Adding a sub to standard hifi.

[Mr Whippy]

Is it possible to add just a small active sub with it's amp in behind the drivers seat?

Ie, does the standard head unit have a line out for an amp that can fit in with a standard sub fitting that goes behind the seats?

I don't want massive bass, just a bit more than I have. Generally the stereo is fine for my needs, but with the roof down the lows really do get lost.

Dave

 

[a11y]

I'm interested to know too!

But I reckon it'll be taking a feed from the speakers, which isn't the best for quality. Hoping someone can tell us differently...

 

[RustyZ4]

I added a pioneer active sub bass behind the passenger seat, makes a huge difference, you have to cut into the existing speaker wires, as there is no RCA output on the amp.

 

[un1eash]

Theres quite a few small active subwoofers out there that can get there source from a line out or high level speaker input. With the stock radio you'll need to patch into the front or rear speakers i tried running my amp this way but the quality was terrible. Ive got an alpine SWE-1000 in my mk1 mr2 and it has plenty of bass for normal use, i use to have the SWD-1600 but thats no longer available. Ive upgraded my headunit so i have better quality and control over these...

 

[Mr Whippy]

So, are the headunits on the HiFi and Carver systems actually different to the standard ones, by having line-out?

I maybe thought they were all the same, and they just sent a line signal to the boot amp for the subs etc?!


Hmmm, using a high level speaker and an amp off that might make some sense then... I'd like to keep a behind seat storage area (handy), and then just stick a sub in the other to just add some punch. Not a big stereo person, just would like a *bit* more sub 250hz range

Dave

 

[Shipkiller]

Try this page for Z4 audio info.

http://www.shipkiller.com/Audiosystem.html

 

[un1eash]

The HiFi and carver systems send a digital signal to the amp across the can bus. This makes it hard to upgrade the system without changing everything.

 

[DHK]

HiFi here, 10 speakers.
I use iPod with EQ set to Rock or Bass boost. And when I listen to Beyonce - Diva I get very nice bass...more than actually need. No need for a heavy sub in the back that will affect the performance.

 

[a11y]

Theres quite a few small active subwoofers out there that can get there source from a line out or high level speaker input. With the stock radio you'll need to patch into the front or rear speakers i tried running my amp this way but the quality was terrible.

Damn, I thought that might be what was required. I really don't want to change the headunit though, despite doing it in every car I've owned so far. Oh well, just have to listen to the engine instead...

Has anyone hacked into the speaker input and got decent results running an amp this way?

 

[un1eash]

You can get decent results from hacking into the speaker lines but for my setup a quality signal was needed so i had to upgrade.

 

[a11y]

un1eash, cheers. Would such a signal have sufficient quality to power a small, powered active sub? (like Dave's speaking about).

 

[un1eash]

Yeah it should be fine, i know people in the mk1 club that have done this using the high level inputs. If it fits i can highly recommend the alpine SWE-1000. Its quite big though because i have my seats all the way back i had to put it in the passenger footwell on the mk1....

This is the smaller SWD-1600 which they no longer make but some places do still sell it, its alot smaller and will fit in a Z4 easy...

 

[a11y]

Thanks

I've just checked how much clearance I've got behind the seats in the Z4 - it's a lot less than I thought. I've fairly tall with long legs, so my seat's a long way back. I regularly carry tall passengers too, so perhaps I might not even have the space behind that one either. It could go in the boot but I'd rather not.

I'll need to do some research and measuring before thinking about something like this I think...

(sorry for hijacking your thread Dave!)

Ally

 

[Mr Whippy]

Tis ok.

I was thinking of just getting a HiFi 'section' for the cubby hole behind the drivers or passengers seat (or maybe both), and then try get an standalone amp for the woofers that can sit in with one of them and run off the rear speakers signal and a power source from the battery (not far away in the boot)

I thought the behind seat storage was handy, but after seeing people use the first aid box added to the drivers base, and the nets on the backs of the seats and so on, they really are two never used spaces perfect for some subs (obviously as that is what BMW did )

Dave

 

[fridaypassion]

My car has a sub mounted behind each seat I think this was an option from the factory?

 

[Andy]

I have the SWD 1600 thingy and it doesn't really fit in the z4 so I'm going to ebay it and put subs in behind the seats.

More info on this soon, as I've just got all the oem part numbers I need for the mod