Under-seat Sub Memphis Audio Nannobox vs JBL Basspro JL2

Narrowed down what option I want and same reason why anyone would want to go the under seat route (keep the storage compartment, and don't need crazy bass beyond these). There aren't as many reviews for the Memphis Audio, but still looks like the consensus on it is that it's a great sub. I realize its 10" and a bit more rms as opposed to the JBL 8" and also sits a little higher. Also the Nannobox draws a bit more power and calls for 8 gauge wire vs 10 gauge from JBL. Anyone have experience with either of these and feedback on them?

 

I know I'm the guy who is always caning the hell out of JBL on here, but our shop sold JBL, and I gotta be honest, their amps (this was a while ago now) were solid but nothing special, and their subs were similar, not really great if you wanted anything beyond accuracy (i.e. not thumpy).

I'd always go for a 10 over an 8 when talking about a single sub.

The three things I'd warn you about, are paying attention to dimensions (Memphis is nearly ¾" taller), the inputs (both offer line and speaker-level inputs), and the expected wiring gauge for the power/ground wire, lower gauge will be easier to wire from the battery. Memphis calls for an 8awg wiring kit, JBL calls for a 10awg. But the reality is, a lot of times with these prepackaged compact subs, the factory harness is using 14awg power leads, and given the short distance between the battery and under your seat, which means you can technically get away with 12awg if you're worried about loss in that 6-7ft (max) power run, or 14awg, both of which should be easy enough to slip into the bundle through your firewall boot with the OEM wire bundle below the brake booster, without cutting or punching holes the boot - you can't replace that boot, so I'm not the biggest fan of punching holes in it.

 

Good points. I want to lean towards the Memphis--hopefully seat clearance isn't an issue. Comparing to Kicker Hideway 10 which I've heard some people run, is 3 1/4"H. The Memphis is slightly taller. I would also prefer the Memphis since it uses RCA connection. For the gauge and firewall, if I recall on mine when I was doing my camper shell led wiring I didn't notice much room for anything else to be run in the boot with the factory cutout/hole in it (has tow package wires running through as well). I'll need to go take another look to be sure. I do recall seeing a Crutchfield vid of how there's a tool to punch through the boots to make it seem like oem (I'll link it when I find it). :38 sec mark grommet poking tool https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADh_m7CZ_X4&ab_channel=CRUTCHFIELD

 

Yeah, I have a series of hole punches. I actually don't recomment the tool they're using, because you want your hole to be both (A) perfectly round, never an "X" or slit, and (B) you want the hole to be slightly smaller than the casing of the wire, so the grommet stretches slightly, thereby waterproofing the hole. That tool does (A) nicely, but doesn't do (B) so nicely, else you wouldn't be able to pass the wire thru the center of the tube.

 

Going to wait and see if there's going to be any July 4th sales going on for a purchase, if so may even end up getting a pair of front JBL Clubs as well

 

I have the JLB Bass Pro2 in all of my vehicles, thats 3 of them under the passengers seat of everything i drive.
1) the sound quality is amazing, it has a great sound and clarity that you dont get with "big bass" speakers. I've got the cross-overs in the radios set so it starts cutting notes below 50Hz out because these things will "go" low but they dont make great sound down low. I have a linear cut-off set starting at 50Hz and cutting down to about 5Hz so the lower the notes go, the less they are played thru the speaker. This keep the sub from sounding like its bottoming out or trying to hard so you can actually push it super hard without having any bottoming effect. The sub doesnt have much throw, maybe a half inch, but the sound it puts out is clear, filling, and enjoyable.
2) its a tight fit in all my Toyotas, i doubt you are going to fit the Memphis under the seat unless you plan to raise the seat. I mount the JBL on top of the carpet, which puts it up higher than if you cut the carpet and mounted it to the floor but i also dont want that tinny sound from vibrations going to the floor so, on top of the carpet it is for me.

The sound is filling, clear, and has great definition. Its more than what you would expect a small slim sub under the seat to do. It wont rattle your mirrors like 4 12s across the back seat but if you are in to sound quality and jamming, its going to make you smile when you push it.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah the Memphis is pretty significantly taller--glad you pointed out that the JBL itself barely fits. And to your other points, that's exactly the type of sound/bass I'm looking for. That little extra thump from a 10" would be nice vs he 8", but what you described is the main goal (definition/clarity and filling).

 

I had a ported 6" sub in one of my older trucks, tuned the box at about 75Hz and it was amazing. Everyone swore i had two 10s or a 12 but it was a JL w3 6" on a rockford amp. You would be surprised what a good sub in the right enclosure will do. This JBL bass pro2 is similar, it puts out, just being flat out, it rocks for its size. You can push it really hard and the notes are clear, the vibrations from the bass guitars strings resonate clearly thru the sub. Its a very surprising sub system that you will enjoy i can guarantee it.

 

Sounds like they'll pair nicely with 2 6.5 JBL Clubs then --will be nice when I finally put it all together. What speakers do you have running with it (specifically the tundra, but your other vehicles as well)?

 

alpine

 

I'm a Boston Pro kinda guy, but also loved the Boston Rallys when paired with an ///Alpine Amp. The power and crisp notes were great.
Since then i have switched to the higher end Alpine speakers. Sure they are not as fancy as it gets but the mid bass is pretty impressive and the clarity is nice for the money spent. Sure there is stuff thats louder, sure their is stuff thats clearer, but in a plastic door panel in OEM mounting locations i cant ask for theatre quality Dolby Digital sound. I am not building a $6,000 sound system, i am just wanting to jam out to some songs when a good one comes on the radio.

 

It's been my experience - and this may only be with prior generations of Alpine speakers, last time I plopped any of their mids/highs in something was probably more than 10yrs ago - that they tend to sound flat and tinny unless you're using a dedicated/external amp. They really want to draw more than your average head unit can put out there to perform at their peak.

 

Are you dead set on the Memphis or jbl? I have the kicker hideaway s10 and am pleased with its performance…..

 

I've heard the kicker hideway is decent too. I've considered it, but I'd prefer an RCA connection straight to the head-unit. Thanks for chiming in, I haven't heard any of these in person so really just been relying on other's experiences and reviews. And these subs aren't ever really displayed in any showroom or stores since it's kind of a niche option. That all said, It's starting to sound like they are all mostly decent options for the use case. I will say, the hideaway is by far the most common I've seen locally to me on places like marketplace/craig's list. Followed by Alpine S8

 

I used JBL clubs in the front, an infinity basslink mini under the drivers seat. That seems to work well. Punchy bass when it's turned up