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Twin CSS SDX12s in my son's Jetta GLI, oh my

Bryan@MACBryan@MAC
edited March 2018 in DIY

Posted Monday on FB but for those of you don't do the facebook thing, here's the writeup on an auto sub I did with my son, Sean. He wanted to swap out the 15” Kicker L7 in the trunk of his Jetta GLI and go for something more SQ. So CSS SDX12s to the rescue. Modeled a pair sealed and ported and opted for ported for the extra output. Ended up with 3.6 ft^3 tuned to 29hz. A great feature of these subs is that they dig ridiculously deep in small cabinets. Thanks to Mike Contreras @d1pp1n for his help and his awesome CNC. These subs are absolute beasts - total overkill for a car IMO but my son has finally satisfied his appetite for the kind of bass he was searching for. I can’t really argue with that.

Had time to audition the install just yesterday (March 13) and I echo my son's sentiment. Neither of us have heard such insane bass in a car. Hindsight being 20/20 of course, there is absolutely no need for TWO of these in a car, much less in a car and ported. Don't get me wrong, it sounds fantastic. Sean has reached bass nirvana and his search for the "correct bass" is finally over.

Personally I can't help but think how these subs would perform in my HT. Once the bank account allows, I WILL be going there. Enough of my senseless babbling and on to the pics.




After @D1PP1N plugged in the data for the baffle cuts, his CNC took exactly 9 min to bang out a double thick front baffle with recessed cutouts for twin SDX12s as well as the slot port exit. He did each 3/4 panel separate and of course they lined up perfectly. Gotta love CNC machines. This was my first experience with the process and I can see why CNCs are so alluring. Note to self: Get a proper garage heater. Mike's garage was 70F inside while it was 30F outside.







With the basic box done, it's back to my unheated garage for finishing touches.

Flush-trimming the baffle and port with a chunky MLCS double bearing bit.



2" of cutting length on this bit.



Typical March weather in Chicago requires external heat to help the Bondo cure quickly. Home Depot plywood ensures that you will use a lot of Bondo especially on the end grain after a 1/2" roundover.





In addition to a few window and shelf braces we applied some Sound Deadener Showdown CLD tiles. 



Trusty DuraTex finish and more external heat from a bazooka heater.





92lbs of inverted subwoofer porn.



Watch that magnetic field!!



Finished product:



Using a PRV Audio 3500.1 monoblock for the power.  Supposedly outputs 2400W RMS at 14.4v into 2ohm. Not 100% positive if the amp is putting out 2400 watts but I can vouch for this sub being fucking loud, so it seems to do the trick.

 


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Comments

  • 4thtry4thtry
      Wow!  I'll bet he can blow the trunk lid wide open without using the key!!  :o  Nice project and write up.
  • jr@macjr@mac
    Good lord - knowing cabin gain is kicking at ~12db/octave below probably 60Hz in that little car... I bet it is fucking INSANE as hell. 

    Nice work, brother. 
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  • WolfWolf

    ...and if anybody tries to swipe it- they're in for a surprise when they don't bring a friend and can't lift it by themselves. I bet that box is easily another 50-60 pounds on top of that 92 pounds of driver. I had my system stolen once, so I think about this stuff. My other rule was to never mount the amp to the box. Snip, snip, and yank being the reason.

    Still- I bet that hits really hard! I've held one of those drivers, and they are monsters!

    InDIYana Event Website

    Wolfy's Photobucket

  • D1PP1ND1PP1N
    Thanks Bryan, it was really fun hanging out and you were the first audio dude to come to my shop and hang/work on a project. I'm totally envious of those beasts. 
  • Bryan@MACBryan@MAC
    Wolf said:

    ...and if anybody tries to swipe it- they're in for a surprise when they don't bring a friend and can't lift it by themselves. I bet that box is easily another 50-60 pounds on top of that 92 pounds of driver. I had my system stolen once, so I think about this stuff. My other rule was to never mount the amp to the box. Snip, snip, and yank being the reason.

    Still- I bet that hits really hard! I've held one of those drivers, and they are monsters!

    The box cannot be removed from the trunk without removing the amp. The amp is fastened with four hexhead screws and yeah, the cabinet weighs 152lbs with the amp. It sure was not easy to get those hex screws in after we mounted the box, but if some thief can get it out, good for them. My guess is they'd try to steal the entire car first before risking a slipped disc anyway.

