This my first post on this forum I hope it is
pleasant experience so please keep the flames away.

Currently I working on a sound system for my 97 Olds Aurora (4dr sedan), have already purchased a Xtant 603x (and a pair of parametric modules), and a Pair 12A's subs which is the focus of the question. In my car which is unlike any car I have ever seen before the entire rear deck completely comes off (I have pics if interested) and reveals a hole that is about 40" by 14" more than enough to mount a couple twelves fire through rear deck cover which has been perforated to allow 6x9's sound to travel through. My question would a pair of 12's mounted in a sealed enclosure firing into the cabin produce a better bass responce than a standard sub box firing into the back of the trunk? Please keep in mind that loudness (SPL) is not my main goal.

Later I may be posting on head unit advise. Between Alpine, Eclipse, and Clarion. Also to be exact currently I have a stock head unit, and stock speakers in the doors but I maybe getting a pair of Xtant 2.6 here shortly (once they come and decide if I like their sound). Feel free to comment on those components as well.

I like to thank everyone in advance for taking the time to read and/or respond to this posting.

Carlos

You usually get the best SPL when the subs fire towards the rear, but I've seen a few installs with the subs firing strait up in the car audio mags.

As for HU selection, BE VERY SPECIFIC concerning what you want exactly(good tuner, certain functions, remote, etc., etc.). All three that you mentioned are very good.

The rear deck is one large hole once the stock amp and sub box is removed. The hole is about 40" by 14" and I will have the hole one way or the other in just removing the factory components. My rear deck is layered the part that holds the stock amp and subs in the lower layer which can only be seen through the trunk. Then we have the top layer which is a what one sees when inside the car. The top layer has perforted sections which were meant to allow the alternative stock systems 6x9 to have sound pass through. Thus my idea was to replace the lower layer with a sealed box enclosure firing the subs into the cabin through the top layer of cloth. So I believe the factory top layer will protect the subs and allow sound to pass. In addition the 35% tint on the rear window may also provide some protection against the sun.

Now onto the head unit. I have so far budgeted about $1000 and upto $1200 if I really need to obtain quality sound. What am I looking for? Mostly improved sound quality over the stock head unit with high level convertors. Then a bit of flash and dazzle (ruling out the Clarion 9255). Third a combination to fill the double din slot. Forth be a CD player, be able to handle a change, and as bonus be a cassette player (though I hardly use it, and can burn my own audio cds now as well), and in the super jackpot round a nice TFT display (very optional).

The head unit will be feeding into a Xtant 603x with Resistor mods that is powering everything along with a 1F cap. The amp has a pair of parametric EQs for the sub and fronts. I like to have 4V outputs but with the amps builtin balanced line driver I am not sure if will make much of a difference anyways. What I would like is control up front so at min a 7 band eq if not parametric. I also own a Clarion 7475 and DPH-9300 and CDC635 in another car and I love being able to adjust things up front but in the long run the only major adjust I really used is the bass gain level. Another necessity is a remote control (I plan to use PAC www.go2pac.com adapter to maintain my steering wheel audio control functionality).
Should have seperate sub RCA's.

Thank You
Carlos

For the duoble din effect alpine also makes an add on cassette/ sound field processor that goes right under the CVA-1005.

If you dont want to spend that much cash you could take a look at the Clarion MAX2256. It is a double din head unit that has AM/FM/Cassette/cd/ and cd changer control. Plus it looks really cool. It has a 5" display screan and you could use a navigation system with it.