better built IMO. Every stereo shop guy I talked to about the Kicker really like the Solo for the marine application.

Dang 4 Turnover by NO, the Bears are rolling on D

[Jeff T]

yea I'm def going with a solo. It is just a matter of 12in or 15in.

[spharis]

Solos are recommended in marine environments manily due to space restrictions. I don't know if they still advertise it or not, but the original solobaric slogan (when they came out in about 92ish or so) was all the bass, half the space. Other than that they have basically the same stats as the comp vrs or vxs, depending on if it is an l5 or l7.

Example....the L5 12 take .88-2cube of space for a sealed enclosure, the Compvr round takes 1 to 4.6....quite a bit of difference, but the sensitivity and excursions are pretty close, so you can estimate a pretty close db output. One thing that you will need is alot more power to push the L5 or L7, they take 45-100% more power to reach max efficiency. The round drivers are alot more efficient. That leads me back to my last post in this thread. Save the money by purchasing an L5 over an L7 and use it for a more powerful amp.

[Jeff T]

Thanks for the info! Has anyone had a chance to compare a 12in vs a 15in in an open air environment. Just wondering if it is worth it to jump up to a 15in.