Weak Subwoofer

I just installed a Kenwwod KAC-X10D amp with a single Cerwin Wega Stroker 104 (10", 4 Ohm) subwoofer in my wife's car and can't get much out of this combination except weak bass and distortion, despite trying different settings and wiring combinations. I suspect that the amp is under powered for this subwoofer, however, it doesn't get hot or blow the 40 amp fuse. Can I get some help or recomendations and possibly if you know an amp that works good with this subwoofer?

amp is underpowering it ALOT. The sub's RMS is 2000... that amp put out 300rms.... also, what kind of enclosure is it in. If the box is to big it will have very little output.

The car is an MB SL500 (two seater with rag top) and I took out the Bose subwoofer which was in a plastic box behind the driver's seat. I had to add a few inches of height to the compartment lid to fit in the 10" subwoofer, and it's not completely enclosed, but that's the only spot I had. The old Bose subwoofer was so bad/quiet, we didn't even know it was there, until I started looking for a location for the new subwoofer.

From what I understand you're saying the sub is not in a box... That's not a IB sub and it NEEDs to have its own enclosure.

I can completely enclose the subwoofer if necessary. The final dimensions of the enclosure would be 16" x 14.5" x 11" = 1.48cf. What amp would you recomend for this subwoofer? I think I'm going to have to swith out either the amp or the subwoofer. Which would be the better choice.?

CV's need a ported box. If the box is not airtight (except the port) and the car is a rag top (no solid roof), I doubt you will have any bass to speak of. Which one to keep really depends on how much bass you want and the sound quality, also the load on the electrical system.

The enclosure could be made to be airtight and then ported. Size of port? The car is a rag top in the summer and hard top in the winter, but I have to hardtop off now because of the installation. The rest of the system is working great with XM radio: Kenwood KVT 819 DVD with 6.5" Poly Focals in the doors and infinity Kappa tweeters in the dash. Just doesn't have much bass, it needs more, and I would prefer to have the option to turn it up a lot when I want to, but it doesn't need to bounce the car down the street. I'm sure I can sell either the amp or subwoofer. It would be good to stay which a 40 amp load, which probably means the subwoofer should go. What would be a good subwoofer for this configuration?

if the box is ported the dimensions you have listed will be too small, i believe. you could try sealed...

I thinking about replacing the Cerwin Wega 10" Stroker with a JL 10 W3V2-D4 (300 W RMS) and then sealing up the box. Any thoughts?

sounds like a better idea, that sub is better matched for the amp.

Porting? 2 rounded 4" ports? Any advice?

with your space. sealed will be your best option.

Josh,
Thanks for the help.
Steve

hat stroker is a big SPL sub. The bass guys in here would know better options than I would.

Just installed the 10" JL 3V2-D4 with the Kenwood amp in a sealed box of around 1 cf and it sounds great, plenty of bass. Thanks, Steve