Well the amp install went pretty well, and the results were definitely what I was looking for! Took the sub strain off the amp, power the other speakers better and allowed me to turn up the bass to taste.
Right now the amp and wiring are semi temporary while I tweak everything.
20200614_145602 by
Jon Collier, on Flickr
Ran an 8 gauge power wire from the battery through the grommet in the firewall behind the battery and down the driver side (ran a remote turn on wire as well even though this amp doesn't need one). The Helix speakers are wired in series on the harness from the amp to the helix box (wired positive from one voice coil to the negative on the other, then wire the opposite positive and negative to the amp) so they are 4 ohms each, 2 ohms total to get the max 300 watts. Really not needed but it's clean power, the gain is set very low. Haven't tuned the accubass circuit to see if it adds anything. Not sure how low the helix really can play but I'll try playing some test tones to measure response.
20200614_145541_HDR by
Jon Collier, on Flickr
I have 2 of the Tang Band drivers I linked previously on order to swap out this weekend to see if I can get a bit more thump out of those drivers. The Helix box size/design is nearly plug and play for those speakers and the excursion on those drivers should extend the low end down a bit. I've seen well designed boxes with these drivers get down in the low 30hz range f3.
I haven't yet but I will install bass blockers to the front door. The bass is very full now, but I don't need the doors playing 80hz kick drum hits. Yes, I would really love to have remote level/gain control, but for the sub $200 I spent on the amp, power wiring kit and other bits, it's hard to complain.