How to Hide a Subwoofer in a Car?
Hiding a subwoofer in the car can help you in many ways. I have a friend who was worried about hiding his car subwoofer. So he contacted me. As a Car Audio Expert, I’ve come up with many ways to disguise his car subwoofer. Now, he’s a happy guy. Let me share tips and tricks to help you easily hide your sub-box in the vehicle.
6 Ways to Hide a Subwoofer in a Car:
There are many ways to hide the sub, but I found these most helpful ways to look your car sound systems more fabulous.
1. Hiding Subs Under the Behind Panel:
Hiding a car subwoofer under the behind panel (Cargo Space) can be a great way to get the most out of your sound system without compromising aesthetics. It involves carefully cutting and fitting parts to create much space for the subwoofer while allowing it to fit snugly inside its designated area. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get the job done:
- First, you must remove your car’s back panel to easily access the area where you want to put the car subwoofer. You’ll have to drill a few holes to fit in properly, so measure the panel’s dimensions accurately before cutting any materials.
- Now, you must cut the openings using a saw or any cutting tool in the panel. Ensure you cut it big enough to fit the subs.
- Next, attach the mounting bracket to the back panel and secure it with screws. The frame should fit snugly around the subwoofer so there are no gaps between them.
- Place the subwoofer into the cutout and secure it with bolts or screws. You’ll also need to connect the power supply if you have a powered unit.
- Finally, secure the wiring carefully so that it doesn’t get pinched or pulled by other components in the car. Ensure to leave enough slack between the subwoofer and the head unit so you can easily access them when needed.
2. Hiding Subs Under the Seat:
Hiding a car subwoofer beneath the seat of your vehicle is an effective way to maximize sound quality and space. The foam, fabric, and other components that make up the underside of a seat can act as a sound dampener, helping filter out unwanted noise from your audio system. To hide your subwoofer under the seat, follow these simple steps:
- Determine where you want to put your sub under the seat. Depending on your preferences, it could be the back seat or the front seat. It’s essential to consider the available space and how you can access it easily. If installing a large subwoofer, consider a more out-of-the-way spot so that it is not obstructing when you are in and out of your vehicle.
- Once you’ve selected the perfect location for your subwoofer, it’s time to prepare the area. First, remove debris under the seat and vacuum the area to ensure a snug fit. If necessary, you can use a utility knife or scissors to cut away any excess fabric and foam that may be in the way.
- Now it’s time to install the subwoofer. Start by connecting your amplifier’s power and signal wires to the subwoofer. You will then attach the subwoofer to the underside of your seat using screws and a mounting bracket. Be sure to tightly secure the subwoofer before attaching it, as this will help ensure better sound quality.
- Finally, make sure you test your installation before getting back on the road. You can use a multimeter or other audio testing device to ensure that the subwoofer is functioning correctly. If you have any doubts about your installation, it’s best to consult a professional audio technician for help.
Or you can simply use underseat subwoofers to avoid such complex steps.
3. Replace Your Subwoofer With the Speaker Inside the Car’s Door:
Replacing your subwoofer with a speaker inside the car’s door is one of the best ways to hide it. However, this option is only suitable for vehicles with already installed speakers in their doors. The process will depend on the type and size of your subwoofer, but you can generally follow these steps for most vehicles:
- Remove any covers or plastic trim pieces from around the existing subwoofer. Unscrew or unbolt the subwoofer from its mounting bracket, then remove the speaker from the car’s door panel.
- Secure the new subwoofer in place with the appropriate mounting hardware. Connect the wires from your subwoofer to the corresponding terminals on your car’s stereo system, or use a wiring kit if necessary.
- Reinstall any trim pieces you removed in step 1 and test your newly installed subwoofer.
4. Replace Rear Deck Speakers With Subwoofers:
You can easily disguise your car subwoofers by replacing the deck speakers with them. This option works better if you have free air subs (I have covered an article on free air subs). Follow these steps to execute the job successfully:
- Start by measuring both the subwoofer and the deck speaker openings to ensure that your subwoofer is the right size for your car’s deck speakers.
- Remove your old rear speakers from their mounting locations in the vehicle’s trunk or back seat area. Doing so will involve unscrewing nuts and bolts and disconnecting the wiring.
- Cut out enough plywood to cover the size of your subwoofer. Ensure the wood is thick enough to create a tight seal around the speaker when placed in the deck opening. Drill holes into the plywood and mount your subwoofer securely to it.
- Place the subwoofer/wood assembly into your rear deck speaker opening, ensuring that it is held tightly in place by the wood seal you created earlier.
- Connect the wiring for your subwoofer to the corresponding wiring of your car’s amplifier or system.
- Place protective padding or sound-dampening material around the subwoofer and seal it with another piece of plywood.
- Test the system to ensure it works properly, then enjoy your upgraded car audio experience.
