For enthusiasts of classic rides and powerful sound, the allure of vintage car subwoofers is undeniable. Many car audio aficionados, especially those working on projects like a Vega Car restoration or custom build, often wonder about the best enclosure options for these older drivers. The question frequently arises: should you opt for a ported box or a sealed enclosure to truly unleash the potential of a classic subwoofer? Let’s delve into the world of vintage subwoofers and explore what makes them unique, particularly in the context of a project like enhancing the audio in a Vega car.
The preference among hardcore SPL (Sound Pressure Level) competitors often leans towards large ported enclosures with massive ports. Software simulations can provide some insight into potential sound quality (SQ) within different box designs. However, the practical experience of SPL veterans points towards the effectiveness of ported boxes for achieving sheer loudness. But how do these setups truly sound? That’s another story altogether, and often secondary to the goal of maximum volume in SPL competitions.
The charm of old subwoofers is undeniable. Think back to the legendary MTX Terminator subwoofers from the late 80s and early 90s. These were beasts – incredibly loud and, surprisingly, they sounded fantastic for their time. The challenge with these golden-era subwoofers, however, lies in their enclosure requirements. They typically demand massive boxes to deliver peak performance. While this isn’t an issue in pure SPL setups, for a street car, especially a classic like a Vega car where space might be a premium, enormous enclosures present several drawbacks. Large boxes are heavy, making installation and removal cumbersome. Furthermore, they are prone to flexing and resonating if not meticulously braced, adding unwanted distortion and muddying the bass response. And let’s be honest, who wants to sacrifice valuable trunk space in their Vega car for an unnecessarily gigantic subwoofer box?
Car audio manufacturers recognized this dilemma. The demand for powerful bass without sacrificing practicality led to a wave of innovation. Engineers began designing subwoofers that could deliver comparable performance to their older counterparts but in significantly smaller enclosures.
In the quest to shrink box sizes for older subwoofer designs, the “ISOBARIK” enclosure emerged as an intriguing solution. This design ingeniously utilizes two subwoofers mounted face-to-face, or in very close proximity, working in perfect unison. As illustrated in resources like The12volt.com’s enclosure guide (scroll down to approximately 2/5th of the page), isobaric configurations promised to halve the required box volume.
While innovative, the isobaric approach came with its own set of trade-offs. To achieve the SPL of a single conventional subwoofer, an isobaric setup necessitates two woofers. This, in turn, doubles the power demand, as you are now driving twice the number of voice coils. Ultimately, manufacturers pivoted towards a more efficient approach: engineering subwoofers that performed exceptionally well in compact enclosures from the outset.
The mid-1990s Kicker Solobarics perfectly exemplify this shift. These iconic subwoofers, instantly recognizable by their round, grey cones, redefined expectations. The term “solobarik” itself, meaning “only one,” was somewhat ironic given the previous discussion of isobaric pairs, but it highlighted the single-woofer efficiency of these new designs. A 12-inch Kicker Solobaric could deliver incredibly deep, teeth-chattering bass in a mere 0.5 cubic foot enclosure. These subwoofers remain highly sought after even today, commanding respectable prices on the used market.
Interestingly, the “Solobaric” name has been resurrected with Kicker’s L7 series. However, these modern L7 “Solobariks” arguably deviate from the original philosophy. The enclosure volumes required to extract optimal performance from the L7 are considerably larger than those of the grey cone predecessors, representing a partial return to the larger box requirements of older subwoofer designs.
Working with vintage subwoofers often presents a “catch-22” situation. Many older drivers have endured years of heavy use and potential abuse. It’s common to find them in less-than-perfect condition. Furthermore, classic subwoofers like older Cerwin Vega models (another brand synonymous with powerful car audio, and potentially relevant to a “vega car” audio theme) often utilized foam surrounds. While foam offers excellent compliance when new, it is susceptible to degradation over time. Bacteria can gradually break down the foam, leading to surround rot and eventual failure. Humidity, especially during winter months, can exacerbate this issue. Finding vintage subwoofers with foam surrounds still in pristine condition can be challenging.
For those seeking robust vintage performance with greater longevity, the MTX “Black Gold” series from the early to mid-90s stands out. These subwoofers are renowned for their exceptional sound quality and, crucially, their durable natural rubber surrounds. Rubber surrounds resist rot and maintain their integrity far better than foam over extended periods. MTX Black Gold subwoofers can often be found on online marketplaces like eBay at surprisingly affordable prices, offering a compelling blend of vintage sound and lasting reliability for your classic car audio project, perhaps even your Vega car.
In conclusion, while vintage subwoofers offer a nostalgic appeal and can deliver impressive performance, particularly in SPL applications, they often come with the trade-off of large enclosure requirements. Modern subwoofers have largely addressed this issue by providing comparable output in significantly smaller boxes. When considering vintage options, especially for a project like a Vega car, factors like enclosure size, subwoofer condition (especially surround material), and overall practicality should be carefully weighed against the allure of that classic sound.
