Passive subwoofer?

Bossworld · November 4, 2016, 12:15

What's the smallest subwoofer and best place to put one? Seen a few posters where they've stashed an active woofer under the dash.

I've only got a cheapo Pioneer unit but it apparently has a direct drive mode for a 2ohm woofer, so tempted to see if that will at least give the car a little more presence (at the minute when out on the road, all you can hear is the treble). I'm sure soundproofing would help somewhat but want to try this first.

I'm guessing I'll need a small box as well (seen subwoofers that are 6.5" but not sure what size enclosure would be required, and if it would still have any effect in one of the rear bins)?

Also seen a few Bose spare wheel ones as fitted to a Mazda 6 - anyone ever tried something like this?

nathanMR2 · November 4, 2016, 14:04

Under the dash is ideal as you don't lose any space that way. Sadly you'll struggle to get a box, although they do come up for sale from time to time.

One or both of the rear bins in the obvious place. But I wouldn't personally want to go to the effort of plumbing in a sub and running it off the head unit alone. If your going to do it then install an amp.

I have a decent 6.5 Rockford sub new at home that I was going to use for another project if you are interested.

shnazzle · November 4, 2016, 16:00

Quote from: "nathanMR2"Under the dash is ideal as you don't lose any space that way. Sadly you'll struggle to get a box, although they do come up for sale from time to time.

One or both of the rear bins in the obvious place. But I wouldn't personally want to go to the effort of plumbing in a sub and running it off the head unit alone. If your going to do it then install an amp.

I have a decent 6.5 Rockford sub new at home that I was going to use for another project if you are interested.

I would have recommended my install of the USW-10 active woofer installed under the dash/steering wheel but it's gone up in price so ridiculously that I'd have to say that findign the plans on here for the under dash sub box and getting an amp is the best way forward

vx220 · November 4, 2016, 16:48

The small passive subwoofers used for the underdash box aren't very sensitive, so will need an amp rather than the head unit option

If you don't want to add an amp, follow schnazzles advice, get an active sub tucked up under the dash

In my old MR2, I had a Pioneer tswx120a, but in this one I have two Kenwood Ksc-sw11s waiting to go in. Just struggling to find time!

Bossworld · November 4, 2016, 20:21

Okie doke chaps, thank you. Wasn't after thump thump bass, the mini's got a small subwoofer under the driver's seat and it gives a hell of a lot more presence at the low end, so was just after a similar effect.

I'll give it some thought with regards to an amp, the combo small underseat amps/woofers seem to be amongst the smallest builds I've seen so far (in the knowledge it'd need to go under the dash).

shnazzle · November 4, 2016, 20:23

You can have a listen to mine. Might help the decision. Just tell me your music choice first s:)

s:)

Bossworld · November 4, 2016, 21:45

Ha thanks, will do s:)

s:) I'm a 90s indie fanatic, but I'll listen to owt

Bossworld · November 17, 2016, 21:14

Right, I have sourced me a cheapo (£16 delivered) Volvo/Philips woox 'bass box' from an early 2000s S40. Beavisrules already has similar fitted.

From a quick look inside, we have black striped green/white (one channel), and white stripped yellow/green (other channel). It looks as though it's wired in parallel to a dual coil speaker, with a passive radiator on the other side. A quick look with a multimeter (never used one before) suggests a 2ohm load, which would make sense.

Other side has what looks to be signal, neutral and switched live. The only thing I need to ascertain is whether switched live is red, or yellow/red, and the other one will go to the remote on switch from my head unit. Need a few more chock block connectors then I'll do a quick wiring test.

Also need to figure out where on earth to place it (thinking driver's side rear bin), and will probably need to dremel the lugs off.

StuC · November 17, 2016, 22:44

Worth having a quick wen search for an s40 wiring diagram, just to be sure?

beavisrules · November 17, 2016, 23:08

Leave the baffle thingy in. it's there to keep the box sealed but allow the air to move. (usually means punchier bass)
It does fit under the dash , need to move something on the right if I remember , some relay I just took off its mounting and moved.
Fitted mine speaker pointing down , with the cover still on it.

I didn't bother having it switched , it uses almost 0 (was 12ma or something) when on but not used.

Diagram from the V40 audio system m http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/djenn ... o_0000.jpg m

SB-earth , R-switched live , Y/R-Perm live.
G/B + Y/B=Left speaker , G/W + Y + right speaker.

Bossworld · November 18, 2016, 08:00

Quote from: "beavisrules"Leave the baffle thingy in. it's there to keep the box sealed but allow the air to move. (usually means punchier bass)
It does fit under the dash , need to move something on the right if I remember , some relay I just took off its mounting and moved.
Fitted mine speaker pointing down , with the cover still on it.

I didn't bother having it switched , it uses almost 0 (was 12ma or something) when on but not used.

Diagram from the V40 audio system m http://ww2.justanswer.com/uploads/djenn ... o_0000.jpg m

SB-earth , R-switched live , Y/R-Perm live.
G/B + Y/B=Left speaker , G/W + Y + right speaker.

Cheers mate, I'd only taken the baffle/radiator thing out to take a look inside.

Will have a look/play this weekend, thanks for the wiring info that confirms what I thought (the red wire is slightly smaller).

Bossworld · November 19, 2016, 23:34

Test fit done, unfortunately the live must have come loose on a test drive so didn't get the chance to see the difference with the engine on. Parked up and fiddled and I t's great. Possibly need to look into using an 'add a circuit' type fuseholder

I couldn't quite see how it would fit under the dash, going to take another look tomorrow but think I'll probably take advantage of the straps in the driver's bin and pop it there.

Bossworld · November 21, 2016, 16:31

Just as a final update (already popped this in reader's rides, but just in case anyone wanted a discussion).

Volvo/Philips 'woox' subwoofer and amp fitted in the rear driver's side bin. Hacksawed the un-even mounting lugs off the back of the box, the fronts are screwed into a baton, and there's a hooked clip on the left side. Cheated a little bit as I've completely misplaced the only other bracket I had lying around after bending it, so I've just driven a screw in at an angle (only a couple of mm in, I suspect there's probably something like the fuel tank lurking further underneath the plastic).

Not the neatest of installs and unless I'm blind, I couldn't see an obvious way to route into the bin without going through the gap in the door. It makes an impressive difference with the engine off.

Took it out this morning, bit of Pendulum on as a tester and it's brilliant. I'd adjusted the fader 2 points towards the rear and it's a nice punch that comes from it.

shnazzle · November 21, 2016, 16:41

I'll have to give it a listen sometime. I wouldn't mind a bit more punch.

Bossworld · November 21, 2016, 23:21

Quote from: "shnazzle"I'll have to give it a listen sometime. I wouldn't mind a bit more punch.

It's not a patch on yours when you had it on full blast, but it certainly returns some much needed lower frequencies when the engine is on. Kept me calm when driving through all the bloody floods tonight