5. Use a Small Sub Box:
A small subwoofer box is a perfect way to do it. You have to afford a small-sized powered subwoofer that can fit in the small box. Here’s how you can hide your subwoofer using the small subwoofer box:
- Choose a small-sized woofer box that fits your car. It can be rectangular, square, or round, depending on the size of your vehicle.
- Ensure that you place the box in a position that won’t get in your driving way, such as behind or under the seat. Make sure there’s much space for air to move around inside and outside the box.
- Connect the subwoofer to your car audio system. Adjust settings on the external amplifier (if using a passive subwoofer), if necessary, so that your subwoofer produces an optimum sound level without too much distortion.
- Place the cover over the box and enjoy your favorite music with more bass (low-frequency sounds) than ever!
6. Put the Woofer Box in the Car’s Corner:
This method works exceptionally well if you have a trunk-mounted system, as this will allow the box to fit snugly into one of the corners, out of sight. Alternatively, if you’re working with a free-air subwoofer, you can create a false wall with sound-dampening material to hide the subwoofer box. Follow these simple steps:
- To start, ensuring that you have the proper mounting hardware for your setup is essential. If using a trunk-mounted system, ensure the enclosure is firmly secured and won’t shift around in transit. This can help to prevent unnecessary rattling and vibrations from being absorbed into the surrounding area of your car.
- Now select the right corner for the subwoofer placement. Ensure it’s away from any contact points with other items or components in the vehicle; this can help limit any potential issues with rattling and vibrations.
- Now securely fasten all mounting hardware and ensure the enclosure is secure before testing your audio setup. Furthermore, consider using sound-dampening material to minimize any potential noise from being absorbed into the car’s cabin.
Tips to Hide Your Car Sub:
Hiding a subwoofer in your car can be tricky. Thinking about creative solutions that will maintain space and sound quality is essential. Here are a few ideas:
Think Creative:
Hiding a subwoofer in your car can be tricky. Thinking about creative solutions that will maintain space and sound quality is essential. Here are a few ideas:
- Build a custom enclosure. This solution takes the most effort, but it may be the best choice to maximize sound quality. Building a custom enclosure allows you to customize the shape and size of the box, so it fits perfectly in your car without limiting sound quality.
- Install it into an existing location. If you have space, consider installing your subwoofer into a current location, like a side panel or under a seat. This easy option allows you to hide your subwoofer while still getting great sound.
- Create a stealth installation. If you’re looking for complete invisibility, consider building a hidden compartment or cubby hole behind the dash or in the trunk space. This requires extra effort, but it is worth it if you want to keep your subwoofer totally out of sight.
- Consider other materials. If you’re looking for a different way to hide your subwoofer, consider using materials like fabric or carpeting to cover the speaker. This can be an easy and stylish way to conceal your subwoofer without sacrificing sound quality.
Use Longer Speaker Wires:
Longer speaker wires are also helpful if you have a large vehicle and need to route your system throughout various areas of the car. With extra-long speaker wires, you can discreetly run your audio system through desired locations without compromising sound quality or damaging your vehicle’s interior. Additionally, longer speaker wires help reduce noise interference from other electrical components in the car that could affect good quality.
Install an Alarm System:
We primarily hide our car subwoofers to prevent getting them thieved. An alarm system ⁽¹⁾ in your car can deter thieves from stealing your subwoofer. An alarm system will alert you of any suspicious activity around your vehicle, allowing you to take action quickly and possibly catch the thief before they can steal anything. Alarm systems have various features that help make them even more effective, such as motion detectors, vibration sensors, and loud sirens.
General FAQs
Why Should You Hide Your Subwoofer in a Car?
Hiding your subwoofer in a car is essential for several reasons:
1. It can help you maintain the look of your vehicle and keep it looking sleek and stylish. It also helps to protect the subwoofer from any damage caused by exposure, such as dirt or water.
2. You can save your subwoofers from thieves.
3. You can save up car space for other components.
4. Your visitors will get fascinated to hear the loud bass without noticing your car subwoofer.
Can You Mount a Subwoofer Inside the Car’s Door?
Yes, you can technically mount a subwoofer inside the car’s door. However, you must consider some drawbacks before making such a decision. The first thing to consider is the space available in the door cavity. If the depth of the woofer is too large, it won’t fit in the space available. The depth of the woofer also needs to be considered when considering the door panel material.
If the panel is not thick enough or strong enough to support the subwoofer’s weight, it could rattle and vibrate excessively. The sound quality of the subwoofer can also be affected by mounting it in the door. The enclosed nature of a car’s door can create an echo chamber, resulting in muddy, distorted sound. Additionally, bass (low-frequency sounds) notes tend to boom inside the gates and overpower other frequencies.
Can You Use a Subwoofer Without a Sub Box?
The short answer is yes; you can use a subwoofer without a subwoofer box. However, the performance of your audio system will be affected, and it might not sound louder. A box helps to enhance the low-frequency response of the speaker and provides better bass sounds. It also helps to keep the sound from being reflected off walls and other surfaces, reducing reverberation. If you are looking for the best performance from your subwoofer, then it is highly recommended to use a sub-box.