Old school baffle board install
#1
Old school baffle board install
I’ve come to understand that (infinite) baffle boards were a legit “thing” for third gen f bodies. Literally a board of mdf or similar laid across the opening after the hump or in the trunk “well”.
pros:
Acoustically “flatter” curve than a full enclosure,
Lighter,
Much less expensive.
a few cons
Subsonics don’t play nice/potential woofer damage.
not every sub can be (or should be) in an infinite baffle.
More power required than with an enclosure.
fiber fill used to tuck in gaps.
For me even at low power output and a modest 10” sub this works well - I’ve already got notable tinnitus and I don’t need more, limiting the bass means limiting the front end as well and that’s only good news as I can’t stand music played into distortion.
My first effort, not the final. Mistakes were made. I could’ve been an 1/4” more front to back (the fibre fill will be required either way, just less). Yea the ground is lame, I know. I don’t want to order 25’ of new school copper clad aluminum ofc to use 4’. Holding out to find some old school stuff.
pros:
Acoustically “flatter” curve than a full enclosure,
Lighter,
Much less expensive.
a few cons
Subsonics don’t play nice/potential woofer damage.
not every sub can be (or should be) in an infinite baffle.
More power required than with an enclosure.
fiber fill used to tuck in gaps.
For me even at low power output and a modest 10” sub this works well - I’ve already got notable tinnitus and I don’t need more, limiting the bass means limiting the front end as well and that’s only good news as I can’t stand music played into distortion.
My first effort, not the final. Mistakes were made. I could’ve been an 1/4” more front to back (the fibre fill will be required either way, just less). Yea the ground is lame, I know. I don’t want to order 25’ of new school copper clad aluminum ofc to use 4’. Holding out to find some old school stuff.
#2
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: Central North Carolina
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes
on
12 Posts
Car: 1992 Teal RS
Engine: 350 Carbed
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen Rear 3.42
Re: Old school baffle board install
So your sub is pointing down into the well? Pushing the bass into the floor is what creates that "infinite baffle" concept?
I used a piece of MDF, made a shelf across the well about the height where your hinged cover rests on the rear interior plastic. But I cut a hole in it for my 10" sub on one side, which point upwards towards the glass, and I hung my amp on the under side, upside down, in the center out of sight. I left other side untouched for another sub, but I found that one 10" sub was plenty for me and my old school tunes, so I simply put another sub grill on other side so looks like 2 subs.
I used a piece of MDF, made a shelf across the well about the height where your hinged cover rests on the rear interior plastic. But I cut a hole in it for my 10" sub on one side, which point upwards towards the glass, and I hung my amp on the under side, upside down, in the center out of sight. I left other side untouched for another sub, but I found that one 10" sub was plenty for me and my old school tunes, so I simply put another sub grill on other side so looks like 2 subs.
The following users liked this post:
Tom 400 CFI (11-08-2023)
#3
Supreme Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Park City, UT
Posts: 1,977
Received 300 Likes
on
206 Posts
Car: '92 Corvette, '89 1/2-a-'Vette
Engine: LT1, L98
Transmission: ZF6, ZF6
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.31
Re: Old school baffle board install
Yeah, that is a different take. I did a baffle board back in the day....about 28 years ago, now....and I thought it was pretty wicked. Everyone thinks that their upgraded stereo is awesome....kind of like everyone thinks that their kids or their dog is the best. But my "validation" is friends and acquaintances gave it unsolicited props, too. So, it was "good enough", I think.
Anyway, mine was pretty similar to @vf750ridera 1" board, covered with carpet matching the car's, with two 12" JL Audio infinite baffle subsfiring upward. I can't remember the model from back then....IB4? Maybe? Anyway, my baffle board, like other 3rd gen BB's I'd seen before, simply dropped into place and fit snuggly where the well-lid, used to reside. The board, became, the well-lid. I powered the subs with a 500w SoundStream Reference 500sx, which was a good brand/amp back in those days, and I mounted that, along w/a 4 channel Alpine...V12?...maybe? in the spare tire location.
It pounded good. It would hit through your torso, move your scalp, even feel like it was moving the car body. So? In a 3rd gen, I give the IB subs in a board with some decent power, a big
They work, and it's an easy install that doesn't consume space in a meaningful way.
I've tried the same strategy in other cars since, (A Dodge Stealth, and my C4) and had pretty crappy results. Not sure why or what the "magic" is in the F-body arrangement, but I haven't gotten it to work in a way that I would recommend, in other cars.
Anyway, mine was pretty similar to @vf750ridera 1" board, covered with carpet matching the car's, with two 12" JL Audio infinite baffle subsfiring upward. I can't remember the model from back then....IB4? Maybe? Anyway, my baffle board, like other 3rd gen BB's I'd seen before, simply dropped into place and fit snuggly where the well-lid, used to reside. The board, became, the well-lid. I powered the subs with a 500w SoundStream Reference 500sx, which was a good brand/amp back in those days, and I mounted that, along w/a 4 channel Alpine...V12?...maybe? in the spare tire location.
