Subwoofer in spare tire

[Teppka]

While there are plenty of installs of Subaru Kicker and OEM subs I didn't really find many installs of subs in spare tires. Kicker/OEM take up some space of already small trunk and not sure if it's significant, weight to either side of the car.

My BRZ has full size spare tire (see pic) and I already can't use the middle of the trunk, so I though why not put there a sub designed to be installed there? One of the examples I found on Amazon. Doesn't take extra space and extra weight will be in the center.

Good idea? Anyone has experience with subs in the spare tire?

Thanks

[FR-S2GT86]

Although I'm not speaking from actual experience with that particular spare tire sub in combination with these particular vehicles, the experience I DO have with aftermarket, powered, active subwoofers in general from back in the day, my customers, for the most part were unsatisfied with the output in their vehicles with similar applications.

However, these cars are small enough that it may perform well for you as an addition to the factory sound system. The key here is making sure the subwoofer is in phase with your door speakers so that the waves don't cancel each other out and you end up with less low frequency response than you started with.

Time alignment between the sub and your door speakers so that the peaks of the low frequency waves hit your ears all at once will get you the best performance. This can be done, but requires extra processing, which can get pretty expensive trying to incorporate it into the factory sound system. If that subwoofer has an infinitely adjustable variable phase knob, this may be easily possible.

[Teppka]

I had same concerns as I too recall spare tire subs had low power making them less than useful. This was mainly because such subs had one or two small internal drivers.

This one and few similar models have 11-12" drivers and according to reviews pack a punch. There is also nice controller with 0/180 degrees phase switch, gain and other goodies. Considering stock speakers will not blow your socks off in terms of output, I think this sub should do pretty well in small volume BRZ trunk.

[FR-S2GT86]

I would say definitely go for it, ONLY IF that phase "switch" were a phase "adjustment knob" which it isn't.

It may work for you despite that feature. Of course, this is coming from someone who just spent over $3000 to obtain a high-end aftermarket head unit that isn't made anymore, and probably never will be again.

[soundman98]

that cerwin vega sub is a relatively new release. i believe they released it within the last 3 years or so. it's been on my 'what to do with money to burn' list since then, but i have no formal experience with it. on paper, the included amp is a little small for my preferences(would prefer to see an amp closer to 400w rms), but the speaker cone size is very desirable. my biggest concern in this vehicle is using the rubber floor mat covering over it, and whether that will dampen output enough to make it less usable.

i've played with a oem nissan murano bose spare tire subwoofer(same concept) that uses 2 5-1/4" 'subwoofers' and it kinda works, but is no replacement for a real sub.

i've also tried the sound stream usb-10p compact sub in a pickup truck with even less space than these cars. i got used to it a little using it everyday, but getting back into the car with a real subwoofer/box setup after a week of that was earth shattering every time-- i would end up nearly turning off the real sub setup to compensate for the difference in bass.

[Teppka]

Speaker setup on my European 2020 BRZ is actually pretty decent with front drivers delivering good range. I don't think I will ever be investing in a swap of full system for higher end speakers as this car is made to listen to the engin and road and making sound isolation for BRZ defeats the purpose for me. I'm not looking for anything crazy in terms of bass, just a good setup which will compliment stock audio system with tight bass. Since I have full spare which is not covered by any mat and is making middle of the boot unusable anyways I think the sub in spare tires is the best bet for me.

The problem is I didn't use spare tire sub before and have no means to try it before ordering it from abroad. Hence wandering if anyone had such experience with BRZ or similar car for that matter. I understand spare tire subs vary alot and this particular model as you've mentioned has sweet size of the driver.

[FR-S2GT86]

Originally Posted by Teppka

Speaker setup on my European 2020 BRZ is actually pretty decent with front drivers delivering good range. I don't think I will ever be investing in a swap of full system for higher end speakers as this car is made to listen to the engin and road and making sound isolation for BRZ defeats the purpose for me. I'm not looking for anything crazy in terms of bass, just a good setup which will compliment stock audio system with tight bass. Since I have full spare which is not covered by any mat and is making middle of the boot unusable anyways I think the sub in spare tires is the best bet for me.

The problem is I didn't use spare tire sub before and have no means to try it before ordering it from abroad. Hence wandering if anyone had such experience with BRZ or similar car for that matter. I understand spare tire subs vary alot and this particular model as you've mentioned has sweet size of the driver.

What do the Amazon reviews say about it? Looks like there is a standard version:
https://www.amazon.com/Cerwin-Vega-P...s%2C329&sr=8-1

And there is also a shallow version:
https://www.amazon.com/Cerwin-Vega-V...s%2C329&sr=8-2

If you can weed out the real reviews from the fake ones, that would help to narrow down your decision.

[Teppka]

None of the reviews are from BRZ/86/FRS owners so not of too much use as it will sound different in every car. Though according to reviews it's plenty powerful.

[soundman98]

a car is a car is a car. as long as they say it's loud enough in a civic/accord/pt cruiser, it's going to be loud enough in this car.

[FR-S2GT86]

Originally Posted by Teppka

None of the reviews are from BRZ/86/FRS owners so not of too much use as it will sound different in every car. Though according to reviews it's plenty powerful.

I guess YOU'LL be the test subject for the group!

[Teppka]

I actually managed to find a video of spare tire subwoofer install in the BRZ. Hope this helps to anyone looking for the same option!

[CSS86]

I've actually been using this sub for the last year or so, it wont blow your socks off but I was pleasantly surprised by it as I figured I was probably throwing money away on it and would be replacing it in short order, that is not what I got at all, certainly gives you a breath of fresh air to the sound quality in your BRZ, as long as you are not looking for a super high end sound and just looking for a pleasant upgrade at a killer price you will be happy with it.

[Teppka]

Well, last week I went to the car audio shop to talk to the guys how to better connect active spare tire woofer. I thought my European BRZ has factory amfi in the trunk. Not the case, no amplifier. In torpedo only tweeters, no mids. I was really disappointed. Ended up to change all system:

Spare tire active sub - order canceled and returned.

Agreed to installation of the following setup:

Focal PS165-F3E 16cm 3 way system. Mids and twitters to torpedo, mid/lows to the doors.
Back speakers will be canceled
Audison AP-8.9 Bit DSP amplifier
Custom sub box for spare tire with Audison APS-8R 20cm Subwoofer
Stock multimedia system as I'm very happy with it.

Hopefully will have everything installed by Friday.

[Peaty]

I realize this is an OAF post but wanted to add a pic of a spare tire sub installed. NVX QSBTA Spare Tire Sub This was using the OEM head unit with upgraded speakers all round. I put this in my kids 2023 . It wasn't that difficult if you are use to doing installs. I ran the 8 Ga wire down the passenger side, tapped into the rear speakers for the hi power inputs, not the best way but I was replacing the speakers and it was the easiest option. I ran the remote control knob up the drivers side. His car didn't come with a spare but we got one. It would probably be an easier install without it but I feel better with an actual spare. This actually sounds a lot better than I expected. He seems to be very happy with it after he got it dialed in. A few notes. This thing is not light at 35lbs, but it is all metal and not plastic. It sits okay in the spare, I did add a few foam strips on the bottom to prevent metal to metal contact. The supplied rod to hold the sub down sticks up a little too much. I need to cut it down and put something better on top to prevent it wearing a hole in the carpet. Other than that my kid is pretty happy with it, fills the bottom in nicely. While it's can rattle the windows, that was not the intended purpose. He wanted a more rounded sound this really fit the bill I think.