Anyone have subwoofers? Want to evaluate options

[ChaseVenters]

I've been thinking about adding woofers to my 99 but I'm pretty picky about SQ and would rather not sacrifice space in the footwell or trunk. This pretty much leaves me with a Hakuna or package shelf box install, and before going to the trouble I'm wondering if anyone in DFW has done this to their Miata and wouldn't mind letting me listen.

[Billy Blaze]

Black roadster may have some suggestions

[MadMonkey]

Black roadster may have some suggestions

William has a really nice footwell box that I'm contemplating a copy of.

[trickyrix]

+1

BR's setup sounds really nice and fits in nicely. Check out this thread for details.

[black roadster]

Looks like I'm considered the resident guru of subs although I only consider myself an audio enthusiast. SQ was not my main goal as it's a convertible. I do think it turned out to meet my needs as a good sounding system I could hear and feel at freeway speeds with the top down.

Here is my opinion on the various common sub installs in a Miata.

1. Trunk subs suck IMHO. More chance for rattles and unless it's a hatch back or it's ported into the interior you lose to much of the sound waves and end up with a muddled boomy rattle. I like tight bass. Besides, Miata trunks are small enough and I do use my trunk frequently.

2. The Hakuna install is free-air. Again, not a tight bass and lots of energy is wasted moving unnecessary air. Besides, with a roll bar, it limited my area to install the subs. I also have a glass rear window. I imagine it might rattle with the top down.

3. Box behind the seats. This setup is getting better because the box is in the interior and you can have a sealed box. I've been told the Goodwin sub box is a good option. I vetoed this because a box in the rear deck screams "Steal Me!"

4. Passenger trunk tunnel ported to interior. I like this option as it would be completely stealth. The big drawback is cost. This is one definitely best left up to the professionals and a custom box in this area was beyond what I wanted to pay.

5. I decided on the foot well as it provided me the best bang for the buck. Tight bass in the interior, stealth install and relatively inexpensive. The draw back is decreased passenger leg room by about four inches. However, I rarely carry passengers. The legroom loss is not too bad for me or my wife. (5'8" and 5'4" respectively) I can remove the box for long trips or place it temporarily in the trunk if I had a long legged passenger.

You are more than welcome to hear it. I'm usually at the Wednesday night GTG in the Plano area.