What subwoofer direction is best? HOW TO TEST! - CarAudioFabrication

[@CarAudioFabrication]

Need a subwoofer box design that you can use as a guide to build your own box? Go here: www.caraudiofabrication.com/pre-made-designs

[@yanke3s1]

i just took the bluetooth boombox that i just posted on my channel and faced the 4 front facing mini woofers into the floor on a wood floor(carpet) and it seems like 3 times more bass im not kidding....any comments or recommendations

[@burtyoung5909]

sound quality comes first but i also prefer not modifying the vehicle any more than necessary. Im 52 and have been messing with sound systems for almost 40 years. The technology available today makes it possible to create incredible systems in a stealth fashion. I just wish the auto manufacturers would designate spaces for the items we need to install to build these new systems that utilize the factory radio and special features. finding room to hide components is getting more challenging every year even as i have become a much better fabricator. I had to hide an amp in a fold up seat bottom in my sons 4 runner and the audio control in a home made bracket under the passenger seat. Couldn't figure out how to hide the ported box with 2 12s. Hmmm lol. Thanks for what your doing. Its nice to see someone genuinely enjoy sharing their passion. Keep up the good work.

[@jorgem50]

Man I feel so dumb! I've had my system for a few years now and all that time I had my three 10's facing to the back of the car (saturn ION). Bass was very good. So yesterday I decided to face them in to the car. HOLY SHIT! It is much louder, hits twice as hard and sounds much cleaner! Love it! Feels like I added another 10"

[@omaralba2272]

You've influence my Jeep sound system like you have no idea! I off road a lot so space/stealth plays the biggest factor for me. Hey mark! I sent you an email about my build. I know you're a one man show but when you can let me know what you think. Thanks man. Love this build.

[@sfg77dfjuhfg89]

Mark, you have so much better attitude then Steve Meade. ;0

[@83malibuwagon]

Agreed, I hate arrogance.

[@TileRoofsCanada]

Stealth and then Quality. Anyone can put a box in a trunk but making a system integrate is key for me now. I'm doing a Jeep unlimited build myself this winter.

[@brianbunge8560]

Coopers_dad I'd love to see what you do with it. I've got a 2016 JKU and I want something stealth with great sound quality.

[@vgullotta]

That's very interesting that the side firing seems to be slightly better performance. I wonder if that's why Alpine chose that location for the subwoofer. I know they did a TON of testing when they took over the Jeep Wrangler audio line and really improved on it over the Infinity stuff.

[@MC-rh3fc]

An Insane Audio head unit would look sweet in your jeep. Added that to my JK 2dr Rubicon and I really like it. Replaced the speakers and added an amp. My next project is the Sub. Your test in this video saved me the work of testing locations. My 2dr is very limited on space. So, I am going to replace the rear seat with a full vehicle width box to house my Amp, Sub, and a 3 gallon air tank for my compressor. It should also provide the needed storage for recovery gear. I stayed away from using the location you chose because I need the room. Thanks for all your videos. I feel like I am prepared to start the build.

[@JamesMosesJr]

Hello my name is James Moses Jr. I was wondering which is the best way to aim my 12" Subwoofer box in my 2001 Toyota 4Runner good Sound quality and keep my storage space?.

[@CarAudioFabrication]

First! YESSSSSS I am the best at this game!

[@chunk386]

CarAudioFabrication know your a busy guy. I emailed you about a box build blueprint. I'd still like to get with on you it.

[@DeBoSS212]

are you gonna measure the subwoofer in a open environment and get the cabin gain transfer function of the vehicle???

[@SuperKanuuna]

CarAudioFabrication make video with vented box

[@ChannelZeroOne]

Guess he never got with on it.

[@grazryan]

I love the Confidence and i have no problem agreeing with you on that!! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼 love you videos

[@soundman_caraudio]

That box looks swell!!

[@lionelpatterson1436]

It is swollen

[@manufacturingdefect1287]

I flipped my subwoofer box today which houses my 12 inch pioneer previously in a rear facing position. I also had two 6 by 9s mounted on top of the subwoofer box each in its own enclosure. So today flipped the subwoofer to be upfiring and the two midranges to face forward. Car is the local equivalent of a 2012 Mazda 6. I feel like the sound is fuller and the bass louder and deeper.

