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Is there a place to buy a cubby subwoofer/enclosure?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by inseek, Aug 4, 2011.

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  1. inseek

    inseek Enthusiast

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    I am at the point to continue with my Prii's audio enhancements: all speakers replacement and new amp & sub. The question is about subwoofer.

    After reading many threads here at PC I decided to go with a subwoofer that will occupy either left or right cubby hole. Is there a place I can purchase one (or a enclosure built for a 8" or 10" driver, personally I prefer 8" as I do not need a big "boom" for a kind of music I am listening, just a good quality lows)? Looks like the only ones that exist on Earth are these made by few fellow PC members and no one is producing/willing to produce one for a fair amount of money. So, does anybody know where can I get one?

    EDIT: If you don't have time to read all hundreds of posts in this thread, just jump to post #137 and see the pictures of final product (incredible custom made fiber glass subwoofer enclosure) our member Tim (mgb4tim) made available for pre-orders for everybody. The price is I believe $250 + shipping, please PM mgb4tim for more information.

    Many photos can be found here:

    Post #349
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...cubby-subwoofer-enclosure-35.html#post1510827

    and here:

    Post #350
    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...cubby-subwoofer-enclosure-35.html#post1510831

    All photos converted to PDF:

    http://depositfiles.com/files/cgpuibjwn
     
    #1 inseek, Aug 4, 2011
    PointCounterPt and cleansky like this.
  2. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Have you looked at the slim powered or unpowered subs? I really enjoy mine hidden in the rear tray (see link in sig). It really fills in nicely and I can't really see the need for anything more IMHO.
     
    #2 spiderman, Aug 5, 2011
  3. vidoprof

    vidoprof New Member

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    Well I opted for a stereo shop to do mine. I paid a bit more than most for it, but it seriously sounds amazing..

    A 10w3 in a fiberglass box and it is perfect for my tastes.. Nice low rumble, great crisp clean sound. I have 500w going to mine from a JL 900/5.

    Just my two pennies, but I love it. Mine is in the right side cubby hole above the battery as the left side was just not as easy to form the sub box for the shop.

    RYan
     
    #3 vidoprof, Aug 5, 2011
  4. inseek

    inseek Enthusiast

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    Yes, at the beginning I was considering this option, but from my understanding of things open-air driver mounted in the cubby hole will definitely sounds better than the one covered with two layers of relatively thick material. I red your posts and was researching all available options for a subwoofer that will fit the tray (with and without integrated amplifier) but concluded that I'll have to sacrifice the sound quality for convenience and lower price. I will go for it if I can't find a cubby hole subwoofer.
     
    #4 inseek, Aug 5, 2011
  5. inseek

    inseek Enthusiast

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    I am not sure that I will go with 5-channel amp as I do not need loud but quality music with all frequencies presented right (JL Audio XD300.1 should work for me just fine). I am not going to do the enclosure myself, but I don't like the idea of leaving the car for 1-2 days in the audio shop either; that's why I was wondering if there is a place that I can purchase one that is ready to go...I guess it should fit any GEN III Prius without any problems?
     
    #5 inseek, Aug 5, 2011
  6. mee081224

    mee081224 New Member

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    Ryan,

    You got the car back? Where are the pics? How much was it for the cuby hole speaker(s) and amp and install?
     
    #6 mee081224, Aug 5, 2011
  7. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    If my wife quits taking my car to work, I might be able to make the plug and mold some day.
     
    #7 mgb4tim, Aug 5, 2011
  8. hyo silver

    hyo silver Awaaaaay

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    They're neither quick nor cheap to produce. As a DIY weekend project, it's not so bad. But anyone taking time off from their day job needs compensation for their time and materials, which makes a custom sub enclosure surprisingly expensive. I had thought awhile ago of making a mould and doing a small production run, but the thread suggesting the idea didn't generate enough interest. It seems an ideal item for the PC shop to stock - which comes first; the product or the demand?
     
    #8 hyo silver, Aug 5, 2011
  9. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Just do it Tim... I am sure we will all make it worth it to you. :)
     
    #9 spiderman, Aug 5, 2011
  10. inseek

    inseek Enthusiast

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    Would be great :)
     
    #10 inseek, Aug 5, 2011
  11. inseek

    inseek Enthusiast

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    I am aware that it is a time consuming process...but please define "expensive" :) Is a $350-$400 with shipping for such enclosure expensive? How much do you think it would cost if you produce it?
     
    #11 inseek, Aug 5, 2011
  12. vidoprof

    vidoprof New Member

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    I paid $500 for mine locally. But I love it. fits perfectly and looks great.
     
    #12 vidoprof, Aug 6, 2011
  13. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    I picked up a roll of 2.5" tape to mask it off.... now wait for a break from the heat. My shop doesn't have AC...

    Which side should I make first?
     
    #13 mgb4tim, Aug 7, 2011
  14. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Make them both so you can free up the car and be done with it.
     
    #14 frodoz737, Aug 7, 2011
  15. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    The "right" side of course. :)
     
    #15 spiderman, Aug 7, 2011
  16. vidoprof

    vidoprof New Member

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    LOL at Spidey..

    The right side "RIGHT" side would would be easier for sure, as there is LESS edges and contours, just a thought. That is why i went with that side actually. Plus I hope to not have to get to the batter anytime soon.

    Ryan
     
    #16 vidoprof, Aug 7, 2011
  17. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Yours pops out easily doesn't it? That would be a requirement for me. Access is important.
     
    #17 spiderman, Aug 7, 2011
  18. mee081224

    mee081224 New Member

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    agreed. But yeah do them both :)
     
    #18 mee081224, Aug 8, 2011
  19. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    well... right it is. Right side plug in progress.

    I'll pull it tomorrow morning, clean up my car and give the rough plug a look over. I might add a few more layers inside then take the belt sander to it to smooth it out a bit before I tackle it with some filler and a DA. Took about 90 minutes to mask and lay up, maybe a litre of resin (I'm liberal with the stuff), and a 2-foot strip of 54" (I think it' s54" wide) .75 oz mat.

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    #19 mgb4tim, Aug 8, 2011
  20. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    I pulled the plug, and will need to spend some quality time with it to pull all the tape off... S.T.I.C.K.Y!!!! But, once it's trimmed, I think it will look pretty good.
     
    #20 mgb4tim, Aug 9, 2011
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