Open air subwoofer

[XR6_661]

Looking for a decent 8in" open air subwoofer to put in my ED XR6.

Reasons why I want to go open air - Use parcel shelf, I like the look of it, not chasing mind blowing bass...just some extra kick.

Any suggestions?

Cheers

[T4ME]

ATM Jaycar have a awesome sub in 8" from Response for $30...its way better than the factory BA/BF subwoofer from factory.

[robbyj]

how much do you want to spend?

http://www.ryda.com.au/Ryda-Car-Audi...Store-s/61.htm

[RAPID_BA]

I have a BA XR8 with premium sound.

Replaced the factory woofer with a Kenwood 8 inch woofer ($159). 4 ohm. It goes alright with factory amplifier.

I tried the JBL GTO woofer 8 inch but it was nowhere near as good free air as the kenwood. But I reckon with a proper amplifier would go well. Its just underpowered with factory amplifier.

Careful with the jaycar response $30 woofer. Its 8ohm and will demand less punch than the kenwood or JBL. This woofer has a low rating so maybe ok with factory amp but anything more will be too much for it.

[T4ME]

It works with the factory amp very well Hulk,what's to be careful about?

[XR6_661]

T4ME, had a look on the jaycar site and can't find the sub? Do you have a link?

I mean for $30...can't really go wrong =\

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by T4ME

It works with the factory amp very well Hulk,what's to be careful about?

Its an 8ohm sub the Jaycar response. I have one at home (but never fitted it)The factory sub (from memory) is 4ohm or 6ohm so it demands more from the amp than an 8ohm sub. The amp will be on holidays compared to the stock sub, wont be offering much punch to the 8ohm sub. Basically half the power output?

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by XR6_661

T4ME, had a look on the jaycar site and can't find the sub? Do you have a link?

I mean for $30...can't really go wrong =\

http://search.jaycar.com.au/search?w...%208&view=list

Gimme a few days and ill let you know how it goes against the Kenwood. I have one unused at home.

[XR6_661]

For the sake of $30 I'm going to buy one and report back.

Edit: Annnd ordered one Air Express so should have it next couple of days.

[RAPID_BA]

http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Kenwoo...fer/KFCXW800F/

Order this if you want a pretty reasonable response from your standard amp 4ohm. I have this in my BA with premium sound and responds best. (compared with stock and JBL GTO8). There is a test somewhere on open air 8 inch woofers and this kenwood was best bang for buck and the best overall was "focal" but it cost over twice the price.

Compare the specs with the Jaycar woofer and you will see which is built for bass

On sale at $136.. Good buy this.

[XR6_661]

Originally Posted by RAPID_BA

http://www.soundmaster.com.au/Kenwoo...fer/KFCXW800F/

Order this if you want a pretty reasonable response from your standard amp 4ohm. I have this in my BA with premium sound and responds best. (compared with stock and JBL GTO8).

Compare the specs with the Jaycar woofer and you will see which is built for bass

On sale at $135.. Good buy this.

Gotta be quicker than that!

I bookmarked the page so if the jaycar doesn't give me a slight chub, I'll jump on the kenwood.

[Luke Plaizier]

Subscribed to thread. Curious to hear subjective opinions on how these replacement subs perform.


Lukeyson

[Nikked]

Are you going to beef up the shelf?

[XR6_661]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Are you going to beef up the shelf?

Not straight away. Depends how much rattle I get?

I've got a set of pioneer 6in speakers on the way for the shelf too. So see how we go.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

Also very interested.... mine poops itself around 17 - 18 with bass turned up about 3/4.

[bang_on33]

I've tried all the recommended free-air replacements for the stock premium system (BFII). Unless you intend on adding an amp you will hardly notice the difference. Definately not the bang-for-buck upgrade others have claimed it is.

[XR6_661]

Well mine currently has no open air sub because the previous owner removed it, so...anything is gonna be better.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

And with the 'wonderful' job Ford did with the FG ICC and its feedback issues that makes life all the more expensive... *sigh*

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Originally Posted by XR6_661

Not straight away. Depends how much rattle I get?

I've got a set of pioneer 6in speakers on the way for the shelf too. So see how we go.

Should have ordered the Pioneer 8" sub to go with it, bloody awesome piece of equipment. Here it is compared to the Ford sub it replaced.





PS they are called 'FREE AIR' subs, not 'OPEN AIR'

PPS: I don't think any of the subs mentioned here are Free Air subs either

[data_mine]

I'm now running a Focal 8" (http://www.focal.com/en/car-audio-so...rs/p-21-v2.php) in the GT-P. Not cheap (but not heaps expensive), but arguably the 2nd best 8" around.

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

So what is the best???

[Mr G8]

I put the JBL GTO804 8" Free Air sub in my BF Fairlane G8 as the replacement, not too bad

[duaned]

Im running a Kicker CVT8 in mine (FG).

[data_mine]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

So what is the best???

I knew someone would ask.


Next step up is a significant increase in $, and won't be it's best from the whimpy factory amp, so you'd need to add a proper amp as well. so more $.

Kinda tips over the bang/$ ratio.

It also becomes cheaper AND better to add a sub in a box. There's only so much you can do in a parcel shelf / free air.

http://www.focal.com/en/car-audio-so...a-be-21-wx.php

You'd really only go this option if you absolutely can't do a boxed install, and want the best, despite the lack of value.

[Hotwire]

Originally Posted by RAPID_BA

http://search.jaycar.com.au/search?w...%208&view=list

Gimme a few days and ill let you know how it goes against the Kenwood. I have one unused at home.

Did you end up doing this comparison?
I agree that at double the impedance, the current draw from the amp would be half (therefore you'd expect nowhere near the same air displacement) However, how does the efficiency compare between the two? i.e. the jaycar sub has an efficiency of 89dB - I'm guessing the factory sub is far worse than this...

[Hotwire]

to clarify:
Efficiency/Sound Pressure (sensitivity) Level (dB) is how well a subwoofer can convert input wattage into sound.

[RAPID_BA]

Originally Posted by Hotwire

Did you end up doing this comparison?
I agree that at double the impedance, the current draw from the amp would be half (therefore you'd expect nowhere near the same air displacement) However, how does the efficiency compare between the two? i.e. the jaycar sub has an efficiency of 89dB - I'm guessing the factory sub is far worse than this...

The Kenwood is 78db efficiency but @4ohms so it demands almost double the power the Jaycar does. As the stock sub is 3.4ohms from the pics above, it works over the stock amp a little harder (but I have had no issues with it), whereas the jaycar works it over less.

The kenwood also has more excursion than the jaycar. Its so sensitive as it barely moves at all, its so light.

I will test it over the weekend. Planning to try it in the BA with premium sound and then try it in a e series fairmont ghia with that amp.

[Hotwire]

Dont get me wrong, I agree the kenwood would be far better.

I was talking more about the comparison of stock vs jaycay - as in wondering what the sensitivity of the stock sub would be. i.e. even though the jaycar would pull half the current, if the sensitivity of the stock sub is absolute *****, then the jaycar WOULD peform better.

[RAPID_BA]

Isnt it the lighter the woofer, generally increased senstivity/response.

The stock woofer is similar to the jaycar woofer in weight/size so id guess the sensitivity would be similar.

For $30 it cant hurt to try it. Looking at it, seems reasonably well made, nothing wrong with the quality.

[T4ME]

the JAYCAR sub is not a Helix spacer....it will work well.