[@RockSolidStudios]

I usually don’t care much about aesthetics, though I am getting more into that. Usually my goal is a good balance between SQ and SPL

[@KurtisPape]

Late comment but good question at the end, I went for seamless integration and also completely sound deaded my car to improve audio quality by making my quieter, I also can easily swap out from slim to big box for max spl. So I've got everything :)

[@TRX450RVlogger]

I have always loved a Stealthy amplifier Location, a box that can produce lots of Lows but also looks great and sounds good on super low bass and metal and old country.

[@johnbarton562]

Your videos are super detailed - I feel more like I am in a classroom instead of watching a KZbin video. Very good explanation.

[@encoresaid6329]

This is a easy question to answer because u can have great sound quality and sound pressure tucked under panels . I'm planning my build now with stealth priority number one but yet in still it's going in a 16 suburban and I wanna keep my first row of passenger seats , I also wanna do door panel speakers with pods . All of these thing can be done at specially when u pay extra close attention to detail like one would if they have been following your videos for as long as I have . Keep up the good work.

[@davidlunsford6155]

I'm super late but I love SQ. I like hearing all the instruments and notes in a song. I like stealth too. My 2015 VW beetle is a hatchback and I tried all the locations, no down fire option with the box. I found that it sounds best on the right side facing left. At 46, I'm done with big bass. I've even went as far as adjusting the fade/balance to get the best center sound for me while driving. If all you can hear is the driver door speaker, then to me you're not getting the sound quality of the whole system. I've upgraded all of the speakers also and HU. I've set the distance between driver location vers each speaker and sub. The Kenwood HU has to many options for the speakers. Lol. Two amps. I think that it sounds nice. But that's with my ears🥰

[@HellShock5150]

I try to shoot for SQ but I also like the double bass to feel like it's kicking me in the chest sometimes....ya know what I'm sayin

[@bashns7743]

I got a 2011 chevy impala and im trying to achieve that chest pounding bass, i know in suvs and hatchbacks is possible, do u know if its possible in my car and how?

[@klubstompers]

@@bashns7743 Kick panels

[@bashns7743]

@@klubstompers what you mean?

[@klubstompers]

@@bashns7743 some 8" kick panels on the floor in the corner of the foot well. Just Google kick panels.

[@gabrielleleiba1947]

@@bashns7743 bad ass subs big bass

[@tre6442]

What about an "up firing" speaker test like I have in back of my Expedition. And I definitely go for sound quality and looks in my system 👍 great vid

[@SANDMAN_66]

nice, i am making a fiberglass enclosure for my l7 in my 89 supra right now that is side facing. glad the subbass frequencies from all that hardcore jungle will be slightly tuned up.

[@HillBilly-1]

I've had people argue with me and tell me I don't know anything about car audio because my subs face forward. I did what you just did without the sound equipment just listened to a bunch of different styles of music, From inside and outside the car. Forward sounded the best hands down, full clear bass. Rear facing sounded like the car was falling apart, and bass sounded flat.

[@DonziGT230]

Years ago I spent most of a day setting up a sub in the cabin of my boat installing it in the only unused space. After getting it all set up I cranked up the radio and had no bass at all. The speaker was moving like crazy, but the sound was like holding the speaker in open air, just air fluffing sound. That day I learned the term "standing wave". I could move the speaker about a foot in any direction and get good bass, but not in that spot. Having no other options without loosing storage spaces I turned the speaker around so that it was firing under the floor of the boat instead of into the cabin and it worked great.

[@francos2696]

Question - When you tested the box facing the Left and Right side of the trunk which one was actually the left and right? Is the Drivers Side the Left? Better question would be which side gave the better result the drivers side facing the side or the passenger side facing the side?

[@rushmosis886]

Man I love your videos! They kick ass on a lvl I can respect and relate to. I've learned sooo much more than I ever did in years cruising forums to learn audio. Mad respect! Keep up the killer work bro!

[@Ph4tT0ny]

What would be interesting is the same test with ported box. But not just one box, do one with rear facing subs and rear facing port, rear facing subs with forward facing port, forward facing subs with rear facing port, etc. etc. Same cubic feet on all tests.

