Sub enclosure question- 2015 G23

[jmcmickle]

I've been looking at stereo shops to replace the factory Polk 10" sub and amp. The last stereo shop stated the factory box was a fiberglass box and needed to be cut out. Is that correct? Has anyone cut the factory box out and put another in? Thank you in advance (new to the forum).

[Dandy21]

We had a Memphis Audio 12" dual voice coil sub installed in this location. The box had to be cut to accommodate it. With the DVC sub, using the same amp we were able to draw out 400W vs the 200W with the SVC sub. Can for sure be done. I will have the boat out and will try to remember to take a picture. Huge sound improvement without giving up storage space.

[Jeeper92]

I am going to a JL 12 in the factory location with a bigger amp. JL has a new marine free air 12" sub that should work nicely in the factory location. Suppose to be released the end of the summer.

[jmcmickle]

I'm looking to put in a Wet Sounds XS-12 (not the XXX) which works well in the storage area in a ported box and one or two bass outlet holes cut out of the fiberglass beneath the seat. Do you know the Cu. Ft. of the factory box, by chance? I prefer to stay away from the FA subs, but what spec did the Memphis 12" sub call for and did the factory sealed box do it justice?

[Dandy21]

The Memphis sub was an IB (infinite baffle). The factory location is far from sealed. It opens up to the front of the boat. I believe you would need a FA or IB sub to work well on this location. Again, using the dual voice coil we doubled the output of the factory Polk amp.

[MLA]

I'm looking to put in a Wet Sounds XS-12 (not the XXX) which works well in the storage area in a ported box and one or two bass outlet holes cut out of the fiberglass beneath the seat. Do you know the Cu. Ft. of the factory box, by chance? I prefer to stay away from the FA subs, but what spec did the Memphis 12" sub call for and did the factory sealed box do it justice?

Thats not a "box" or enclosure by any stretch. Its part of the boat's deck cap that they have just cut a round hole in and mounted the woofer to it. if you pull the woofer, you can look in and see the bow ballast sac.

Yes, the hole can be enlarged to accommodate a larger woofer, but i do not see anything that can be cut out and removed from the boat.

[David Analog]

Nothing wrong with an infinite baffle subwoofer if the execution is correct. However, rarely do you see an IB sub executed correctly. Factory is a perfect example.
The JL Audio IB 12" will be a beast.
The Polk Audio, correctly put to task is a decent sub, while used in an infinite baffle application, is NOT an IB sub, which is a part of the problem.

[Jeb1974]

Nothing wrong with an infinite baffle subwoofer if the execution is correct. However, rarely do you see an IB sub executed correctly. Factory is a perfect example.
The JL Audio IB 12" will be a beast.
The Polk Audio, correctly put to task is a decent sub, while used in an infinite baffle application, is NOT an IB sub, which is a part of the problem.

I think the sub is is the weakest part of the G23 stereo and probably the only thing I'd like to upgrade. (6X9 tower speakers aren't the best either but not bad enough to change). I don't want to do a ton of work so don't really want to go to a 12" sub but would just changing the polk sub to the JL 10" FA sub be a noticeable improvement? Has anyone done this before?

[nyryan2001]

15" Fi Audio IB3 in the factory location. 750-900w RMS.

That's about as beast as you'll ever get on an IB sub setup.

[David Analog]

I think the sub is is the weakest part of the G23 stereo and probably the only thing I'd like to upgrade. (6X9 tower speakers aren't the best either but not bad enough to change). I don't want to do a ton of work so don't really want to go to a 12" sub but would just changing the polk sub to the JL 10" FA sub be a noticeable improvement? Has anyone done this before?

The JL Audio IB 10" makes a big difference when replacing the Polk sub in the starboard coaming location....simply because it's the correct sub for the job. However, concealed within the port side locker needs more help and that is why it is worth it to upgrade to a 12-inch with more amplifier power and vent that compartment.
It's bad enough that you have an air-suspension sub in a infinite baffle application, but the acoustic losses created by the woofer being concealed within the locker is the most challenging part. The amplifier and woofer are having to work at least four times harder to create the same output. So address the sub, the power, and the venting. Not only for more output but for quality of sound.

[Tallredrider]

I think the sub is is the weakest part of the G23 stereo and probably the only thing I'd like to upgrade. (6X9 tower speakers aren't the best either but not bad enough to change). I don't want to do a ton of work so don't really want to go to a 12" sub but would just changing the polk sub to the JL 10" FA sub be a noticeable improvement? Has anyone done this before?

My MC had the 10 inch JL sub in it and it was a very strong subwoofer. I was planning on replacing it, but after giving it plenty of juice, it really pounded pretty well. Way better than the polk speaker that is there now.

I have a JL 12W3 in a sealed box. It fits right beside the garbage can up against the wall firing into the compartment. It puts out pretty decent sound. So you can barely see it when you open up the compartment and leaves me the vast majority of my storage space. I used that sub because the enclosure size that is recommended is smaller than most, and was the only decent sub that could be wedged in there.

[jmcmickle]

I'd still like to see someone that has taken out the factory box in a 2014/2015 G23 or built one around it. I like to feel the bass like we did in our Malibu under the drivers helm, or get as close to that as possible.

[MLA]

Not sure how else to work it, but thats not a box in there. Its a structural, integral part of the deck cap with a round speaker hole cut in it. If you put your head in that hole, you will be looking into the bow at the bow ballast sac.

[jmcmickle]

MLA- thank you for the info. With this info, I'm considering having a new box built with the Wet Sounds 12" sub on a SYN6 amp. Using a ported box and putting in a vent under the observers seat for the bass to exit, with the SYN6 for the Wet Sounds sub and interior speakers and keep the Polk amp for the Polk sub would keep everything functional and fluid (although it would require a new amp rack and two different amp brands on the rack).

Thanks again!

[MLA]

With the addition of the 12" sub in a ported enclosure, I would not waste the battery amperage to continue driving the factory 10", if thats who I am reading that?