Subwoofer in your Defender

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Would you like a great sounding sub-woofer in your Defender?

  • Yes, but I need all of my cubby storage space

    Votes: 5 19.2%
  • Yes, but I need some cubby storage space

    Votes: 7 26.9%
  • Yes, I don't use my cubby box

    Votes: 5 19.2%
  • No, I like to listen to the rattles, clonks, clunks and whines emanating from my Defender

    Votes: 9 34.6%

  • Total voters
    26
So I've been entirely uninspired by the sounds my Defender has been able to conjure up from its pathetic 4" speakers and finally decided to replace them with upgraded alternatives, plus a sub-woofer.

I've done a lot of research on car audio installs in Defenders, especially sub placement, and have not been impressed by anything I've seen including those slimline under seat subs that get tacked onto the back of the cubby box.

The brief needed to cover a few points. Firstly, I wanted something that looked factory fit (ok so the sub boxes tacked onto the back of the cubby box are technically factory, but they're still ****), didn't encroach on rear leg room and it must also be discreet. Defenders are easy enough to break into and I don't want to give anyone any extra incentive to do so.

With this in mind I have prototyped a new cubby box purely to house a 10" sub. This box has no storage space as the sub requires 0.6cuft, but it will have a top cover with a 25mm foam armrest. The final version will likely have a slightly recessed sub so I can then cover it with acoustic cloth. This version sounds fantastic; tight and punchy and really gives great depth to my music, which is anything from 1930's blues/jazz to modern pop/house/hip-hop etc. Take a look at the pics. Excuse the upholstery, I knocked this up quickly with some left over vinyl just so it didn't stand out in the car like a big wooden sub box!!

I am also considering prototyping a cubby for an 8" downward firing sub that will be completely stealth and will also afford some room for storage.

Basically, I wanted to ask you lot whether a.) you would buy one if they were on the market, and b.) whether you would be happy to lose all storage space in return for superb bass response, or whether you would trade a little low end bass for some storage space. Also, c.) how much would you be prepared to pay for one?

Just a few thoughts as this has really improved my enjoyment of my music in the car :)
 

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Amp is underneath the cubby, and I have made larger spacers to raise the cubby an extra 20mm to clear the amp and give it some breathing room.

Yes that is the idea, just a bare cubby ready to install your chosen sub, and you can fit your amp wherever you like although I will likely provide standard, +20mm and +40mm spacers so that people can adjust the lift depending on the height of their amp.
 
I took a std sub in a bix and cut it on a angle to match the internal bulkhead.
Its now half the size it was and takes up next to no space but still sounds great, originally the amp lived on the other side of the bilk head but is now on the side of the box.
Its probably not quite as good as it was but it more than meets my needs
 
My sub is in the battery box under the passenger seat.
It's a self contained one and was fitted by a previous owner, the sound from it is very good it really makes a difference. Although you need to leave the cover off the battery compartment.
 
I have this JBL Sub mounted between between the two front seat in place of the cubby box. Gives a nice arm rest and great sound for the money self contained unit.
 

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