I had an audio shop install a Memphis SA110SPD active sub in my 2008 MCS with base boost system (non hi-fi), however I know that they hooked it up to the high level rear speaker feed. I have not done the channel swap mod and after reading various posts, I am convinced that this should have been spliced into the front sub channel rather than the rear, due to the bass dropoff on the rear stock speaker feed.

1. Could somebody confirm that this should be spliced into the front sub channel? Is this a high level or low level signal?

2. If No.1 is correct, where is the best place to tap into the feed if I need to switch it to the front?

Thanks in advance. The way my active sub is currently hooked up just doesn't feel/sound right and the installer was not that familiar with MINI's...hence my suspicions. Sifted through tons of posts, but cannot seem to locate a clear answer on this one.

Cheers!

 

Welcome to the forum!

Correct, unless the radio device fitted in your car allows for the bass dropoff filter to be de-activated by coding it. And even if: as the installer is not familiar with Mini's, I doubt they've done it.

The stock head unit in cars with standard audio (i.e. neither "HiFi", nor "Harman-Kardon") outputs high level signals.

Please allow me to quote myself (from the other thread you posted in):
Where did they place the active sub? If in the rear, they might have chosen to save some work by using the rear right speaker feed. If the sub is located under a front seat, they could have gotten (a lot) easier to the X9331 harness (where all speaker feeds run through) instead of either of the rear speakers.

 

Thanks for your responses, everything you have said makes sense. My sub has high level inputs for L/R +/- so I will splice into the corresponding wires via the X9331 harness and recalibrate the settings on my sub. They installed the sub behind the drivers seat (my request as it was a smidgen too deep to go under the seat) and I know for definite that he tapped into the rear left speaker at the speaker itself. Confirmed when I played with the fade and balance settings on the head unit and found that the bass only kicks in when panned to rear left. Explains the muddy sound I have been getting.

So, just need to pull the trim off, splice into the X9331 and I will be golden. Could you confirm that this is the stock wiring diagram for the harness?


Thanks!

 

The diagram did indeed fit my car. Nor have I read any report of a different connection setup.

In order to access the X9331 harness, only the front end of the entrance cover strip has to be moved aside (or removed altogether for a bit more ease of acess).

In order to access the rear speakers otoh, one has to remove:
1. the entrance cover strip
2. rear backrest for rear seat
3. rear seat
4. panel B-pillar
5. panel C-pillar
6. luggage compartment floor trim
7. trim on tail panel
8. luggage compartment wheel arch trim (including light, if left side)