[@AKEYFACTOR]

Love the opening with the camera shake that matches the bass, brilliant!

[@soundman_caraudio]

Nice shirt!! 👌👌👌👌

[@davidvalentin3981]

he's showing you some love after he burnt you! LoL still both of you are great guys!!!

[@paulrine7447]

I’m doing a downfiring box in my Jeep Liberty. I will be using 2 10” Kicker comp R’s at 2 ohm. My goal is to cover the rear floor so that it looks like there is nothing there and still has enough support to load things in the back without compromising storage space.

[@WarbirdPylonRacer]

I love SQ and SPL and Stealth. Not a huge rolling bass guy but I love the new EDM and deep house mixes they're creating these days.

[@strongbad2795]

You are a legend. I've been looking for a reasonable mic and EQ software for a while now. Just ordered that same setup mic thanks to you.

[@CarAudioFabrication]

Nice! Have fun with it!

[@boocoolrodriguez7028]

your awesome the best tutorials ever, you speak clearly and make it easy to understand everything, thanks big time

[@jjcelio219]

GREAT INFO...but how about the positioning of a port from a ported box enclosure? I'd really like to see some of those results...please.

[@Javierm0n0]

Definitely sound quality followed by practicality and then looks. Love your videos dude.

[@juanv433]

i have a 2014 single cab ram. with quite a bit of storage place in the back of the seats. i just got 4 rockford t1 12s swallow for it. i have a rf t-2500 ready to power them. im pretty excited about that :)

[@DouglasClaude]

Two things are important for me; sound quality and stealth. Theft is bad here, especially with automotive stereos. I don't want to draw attention. I also love all types of music and love hearing each instrument with fine detailing and clarity.

[@sxmystix]

I agree with you. I also am big on stealth and sq. For me i build my boxes so you cant tell they exist. I love the look on a new passengers face when my subs kick in and they dont know where the bass is coming from.

[@crimescene25]

I've always found every setup i've had the best sounding is facing rear from backseat.

[@kewlbug]

Broo you need to change the graph, click limits and fit to data or just the + in the corners and move around. The gaps will be a lot more clear.this video is old so you prob know this. Also don’t know if you e done videos, REW now has a bunch of time alignment tools. It was originally telling me to delay speakers 42” but w messing around I found best result w zero delay and inverted sub phase.

[@Ryan_Hans_Random_Worx]

What would it be like to build an isobaric box with two subs facing the same direction or facing each other in the box and then completely seal both with or without ports. I am experimenting with this right now but I would like to see you do an episode on this idea.

[@DrTommyO]

Happy New Year. Fantastic video education series. Questions: 1. when building a down firing subwoofer box, what is your recommendation for the amount of space for the legs (height, 1, 2, or 3 inches)? 2.Does the texture of the floor, let's say a smooth carpet verses a heavily textured. Does the heavily texture require additional height (inches)? Thank you in advance.

[@rahulgoel05]

My priority for sub placement is SQ + Stealth. Both are equally significant in case of car with a small boot. If boot space is large enough then only SQ is important.

[@jpaez82]

in my youth clean install and spl. now that i am older 34, clean install that looks sleathy and SQ is at the top of my list.

[@Kot1026]

I'm absolutely up to sound quality and stelthness! While having a relatively inexpensive car, surprising some passengers with an amazing sound always makes my day. I enjoy myself too though 😄

[@tomjones4318]

Great experiment, confirmed what always figured. Side firing was a little surprising. Downfiring is best all around option.

[@amisfitpuivk]

Nice to know that the direction of the speaker doesn't really matter. It makes perfect sense, it depends much more on what your box is physically touching. I had to move my 2x12" box behind my driver seat (SUV) on top of folded down back seats so I can still use my trunk for storage. The fact that it has to reverberate through seat padding before the vibration reaches the hard car body makes me need more power. Luckily, I have a lot of wattage to play with lol.

[@kennymccormick8295]

Bass is omnidirectional.

[@Ziggy75gg]

As for the question, yes. My biggest thing is a good sound quality that's hidden but has spl abilities when I need the extra bump. My first system I ever had was stolen while I was at work so all my systems since then have been on the stealth or to big to take without dismantling the car side.

