JL Audio Subwoofer Stealthbox for Bronco Update

[Chritaka]

The change is the material used to manufacture the enclosure, which appears to be marine-grade plastic. Aside from that, the subwoofer, internal volume, and overall performance has not changed. JL indicated that there should not be a noticeable difference between the two.

The reason that JL changed enclosure material from wood to plastic was based on not being able to keep up with backorders or demand for the existing Stealthbox, so they switched to a material that is more accessible to clear backorders, and keep up with existing demand.

To defeat resonance, MDF (engineered wood) is and will always remain king, but if anyone can make a plastic enclosure work, it would be JL.

It appears that the plastic version is around 20 pounds lighter.

Improved? Not in my opinion...

I just picked up an openbox from Crutchfield... I also saw that CreativeAudio has this on sale for $200 off, with some openbox ones for even cheaper. After seeing their sale, I made a call to Crutchfield since I had ordered <24 hrs before, with whom I've been a customer for 25+ years, and they were able to make some adjustments.

So I ended up getting the first MDF version in pristine condition for $270 off... Total win! I couldn't really tell the box was even open and not a scratch, scuff or mark on the box, sub or grill...holes still need to be drilled for amp mounting. I saw a couple mentions of issues with drilling/mounting the amp, so need to gather the details on that...I haven't come across the source issue or solution post yet.

I also ordered the @mObridge setup and Fraser is flashing the tune for my speaker setup (all Hertz Cento line) prior to shipping. They are also running a sale, send them a message on IG for a discount code.

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[Chritaka]

I just picked up an openbox from Crutchfield... I also saw that CreativeAudio has this on sale for $200 off, with some openbox ones for even cheaper. After seeing their sale, I made a call to Crutchfield since I had ordered <24 hrs before, with whom I've been a customer for 25+ years, and they were able to make some adjustments.

So I ended up getting the first MDF version in pristine condition for $270 off... Total win! I couldn't really tell the box was even open and not a scratch, scuff or mark on the box, sub or grill...holes still need to be drilled for amp mounting. I saw a couple mentions of issues with drilling/mounting the amp, so need to gather the details on that...I haven't come across the source issue or solution post yet.

I also ordered the @mObridge setup and Fraser is flashing the tune for my speaker setup (all Hertz Cento line) prior to shipping. They are also running a sale, send them a message on IG for a discount code.

Looks like they’ve included an updated panel grill:

 

[Chritaka]

That's a great deal, and the panel grill looks better. If I remember correctly, I paid $1090 shipped, no sales tax.

I sold the Stealthbox in favor of a 13TW5 mounted on the tailgate so that I could move the processors from under the seats to the OEM sub location on an amp rack.

With a good processor, gain set to 24.5VAC, and proper DSP tuning to flatten, adjust and boost frequencies up to 80Hz, the Stealthbox hits just as hard, and performs just as well as well as my TW5.

Congrats on the Stealthbox.

Thanks for the info. You got a great deal also, I still had to pay tax, but I’m good with how things worked out. Especially since I got the MDF version vs the new plastic one. I don’t like boomy subs, I want depth and accuracy…it’s always JL Audio for me…

I’m looking forward to see how everything sounds with Mobridge. I have the Hertz Cento 165L in the kicks and haven’t really been impressed… Fraser mentioned these are pretty power hungry and the new juice will bring them to life. The dash CX100s are crisp and clear, tweets are slightly too harsh , but Fraser said their tune will fix that. Running CX165 in Mabett pods at rear as well, but those really helped the stage a lot as is.

 

[i911fire]

I am curious how you like the you JL box and how it is performing with the Mobridge? I just got my Mobridge and am installing today. Been unsure on which way to go for the sub. For now I have just wrapped and stuffed my stock box. I know that sub will die very soon.

I did find both the MDF and Fiberglass JL setups. Been teetering between the two of those.

 

[Chritaka]

I am curious how you like the you JL box and how it is performing with the Mobridge? I just got my Mobridge and am installing today. Been unsure on which way to go for the sub. For now I have just wrapped and stuffed my stock box. I know that sub will die very soon.

I did find both the MDF and Fiberglass JL setups. Been teetering between the two of those.

At first I was not happy, but my Mobridge wasn’t updated with the latest firmware and configuration for my speaker setup. I got that straightened out, Fraser sent the files, and it was night and day. It sounds fantastic and 10TW1 hits perfect with the power of the Mobridge. It is very clean and accurate, hits above its belt and sounds great from classic rock to EDM to rap/hip hop. I also have Hertz 165L in the kick panels, which didn’t sound better than the stockers, with stock power. With the additional Mobridge power they also sound amazing and perfectly compliment the JL. Fraser mentioned they were power hungry to get the sound and he was right.

