i know someone else has probably thought of it and done it but i'll throw this in here for those who haven't. if ur into having a nice stereo system in ur car(and w/ a 7 theres not very much space for subs). i took out the storage bins behind my seats(just the bins themselves) and built in a nice recessed custom box with 2 10" subs. and 12" would easily fit. i then installed plexi-glass over the original rectangular holes. i'll try to get a pic if i can.

 

how does it sound, does it rattle? hurry and make with the pics.

 

i would also like to try this how hard is it to remove the bins? Did you make the box yourself or did u find on that would fit in there good?

thanx
pinfield

 

hey man that's a great idea. i was thinking the same thing myself, except a stereo install place said "to make it sound good you would have to make the whole thing out of wood." that is removing the fiberglass. THAT WOULD BE VERY HEAVY..... and for me, performance is the main key. So what do you guys think that our options are? perhaps just the bins out of wood?. i've also heard about people placing plexiglass, over the cubby hole and sticking the sub in there..... i wonder what sounds like???? IF ANYONE OUT THERE has done this already please share your triumphs, failures etc...... thanks

 

There was a thread on this location not too long ago.

let me preface this by that I used to install car stereo (for well over 17 years), and have owned quite a few FC models and even a FD.

IMHO (from installing car stereo in multiple FCs for competition, to everyday use, and even my own personal use) the bins are a less than optimal location for subs in the FC.

A slim fiberglass + MDF enclosure does work the best completely removing the bins and fiberglass support shelf, and replacing with a custom enclosure. IF you have to go this route.

Very few woofers will work well in that limited area, JL 12W6 and 12W1 as well as older alpine 6012 woofers seem to work the best, with a sealed, (Not ported or band pass) enclosure. These typically will requre lots of power for decent bass (I wouldn't even consider less than 400 watts if I wanted even a half way to competition system. A ported or bandpass will have weird reflections from the roof and hatch in that location, and is highly not recommended! I have heard systems ported and with alternate woofers, and they simply do not compare and should not be considered for any sort of audiophile's system in that location.

Plexiglass however cool it looks would be very expensive (due to the thickness required), heavy, as well as difficult to use keeping bass robbing vibration at bay.

Your best bet for a better sounding system is a single 12 inch woofer in a fiberglass and MDF enclosure where the spare tire goes. The hatch area will horn load the woofer effectivly doubling or in some cases even tripling the perceived output.

I know there will be people that say, "mine is where the bins were/are and it sounds great". I am sure that it does, however that location frankly will suck when compared to a woofer loaded in the rear of the car, and I know for a fact that ever person that ever had that done, would change the second they hear a properly mounted woofer in an optimum enclosure, in the rear of the car instead of in the middle of the car at the bins.

 

In my old 83, I had two 10's firing back and up towards the hatch, and a single 12 behind it pointing up at the hatch. It was loud as hell, and sounded NIIICE. Another fun idea is to take some tweeters and mount them near the base of your windshield near the pillars. Sound bounces ya know....

 

with mine i took it all out to start and built my own box to fit there. i bolted it down, completely sealed it, carpeted the top that u see, mounted 3 black lights in there to light it all, put the shelf back in, mounted my amp and crossover on the front of the shelf behind the drivers seat, hooked the wires for the black lights into my amp pos and neg(so they come on when my amp does, and mounted the plexiglass over the original bin squares, it looks great and sounds pretty damn good as well. i've had a lot of peeps give me praise for it.eventually it will be done in white and neon orange vinyl instead of carpet. i'm not saying its the best place or the worst. like i said its just an idea.

 

Yep the 78-85 was the best years for sound in the RX7... that upward facing spare tire area was great, and the bin area was angled forward, unlike the FC or FD.