Review: Q-Logic "Custom" Dual 10" Sub Enclosure

[Beacon]

As promised...

<h3>Review: Q-Logic (QL-C1PTC210) "Custom Fit" Dual 10" Subwoofer Enclosure for the PT Cruiser (2000 and up)</h3>
http://www.qlogic.ws

*Note: Some of the images on the "Larger View" links have dimension and other info on the larger pic that you won't see on the thumbnails, so click the "larger view" for more specific information.

I was looking to add a little low-end to the PT sound system but wanted something a bit more than the 8" Mopar and 10" (single) JL Audio "hidden" enclosures. First thing you'll notice is that unlike another sub enclosure designed for the same space in the PT this one has no tray for the amp - so be forewarned this install will take a bit more planning and time than if you'd went with the "stealthbox". I purchased the QL enclosure from SoundDomain.com (http://www.sounddomain.com/shop/item...093&vq_id=none) (located in Washington State).

While the price was great ($210), I really was disappointed with their Customer Service. These boxes are supplied as needed from QL so you've got a minimum of 4 days lead time while it moves from QL to SoundDomain's shipping center. Not that big a deal but there was a little delay on mine which was never reflected in their online order check and they failed to send a shipping notification when it finally was sent out to me. Small thing but really annoying. If you can find this box somewhere else at a similar price pass on SoundDomain and get it there. Also of note is the shipping weight is 45 lbs. so expect ground delivery.

First let me say I frickin' love this enclosure. Okay that's out of my system, now let's get to the specifics....

The box is heavy duty 3/4" MDF board construction with 1/8" interior grade carpeting. As you'll see below this model has a lid and front fascia made from ABS plastic. It houses 2 10" subwoofers and has a divider in the center leaving each sub with about 0.60 cu. ft. volume in each chamber. I'll explain more below...

Views:

Front:

Larger View: http://www.robertsmedia.net/pt/ql_in...front_view.jpg

Back:

Larger View: http://www.robertsmedia.net/pt/ql_in...kside_view.jpg

Sides:

Larger View: http://www.robertsmedia.net/pt/ql_in..._side_view.jpg

Larger View: http://www.robertsmedia.net/pt/ql_in...side_view2.jpg

Top:

Larger View: http://www.robertsmedia.net/pt/ql_in...ql_lid_off.jpg

You can see from the last pic that the entire box is covered in the standard 1/8" interior carpet like most enclosures - the lid however (and the front fascia) are made from molded ABS plastic and will blend perfectly with your stock vehicle interior trim (provided your interior trim is either black - dark gray - or tan of course). The pictured enclosure is the dark slate gray color.

What ya get:
2 Speaker Leads
16 1" Sub mounting screws
4 3/4" Lid mounting screws
4 1 1/2" Permanent enclosure mounting screws
2 Speaker Grills
2 40" "U-Channel" grill weatherstripping
2 Foam tape rolls
2 Polyfill sheets


Larger View: http://www.robertsmedia.net/pt/ql_in...0_ql_parts.jpg

Like many aftermarket sub enclosures this ships empty so plan ahead and pick out your subs. QL has it's own system called "Bass Performance Match" to help you pick the proper subs for the type and size enclosure you want to use - this particular model is a "Type 1" enclosure. "Type 1" are small, sealed enclosures. Each sub has 0.65 cu. ft. internal volume so be sure the subs you pick will work well in this size enclosure. For the curious I installed a pair of XS

[Gear_Head]

Beacon, Awesome post dude!!!! Looks great. It's amazing how much better the music sounds with a healthy set of subs/amps installed. I thought about going that way with the sub box, But I really do not have a need to haul stuff around. We go & get groceries in my wifes mitsubishi eclipse. She doesn't like to drive the cruiser because she says "people stare at her when she's driving it! Anyways, You are to be complimented on your post as well as your installation. Helps out other members alot Thanks............

[GTSteve]

Beacon: Thank you so much for the review. I am very interested in this enclosure. I stopped by the local dealer that is listed on the Qlogic site to check on it. The owner told me that the enclosure was "junk". He wanted to make a custom enclosure for me. Based on your review, I would say he was jerking me around. I see nothing about your enclosure that is junky. What I really like is that this unit looks like a part of the car rather than an add-on. Not only that but it locks in place without screws.

I have a few questions:
1. What amp did you get and can you post pics?
2. Did you change the head unit or are you sticking with stock?
3. Does the bass overpower the stock speakers?
4. Are you going to upgrade the stock speakers.