[@ImHonestlyEliteTv]

Don’t know if you’ll see this but I’m planning on putting 2 12s in my trunk. The box will take up the whole trunk in my sedan but I don’t know if I should face it forward or backwards. I have a carbon fiber trunk so not sure if all the sound will escape if pointed backward. Thoughts?

[@matthewbrady1617]

i have a 2005 Chevy Trailblazer and i run my dual 12 inch MA Audio box towards the back door seems to have the best sound overall

[@uncleyoda21]

I prefer a good balance SPL and quality with a nice look while still leaving some room for gun cases when leaving to shoot, currently doing Quad 10s facing up with 1500 RMS in a slot ported box

[@JonathanDFielding]

Yeah! I just bought the mini dsp Mic Umic1, and I've been using REW good fine tuning! SO fun!

[@fdfc78]

I prefer stealth in my everyday driver. Can't give up all the storage space in my Suv. Happy new years btw!!

[@enriquemejia5861]

I herd duct tapping it directly on your roof works the best 🤷🏻‍♂️ idk tho sounds to good to be true

[@GamePro-gd7rm]

So useful for me . So the place is not important. What is SPL? I only care about quality sound in my car and I have a quality audio system cuz in travel with car it would not be annoying after hours driving on the road Thank you for this test .

[@mjhodgson772]

But how can i tell what my box is tuned to or however they say it? Lol thanks for responding the first time, appreciate you taking the time to answer me

[@wadehensley5005]

I've heard that with a sealed enclosure firing direction doesn't have as big of an effect as with a ported box. Any chance on a ported enclosure position video?

[@1ceeb]

Go experiment, it's different for just about any car.

[@richardwaugh929]

I have found that sealed enclosures have very tight bass loud at the same time. You can take a cheep amp and sub put it in a sealed enclosure and get twice as much bass as a ported box. Ported box’s need almost twice the out put but they sound amazing because it hits lower.

[@MrViper7121]

Ported boxes are boomy and ain't punchy tight and accurate like a sealed sub

[@daveyshaybug]

Sealed boxes for smaller cars Ported Is Big trucks

[@nicewhenearnedrudemostlyel489]

I guess i've never measured this, but i typically can tell whether the speakers are facing the front or back of the vehicle, by whether you hear it more coming, or leaving. In the cars i've had, when they face the back, i hear it more from the front. facing the front, i hear it more from behind the vehicle. Also pretty negligible difference from the cabin. Any thoughts on that?

[@Blgeneo]

I wanted a messurment, so close to the backseat as u can get, facing backwards vs. playing into the backseat. Im going for a sidemount in my next build, a 8" in a Toyota Aygo, and still have access to the spare tyre with a permanent box mounted....

[@rhinoskin7550]

When you say best, what are your standards? For some, the best is loud or it could be quality of sound, accuracy, etc.

[@MrRickTic]

I can tell a massive difference from when my subs face backwards vs forwards vs upwards. facing backwards it hits MUCH harder.

[@jtd3d351]

Man I just my w7 in a down firing rear console box and gotdamn that thing shakes and flexes everything. I've had front facing and up facing and nothing beats down fire man.

[@AhmedSalam]

I really dig the amplified shirt

[@homesomethingrebuilds8954]

I have a question if you take this box and say put it in a corvette or a camry or prius how does this one box test the differences between these accurately if every car isn't the same. very curiously not experienced but sooner or later will be building my own system want to learn as much as possible. p.s. love your videos man they have given me tons of ideas and help

[@lifeonadime4703]

I have the best of both worlds with mine. But ported setups get much more picky. Like will your port be on the same side as the sub or on a enclosure wall, and then figuring out where the port loads best in the cabin lol. But when you get it where it belongs it's definitely worth it. That's a great setup for a daily jeep 🤘

[@giraffewithtattoos2770]

I like my install to look super clean since it is a reflection of myself in the job as well as its safer and easier to work on it when the relays are wired properly and tucked away and mounted securely or the adjustment screws are accessible. I prefer it to be seamless, not invisible. When someone looks at it, I want them to this kind it could've come from the factory that way. No flashy Fast and Furious shit for me. But, in the end, sound quality is most important because what's the point that of installing audio equipment if it doesn't sound great.

