[toekneethetiger]

All I wanna do is ride my vroom, vroom and a boom boom! lol

Not really boom, but I do find the stock bass set-up in the HK lacking, well, everything. Plus, I already blew it out...

My car is a 22 Charger WB, but I'd love to hear from the Challenger guys as well. All opinions and experience welcome.

I have a local installer with an impeccable reputation hired for the job. Like most great installers, he's 6-8 weeks out. So I have some time to consider what I think I want meantime. Mostly just to give him a ruff idea. From there he will start and change things a little or a lot depending on what he finds during the process.

For now, I'm loosely thinking a single 12" or 15" sub. Should the actual space and modeling show something different is ideal, that could become two 12's, two 10"s. I have seen the guys retrofit the Challenger HK sub box to the spare tire well but I think what I have in mind will be better off with a full custom set up.

My goal is clean, deep bass, integrated well with the HK mids and highs. I want it on the louder side of things but with more focus on the SQ than bugging the neighbors. No rattles inside or outside of the car.

Here are locations that we discussed. He's is not very keen on the side fire arrangement in the rear corners of the trunk.

1. Custom Fiberglass box in the spare tire well, firing straight up. I found a handful of beautiful examples of this here but from five years ago, so hoping there will be some others that have done this meantime.

Pros- This obviously would leave me the all of the trunk space. Makes sense to me considering I don't carry a spare. Clean, almost factory look.

Cons- Expensive, top end of budget. Concerns about rattles with waves firing directly into the underside of the trunk. Installer politely made the assertion that Dodge trunks are know to rattle lol, Requires lots of soundproofing to be installed.

2. Classic rear firing, ported trunk box, with a beauty cover to add that full custom look.

Pros- Easily removable in extreme trunk space required scenarios or at the time of resale. Would allow plenty of room to build enclosure to perfect specs for optimal sound. Less expensive option with no fiberglass work required.

Cons- lose 50% of trunk. Possibly outdated look. No pass through storage at all.

3. Sealed enclosure built and fitted under rear parcel tray, sub firing directly into 10" pass through from removal of HK sub. (this will be done with any configuration). So this would be like a sealed version of the IB install on the HK sub.

Pros- Clean, hidden look. Would leave some room beneath for pass through to function, guessing 18" of height and full width. Would sound more similar to having the sub inside the cabin of the car.

Cons- Would require a bunch of sealing rear parcel tray and trunk. Possible difficult rattles from PT., No bling with sub totally hidden lol. extremely awkward area to work in, additional labor. Installer reluctantly agreed that it would be an option, I get the feeling it wasn't his favorite idea and I can't blame him.

Loose idea of equipment, could change depending on location choice and available space for optimal sound.

Audiofrog GB Series 10" (pair), GB 12" (single), GB 12" (pair), SQL 15" (single)
Audiofrog D600.1 amp/amps or Helix M one or P one
Encore set up
Duel control knobs up front- Amp gain, encore

Installer will choose integration and installation hardware.

My examples are not chargers. Just the closest I could find to these ideas.

As you can see, I'm all over the damn place on this. I'm learning and seeking opinions to help me be a better customer and have a better understanding of what will work best. I'd love to see some pics of what you have done. Part of my issue it that I don't have a stringent set of wants/perimeters/requirements in mind. No big deal if I lose storage space but would be a plus if not.

I've never had a sub in my trunk before. Always been in a hatch or truck. This leaves me not knowing the behavior in that setting. So I'm not even sure how many subs or what size. Really hoping some light can be shed on that here. I know sound is so subjective that it's hard to make recommendations but I trust this crowds personal experiences. I imagine this will make for a rather non-linear thread but here we go.

I recently posted that I wanted to add subs but couldn't get comfortable with having the my wiring butchered. I am confident all of that will be in good hands here.

Edit: testing, testing... Adding a random pic to see if it will change the picture displayed on this thread in the thread list. lol

Thank your for reading.

 

[thedynoguy]

It's a Challenger, not a Charger but you can see 2 12's in this custom box.

 

[toekneethetiger]

It's a Challenger, not a Charger but you can see 2 12's in this custom box.

View attachment 607223

Yeah man! I found that thread. That's about the cleanest I've seen in the tire well. Very cool.

Those amps are amazing.

Do you get plenty of bass in the cabin? How do you feel a single sub would perform from there?

Are those AF GB 12's?

