JL stealth box subwoofer for new xB

KarlElvis · Dec 28, 2008

I just found out JL audio has released a stealth box subwoofer for the new-style xB.

I just ordered mine.

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_stealthbox_detail.php?fit_id=1611

I'm a big fan of the stealth box; JL makes great gear, and the stealth box concept gets a sub woofer custom-fit into un-used space in your vehicle. The xB stealth box tucks into the rear right, leaving the spare tire door unobstructed. Pretty much the only thing you give up is the little cup on the right hand, and I never use that anyway (my front plate lives there, in case I ever get pulled over for not having it in place).

I'm gonna drive the 12-inch W3v3 subwoofer with JL's new Slash v2 250w amp. It should do a hell of a lot to improve the sound in my xB, without giving much up in terms of space. I'm stoked. Though I'm betting this will lead to more money outlay because improving one thing tends to trigger improving another; I'll need new speakers next.

My stereo guy drives an xB also (we bought 'em in the same dealership the same week, purely by coincidence); he's planning to put the same rig in his xB after he does mine.

jrl91789 · Dec 28, 2008

JL really ROCKS!!! I bet your box will be bumpin!

joemader · Dec 29, 2008

wow i REALLY wish this had been available earlier. this is exactly what i wanted. I had a Kicker L5, and i love it...but i'd really love to save space.

How much is this box, and does it come with a subwoofer?

if i can sell my Kicker and get one of these, that'd be sweet, though i'm sure some $$ may be lost.

L0stS0ul · Dec 29, 2008

It's a little pricey at $650 over at crutchfield

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_13694421/JL-Audio-Stealthbox.html?tp=113

joemader · Dec 29, 2008

What?! Thats crazy.

I bought my L5 in box, an amp, wiring, and paid to have it installed for around $400.

L0stS0ul · Dec 29, 2008

yup the rumion one is cheaper at $520

http://www.newscionparts.com/product/?id=2846

BigMikeLV · Dec 29, 2008

L0stS0ul said:
yup the rumion one is cheaper at $520

http://www.newscionparts.com/product/?id=2846

But that one sounds like crap.

w1ck3d714 · Dec 31, 2008

its a really nice sub box. ive had it for about 2 weeks. its sitting in my garage at the moment. waiting on my jl hd amps and my morel components before it all goes in the box.

KarlElvis · Jan 1, 2009

joemader said:
What?! Thats crazy.

I bought my L5 in box, an amp, wiring, and paid to have it installed for around $400.

Actually $650 isn't that bad for a top notch 12" sub like the 12W3v3-4 (the driver alone goes for around $169) plus what amounts to a custom-fit enclosure. Having this custom built would cost you at LEAST this much in labor. And the stealth box gives you a tuned enclosure (so you're not just popping a speaker in some random undersized box), AND it takes up almost no usable space.

Sure, you can get a sub for a lot less but you get what you pay for there. Bargain subs almost universally sound like bargain subs.

BigMikeLV · Jan 1, 2009

If MTX would make a Powered Thunderform I would be willing to buy that.

JOEY G-xB · Jan 2, 2009

here's a custom box from BAZOOKA...for only 350.00...
http://www.sasbazooka.com/products/mobile/OEM-Products-C12/SCION-S99/VSE-SCI-145L-07---SCION-XB-Vehicle-Specific-Enclosure-P458

L0stS0ul · Jan 3, 2009

and unlike the JL the bazooka comes with an integrated 100watt amplifier. That one is definitally interesting to me even though it's an 8 inch speaker.

I did find it for $300
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_16329_Bazooka+VSE-SCI-145L-07.html

KarlElvis · Jan 8, 2009

L0stS0ul said:
and unlike the JL the bazooka comes with an integrated 100watt amplifier. That one is definitally interesting to me even though it's an 8 inch speaker.

'ya gets what ya pays for. Yeah, that's a good cheaper option; it's a lot less sub, for a lot less money. It's about where your compromise point is (optimizing for sound and finish vs cost).

To me, the better sound and the better look/fit/feel are worth the extra cost. But if I were going budget, that bazooka would be a good pick. I like that they solved the problem the say by fitting a box into that niche in the back of the xB

Obviously I'd like to have paid less for the stealth box but that's what I get for being an early adopter.

JOEY G-xB · Jan 8, 2009

i agree karl, and the JL AUDIO box just looks a lot nicer...more streamlined, and better intergrated. i bet it sounds sweet too!

KarlElvis · Jan 9, 2009

JOEY G-xB said:
i agree karl, and the JL AUDIO box just looks a lot nicer...more streamlined, and better intergrated. i bet it sounds sweet too!

It sounds absolutely awesome. With the 250w amp I paired it with, i actually wound up having to dial the sub down for everyday listening (so I don't make my ears bleed). When it's dialed up though, WOW.

Bass that'll rattle your fillings, AND still musical (the big difference between a good sub/amp and a cheap, big one; music vs just volume).

I'm using a Pioneer Avic D3 head unit which has a great interface to the sub, and the stock speakers. The stockers sound incredibly much better when they're not trying to produce low bass. They're good enough now that I can actually live with 'em for a while and don't feel the need to swap 'em out right away (that's a surprise). It'll be even better, though, when I can drive the rest of the speakers with more than the 22w/channel the AVIC puts out. But for now, it's enough. and the bass from this thing is *sweet*.

The fit and finish is perfect. It looks like an OEM fit. And the amp vanishes under the back seat with no issue at all.

I love this thing.

JOEY G-xB · Jan 10, 2009

very cool karl! take pics if you get around to it!

GuruGuys · Feb 18, 2009

L0stS0ul said:
and unlike the JL the bazooka comes with an integrated 100watt amplifier. That one is definitally interesting to me even though it's an 8 inch speaker.

I did find it for $300
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_16329_Bazooka+VSE-SCI-145L-07.html

Its $269.99 INCLUDING shipping here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001MJ0H2Y/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new (see shipsound third party, I ordered mine from them and it only took 2 days to arrive!).

Ill make an install thread tomorrow if I have time and weather permits.

-GG

BigMikeLV · Feb 20, 2009

Let us know how it sounds.

luckymonkey · Jul 20, 2009

GuruGuys said:
L0stS0ul said:

and unlike the JL the bazooka comes with an integrated 100watt amplifier. That one is definitally interesting to me even though it's an 8 inch speaker.

I did find it for $300
http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_16329_Bazooka+VSE-SCI-145L-07.html

Click to expand...

Its $269.99 INCLUDING shipping here: http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001MJ0H2Y/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new (see shipsound third party, I ordered mine from them and it only took 2 days to arrive!).

Ill make an install thread tomorrow if I have time and weather permits.

-GG

So how does it sound?

joemader · Aug 9, 2009

I'm trying to decide if I wanna sell my kicker l5 and get this stealthbox, I feel as though my kicker is louder than a jl circle 12 can be...what do you guys think?

My amp is a BOSS CH1500D running 800 watts at 1 ohm. Would this amp and wiring work w this JL Sub? I dunno speaker math.

Sorry if I threadjacked- please help!

Joe

JL stealth box subwoofer for new xB

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