Question with adding a subwoofer

[Afghan Vet]

My set up - 2 Ascendant Audio modded 12" subs running 'IB' (with such a small trunk, IB could be argued). A bit more than most on here would want to do, but I'm an SQ Car Audio guy, so I was willing to add the weight and give up a few square feet of trunk space. I can still get a 22" rollerboard suitcase in there, so it is adequate. I can control the sub volume level with the HU.

[JayNutter]

I thought I would throw this suggestion for those looking for a quick and easy subwoofer upgrade option.

The subwoofer linked below easily fits in the back seat and is nearly invisible from the outside (put it in a rear seat facing downward). It does not require a lot of power and a small amp can easily be hidden in the trunk. The total cost should be around $500-700 with installation. Only drawback is that it needs to be removed if you want to put the rear seat down.

This setup prevents the subwoofer from shaking the rear panels (a big problem when it was in the trunk) and greatly improves the sound quality. It will not win any competitions, but it is the best option I have found that does not kill the trunk space and uses the useless rear seats.

The only way anyone would know the subwoofer or amplifier are in the car would be by sitting in it or by blasting the stereo.


Kenwood Excelon 10 Mobile Subwoofer Enclosure - P-XW1000B
http://www.google.com/shopping/produ...ed=0CDIQ8wIwAA

[acro]

Originally Posted by zulhijj

Infinity BassLink in the trunk (decided to go with this to save space with the amp & sub in a small package) & a Pioneer AppRadio2 HU. I mainly followed what everyone on here has been saying for the install - ran the power wire from the + terminal of the battery through the large grommet located on the passenger side behind the battery.

I ended up running the + wire down the passenger side of the car right up against the inside of the center console and the RCA cables and amp turn on lead up against the inside of the center console on the driver side. Picked up GND on one of the bolts holding the amplifier down to the sheet metal in the trunk.

It's tough to tell from the blurry picture but I drilled a very tiny hole in the Metra 95-8202 dash kit (bottom left) to install a switch to "toggle the parking brake on/off" - I figured that was more robust than a parking brake bypass in case Pioneer decides to release a firmware update. I also had to use the dremel to get the 95-8202 to fit against the existing radio brackets on the FR-S but it wasn't too bad.

The Metra 70-1761 Radio Wiring Harness was a perfect match so no problems there. I also picked up the Scosche LSAAB Antenna Adapter for the AM/FM radio.

Still haven't found which speakers I plan on using so I have not swapped anything else out yet...If anyone has any recommendations for an "easy drop in" for speakers that'd be cool.

How does this setup sound i was considering it

Also why not mount it in the wheelwell or at least upright so it takes up less space?

[zulhijj]

Originally Posted by acro

How does this setup sound i was considering it

I'd say it sounds good for the size. I used to have a 12" Cerwin Vega in my RSX which sounded crisper and hit a bit harder but overall I'm pretty happy with the Infinity.

Originally Posted by acro

Also why not mount it in the wheelwell or at least upright so it takes up less space?

To be honest I didn't want to give up the spare so I didn't even try to measure it out for the wheel well. As for mounting it upright - I tired to do that first but it it a tiny bit too tall because of the plastic brackets that screw into the sub enclosure. At some point I will have to see if I can trim down the platic brackets and try to stand it upright.

[acro]

ok cool thanks. i may need something smaller then i need my trunk space

[D_LaBlanc]

This kit bypasses the factory amp (has a DSP and Subwoofer Amp built into the design): Photos courtesy of JDM Zip Ties (I pulled the back side shot from Moto's post on the Club4AG Forum) | Pictured OEM Audio Plus System 400+

[D_LaBlanc]

Originally Posted by JayNutter

Kenwood Excelon 10 Mobile Subwoofer Enclosure - P-XW1000B
http://www.google.com/shopping/produ...ed=0CDIQ8wIwAA

The link is broken.. got an alternative link?

[JayNutter]

Originally Posted by D_LaBlanc

The link is broken.. got an alternative link?

Here is a link to a thread with the pics

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23621

[D_LaBlanc]

Originally Posted by JayNutter

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=23621

Thanks Jay!

[phillies5582]

Where's the best place to ground (8 awg) my amp?

[midnightfrolic]

Originally Posted by phillies5582

Where's the best place to ground (8 awg) my amp?

Any bolt that goes into the chassis should work. I used one of the bolts that secured the driver side amp under the trunk carpet.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by fmsida

I am using the left / right speaker signal and remote on signal coming into the factory amp.

Is that the green remote signal going into the factory amp?

How did you tap into it? Wire taps? Or the cheap way with some electrical tape

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Is that the green remote signal going into the factory amp?

How did you tap into it? Wire taps? Or the cheap way with some electrical tape

Ya it's the green wire

I just twisted and taped

[jeebus]

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

closeup of signal connnector


The wires going into this connector are:
(1 is at the bottom left of the connector in the photo, 10 is the top right)
1 - Pink (looks orange?) - Left speaker +
2 - Blue - Right speaker +
3 - Light Green - Left signal +
4 - White - Right signal +
5 - Violet - Left speaker -
6 - Red - Right speaker -
8 - Green - remote signal
9 - Yellow - Left Signal -
10 - Sky Blue - Right signal -

not sure if this ever got cleared up here or somewhere else (I didn't see it), but I used the signal connectors (3,4,9, and 10) as described above as low-level inputs to my aftermarket amp/sub without issue.