My only issue is that a few times the amp didn’t turn on correctly with the HU signal, but an ignition off/on fixed, and it has overheated a couple times in the Texas heat. When it overheated, the sub channels cutout. This mainly happened when the top was down.

Also, I had a hard to find vibration that only occurred with certain bass notes. I had used killmat everywhere, even the backside of the panel, where it wouldn’t interfere with fit, but still had this vibration. I had to stuff some foam around one of the screws that mounts the Mobridge/plate to the box as it was that plate that would vibrate. There was another report of the same issue by someone else on here. You may be able to better isolate with some rubber washers, but I had already pulled the panel a couple times and wasn’t pulling it all apart again. I was able to pull it apart enough to stuff the foam down in between from the top of the panel, where the soft top frame mounts and that small panel pops off. Next time I need to, I will try washers, but the foam worked.

 

[mObridge]

At first I was not happy, but my Mobridge wasn’t updated with the latest firmware and configuration for my speaker setup. I got that straightened out, Fraser sent the files, and it was night and day. It sounds fantastic and 10TW1 hits perfect with the power of the Mobridge. It is very clean and accurate, hits above its belt and sounds great from classic rock to EDM to rap/hip hop. I also have Hertz 165L in the kick panels, which didn’t sound better than the stockers, with stock power. With the additional Mobridge power they also sound amazing and perfectly compliment the JL. Fraser mentioned they were power hungry to get the sound and he was right.

My only issue is that a few times the amp didn’t turn on correctly with the HU signal, but an ignition off/on fixed, and it has overheated a couple times in the Texas heat. When it overheated, the sub channels cutout. This mainly happened when the top was down.

Also, I had a hard to find vibration that only occurred with certain bass notes. I had used killmat everywhere, even the backside of the panel, where it wouldn’t interfere with fit, but still had this vibration. I had to stuff some foam around one of the screws that mounts the Mobridge/plate to the box as it was that plate that would vibrate. There was another report of the same issue by someone else on here. You may be able to better isolate with some rubber washers, but I had already pulled the panel a couple times and wasn’t pulling it all apart again. I was able to pull it apart enough to stuff the foam down in between from the top of the panel, where the soft top frame mounts and that small panel pops off. Next time I need to, I will try washers, but the foam worked.

We actually are working on a fix for the no audio on startup, the fix is in beta testing at the moment and should be released first week of November. Keep an eye out.

What was the ambient temperature out when it overheated?
If you can recreate this event consistently I can send you some software to try that has some more optimised thermal management to see if that helps.

 

[i911fire]

That is great to hear. I ordered the JL setup, should be here Wednesday. I am hoping once it gets here and I get it in, I can get it tuned for my Alpine S series Dash (4" x3), 6.5" in the Kicks and the 6.5" pods.

I was a little concerned about the size of wire to push the sub. 18ga doesn't carry a lot of current for a hungry sub. I guess we shall see when it gets in.

At first I was not happy, but my Mobridge wasn’t updated with the latest firmware and configuration for my speaker setup. I got that straightened out, Fraser sent the files, and it was night and day. It sounds fantastic and 10TW1 hits perfect with the power of the Mobridge. It is very clean and accurate, hits above its belt and sounds great from classic rock to EDM to rap/hip hop. I also have Hertz 165L in the kick panels, which didn’t sound better than the stockers, with stock power. With the additional Mobridge power they also sound amazing and perfectly compliment the JL. Fraser mentioned they were power hungry to get the sound and he was right.

My only issue is that a few times the amp didn’t turn on correctly with the HU signal, but an ignition off/on fixed, and it has overheated a couple times in the Texas heat. When it overheated, the sub channels cutout. This mainly happened when the top was down.

Also, I had a hard to find vibration that only occurred with certain bass notes. I had used killmat everywhere, even the backside of the panel, where it wouldn’t interfere with fit, but still had this vibration. I had to stuff some foam around one of the screws that mounts the Mobridge/plate to the box as it was that plate that would vibrate. There was another report of the same issue by someone else on here. You may be able to better isolate with some rubber washers, but I had already pulled the panel a couple times and wasn’t pulling it all apart again. I was able to pull it apart enough to stuff the foam down in between from the top of the panel, where the soft top frame mounts and that small panel pops off. Next time I need to, I will try washers, but the foam worked.