It pounded good. It would hit through your torso, move your scalp, even feel like it was moving the car body. So? In a 3rd gen, I give the IB subs in a board with some decent power, a big
They work, and it's an easy install that doesn't consume space in a meaningful way.
I've tried the same strategy in other cars since, (A Dodge Stealth, and my C4) and had pretty crappy results. Not sure why or what the "magic" is in the F-body arrangement, but I haven't gotten it to work in a way that I would recommend, in other cars.
Last edited by Tom 400 CFI; 11-08-2023 at 08:47 AM.
#4
Re: Old school baffle board install
I’ve recently added two Alpine SWS 10” woofers in isobaric clamshell configuration vs. the single MB Quart. It is just rediculous, hits so hard and the bass is unbelievably accurate.
Horn effect from the “trunk”!into the hatchback / passenger compartment is what makes this work so well in our f bodies.
Horn effect from the “trunk”!into the hatchback / passenger compartment is what makes this work so well in our f bodies.
#5
Re: Old school baffle board install
Time to build the box that will replace the baffle board.
Built to fit into the well, 1/2” birch with 3/4” top panel (provides the required air space between the woofers). 0.85 cu ft.
Last edited by theraymondguy; 12-23-2023 at 05:59 PM.
#6
Supreme Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Park City, UT
Posts: 1,977
Received 300 Likes
on
206 Posts
Car: '92 Corvette, '89 1/2-a-'Vette
Engine: LT1, L98
Transmission: ZF6, ZF6
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.31
Re: Old school baffle board install
Will you be able to open the BB lid and use the space?
With the Baffle board, I like that I could use the space under it for stuff/luggage/rd trips, etc. And I did use that space. If you and your car are "past that" then you don't need that utility and a box will likely kick out better sound.
Box looks nice!
With the Baffle board, I like that I could use the space under it for stuff/luggage/rd trips, etc. And I did use that space. If you and your car are "past that" then you don't need that utility and a box will likely kick out better sound.
Box looks nice!
#7
Re: Old school baffle board install
Will you be able to open the BB lid and use the space?
With the Baffle board, I like that I could use the space under it for stuff/luggage/rd trips, etc. And I did use that space. If you and your car are "past that" then you don't need that utility and a box will likely kick out better sound.
Box looks nice!
With the Baffle board, I like that I could use the space under it for stuff/luggage/rd trips, etc. And I did use that space. If you and your car are "past that" then you don't need that utility and a box will likely kick out better sound.
Box looks nice!
This box is enclosed. One woofer will be trapped beneath the top plate permanently and the other will mount on top. One woofer will be fired out of phase with the other, the air trapped between them will be a coupler. This adds no additional dB, but mores for incredibly accurate bass and reduces the box size by 50%.
The lid over the trunk well will close. I’m a little bit undecided as to what I’ll do for an amp rack (mounting vintage amps to the sub box is not a great choice).
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Park City, UT
Posts: 1,977
Received 300 Likes
on
206 Posts
Car: '92 Corvette, '89 1/2-a-'Vette
Engine: LT1, L98
Transmission: ZF6, ZF6
Axle/Gears: 3.45, 3.31
Re: Old school baffle board install
Right on. I mounted my amps (and they were, by today's standards....VINTAGE , in the spare tire area. Seemed to work fine.
#9
Re: Old school baffle board install
The following users liked this post:
Tom 400 CFI (12-25-2023)
#11
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Meriden, CT 06450
Posts: 4,034
Received 517 Likes
on
431 Posts
Car: 84 TA orig. 305 LG4 "H" E4ME
Engine: 334 SBC - stroked 305 M4ME Q-Jet
Transmission: upgraded 700R4 3200 stall
Axle/Gears: 10bolt 4.10 Posi w Lakewood TA Bars
Re: Old school baffle board install
Since your woofers will be facing opposite directions, are you changing the phase of the wiring to one of them so that both are throwing the air in the same direction, or do you want them opposing? I would think that opposing would cancel the other.
#12
Re: Old school baffle board install
Installed, tuning in the works.
The floor of the trunk well isn’t parallel to the rails on both sides. A simple shim will resolve that.
There’s a bump @30-55Hz that any SPL system would be proud of. The same bump means I don’t get a lot of subsonic, which will help with longevity. The roll off after is absolutely flat.
It is Legit the most musically accurate box I’ve ever had. I’ve not tried any “Mega bass” tracks - not my deal.
I don’t have the box carpeted as yet, hoping to find a colour match for Dove Gray, I need to do my trunk cover too.
The floor of the trunk well isn’t parallel to the rails on both sides. A simple shim will resolve that.
There’s a bump @30-55Hz that any SPL system would be proud of. The same bump means I don’t get a lot of subsonic, which will help with longevity. The roll off after is absolutely flat.
It is Legit the most musically accurate box I’ve ever had. I’ve not tried any “Mega bass” tracks - not my deal.
I don’t have the box carpeted as yet, hoping to find a colour match for Dove Gray, I need to do my trunk cover too.
Last edited by theraymondguy; 01-24-2024 at 05:11 PM.
#13
Re: Old school baffle board install
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post