Just visited another audio shop today (for the total of 2 over the last week) and nobody is keen to install a sub under the lid. The preference is to stick a box into the trunk. I really liked the look and feel of the all-across-shelf style box with 2 downfiring subs, but it blocks the ski hatch, prevents me from lifting the lid and prevents me from using the space if I need to fold down the seats. Started considering a box in the trunk and thought of 8" W7, but the owner told me it's too much of a speaker and its inefficient and for me as to sound good I would need at least a $1000 amp and for a cheaper amp (~C$500) I would need a different speaker, like Alpine or at least something more modest. I was also told that JL RD500/1 is by far inferior to Alpine and Rockford dollar-for-dollar and was offered a 750W Rockford for C$400or a 1000W Alpine for the comparable to JL RD $450...
The best part is that I got quoted $500 labour for amp install + $100 for wiring.. I was rather shocked as even though I want the knob wired to the front, the battery is in the back, the stock amp with connections is in the trunk area (left hatch). I was told 8 hrs of work.. not sure it's true. Another place quoted me $200 installation (all in) but not sure if it's the same quality work.
Overall when I imagine a big box in the trunk
now seems like more of a burden than anything else... when I think that I also have to pay for it
my excitement disappears! Back to the concept of a flat sub under the lid...
Back to the original decision - will the difference be worth C$1.5k - C$2k? for a sub given I am running premium system to begin with.. kind of gamble.