 

[thedynoguy]

Thx for the props, although Nick Apicella deserves all of the praise for my system. Yes, they are GB-12's. They are fine for the kind of music I listen to, but if you're looking for BIG boom there might be better options. I don't think a single sub would get you to what you're looking for. And yes, the amps are amazing. One thing I learned about them though, when listening at a rather high level, they don't like to be covered. Nick made a cover for them so the trunk could be used. Mine did thermal with the cover on. Here's a pic with the amp and sub cover on.

 

[toekneethetiger]

Thx for the props, although Nick Apicella deserves all of the praise for my system. Yes, they are GB-12's. They are fine for the kind of music I listen to, but if you're looking for BIG boom there might be better options. I don't think a single sub would get you to what you're looking for. And yes, the amps are amazing. One thing I learned about them though, when listening at a rather high level, they don't like to be covered. Nick made a cover for them so the trunk could be used. Mine did thermal with the cover on. Here's a pic with the amp and sub cover on. View attachment 607225

Incredible.. You went right to the heavy hitters for design, install and equipment . I wont ask, but I can only imagine the expense of such a top shelf set-up. May I inquire as to what you have for mid base and highs in there? All AF?

Honestly, I was hoping you were still around and would show up here. Got lucky.

I'm not looking for SPL bass levels at all. I listen to a wide range of music, none of which is too bass heavy. Mostly tool, def tones, pucifer, the mars volta type stuff and a fair amount of metal, old punk rock (encore purpose).

I hear you though, one probably won't cut it unless it's in a larger ported box.

Is there anything you wish that you had done different? What are you feeding those 12"s?

 

[thedynoguy]

the rest of the equipment is in my signature. Yea, I got lucky when I reached out to Nick that first time. He's the real deal. The Mosconi AS200.4 is feeding the subs, 2 channels bridged to mono driving both 12's. I think Mosconi rates that bridged channel @ 950 @ 2ohms. The other 2 channels in the 200.4 are powering the 6.5's in the doors. After the car was done, I bought a pair of Focal Utopia 6WM's that I wanted to put in the doors in place of the Morel's. I still haven't done it, and the Focal's are sitting in my basement right now😩

 

[toekneethetiger]

the rest of the equipment is in my signature. Yea, I got lucky when I reached out to Nick that first time. He's the real deal. The Mosconi AS200.4 is feeding the subs, 2 channels bridged to mono driving both 12's. I think Mosconi rates that bridged channel @ 950 @ 2ohms. The other 2 channels in the 200.4 are powering the 6.5's in the doors. After the car was done, I bought a pair of Focal Utopia 6WM's that I wanted to put in the doors in place of the Morel's. I still haven't done it, and the Focal's are sitting in my basement right now😩

That's the stuff wet dreams are made of. Easily the best modern system I've ever seen.

First world problems = Replacing Morel speakers with Utopias!

I love it.

 

[thedynoguy]

thx man, and keep us posted here as to the progress of your system.

 

[GreenMan0352]

Mine isn’t anything fancy. I just ordered this box on eBay and I just tapped into the rear deck speakers. My amp has a frequency converter. I also put sound deadening material in the trunk and in the doors. Also replaced all the speakers in the car itself. Mine came with the alpine my wife’s car has the Harmon kardon and the HK is alright but for the money you can build a better system.

I have some Velcro stapled under the box and so the box grips the carpet and doesn’t slide. I need to take better photos but that was right after the install. I hadn’t tucked the wires away or put the Velcro yet. It sits flush now though lol but I like it and it’s plenty loud. You can feel the bass in your chest and it vibrates your whole car if you crank it. Also it is the heavy duty Velcro i put under the box. I didn’t mess with the carpet but I put the rough side on the box so it would grab the carpet. I can look it up if you want but it’s not too hard to find. After I added it I can slam it and the box won’t move.

I did everything myself and I had never done a system before. It was actually super easy. I had help on here and I also watched some YouTube videos beforehand.

 

[thedynoguy]

Yup, I started with a box like that too. Decent bass for not a lot of $$$

 

[toekneethetiger]

View attachment 607469
Mine isn’t anything fancy. I just ordered this box on eBay and I just tapped into the rear deck speakers. My amp has a frequency converter. I also put sound deadening material in the trunk and in the doors. Also replaced all the speakers in the car itself. Mine came with the alpine my wife’s car has the Harmon kardon and the HK is alright but for the money you can build a better system.