[@ricebros.9278]

sound quality! I'm working on series on my channel but I'm on a budget trying for best sound quality I use your videos to help my build

[@Elvskf]

Nice video. How about underseat subwoofer ? The best position is under the driver or passenger seat ?

[@MyAudioPipe]

Hello. You should try this with a Ported box. The result should be more different. Because of the Phase difference between Front wave and the back wave, they wil theoretically connect differently.

[@bobbypower2677]

the question at the end of this video has opening my mind, and all ur video are very helpful for me as the amateur. thanks, bro...

[@xraychan2110]

Hi mark, could you kindly do a review wirh a crossfire dsp cf-A5xs… i need your guide to setup the proper values for the crossovers… eq as well, thks

[@badlilstang]

I just time align mine.. front stage effect and helped me do well in IASCA SQ comps

[@TheAtticusKid]

Sounds like the masterchiefs body armor was healing

[@taelorsare25]

ScoobaruSTi RIGHT!?!?!?

[@haydenwestbrook7841]

yes

[@LscottD]

So i know this is an old video. I have a small truck with no room to hide a sub. I have always had a 12 or 2 in my vehicle. Never thought i would go smaller. So i built a tube box with an 8 inch CT 1600w subwoofer at one end and a port at the other. I planned on having it in the middle of the back seat with the woofer facing forward and the port against the back seat. Would it be better to flip it around where the speaker is facing the seat and the port is forward?

[@JayRays1truck]

I have 2 12” subs in my truck that are facing upwards. Would it be of any benefit to change them so they fire downward instead?

[@blubag]

SPL for sure! like you, I'm a basshead. glad to see the side location facing right has better results. I installing a 4th order and it's port is facing to the right. it takes up the entire hatch trunk space. hopefully its SPL is ridiculous lol love this experiment video. need more of these.

[@96MustangBoy1]

In a car with a ported enclosure, does the port location make a difference? Like a subwoofer facing forward and port facing the back. Both facing the same direction. Which would be louder?

[@xorxpert]

Can you do a room? Because my sub hits hard in certain areas, but in the closet, or another room it's hitting, and vibrating walls, but I don't feel it how I want to feel it. Inside the room. Should I put my sub in another room?

[@gro_skunk]

most important to me is stealth and sound quality,

[@Goldtuno]

i like to have my system to be fairly matched but i like to get loud but clean never have more bass than music usually bass a bit lower but with huge bass output

[@charleston_brad9446]

I have a Skar 12" 600/1200...in a 2012 Ford fusion..I put it in my Kicker compR box....it's ported, how do I decide which is better?

[@warrenkennedy6226]

Hey bro- I’m building a work van system so space is an issue, I’m going to install the kicker downward firing 12 inch subby but can’t face it down- in a can cab would they work just as good bolted to the wall facing forwards or is it better to face them backwards facing the wall? I want the bass to be felt more and heard less in the front cab Running 2 boxes so 4 12 inches with a 1200rms mono block wired 1 ohm - cheers love your posts

[@jamessowder193]

Have a 2009 Eclipse that I just put two 12" Alpine Type S in. They're a dual 2ohm by the way. Had to wire them in parallel to create a 2ohm as the amp is a 2ohm. Anyway, it's a hatchback limited space situation. I usually rear fire a sealed sub in a hatchback but the space is limited and I didn't want to to risk damaging the subs because of the excursion (it was close). I set them in an upfire position and it sounds great actually. My curiosity is killing me though. Would there be a difference between the two positions? If so, would it be marginal or noticable? I'm actually thinking the upfire sounds better honestly. What's your opinion?

[@sk8rfiero]

Do you have a video like this regarding trunk installs? I realize there are different factors for different cars but would love to see some generalized graphs and maybe even compare the waves to the jeep's or a SUV.

[@damianwebb4924]

Very helpful, though I have one question. How does an inverted subwoofer installation affect this? Where the cone is firing inward in the enclosure.

[@robbskittles]

When using a down firing closed box with two 10wm is better to go smaller or bigger and I mean size?

[@sadakotube]

sound quality and stealth.

[@CarAudioFabrication]

Nice!

[@DeathInANuse]

Always shaking my head when I open up a new piece of equipment and see the window decals in with the manual. Might as well just say "Hey over here, this is the one you want!"

