Confirm wiring subwoofer install

[Z4C_er]

Just bought one of these babies (gulp), mainly because I know Focal are a pretty good brand (and will match my other speakers), and also 'coz... well, it looks like a nice piece of kit.

https://www.dynamicsounds.co.uk/focal-ibus-20-8-20cm-active-under-seat-amplified-subwoofer-150w-wiring-kit.html

 

[Darkangelv2]

That does look nice.

Will you add standoffs and mount it so it fires into the cabin (at the firewall) or have it firing into the boot, away from you?

 

[Z4C_er]

That does look nice.

Will you add standoffs and mount it so it fires into the cabin (at the firewall) or have it firing into the boot, away from you?

Ideally, yes, I'd like to, but it'd have to be some hefty standoffs. Maybe some steel tube legs mounted to MDF? Then I could bolt the unit to the MDF, point it towards my back, and bolt through the MDF and tubes into the rear bulkhead. That could work...
Benefit would also be that the unit would be 100% protected by the carpet and the MDF. Like this?

 

[Darkangelv2]

Yeah, that was what I was wondering. That could work I’d guess

 

[Z4C_er]

Yeah, that was what I was wondering. That could work I’d guess

So, with this, I'm in 2 minds; is it better to hard mount the base to the bulkhead (maybe with some sound deadening matting sandwiched in between) so as to get the reverberations through the bulkhead but have it facing backwards and then allow it work within the rear compartment, or face it forwards towards my back to have it 'do it's thing' towards me. