Stealth or flush which sound better.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Cicero Indiana
Stealth or flush which sound better.
I am looking at getting a sub in the rear compartment. Is there any sound differnace in the stealth style compared to the flush mounted sub. I want good hard hitting bass, not the boom boom sound coming from the rice burners. I dont know if the stealth style looses some tone when you put the factory cover over the top of it.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 652
Likes: 0
From: Katy Tx
If you ask me, the biggest differences between the two would be price and air space. Most people who build there own box build it flush with the top to get the most airspace where as the stealth enclosures are "usually" fiberglass boxes that are purchased. I have a JL stealthbox that I love, but they are very expensive compared to a wooden box that you could make yourself (unless you fall azz first into a great deal like I did). I love my stealth set up though because I use my rear deck space daily and wanted to keep the protections of the stock cover over the sub.
As for sound differences, I would say there is some difference when I have the cover on, compared to off, but it is pretty minimal and I tuned my amp with the cover on so it sounds great that way.
But there are alot more people out there with alot more experience than me (I just really have my own experience to go by) that can help you also.
As for sound differences, I would say there is some difference when I have the cover on, compared to off, but it is pretty minimal and I tuned my amp with the cover on so it sounds great that way.
But there are alot more people out there with alot more experience than me (I just really have my own experience to go by) that can help you also.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 642
Likes: 0
From: Cicero Indiana
I plan on buying a subthump brand box. They make both styles out of wood. The problem I have with the flush styles is they cant match my torch red carpet. And I dont want to go with black. Its not that big of deal if i go with the stealth style. Just concerned about the sound differance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
you will some sound with a cover on, but like said above, you can tune it with the cover on. Unless you have the money to spend, or stumble upon a great deal. Your better off making your own box. There are plans around here somewhere, i believe they are in the c5 FAQ sticky now. It'll cost you probably 20 bucks in building material and whatever the cost of carpet is to cover it. Several people here have built there own and im sure they will comment soon. Duramax dave is one of them.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 685
Likes: 2
From: Decatur IL
I can't comment directly on how much sound you will lose if you put a solid cover over the sub, but I have to guess it will impair the bass somewhat. I haven't done it yet, but I am planning to make a cover that sits where the factory one does, but cut out a hole over the sub. I will cover that area with speaker cloth and then cover the rest of the panel with carpet. This should allow the air to move while looking somewhat factory.
I believe there is a pic of what I'm describing somewhere on this forum. I know someboday else has done this idea. I know my stealth is hittin' just fine.
I enjoyed building my box. It does take some time but if you like doing woodworking, then it's a fun project. Plus it only costs about $20 in supplies.
I believe there is a pic of what I'm describing somewhere on this forum. I know someboday else has done this idea. I know my stealth is hittin' just fine.
I enjoyed building my box. It does take some time but if you like doing woodworking, then it's a fun project. Plus it only costs about $20 in supplies.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,981
Likes: 37
From: Piedmont, SC Currently Own: 99 Nassau blue FRC. Previously Owned: 84,95,98 Indy Pace,01 Z06
I currently have a overhang box that takes the place of the center compartment cover, but I have also used the stealth enclosures too. Both will sound about the same, it's just basically a little difference in airspace and with the overhang box it will allow a little bigger sub than the stealth enclosure. If you are worried about sound problems with a stealth box, you can always get some fiberboard and cut it to the dimensions of your stock compartment cover and install a speaker grill and carpet it and it will look factory. The frequency of subs will still get out even with a cover, but like I said you can opt to have a custom compartment cover with a built in grill. I will say the Torch Red carpet is hard to match.
Last edited by NVTHIS; Jul 20, 2006 at 09:16 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,572
Likes: 4
From: Los Angeles Ca
can you get subthump to send you the box uncarpeted? and carpet it yourself? www.accmats.com probably has the torch read carpet you need...or maybe you can send it to them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,394
Likes: 0
From: Bay Area CA
I can attest to the loss of bass with a cover. I have a custom aluminum plate cover over mine that is vented over the sub. I need to haul my clubs around so I have to have one. I have not found the speaker grill material that I want to use yet and I think that I am going to change the shape of the vented space in the cover before I recover it.
With a combination of a partition (to keep the clubs from knocking me in head under heavy braking
) and the sub cover I am losing a fair amount of bass output, I would say about 10% per item for a 20% total loss of output. Every once in a while I pull both the partition and cover out and turn it up a bit.
As for stealth vs flush all depends on how you use what little trunk space we have and if you are willing to have a sub/sub grill visible on the floor of the trunk. Flush mount does open up some more options for sub choices due to the increased space for deeper mounting depths.
