How can I make a Jeep soundbar sound better?

[5to1baby1in5]

I have a Jeep Wrangler with a soundbar (goes between the rollbars behind the driver and has a couple of speakers (6" Infinity 2ways)). The new speakers sound better than the factory ones I replaced, but they are still not that loud (especially bass). The soundbar is hollow with a lot of dead space behind and in-between the speakers. Somebody in a Jeep forum stated that stuffing polyfill behind the speakers would help. My question is, don't the speakers need some air space behind them to resonate the sound waves, wouldn't it be better to fill in the big empty space between the speakers, but leave some air space directly behind them? Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I am going to put in a small amp and a pair of 8" boxed speakers. That should help with the bass, but if I need to store something back there (i.e. during long trips) the boxed speakers need to come out, and I would still like to have good sound.

Thanks

 

[Hossenfeffer]

<< but they are still not that loud (especially bass) >>

You're in a jeep.

Go for the best all around sound and screw being able to "bump".

If you've got the time, experiment with filling the boxes with polyfill. Try filling them to the brim and also leaving some air behind em.

 

[Soybomb]

Some fill might help. but I'm guessing your main problem is the infinity speakers. Infinity speakers aren't all that bassy to begin with but if you really want to get any bass out of them you're going to need an amp and be able to turn them up. The Kappa series is more inefficient than the cheaper ones so its even more important to run an external amp on them. And of course, the wrangler is also a big open vehicle so thats gonna hurt. Put on a hard top and it will help some.

 

[fastcobra]

Get a different car.

 

[Viperoni]

The main problem is the car itself.....

Figure that not only is it poorly sealed compared to a car, which is ALREADY poorly sealed.
Not only that, but you have MUCH more road noise, so basically your losing TONS output.
Short of getting a GOOD 12incher plus a couple hundred watts, you're not gonna get much bass.

For really good 6inchers, you might wanna look at Dynaudio/Morel/Kicker/Orion/Soundstream

 

[Phunktion]

<< Get a different car. >>

 

[flot]

For bass you can do fine with a single 10" tube in the back. Doesn't have to be anything incredible.

As everyone said, you're not going t oget much out of that combo. But yes, polyfill will help - leave a little bit of space directly behind, and don't pack it too tightly, but in general adding a "light" polyfill stuffing will effectively "simulate" having a bigger box.

Also, make SURE your speakers aren't wired out of phase.

But in general - it'll be nearly impossible to get good bass in a jeep without a subwoofer. Add a sub, you're fine. I had a 10" in the back of mine with a ~120 watt amp and it sounded great. Not super death obnoxious loud, but overall very acceptable. I put a board across the 'trunk' area, and wedged it in with the rear seat, so the tube was effectively locked in the truck when I locked the rear tailgate. Lost most of my "trunk" space, though. Definitely consider this, the 10" tube was easy to move in and out and fit perfectly.

 

[flot]

Almost forgot, if you have $600 lying around and your jeep is a YJ (88-95) then you can buy a JL audio stealthbox, which replaces your *center console* with a 12" subwoofer. Incredible box design, but obviously costly.

 

[5to1baby1in5]

<Get a different car. >

As my 3-year old daughter would say... That's not a car, It's a Jeep! (I taught her well)

I do have the hardtop and it's on most of the time, so that helps. I was hoping to not have to experiment since it's a pain find the new screw holes to get the 6" speakers back in but I guess I will have to. :disgust: Hoping to find somebody that has already done this.

My amp (already have it) is a 4 Ch so I can power the 6" as well as the additional 8" (or a bass tube if the 8" ones don't work) off of it.

 

[Viperoni]

I suppose I might as well suggest a bandpass box since you do sound like you could use all the bass you could get your hands on

 

[howtowrangler]

Here is a quick video I made about how to stuff the bar with polyfil, it makes a pretty big difference: http://www.howtowrangler.com/how-to-use-polyfil-to-enhance-the-sound-of-your-soundbar/

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