Kicker S10L7 subs installed in '05 + sub question

[atomic punk]

Just got done building and installing the boxes. Each one is angled to fit right behind the rear seats, and is .82cuft sealed. Right now, I have the DVCs wired up to 8ohms each and in parallel so the amp sees 4ohm total. The Soundstream mono amp (no pictures yet) mounted under the driver's seat puts out 600w with a 4ohm load. I could wire them so the amp sees 1ohm, but my 4/8 awg wiring won't support that and 600w is plenty enough right now.

I might sell one of the boxes, wire the other DVC to 2ohms and have the amp give it 800w. These kickers are LOUD, but I'm having problems with their "break in" period from what I've read. They are stiff. The low end is good, but they have minimal to no "kick", which is what I was looking for most in my rock/metal music: the fast hits that make your heart skip a beat. They are very boomy now (great for rap, but I don't listen to rap much). Here's the link to my post in sounddomain, if anyone in here has any recommendations for me, I'm all ears:

KICKER QUESTION CLICK HERE

 

[atomic punk]

another closer shot

 

[hubbabubba]

Looks great! Where did you mount the sub amp?

 

[atomic punk]

Thanks.... I am trying to make this install as stealthy as possible with taking up as little room as possible. I bought the 4R to haul cargo and stuff that I can't fit into my jeep, which basically means anything more than a gym bag, fire extinguisher, 1 roll of duct tape, and a 30pack of Coors light.

The Soundstream mono amp (no pictures yet) mounted under the driver's seat puts out 600w with a 4ohm load.

The amp mounting was VERY tight under that seat (same thing with the 4channel Soundstream amp that I put under the passenger's seat too). I also have a fused distribution box under the driver's seat. I'll have some more pics in time so others can see what can be done...

 

[JMT529]

Those look very clean. Just curious, could you have made the boxes to fit on the sides, like some members have done here? Wouldn't that save more room?

 

[atomic punk]

Thanks... yeah, I thought about a side mount install. I really like the look of those boxes too... But there are a few reasons I didn't want to do that:
- the box would be alot more difficult to build. And difficult to make it look "stock" too, while retaining complete use of the double decker shelf.
- not as stealthy. (You can't see my subs unless you are way in the back of the 4R, since they are completely hidden by the cargo cover, even when it's not pulled out).
- I made 2 boxes instead of 1 huge one, so when I want to haul something and need to put the seats down, I can put one box against each of the side rear doors and that keeps the whole bed area flat, & I can still fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood or something like that over the wheel wells.
- removable. I can remove 1 or both very easily, if need be. They aren't secured yet, but I'm going to strap them to either the floor or the back of the seats soon.
- I wasn't going to pay someone $500 for just the box.
- and last, I think it just looks cool when you open the lid and the two squares are staring at you.

I know that maybe not all these reasons are valid for everyone's side mount installs, but that's just my take as a whole.

 

[JMT529]

The reason I asked was because if you would have made the side mount ones, I would have asked if you could make another that I can buy from you.

Thanks... yeah, I thought about a side mount install. I really like the look of those boxes too... But there are a few reasons I didn't want to do that:
- the box would be alot more difficult to build. And difficult to make it look "stock" too, while retaining complete use of the double decker shelf.
- not as stealthy. (You can't see my subs unless you are way in the back of the 4R, since they are completely hidden by the cargo cover, even when it's not pulled out).
- I made 2 boxes instead of 1 huge one, so when I want to haul something and need to put the seats down, I can put one box against each of the side rear doors and that keeps the whole bed area flat, & I can still fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood or something like that over the wheel wells.
- removable. I can remove 1 or both very easily, if need be. They aren't secured yet, but I'm going to strap them to either the floor or the back of the seats soon.
- I wasn't going to pay someone $500 for just the box.
- and last, I think it just looks cool when you open the lid and the two squares are staring at you.

I know that maybe not all these reasons are valid for everyone's side mount installs, but that's just my take as a whole.

 

[atomic punk]

You lazy bastard!!!!!

that's a good one... , ya got me.

 

[Green Monster]

Those look realy nice how long you think it took to build everything? Also I heard that 10 in subs sound good w/heavy metal don't know if its true but.....Do you have overheating of amps under the seats if you have them realy snugg? .....peace...

 

[atomic punk]

Those look realy nice how long you think it took to build everything? Also I heard that 10 in subs sound good w/heavy metal don't know if its true but.....Do you have overheating of amps under the seats if you have them realy snugg? .....peace...

Yeah, the general consensus is that 10" is best for rock/metal. 12's will have better very low end response and SPL, but 10's will have faster, more precise response (generally speaking), for rock and metal.

After puchasing all the materials and having the right measurements/calculations, it took me about... hm... I'd say maybe 10-14 hours total to build. I took my time though. The second one was easy because I just copied every piece of the first one. Screwed and glued. The carpet took the most time.

No overheating, and I don't anticipate any. I only have the mono amp hooked up at this time, and I haven't had to use it to its fullest potential (it can pump out 1000w @ 1ohm, and these 2 Kickers can take that, but I haven't had it past 500 or so). The amp fits snug between the 4 mounting legs of the seat, but there is plenty of airflow around the 4 sides of the amp. The top of the amp contacts some wire harnesses under the seat, but there is still a couple of inches of room above the amp to radiate heat.

 

[EddieinD]

So the amp is sitting on top of the heater vents? Did you have to modify the vent?

 

[atomic punk]

Yes, sitting right on top. I duct taped the vents shut with multiple layers of tape. Not the neatest way of doing it, but it's hidden so I don't care. The mono amp hasn't gotten hot so far, so I'm not worried at this time. It has a cooling fan built-in, which I think helps to circulate the air (it's kinda loud though).

 

[g-money]

I have a 10' kicker L5 and it took about three weeks till it broke in. Now it sounds even better, these speakers are ridiged you need to crank it up a little to break them it. If you don't turn it up they will not break in.

 

[atomic punk]

I have a 10' kicker L5 and it took about three weeks till it broke in. Now it sounds even better, these speakers are ridiged you need to crank it up a little to break them it. If you don't turn it up they will not break in.

I haven't had mine that long yet, plus I've been hesitant to give it too much juice based on what I've heard about breaking in subs - which is that you should gradually increase the power to them, especially these solobarics.

How's the response - is it FAST ? Hit hard?