I have some Velcro stapled under the box and so the box grips the carpet and doesn’t slide. I need to take better photos but that was right after the install. I hadn’t tucked the wires away or put the Velcro yet. It sits flush now though lol but I like it and it’s plenty loud. You can feel the bass in your chest and it vibrates your whole car if you crank it. Also it is the heavy duty Velcro i put under the box. I didn’t mess with the carpet but I put the rough side on the box so it would grab the carpet. I can look it up if you want but it’s not too hard to find. After I added it I can slam it and the box won’t move.

I did everything myself and I had never done a system before. It was actually super easy. I had help on here and I also watched some YouTube videos beforehand.

Very cool! It doesn't have to fancy to put a smile on your face. Do you have rattles after deadening?

 

[toekneethetiger]

Yup, I started with a box like that too. Decent bass for not a lot of $$$ View attachment 607482

Sharp!! Is that IB? Is the face kicked in at the bottom to match the angle of the rear seats? What w's and do the give enough output in the cabin situated as they are?

 

[Spoolin]

Why not do a single 12 in a 4th order bandpass box, ported to the center passthrough on the seat. Put a good amount of power to it, like 1000 clean watts and it will sound amazingly loud, like you have two or three sealed 12's back there, and will have a nice tuned frequency for deep low end bass.

 

[toekneethetiger]

Why not do a single 12 in a 4th order bandpass box, ported to the center passthrough on the seat. Put a good amount of power to it, like 1000 clean watts and it will sound amazingly loud, like you have two or three sealed 12's back there, and will have a nice tuned frequency for deep low end bass.

Something similar had been my plan. After talking to a few guys with chargers, I've seen a clear pattern. Add a ten, upgrade to a twelve and finally land at two twelves. I'm just going to skip straight to two twelves in a ported and call it a day. Even if I end up with plenty of headroom, I'll have it available for the occasional throw down and be easy on the drivers/amps/electrical for daily listening. I do enjoy deep bass at low volume and that should improve with the pair as well.

I would be open to a bandpass with two subs, if Art is open to the idea and feels it's a good fit. I've seen some with plexi windows that look crazy cool.

Unless the plan after modeling and getting a good look, it's two AF GB12's in a ported box. Either two AF D600.1 amps or a Helix P two.

I'm really down to deciding if I want them in the spare well or the trunk, with the trunk he may intend to port into the rear deck. I need to have a discussion with the Installer about estimated times/cost difference between the two options.

I dig the idea that I can pull a few screws and pull the trunk set-up out completely but of coarse having them completely out of the way would be super cool as well. I'm not hung up either way and suspect the trunk would offer more room to get the enclosure just right.

 

[toekneethetiger]

Is anybody currently running banpass ported into the cab? I'd love to see some pics and hear some feedback is so.

 

[Lucas_QV]

Have anyone put deadning mats and egg foam around the kicker in the back panel. Talking about HK in 2022 Charger. Does that improve, soften the bass?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[GBLWRMR]

Not many car stereo posts flying around car forums anymore, but as a retired installer, if you are hiring one who is experienced, and you've seen AND listened to other cars that they've built, I'd put a lot of thought into their recommendation on equipment, enclosure style and predicted result.

I'll add, just like with performance engine tuning, experience makes the difference. I've audio tuned more cars than I've built and I've built my fair share. Why? because not all creative people have a ear or equipment to make a decent install sound good.

my .02

 

[toekneethetiger]

Not many car stereo posts flying around car forums anymore, but as a retired installer, if you are hiring one who is experienced, and you've seen AND listened to other cars that they've built, I'd put a lot of thought into their recommendation on equipment, enclosure style and predicted result.

I'll add, just like with performance engine tuning, experience makes the difference. I've audio tuned more cars than I've built and I've built my fair share. Why? because not all creative people have a ear or equipment to make a decent install sound good.

my .02

Very true. I'm really surprised at how few HC owners seem to be into audio upgrades. I understand racers not wanting to add lb's or people who prefer to spend on performance upgrades. But I imagined that the daily driver crowd would have more inyerin audio.

Believe me, what this installer says will be. He asked me to do some pondering for a ruff idea of what im after. Then once he starts, it will be what the car wants.

 

[toekneethetiger]

Have anyone put deadning mats and egg foam around the kicker in the back panel. Talking about HK in 2022 Charger. Does that improve, soften the bass?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Sorry, can't help with that. I'm not really a "soften" the bass kind of guy. Unless it deploys my airbags, then it must be toned down a bit.

 

[hell on wheels]

Back in High School early to mid 90s
I ate slept and shit car audio.

I even competed twice for fun.
I won three trophies.
Not bad for a tenth grader.