subs facing?, does it matter? Options

[lake1069]

i have 2 12" 700watt subs in my hatch, i've been messing with the levels to get it to sound just like i like them, but i'm wondering if it makes any differece which way the subs face, like toward the driver or opposite?

[Abraxis64]

people say that it will be louder if you face it towards the rear for several reasons.

the main argument is the "compound loading" effect. essentially, this means that the soundwave will reflect off the back panel, bounce back and add constructive interference with a new, original wave emanating from the speaker--this effect, the theory goes, makes the sub sound louder. what frequency the gain is experienced at depends on how far away from the rear you place the sub. people often make "loading panels" and attatch them to the front of their sealed enclosures to replicate this effect.

basically, it's like putting your home theater subwoofer in the corner (aka 'corner loading') so that it gives the driver more surfaces to have soundwaves bounce off of (hopefully in the direction of the listener) and sound louder.

in reality, however, the automotive environment is so imperfect that it's really a matter of application. to put it simply: it depends. try it out facign the front. then turn it around and see if you notice a difference. if so, go with whatever sounds better. if not, place it in whatever way it'll be most convenient.

peace

...and from the way that you describe your drivers "2 700watt subs", it probably won't make a huge difference, anyway. but, just out of curiosity, what are you running?

This post has been edited by Abraxis64: Sep 6, 2005 - 7:46 PM