    I've always told my kids to NEVER advertise anything in the car including the stereo. So that involves making sure volume is turned way down when parking and not leaving obvious shit on the car seats or dash that makes for an easy smash-n-grab. We also don't leave garage remotes in the car. City life........
    PWRRYDD1PP1NWolf
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  • PWRRYDPWRRYD
    I've seen Mike's work and he has a great attention to detail.  When I need CNC work he will be the first person I call.
    D1PP1N
  • PWRRYDPWRRYD
    Whoa!  Looking through the pictures again, who's Marshall head and half stack is that???
  • Nicholas_23Nicholas_23
    Jeebus those are some monster subs
  • Tom_STom_S
    That's insane! I'll bet you could use that sub for a small PA!
  • Bryan@MACBryan@MAC
    PWRRYD said:
    Whoa!  Looking through the pictures again, who's Marshall head and half stack is that???
    That’s one of my older son’s guitar amps. The garage turns into a jam session venue from time to
    time. I’ll tell ya... it could be a four car garage and it would still be too small. Really need to hit that Power Ball. 
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  • ani_101ani_101
    I don't think you would be disappointed with the megaball either....
  • WolfWolf
    ....or even Happy Fun Ball!

    InDIYana Event Website

    Wolfy's Photobucket

  • 6thplanet6thplanet
    PWRRYD said:
    Whoa!  Looking through the pictures again, who's Marshall head and half stack is that???
    Ha!, Was going to at the same thing. What the hell is that doing sitting in the garage!As long as it's getting used, otherwise I'll have to come and rescue.
  • R-CarpenterR-Carpenter
    Considering buying a new Jetta. How is it? Any in-s?
  • Bryan@MACBryan@MAC
    R-Carpenter said:
    Considering buying a new Jetta. How is it? Any in-s?
    He’s got the Jetta GLI turbo. He loves it. To me it’s just like an A4 without the sticker shock. Very solid car and no issues so far since January 2015.  
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  • PWRRYDPWRRYD
    Sorry to side track the thread Bryan, but curious if anyone here has an opinion on Subaru Foresters?  Thinking of getting one for my wife.
  • Nicholas_23Nicholas_23
    The outlaws have the Outback and a Forester . The outback rides so much smoother. 
  • D1PP1ND1PP1N
    My wife wanted a Forrester. I talked her into a chevy equinox because we had an employee discount on gm, ford and vw. We both bought 2011s i had a cruze and she got an equinox. The cruze didnt spend much time out of the shop. Equinox has been a little better but was burning oil for years. Finally got them to fix the problem this year that should have been fixed before we purchased it because it was a service bulletin and known problem for that year. They have rebuilt the engine after some significant pushing and threatening on my part. Not sure if we should keep it still to be honest. They only replaced pistons and rings and some gakets. It was burning 3-4 qts of oil the last 6 months. We kept doing oil checks with them they would just top it off and say it was fine. 

    Moral of the story is go with what she wants or you wont hear the end of it. I do like how tall the forrestor is on the inside. Im not certain the forrestor vs outback price difference but the forrestor is pretty reasonably priced. 


  • jhollanderjhollander
    Lot of issues with oil consumption with the Forester boxer motor.  It's not clear if they have corrected that.  I've got a soft spot for the subaru having help a friend rebuild the boxer motor into a high compression stop light killer (back in the day  :))

    Kind of Ironic that the equinox sounds like a subaru posting...
     John H, btw forum has decided I don't get emails
  • D1PP1ND1PP1N
    Lol, yeh ive heard subarus had some issues as well.  it was a TSB for piston ring problems on 2011 equinox and terrains. They kept telling me if yiu didmt get the tsb your car is fine. The tsb went out 3 months before we bought the car so we woukd have never got it. 
  • KornbreadKornbread
    Haven't really had an issue with oil consumption in the Legacy 2.5i, although it does leak oil from a small seal on the head gasket.  Other than that common problem, it's never been in the shop, and we've had it since 14'  It does need to go in for an airbag exchange though.  Corners like it's on rails, not much passing power though. 

    The sti is still sitting in the driveway ... never had an issue with it till I happened to it. 

    While the Legacy is fun to drive, boy's cruze is to cars what a toaster is to appliances ... beats walking, but walking would be more exciting.         
  • Nicholas_23Nicholas_23
    Not to shit all over BK's post , should we start another post for moto's ? Similar to the cooking  post on here ? 
    Silver1omo
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