Is my box too small for my 12s???

[96Forged281SC]

I have had the same 2 12" RF power hx2s in 3 different vehicles....A 96 mustang convertible, a 94 reg cab chevy and now they are in a 03 ext cab chevy under the seats firing upwards. All boxes were sealed enclosures

My problem is in my 03 chevy the bass just doesnt hit ANYWHERE near as hard as it did in the other 2 vehicles. I have checked to see if one of the subs are blown and to make sure they were wired up to get the most power out of my amp. Everything checks out ok.

I measured my box to see what kind of air space Im getting and each sub is only getting about .75 if not alittle less. My other boxes were made to give about 1.25cf per sub.

So my question is do any of you think that the reason my system isnt hitting near as hard is because it doesnt have the air space??

[Chaseo145]

Are you using the stock head unit? I have 2 12" HX2's and when I put them into my '04 RCSB using the factory head unit it sounded like s*** but they sound awesome after I put my pioneer head unit in!

[joakwin]

i would lift the seat, start out with 1.5in blocks and go from their,

the bigger the box u can give it the better it will sound

porting will make it louder then a sealed box and hit deeper

how much amp power do u have on those subs?

[lbarker]

If you go to rockfords web site it will tell you the recommended volume required for your subs and if it should be in a ported or sealed box. another suggestion is to try facing the subs in different direction.I know space is limited, but this is an easy and free way to see if it makes any difference.
I had two punch 10's in my rcsb silverado and the boxes were only .66cu ft
each ( fosgate spec ) and it hit hard.

[96Forged281SC]

Yes I have a aftermarket headunit its a pioneer 7600. I thought the samething about the stock headunit, It made alil difference when switched but not much.

Ive tried putting the backseat up seeing as how they are sitting right on the subs, but that didnt make a difference. Im using a RF Power 800a2.

Im thinking the subs arent hitting as deep and as hard because Im starving them for air. I just wanted you guys to confirm that lol

[cajundragger]

maybe, or you have an upfire, which doesn't seem as loud as before, especially coming from a car, I hate people with trunks, they cheat.

[96Forged281SC]

maybe, or you have an upfire, which doesn't seem as loud as before, especially coming from a car, I hate people with trunks, they cheat.
When they were in my reg cab chevy thats when they hit the hardest, right behind the seat. So Im not understanding why the subs underneath a seat instead of behind them, makes that big of a difference?

[cajundragger]

where they face matters, like its in your head though. Not sure if this is actually your problem though. Subs just could be getting old. Your ears could be getting used to it. Like when I first got my IDMAX I was like oh ****, now I just chill, granted Im half deaf. But anyways I think you can get your amp dyno'd to see what its putting out, I dunno. Maybe different preamp voltage outputs on the headunit...I dunno.

[FRIEDrice]

I reccomend a downfire box, i think they sound a whole lot better. If not. try stuffing the box with pillow foam, it is supposed to trick the subs making them think there is 2 to 3 times the air space..... Good luck

[cajundragger]

I reccomend a downfire box, i think they sound a whole lot better. If not. try stuffing the box with pillow foam, it is supposed to trick the subs making them think there is 2 to 3 times the air space..... Good luck
actually theres a formula. You can try just stuffing it, but I think its like one pound of sutffing per cubic foot. I've never done it though, and it wont really make it louder, but hit lower by slowing down the rear waves off the cone.

[96Forged281SC]

What site will show me how to make a downfire box?

[xplcitcustmz]

its the vehicle, lots more airspace in a truck, makes for less volume

[nstereo]

The most important thing to know about subs is that a crappy sub in the right box will sound better than a great sub in the wrong box Trust me, the reason they don't sound as good is because your box is not right. Since it doesn't appear like anyone has answered this for you yet, here it is. YES your enclosure is too small for your subs. On RF's website they list the subs recommended enclosures as 1.0ft for sealed and vented at 2.5ft. The vented will be a lot louder but I'm sure you don't want to give up that much space. So sounds like you need to build a larger sealed box.
As for the downfiring, all you really have to do is make the sides a little longer, so they extend farther up on the side of the box (like legs on a table) where the subs are facing. Then turn the box upside down (so the subs face downward) for 12's you want to give at least 3" clearance between the floor and the face of the subs, for proper compression loading. Unfortunately, I doubt an downfiring will still fit under the seat...
Good luck!