Thanks for any help and for a very thorough and well thought out review.

GTSteve

[Beacon]

G_H: Appreciate it! And I couldn't agree more, the factory system is better than alot of others but definately benefits from some healthy nudging. Aye I understand what you mean, this is my daily driver... well it's my only car (I try not to drive around the city if I can help it) so it get's put to varied and sundry uses. If not for that I'd have yanked the back seats in a heartbeat!

GTS: I would say that dealer was surely thinking more about his pocket than anything else. These things are hardly junk - all joints are glued, sealed and screwed. I'm pretty surprised a retailer would bad-mouth Q-Logic, they've been putting out quality stuff for quite a few years. I'd be happy to put an Amp addendum up, heh who knows I may get a wild hair and do a full review on it.

I'll get some pics tomorrow once I've got some light outside, in the meantime the amp I'm using is the Sony XM-280GTX (http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?C...Q&MD=XM-280GTX). It's an AB type amp so audiophiles may not like it much but it suits my purpose pretty well.

I'm still using the factory head unit (in dash six disc changer) - I'm still pretty happy with it and not having to find a location for a cd changer is really nice. If I can find a aftermarket multi-disc in dash unit that won't cripple my fun money fund I may upgrade but until then I'm sticking with the factory unit.

To be honest if the amp didn't have the adjustments it does it would easily overpower the rest of the speakers. The internal low-pass starts at 300hz which rendered every cd I tried unbearable. After I moved the amp to it's final home under the seat I tweaked it using the adjustments on the amp. Dropped the crossover down to about 120hz, set the bass boost (for signals under 40hz) to about 5db and dropped the input level down a bit it and it sounds great. It pushes the little 10's hard enough to feel it in your chest if ya crank it.

I've already upgraded the rear pillars to Sony XS-V6833's (http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?C...rs&MD=XS-V6833) unintentionally... turns out those black grilles on the factory pillar speakers aren't supposed to come off, heheheh. I'd planned on swapping them out anyway just not quite this soon. I do plan on swapping out the doors as well - most likely with Sony XS-V1633's (http://www.xplodsony.com/products/?C...rs&MD=XS-V1633). I'm not a cheerleader for Sony btw, they are just a known quantity and have a decent sound to 'em.

I'll post up the other info tomorrow. Again thanks to both of ya for the kind words, makes swapping the html for forum codes worthwhile!

[rice_killing_GT]

Beacon,

That's one hell of a post, thanks for taking the time in doing a step by step process in how you installed it. With pics too, awesome man. This sounds like one of my many planned projects for the PT projects.

[Beacon]

My pleasure mate, glad ya liked it.

[SteelBlueGT]

Awesome post man!

[yobiebs]

I have a 10-disk changer that currently sits on the floor of my trunk, so i would have to relocate it if I were to do something like this (which I really REALLY want to do). Any of you guys relocated a changer? Where? Under the front seats? Would it fit in one of the side panel pockets in the trunk? Let me know what y'all think....

Biebs

[Beacon]

quote:Originally posted by yobiebs

I have a 10-disk changer that currently sits on the floor of my trunk, so i would have to relocate it if I were to do something like this (which I really REALLY want to do). Any of you guys relocated a changer? Where? Under the front seats? Would it fit in one of the side panel pockets in the trunk? Let me know what y'all think....

Biebs

Woot! I made a sticky worthy post!

Unless the dimensions on your changer are ungodly you shouldn't have any trouble at all fitting it under the driver seat or passenger for that matter if you don't have or don't mind losing the drawer.

Having played with routing the wires in the back end of the car I'd say even if you've got a tiny tiny changer you'd be hard pressed to fit it into the rear passenger side interior panel. The driver side though you can probably do if you don't mind cutting the panel some. Remember the "hidden" mopar enclosure fits in that same space plus I've seen folks posting that they have fit larger than 8" sub units in there so it should allow for a changer. Ventilation would be a little limited though so take that into consideration if your particular changer tends to run hot. I haven't given it a hard look so I can't give you any particulars but I think you can make it work without too much trouble.

[Gear_Head]

Yobiebs, I have my 10 disc changer mounted under the drivers seat with no issues at all. Actually its easy to install there, and the wires are easily concealed. I have a 10 disc kenwood changer. I'd post a pic, but the cruiser is currently indesposed. Good place to put the hardware...