 

[Chritaka]

We actually are working on a fix for the no audio on startup, the fix is in beta testing at the moment and should be released first week of November. Keep an eye out.

What was the ambient temperature out when it overheated?
If you can recreate this event consistently I can send you some software to try that has some more optimised thermal management to see if that helps.

Thanks Fraser, and that response is exactly why y’all are awesome and so is your product. The fact that you can make these adjustments and tailor to the customer is awesome.

I know one of the release notes mentioned a start-up adjustment, but it’s good you’re further tuning for this edge case…it’s only happened a few times.

It was 95* out one time and 90* another, with the top down. It hasn’t done it with the top up, even at 105*+, but I’m not driving it as hard with the top up. I can PM you more info if needed. Thanks!

 

[i911fire]

Got my JL Stealth Box. Mounted my mObridge and got it in the Bronco. This weekend I'll do the surgery on the panel for the new grille. I will also upload the tune that Fraseer sent me. I'm excited to hear everything all tuned with the sound deadener and plastic panels installed.

Thanks Fraser for the tune file.

 

[mObridge]

Thanks Fraser, and that response is exactly why y’all are awesome and so is your product. The fact that you can make these adjustments and tailor to the customer is awesome.

I know one of the release notes mentioned a start-up adjustment, but it’s good you’re further tuning for this edge case…it’s only happened a few times.

It was 95* out one time and 90* another, with the top down. It hasn’t done it with the top up, even at 105*+, but I’m not driving it as hard with the top up. I can PM you more info if needed. Thanks!

The update to fix the occasional no audio on startup has now been released! Should also have slightly better thermal management too

 

[Savage]

Got my JL Stealth Box. Mounted my mObridge and got it in the Bronco. This weekend I'll do the surgery on the panel for the new grille. I will also upload the tune that Fraseer sent me. I'm excited to hear everything all tuned with the sound deadener and plastic panels installed.

Thanks Fraser for the tune file.

How did the sound turn out. I am looking for a Sub and Amp that will help with my Bass heavier music and I like that this does not eat up a bunch of cargo room. I have the JL hidden box in my F350 and it hits pretty good. Curious how it does in the Bronco.

 

[i911fire]

Sounds great. You're not gonna win any sound offs, but it is a night and day difference between the junk BO system.

How did the sound turn out. I am looking for a Sub and Amp that will help with my Bass heavier music and I like that this does not eat up a bunch of cargo room. I have the JL hidden box in my F350 and it hits pretty good. Curious how it does in the Bronco.

 

[Migo]

TLDR: Check out the Hertz MPBX 250 S2 as a sub alternative.

I also have a MoBridge set-up and Hertz speakers. I went with Cento 4" in the dash corners and 6.5" in the rear pods. I used an Audison Prima AP4 mid-range in the center channel, although I am not sure if I really gain anything over just using a third Cento 4". It has been tough to tell.

I have the Millie Pro MP 165.3 Pro 6.5" mid-bass in the front kick panels. These are superb and provide an excellent amount of mid-bass in the front sound stage. Fraser @mObridge recommended these and I am glad I listened to him.

For the sub, I used an 8" Kicker Comp RT mounted in the stock box. With the MoBridge power, this sounded good. It didn't hit very hard, but you could tell it was there.

I also used sound treatment material nearly everywhere in my Bronco (cargo area, all floor space, doors, fender wells, sub box, pod enclosures, behind every speaker) and have the HotHeads Headliners over my OEM hardtop sound dampening material. I cannot stress enough how much this has helped with road noise and sound quality. Best bang for your buck upgrade I did.

I thought I had my set-up perfect, but over time I wanted more and started looking at other shallow subs.

Using the RCA out from my MoBridge, I recently added the Kicker hideaway 10 under the rear seat as a second sub. It was better, and hit more noticeably, but I wasn't overly impressed.

Then I discovered the Hertz Millie Pro MPBX 250 S2 enclosed slim sub. I paired it with a Hertz HCP 1D mono block amp mounted under the rear seat in place of the Kicker Hideaway. Admittedly, the MPBX takes up cargo space, but I already always carry a Yeti Loadout Box with gear in it and can place the sub under that. Plus, it is a quick two wire disconnect if I need the space.

The MPBX hits harder than any other slim sub I have heard. It gets rave reviews, and I am a huge fan. It complements the rest of my Hertz set-up very well. I would say it is worthy competitor to the stealth box or tailgate mounted options, if you can spare the space.

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