For those of you who upgraded from the factory sound system in your first generation mini conv, what did you guys do for bass? I've been thinking of putting a small subwoofer in the trunk, but there's already very limited space back there, so if anyone has any better ideas I'd greatly appreciate it. Since I have the hk system, and the rear speakers are already being used for bass, I was also thinking of just leaving them in and using them as subs, but because I'll be upgrading the amplifiers that might be challenging. Is putting a subwoofer under one of the seats practical in this car?

 

Are you planning to keep the HK speakers and just add an amp and sub? If so, an amp(s) that can handle the 2 ohm load of the HK speakers is needed. Also, crossovers at the speakers or an amp with enough channels and onboard filters/crossovers is needed as everything was done internally with the HK amp.

A couple of options I’ve seen when replacing a broken HK amp in a hardtop were using a JL Audio XD600/6 or a JBL MS-8. This thread has some good info on the HK system, especially the posts from RKW: https://www.northamericanmotoring.com/forums/navigation-and-audio/322628-failedñ-amp-new-hu-but-not-sure-best-solution.html

 

No, I was planning on getting rid of the entire system. I'm not really satisfied with the sound quality. I was considering keeping the rear speakers though just because there's not much space to add a separate sub for bass, and I think the rear speakers right now provide adequate bass. I would definitely prefer a real subwoofer though.

 

My thoughts, for R56, are to put a pair, L&R, 6.5" Subs in place of the 6x9's in the back in place of the factory 6x9" ... Then.... Put some really good sound damping on the body panels (inside and outside).... and run those with a decent amp.

Will it be as good as a sub box in the back... probably not...
But I'm not looking for true audiophile quality sound... not really... but, IMO, it does not have to be "All or nothing"
If used with a good crossover in the amp... will it give some really good bass and NOT take up extra space in an already small car ... definitely.

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Actually I have a r52 convertible, so it should be easier for me if I want to go that route. I'll definitely do sound deadening. I don't need a lot of bass to be happy, just enough for it to sound full. Are you saying that an external subwoofer maybe under the seats wouldn't be practical? I was really hoping to improve sound quality in the backseats, it sounds awful back there right now. I build stereos like boomboxes and stuff as a hobby, so I wouldn't mind building an thin enclosure for a sub or two under the front seats, but I have no idea as to how much room is really under there.

 

I'm amazed! You have people in the back seats of an R52? That's inhumane!
How much space there is under the seats will depend on your seat height setting of course but with the seat all the way down there is no room for my 1st aid kit and thats only a couple of inches deep. If you use that for a bass enclosure there will be even less scope for personal comfort in the back.

Given the general amount of wind and road noise in an R52 with the roof either up or down I never really figured it was worth spending much time or money to upgrade the sound system.

If you dont want to use up some of the trunk space for something like this the best bet might be to do a rear seat delete and use the space that frees?

 

Haha, I agree they aren't the comfiest backseats, luckily most of friends who sit back there appreciate the wail of the supercharger and will willingly sit in the back if they need to. It's funny, they complain about the crappy sound quality in the back more than the comfort of the seats, but then again, most of them are short. I think I'd rather give up some trunk space than the backseats. If I custom built a subwoofer enclosure thinner than 2.5" or so, and I raised my seating position a little, would that work out? I was thinking of making it small enough so that rear passengers can still slide their feet under the front seats.

 

If it were me I would replicate something like that phantom sub box on the outmotoring site, kind of build it to end up flush with the trunk level rather than try and fit it under the seats. If you do chose to work under the seats dont make the stupid mistake I made, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY before you take the seats out, otherwise your airbag light will get tripped, which needs someone with a more advanced obd scanner to reset it:(

 

I do like the phantom sub box set up actually, it's not that intrusive. Will a few bags or so in the trunk near the sub affect sound quality though? I'm used to working with home audio, but have no clue when it comes to car audio.

 

If I could go with thin subs under the seats... that's how I'd go.... this seems to me to be the best route and not have stuff taking up already small space in the car.

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This is actually what I prefer to do, I have no problems building a custom enclosure so it can slide under there, I just have no idea how much space is truly there under the seats.

 

Not enough space for a sub there... a thin amp (2" thick) and only with the 2" if you cut out the carpet and ALL the padding down to the bare metal.



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I measured my R52 for you. My 1st aid box is 3" high, 7" deep and 10" wide. IF I raise the seat up I can slide it under the rear of the seat structure to sit under the seat and then lower it back down to the lowest point where I like to sit. In that position there is JUST enough room for my size 11s to slide in when I sit in the back. If the box were much more than 7" deep is going to affect foot space in the back, and that is accepting that the box will be all the way forward, right against the under seat air vent. The box could be maybe 1" wider and still clear the bits of seat mechanism that fit inboard of the rails side to side. There is just enough room to slide my fingers under the box before it contacts the bottom of the seat, so I'd say 3" is about the max depth that still maintains some clearance.

Thats with stock carpet in place, but removing the mat. Also thats drivers side, Ive a vague recollection that there is maybe a control module for something or other under the passenger seat already?

 

I think I can work with that space actually

 

Thank you so much, that space is definitely workable for me. I guess it's time to design an enclosure.

 

Cool... Keep us in the loop with pics and results. Sincere good luck to ya... Necessity is the mother of invention.




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imaslowdriver,
Did you end up with any kind of bass upgrade ??

 

Planning on starting this project in a week or two after I'm all done with school for the year, been quite busy with finals and what not. Will definitely update you guys when it's all done.

 

Ok i said i would update you guys. I am slightly dissapointed but also pleased at the same time. The system sounds great at low speeds, much better than the old hk but at freeway speeds because of the road and wind noise there's a marginal difference only :(. For bass, since I decided I don't prefer rear speakers anyways, I just amped up the original rear speakers and low passed them to run as subwoofers instead of fullrange, which they used to do. I'm giving them 150w per rear woofer. Seems to work pretty well. Bass response is definitely better and deeper than before, and they have enough power for my needs.