Best mounting position for self powered and enclosed sub in trunk? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

donbryce · #46 03-01-2004, 08:40 AM

I'm curious about why the trunk of a W123 is so much 'tighter' than the W126. On my '85 380SE, if you lifted out the plastic tray for the first aid kit, and'or the storage tray, you'd be looking right at the top of the gas tank. There doesn't seem to be anything except the carpeted panel in front of the tank separating the trunk from the interior. And since the plastic of the trays is thin, and the panel in front of the tank isn't anywhere near air tight, maybe that's why my Kenwood sounds fine from the trunk.
Does the W123 have a steel panel under the tray, separating the trunk/tank?

JHZR2 · #47 03-01-2004, 09:41 AM

Yes,

I pulled the first aid kit, which has a thick foam gasket to keep a seal around the edges. Right below you can see into the trunk, and see the top of the fuel tank. But everywhere else, there is a metal shelf below the parcel deck. Evben the rear speakers have only a small hole at the bottom of the metal shelf to allow wires to pass through from the opening between the tank and the metal layer. To keep a tightness between the metal layer and the board parcel deck, there are tight fitting thick plastic cylinders, whichj I think help the speakers to send the sound out into the cabin, and also keep that tightness.

Driver's rear footwell is great. I keep my seat almost all the way back so I have a little bit more flexibility for stretching my legs on long drives. So that footwell is nearly nonexistant anyway. I rarely have more than 2 passengers in my car, and the sub is easily moved. Best of all, it is really stable and fits well in the footwell, without even needing to mount it. I am very happy.

My headunit (which I totally plan to keep) is proving to be the weakpoint, I think. It sounds really great and clear without the sub, but with the sub on, I have to change the sub settings a lot for various types of music. For people talking, it can get a bit too boomy. Fortunately, the bass ios very clean and clear, so its not annoying. It just seems to require a bit more tweaking than the fully custom setup in my GF's integra.

Seems like halfway on the level, and 80 or 120 Hz is the best setup for most everything... Sub on for music, off for talk. I dont quite understand the need for changing the phase yet, and havent decided what sounds best to my ear, but 0° seems best so far.

JMH

Alan Hamm · #48 03-01-2004, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by donbryce
I'm curious about why the trunk of a W123 is so much 'tighter' than the W126.

On my 123, I actually emptied the First aid kit and mounted my cd changer so it is accessed by opening the lid at the rear deck. Now that I think about it, that was pretty cool. I kinda forgot because my son drives that car now.

But basically the changer is in the trunk, vertically mounted but the front pokes up through the bottom of the first aid drawer. Then I sealed around the penetration.

I then had to actually drill 5/8" holes (about 30) into the deck from the underside to let the sound through into the cabin. I was carefull not to penetrate the carpet. This worked. Before this you could hear almost nothing. After holes, much better but not perfect.

My 126 you can hear fine without modification, but you can see that it is far less tight than the 123. You can actually see light through the storage and first aid trays.

JHZR2 · #49 03-01-2004, 11:10 AM

I was actually thinking of trying that... The space between the metal layer and the cardboard parcel deck is not airtight. But the parcel deck seems to make a nearly airtight barrier. I was considering putting holes and either re-carpeting that whole thing (the blue is starting to fade a bit), or just drilling lots of small holes.

I took the lazy route though, and am happy with the footwell instalation. It gives me the ultimate in flexibility for cabin mounting, as I can stick it anywhere in the cabin and get great sound now. The trunk would probably be very slightly preferable to me at this point but not worth the effort for me, IMO.

JMH

Alan Hamm · #50 03-01-2004, 11:55 AM

With what I have seen of the Kenwood, I think the interior makes sense. Believe me, I was prepared to move mine inside until I figured out all the controls.

denismitchell · #51 03-01-2004, 05:54 PM

here is a pic of my trunk for 420 sel, has 2 rockford fosgate amps sunk in trunk floor, 2 rf subs and the box on the left side is the cd changer

Alan Hamm · #52 03-01-2004, 06:09 PM

Where is your spare? Did you raise the floor? What are the 3 rectangles at the left?

What keeps your golf umbrella (or package or box or suitcase) from poking through your subwoofers?

denismitchell · #53 03-01-2004, 08:51 PM

yes i raised the floorboard, the subs were built in a box, the three boxes on the left bottom are mirrors, you can see them reflectin gon the sub, i will be putting some cages on the subs, just haven't decided the look that will compliment the trunk. here is a pic of the other side with the rockford fosgate 1 farad cap, behind the mercedes emblem is a hidden compartment that holds the vcr. there is a piece of plexiglass that goes over the amps but I took it off until I hook up the fans