Subwoofer recommendations
 

Hey guys
I need some help picking out a good subwoofer to complete my sound system. My cars stock subwoofer is crap and distorts pretty badly when I actually try to put some bass through it. The reason I need some help choosing is that I'm fairly new to car audio. My cars stock subwoofer is set up as an infinite baffle speaker in the rear shelf and I would like to keep it that way.
Is anyone has experience with a infinite baffle subwoofer an can make a recommendation that would be great.
My stock sub was 12" and my budget is around $300-400, I probably need a amp also (I'm powering the stock sub with I think something around 60w rms.)

Infinite baffle eh? This could be a problem.
There are VERY few manufacturers out there that make a subwoofer truly infinite baffle capable. Actually, I could only think of velodyne from about 10-15 years ago. JL makes an 8" marine sub that is supposed to be IB but the jury is not out on those yet.

Your trunk is probably going to give you limitations on this IB set-up because, A) They are never completely sealed off, and B) Volume-wise they are probably 12-15+ cubic feet. Most 12" subs operate safely from .75-3 cubic feet max for best results.

Now, lets examine why the sub is not working in the first place. Most Lexus' that I have owned or worked on have these IB subs in the back window. It really is a matter of time before the sub over-extends and starts to poop-the-bed so-to-speak. The only real solution is to put the sub in a proper enclosure or build a box underneath the parcel shelf so you can use the stock sub location and control the sub at the same time. Either way should net you some good results without breaking the bank. As for power, 300-400 watts is a great start and integrating with the stock system is pretty straight-forward with the proper hi/low converter.

I'm sure we can give you some solid advice if you bring the car by!

Creative Sound - Product Details

Dayton Audio gets good reviews.

Or deal with one of the vendors here on RS.

I do really want to keep the car as infinite baffle. Their are some manufactures that still make a IB capable sub but it's more of a speciality thing. IB312 - Fi Car Audio Store that's the sub I'm thinking of getting.
Also my trunk is pretty sealed off from the cabin. The gas tank sits between the back seat and the trunk and there's lots of metal between the two. The only straight air exchange is two one inch holes that my power an signal wires go to my sub rack in the back, and I plan on sound blocking material over them. Also my trunk is huge like 20+ cubic feet.
So let examine my the stock speaker sucks. My car is a toyota aristo so a jdm Lexus (that was a damn good guess.) with the speaker on the rear shelf. The reason it's so bad is it's a 20 year old car with the stock paper coned subwoofer, and the cone has a rip in it. I have a fairly nice crossover in the car and if I keep the gain low and don't put anything under 100hz it sounds fine

I'm also worried about putting a box in the trunk as the only air exchange would be the 12" hole in the rear shelf. So I'm worried about getting weird wave patterns as it comes through.

The 10" JL audio marine sub is an excellent IB subwoofer. MTX Bazooka and Clarion also make them but not as nice I believe Memphis does as well. Memphis is the only one I've never used. The others I've listed I've used dozens of with the JL being the best but requiring the most power.

If you do IB, you really want to completely seal (well, as best as you can, anyways) the trunk from the rest of the car. Those 1" holes should be siliconed at the very least, but a solid piece would be best. Sound damping material won't do much to prevent cancellation.