[@kuromurasaki5273]

agreed. as clean an install as possible, with the best sound quality I can afford is always my goal.

[@hippo-potamus]

Are there any differences in port direction? And whats your opinion on sub boxes that have both up and rear facing speakers? Thanks for the reply. -Cheers mate

[@Vjamesx13]

So im only 17 and im really wanting to figure out a lot about acoustics and where to set up different speakers what to run it how to set up wires basically how i should set up an audio system for my car. i wanna know if you take two subs and have them on left and right side facing the middle essentially firing directly at each other would it lessen the audio quality and/or lessen the bass of music?

[@Troy_Audi0]

I got my new installer building one for the shop, I have the Dayton Audio EMM-6, RAW as well. Keep up the great work hope to see you at K-Fest/SEMA?

[@medicalmarijuananycoffice9470]

Good evening, love your videos.... great enclosure designs....!!! I have a question, in your professional opinio:, I am looking to design a SQ subwoofer box to be palced in a 2010 Corvette coup. Options: 1) four 6.5 Tang Band in a 1.0 CF sealed box placed up or down firing, 2) 1 8 inch Dayton HF sub, down or up firing or 3) 1 10 inch Dayton HF sub down or up firing. My goal, SQ with tight bass that thumps like a punch in the chest. My bass head days where I vibrated the entire block are long gone. Input greatly appreciated... Dr. Tommy O!

[@sangas444]

Was wondering this very question today, and here it is! thanks bro.

[@jesp5842]

I really need some design help for a under seat of 2019 f150. Got 2 RF shallow mount 12’s but not even close to the spl of my old RF power HX2. My box is sealed....... Question Would 1-2 8’s running 800-1000 in a porter box sound better than these 2 12’s that are 250rms each? Measuring my box adds up to about 2 cuft but I think I want a ported box...... I need help or suggestions. Once again love the video and keep posting great content.

[@jesp5842]

And they are currently down firing, thought facing them up would help with spl in the cab but looking at the data, it might not haha

[@pragavirtual]

One other way to test the best (or a better) position for the sub, thats more of a solution for home sound system, is to place the sub in the listener position and move your head (or yourself, if at home) around to hear where it plays louder and that would be the best position for the sub, i ve never tried it myself but got this advice in some expert of home sound builder.

[@amisfitpuivk]

This inspires me to put my 100 pound dual 12" subwoofer box in the passenger seat and just keep it there because it's funny lol

[@wisco-lad]

Hey mark! Im currently building a complete make over system in my 2 door jeep now. Im using a kicker L5 square subwoofer for my bass... im wounding at beginning of your build you said u where going to down fire your sub above the amps? At the end i see you mounted the subwoofer next to rear seat? Maybe i missed it but why did u change the subwoofer location? Askimg because i think im going to use/build a down firing ported box for my sub. Also any tip or imput on what im using would be great! Thanks

[@theuncanspan]

from 1:54 and 2:00 the thing in the middle that has a 00AWG connected to it is the processor I assume?

[@lanceschouw5276]

Hey I've got a question. I have a Mazda Rx8. And I want to know what would be the best sub box option for me if I wish to play the sound through the hatch between the seats. Would a band pass box be better.... Or will I get the most out of my woofer facing the boot lid in a ported box.

[@thislittlepiggyfat]

Great videos! I'm planning my system out now and am wondering if I had a sub on the left side of the vehicle and a sub on the right side - pointing at each other, would they cancel each other out at all? Assuming they were in phase. It's in a full size Bronco, so similar layout to your Jeep. Keep up the awesome videos. Thanks

[@jasonmyjak5117]

What would you recommend for a ridgeline? Up or down firing? Or behind back seat

[@pballer2005]

i played around with something like this, found out having the sub face about 3-4 inches off the right inside rear of the trunk was significantly louder than any other position

[@DirektX1992]

Hello Mark, which microphone will you recommend for tuning a DSP? SA4100I from AudioControl or the USB microphone from this video with the REW software?

[@rangerryda8218]

I'm not very smart, but my sealed enclosure (12") has way more bass and range when it faces the trunk. It was almost inaudible when I faced it forward in comparison. No idea why.