G'luck on your decision
Fej
With a combination of a partition (to keep the clubs from knocking me in head under heavy braking
) and the sub cover I am losing a fair amount of bass output, I would say about 10% per item for a 20% total loss of output. Every once in a while I pull both the partition and cover out and turn it up a bit.As for stealth vs flush all depends on how you use what little trunk space we have and if you are willing to have a sub/sub grill visible on the floor of the trunk. Flush mount does open up some more options for sub choices due to the increased space for deeper mounting depths.
G'luck on your decision
Fej
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 555
Likes: 0
From: Moline IL
Originally Posted by 2002-C5
I have a Flush box with 2, 10 inch subs... tons of boom, boom sound.
Has anyone build the box up above the compartment just to satisfy the cu ft requirement of the subs, or isn't the volume that critical?
I would think the 12" stealth box is too small for most 12" subs...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,981
Likes: 37
From: Piedmont, SC Currently Own: 99 Nassau blue FRC. Previously Owned: 84,95,98 Indy Pace,01 Z06
The stealth box is too small for most 12" subs. The reason being in particular is that most 12" sub magnets are pretty big and they tend to interfere with the front angle of the box itself. You can find some 12" subs such as shallow mount subwoofers that may fit, but then you have to make sure the required airspace is what you have/need. Most 12" subs require an overhang box to accomodate the larger magnets and at the same time allows the required air space usually. This is a overhang box with a 12" old school Farenheit sub.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 366
Likes: 1
From: Esparto ca
I have experience with covering a sub. Not a good idea. The issue isn't the sound, its the dammage you'll do to the sub if you like to push it. I had 2 10" polks in my C4 with a removable cover for when I needed to put stuff in the back, but being lazy most of the time never removed it. I found that because the vc was trying to move the cone and the air was trapped on top of the cone, over time weakened the cone to the point there was visable crease looking lines in the cone. Once the cone was weakened they started sounding bad. Not that they ever impressed me to begin with, but thats another subject. Also, Pioneer makes a good 12" shallow mount(3 3/4"deep) woofer. I put one in my wifes Excursion. It sounds great.
Last edited by adown; Jul 24, 2006 at 07:10 AM.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro, TN. "I'm like a kid in a candy store everytime I see a Corvette!!"
Putting the cover over a sub where it is resting against the sub, is NEVER a good idea... ever.... Here is why:
When you look at the back of a sub, there is a vent. This is to keep the pole piece cool, and the voice coil cool as well. When a sub moves as a result of the signal and power fed to it, it cools the pole piece and voice coil as it moves up and down in a linear movement.
If you block the sub from moving normally, you prevent it from cooling properly, and if you increase the power to hear the muffled sound, you are now adding more heat (& increased distorion) to a voice coil that is already getting hot. When voice coils get hot, the windings will melt, causing voice coil separation and eventually loss of the sub altogether.
My advice, for what it is worth... go with a cover that has a built in grill, or go with a flush mount box and add a custom grill that allows you to hear you music accurately, and without damaging your sub. If you do decide to go with a stealth box, make sure the sub is countersunk into the box, and the sub is not prevented from moving when the cover is on. As long as the sub can play normally, you are good!!
Hope this helps!!
When you look at the back of a sub, there is a vent. This is to keep the pole piece cool, and the voice coil cool as well. When a sub moves as a result of the signal and power fed to it, it cools the pole piece and voice coil as it moves up and down in a linear movement.
If you block the sub from moving normally, you prevent it from cooling properly, and if you increase the power to hear the muffled sound, you are now adding more heat (& increased distorion) to a voice coil that is already getting hot. When voice coils get hot, the windings will melt, causing voice coil separation and eventually loss of the sub altogether.
My advice, for what it is worth... go with a cover that has a built in grill, or go with a flush mount box and add a custom grill that allows you to hear you music accurately, and without damaging your sub. If you do decide to go with a stealth box, make sure the sub is countersunk into the box, and the sub is not prevented from moving when the cover is on. As long as the sub can play normally, you are good!!
Hope this helps!!
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Murfreesboro, TN. "I'm like a kid in a candy store everytime I see a Corvette!!"
Originally Posted by NassauBlue98
Do the 12" subs sound good in the rear compartment boxes? The box volume is only around +/- 1 cu ft, and any of the 12" subs I've looked at show they need around 1.25 + cu ft?
Has anyone build the box up above the compartment just to satisfy the cu ft requirement of the subs, or isn't the volume that critical?
I would think the 12" stealth box is too small for most 12" subs...
Has anyone build the box up above the compartment just to satisfy the cu ft requirement of the subs, or isn't the volume that critical?
I would think the 12" stealth box is too small for most 12" subs...
For larger 12" subs, like the box I just built for CF member, Mordeth, I recommend adding another piece of 3/4" MDF to the top of the box, routered for some added "flair", to accomodate the larger magnets from hitting the back plate. This also will give you a slight bit more airspace inside the box... not a whole lot, but a little... I have included pics below of Mordeth's box.
Hope this helps!!
