Sony Subwoofer Installation
 

Hey All,
I got two of them I am putting into the scout... I noticed on the back there is a vent hole in the magnet. Do these need to be placed into a box? Not sure and havn't read the directions yet but, I thought I would ask?
Thanks,
Jr.

It should say something about mounting procedures in the destructions in my experience with peavy bass amps if the sub has a vent in the speaker the cabinet it is mounted in will need to be vented as well imo

Any thought to what size volume it should be???

To sound right they need to be in a box about a cube big. Put some pillow stuffing into so it thinks its a bigger box. The vent hole is just to cool the voice coil thats all. A sealed box will work best a vented box would have to be bigger and since thats a small boat you prob want to keep size and wieght down.

What size subs & where are they to be mounted?

They are the 10" Sony Marine Subs...... Where to mount, I still have not made up my mind yet.... Thats why I was trying to understand the requirments so I could start coming up with a spot.... I will post a pic later tonight of what I was thinking.............
Thanks,
Jr.

Are they free air?

If you go to crutchfield.com or any other site, there should be a list of what size box for that sub if you wanted it sealed, ported, or bandpass

Step one.


But who reads directions? :evilb:

Kinda what I was thinking...but hey...I've been in the same place!:lolhit::drink::drink::drink:

Funny you should say that... I actually for once did.... :) All it gives are precautions.... the only thing that gives any type of directions is...
-Make a woofer box, using wooden boards at least 3/4" thick

Other than that is just a picture I scanned in below..... Thats it....

The install in the pics shows a free air install, not a sealed box. It also shows they are suitable for a free air install on crutchfield.
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_158L100...5M.html?tp=972

Most marine subs are marketed as free air, but will sound horrible if done that way. Any box even if too smalll is better. Put some pillow stuffing in it and that will fake it out. Trust me on this I use to design this stuff. The sub needs an encloser so that it can create pressure behind it or it will flutter and "free air". You will end up making your amps work real hard for very little sound. This will drain your batts pretty quick.

Thanks for the input. That some how makes some logical sense to me... Whats the rule of thumb for how big the box needs to be? I assume it must be in a volumetric units....
Jr.

I'm installing a JL free air sub in my boat. Was going to go free air install, but I have a FG enclosed storage compartment I/m going to use. Remove the door and frame and install a flat acrylic panel in place to mount the sub. I think the volume is roughly 1 1/2-2 cubic feet. Didn't do an exact measurement, just guesstimated.
What does the pillow stuffing do and do you pack it full or just line the walls? Or is that only to do with mounting free air style?

If you have that much room make sure you go no larger and a cube and a half. Less than a cube of air the stuffing works great. It actually tricks the speaker into acting like there is greater airspace in the box by absorbing some of the pressure like a bigger box would do. It works great in tight spots but if you have enough space it works against you.
Those Sony's will sound like azz without a box. You will barely know they are there.

I agree, however I have had sucess with free air set ups....just have to have the right boat.

The big thing with free air is to make sure the air from the back of the woofer can not meet the air from the front, they will cancel each other out. More work than most people think.

A box always works better. And if you do have the room ported bass works much better in the open air of a boat, band pass even better.

Thanks for the input guys!

Can I glass a box together using 1/2" marine ply instead of 3/4"... I only have 1/2" and hate to buy more....
Jr.

maybe if you galss the whole thing in but would be cheaper and easier to just get more mfd. Plywood is not really that good for sub boxes. Not really dense enough. MFD is the way to go and you can spray it with truck bde liner in a can to somewhat weather proof it.

I'm also wondering about the pillow stuffing. Do you stuff the encloser full of pillow stuffing or just a little bit tossed in there?

fill it in snug. YOu can buy it at wal mart or use an old pillow. Stuff it like a pillow.

I'm gona try it. I've got 2 10" MTX mounted in 3 sided encloseres in the gunnels. The gunnel wall serves as the 4th side. Not air tite by any means. It doesn't sound bad but from what you are saying this could help considerably.

It might but also try making them airtight get some silicon and close it up. Remember this make a box think its bigger. Not other way around.

Hey GT,

I am finally ready to install Sony Free Airs in a box and place under the bow. What's your thoughts on this sealed box? Will this work? Do I need to add the pillow stuffing? If so, how much?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_777BB10...ss-Bunker.html

I also need to hook up the head unit to the amp with some RCA cables. Can you suggest a brand/type to use?

Thanks for the help,
Jr.

Do you already have the free airs?
Pm my box is empty now.

Free air no no no!!! Not sure why they ever came up with this...... I think to just make more money!! Put them in a box or do not even install!
Skydog

Hey GT, I was going to PM ya but, when I saw your box full I just decided to post. Anyways, the reason I am so adiment using the Sony subs is I already have them. I am hoping to make them work at least for this season. I can always upgrade next year. What's your thoughts?
Jr .

I have 2 memphis marine 10's mounted on the front panel of my back seat, they are suitable for free air, and they pound. Now sure my back seat is a 4 sided unit, but isn't sealed or a box by any means. So I couldn't disagree with your statement more.

(Now sure my back seat is a 4 sided unit) There you go.. and trust me your opinion of pound are not in the same league as my opinion. I have over 250LBS of subs in my boat. :whistle: Don't take that the wrong way and I guess some subs are better than zero. So I do agree with that!!:ernaehrung004:

http://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0LEV...EQFZr4JiXTOno-


All you need!! Check out SSA Xcon subs and a 3500 Sundown for power!:coolcowboy:

My opinion of pound is in relation to what is there, and is not a broad statement to compare to other systems where in your case someone with 250lbs of subs. My point is my back seat is a 7ftX2ft area inside roughly, by no means sealed at all, and the subs perform very well (actually exceeded my expectations).

I understand man! :-) glad its working well for you. But if they where 100% free air (mount in a hole with zero surround behind it) u would not be happy. It is where you mounted them that is working.

Go on eBay same box much cheaper. Yes it will work and probably last a couple years. It will make those Sonys sound good.
I was faced with similar dilemma this year. Sold the go fast and now have 36ft express outboard boat. Had to use free airs and went with 4 12's with panels built behind to reflect pressure. Sounds good but wish I had boxes. It's all a compromise.