I currently have a 12" Rockford Punch HX2 sub in a "questionable" custom enclosure that was installed when I bought the car. The sub is powered by a JL Audio 250/1 amp. I've attached a pics of the setup below. When talking to my local dealer, who appears to be pretty knowledgeable, they describe my enclosure as a "baffle" setup. From what I can gather from their opinion and my visual inspection, a wood deck and seperator have been installed over the floorpan and carpeted, with a wood top mouting the sub on one side. The dealer thinks the box is poorly sealed, not very good quality.
Here's the problem: I'm not happy with the Sound Quality of the setup. The bass output is strong, but sounds sloppy, boomy, inaccurate, ect. I listen to some rap, but also Rock, country, ect. I want a good sound quality out of my setup. Here’s an outline of the options I’m considering and questions about them-

Priorities: My most important concern is the sound quality of the bass: I'm looking for clean, tight, accurate bass that is still deep and strong. Secondary concerns are weight, space, and cost, but only if it would not take much away from sound quality/ performance. I want to do this right the first time and I’ll rather sacrifice somewhat in these areas and have it sound the way I want. I’m trying to keep total cost under $500 including install and removal of current box (glued/sealed to floorpan?). I will be keeping the same amp to power the setup: JL 250/1.

Questions- given my current setup and goals, should I:
1. Stealthbox or full well enclosure?: What is the difference in these types of boxes in output/ sound quality, ect. I’m guessing the fiberglass stealthbox will sound better than the wood one, but how does the ‘glass stealth compare to a wood/mdf rear well enclosure. Ex: single 10 or 12 steathbox (glass) vs. single 12 or dual 10” standard rear well enclosure (with 250/1 amp).
2. Stay with a single 12” or go to single/dual 10” subs: (I demoed a single JL 10w3 in a sealed box in my car, liked the tightness, quality, output ect. BUT, don’t know what the Rockford 12 would sound like in a good box)
3. Keep Rockford sub or go with another brand like JL Audio?: From what I’ve heard from others and in person, JL subs have better sound quality in general. I know it’s subjective, but what’s your opinion.

My dealer’s suggestions were: a new wood enclosure for the 12” ($500), JL stealthbox with 10W3v2, or sealed box with dual 10’s. I'm looking at Subthump's fiberglass stealthboxes, for either my current 12" Rockford sub or a JL Audio 10 or 12" W3. I'm not sure whether or not I'd be happy with the Rockford sub in the 12" 'glass stealthbox, or whether it will still not be clean enough. I know being satisfied with car audio is a comletely subjective thing, but I don't want to have to redo this setup again if I'm unsatisified. Thanks in advance for your help!

PS. Megabass, I dropped you an e-mail also!

 

I have the 10W3 in the back of mine. I chose the vantage box cause it was the eziest and is custom for our car. U can either keep it like it is and put a 10" speaker in it or keep your 12" and have your audio guy shave the extra 2 inches off the vantage box, Ive seen it done, not sure how it sounds.

I dont think its fair for me to tell you whats the best for you, I became spoiled with the JL. Pick which ever sounds best for you in your price range.

 

Got ya e-mailed back . Hope you find it useful.

I really don't see how you could modify a vantage box to fit a 12. I have one sitting right here and...I just don't see it because of the way it's made.