Custom ZX3/5 Sub Enclosure

[amdski03]

Hey guys. So I am going to be a frequent poster on FJ now because I really hate FF. (thats another story).

But I have been working with a guy who does custom boxes. He is going to make a custom sealed enclosure for the ZX3/5's. It will go where the factory enclosure goes. It will be made of 3/4" MDF, be between .8-1.2 cu.ft., has quick connects for the subwoofer, be available for a 10" or 12" woofer, be carpeted in the color of your choice, and just look freaking awesome.

I can't wait to have it done. We are going to finish it in about two weeks then it will go in my car! I'll get pictures and write a review as soon as it is done!

[fastway40]

Welcome back to FJ... i guess

Sounds cool though. Im guessing by factory enclosure you mean the svt one?

[amdski03]

^^^ Yea the SVT one. This one is going to be based off of that, but is going to be much better lol.

[INCUBUSRATM]

Can't wait to see this thing get done, man. Behind you 100%! Lol...

[amdski03]

Okay guys I have an update. It will be done on the 24th. I should have pictures on the 25th!

[amdski03]

O man guys! I just dropped the car off to get the box done! I'm super super stoked!

[amdski03]

Okay guys. Expect pictures tomorrow night! I pick it up around noon tomorrow!

[tpkennedy]

Sounds like everyone hates FF.

[lapp]

I dont hate FF!

but maybe its because I never posted there to begin with

[amdski03]

Haha thanks for the FF bashing session guys. Okay here is the first picture! I will take more tomorrow when its light.

[amdski03]

As you can see, it fills the area nicely. You can still fold down the seats, and the cargo cover fits and is fully functional. The light is still functional. The box actually has a relief to fill the little spot on the side, and give more room for the magnet. Its held in place by a tight fit, and some velcro on the back side. I have sufficiently thrown the car around and it doesn't move or rattle. This one is for a ten and .8 cu ft. I can't wait cause he is building an amp rack for the other side next.

[fasfocus00]

nice work and A for effort but just not my taste plus it's not custom, JL make a stealth box like this and MTX makes box like this as well as Q Logic.

[Ray]

Any build pics? I was hoping he would recess the sub in the face plate as well.

[amdski03]

There aren't really any build pictures. I'm going to pull the sub today and pull the box and take more pictures of it. The reason the sub is not recessed into the box, is that the box is so thin, there isn't any room. The goal was to save trunk space, and it would have been a lot more depth to be able to recess the sub.

nice work and A for effort but just not my taste plus it's not custom, JL make a stealth box like this and MTX makes box like this as well as Q Logic.

How is it not custom? It doesn't just kind of sit there. As you will see in the pictures later, it actually has a recess for the magnet.
JL's box is okay, but it is massed produced and at $800, buy the time you get an amp, your looking at $900 for some bass. Forget that. The MTX box is okay, but you can't get it with anything but a lower end sub, and it doesn't have enough room to upgrade. And the Q-logic doesn't really fit very well.

[fasfocus00]

Originally Posted by amdski03

There aren't really any build pictures. I'm going to pull the sub today and pull the box and take more pictures of it. The reason the sub is not recessed into the box, is that the box is so thin, there isn't any room. The goal was to save trunk space, and it would have been a lot more depth to be able to recess the sub.



How is it not custom? It doesn't just kind of sit there. As you will see in the pictures later, it actually has a recess for the magnet.
JL's box is okay, but it is massed produced and at $800, buy the time you get an amp, your looking at $900 for some bass. Forget that. The MTX box is okay, but you can't get it with anything but a lower end sub, and it doesn't have enough room to upgrade. And the Q-logic doesn't really fit very well.

mtx box:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MTX-THUNDERFORM-...3A2%7C294%3A50

the box is .93 cubes sealed. it comes with the woofer for less than 250. if you don't like the woofer sell it for $30-$50 and get a nice RE Audio SE for $100 and a nice 2 Channel for $100 and you're still around the $500. as for you're arguement about the JL box it's $499 from the bigbox guys and a nice amp for around $100-$150. don't know why you're getting your panties all in a bunch just b/c you did something that's been done and is now mass produced and calling it custom doesn't make your arguement stick. no matter how you look at it, unless you're getting that box made for less than $150 with woofer, you're just doing a slightly larger version of the SVT enclosure. the MTX box and woofer is less $250 than add $100 for a decent amp. that box is good for a little bump and that's about it.

[amdski03]

Well, its custom because those aren't wood. They are all molded induction. Just like the SVT box. They can't take as much wattage. And, with the sub, amp, and box I'm still in for less than the MTX. I get audio equipment at cost (yea I know most don't).

But lets look at it this way. This is .8 cu ft. It is sealed and 3/4 MDF. It is $120. Now the MTX box is 200 when you sell the woofer. This one fits, is produced in the USA, and can take a larger sub with more watts. It fits great, looks way more factory and isn't injection molded. You get a much better sound with wood than a molded box. And the SVT box has to be sealed and modified to even make it work.

[Ray]

Let's not turn this thread into a pissing match.

[focusonfocus]

it is made by someone, so it is a custom box..
if you like it, then that is all it matters..

only thing catches my eyes is pointy look..
other than that, like the factory look..

what model is that ma audio sub??
i have 2 of ma subs..MA 100QS

[amdski03]

Let's not turn this thread into a pissing match.

Good call. From now on, this is showcasing a new kick ass box that was never there before.

what model is that ma audio sub??
i have 2 of ma subs..MA 100QS

If I remember correctly it is an MA 10QS. Its about two years old. Its the one thats 250 RMS. I got it running at about 200 RMS right now. It is only temporary.

This weekend, we are putting a set of MB Quart 5.25 Components in the front doors stealth style. We are building an adapter plate to make the tweeter and woofer fit in the factory 5X7 hole. They are getting 55 RMS.

Then within the two weeks, the sub is coming out for a new 10". Either a Kicker 09KM10 (KM10), an Elemental Designs, or a Polk Audio SR104.

That run for two or three weeks of break in on the current 400 w Peak amp. Then when that is done, It is getting a MB Quart DSC 280 amplifier in the only amp rack available for the focus. It goes on the opposite side of the sub, is only about 6" thick, and once the amp is in, all you can see is the top of the amp.

[amdski03]

Hey guys. Here are some more pictures of it.
[IMG][/IMG]
[IMG][/IMG]

[Ray]

oooh, the entire thing is made out of MDF?!

[amdski03]

Yea 3/4" MDF. Its super nice. It fits so well there that it doesn't slide around at all, but I didn't have to modify the car any. I throw this car around on a usual basis and it doesn't move an inch. I love the way it sounds too. Like with the injection molding you just don't get the same pop and warmth in the sound that you do with wood.

[mrfatride]

I am looking to do the same thing but i need a box that is 2.5-2.75cu ft and vented tuned to 28 hz...this box gives me some ideas though...thanks for the pics!!

[Ataru]

That makes me wonder how the stock Audiophile sub would sound in THAT box with the stock amp.

You should talk with your box builder about making those available for other Focus owners. Or at least selling the MDF pieces precut with instructions where they can be assembled and covered at home to save on shipping costs....

[Nickgt40]

I agree. Depending on the price, I'd definitely buy just the kit with instructions on how to build.