Standard Powered Sub in Floor

[zepper]

Can a standard powered sub be put in a box in the floor that is open on the top. If so which direction should it point if it is front firing (i.e. at the floor joice or up)? Or is bottom firing a better option.

 

[j_garcia]

Driver should point up IMO. It is going to get coverd in dust and crap though. Pointing it at the joists won't get bass into the room.

 

[zepper]

We're doing a huge remodel right now. The floor vent will get a decorative antique grate and a black screen to both hide and keep the sub clean.

 

[zepper]

So sub pointing up, people agree??

 

[XEagleDriver]

Why consider this??

Can a standard powered sub be put in a box in the floor that is open on the top. If so which direction should it point if it is front firing (i.e. at the floor joice or up)? Or is bottom firing a better option.

Why are you considering this option, vice a standard in-room or in-wall solution?

I could think of several reasons it will be difficult to live with!

XEagleDriver

 

[zepper]

Well, i have a mandate from the girl-fiend that there can be no speaker "thingys" in the room. And I am on a pretty limited budget and most in wall subs are out of my budget. We are not looking for a lot of bass. So I would probably only get an 8" sub.

What are the reasons that you can think of that this would be bad? Keep in mind that we are not audiophiles and just about anything would be an improvement on what we've had before.

I have about $100-$150 to spend on a sub.

 

[j_garcia]

You could also do a small sub behind or underneath the couch. There is no reason why it won't work adequately the way you have described though.

www.partsexpress.com has subs in that price range, though I don't know that they will fit in that space. Unfortunately, I think they discontinued their 8" model.

 

[XEagleDriver]

Reasons and Options

Well, i have a mandate from the girl-fiend that there can be no speaker "thingys" in the room. And I am on a pretty limited budget and most in wall subs are out of my budget. We are not looking for a lot of bass. So I would probably only get an 8" sub.

What are the reasons that you can think of that this would be bad?
Keep in mind that we are not audiophiles and just about anything would be an improvement on what we've had before.

I have about $100-$150 to spend on a sub.

Some reasons which come to mind are:

- The dirt/dust factor JGarcia mentioned
- Opportunity to have someone step in/on it and destroy it
- Once you select a location, you are stuck with it (or a hole in the floor)
- Inability to move it, if the acoustics you seek don't work out or GF decides to "re-arrange the furniture"!

Other Options:
- A small, inexpensive under couch (or tucked in a corner) subwoofer such as:

This one or for a bit over your stated budget this other one

These are not "the world's best" subs, but they would probably meet the requirements you put forth--decent bass, out of sight, and inexpensive.

Cheers,
XEagleDriver

 

[zepper]

Thanks guys!

 

[j_garcia]

The "this might not be the best place sound wise" is something that definitely needs to be considered. Also, placing a sub into basically another enclosure will also affect the sound, which is why I say the driver should be pointed up. As you said though, you aren't looking to rattle the foundation, so I think it won't hurt to try it.

 

[walter duque]

This is just an idea from link below. You might be able to build the enclosure yourself.
http://www.sourcespeaker.com/UFS10P-12P.html
or try something like an under couch sub.
http://www.sourcespeaker.com/SW10PANCAKE-12-09.html

 

[zepper]

Thanks guys, I'll post up pix when it is all done in a few months.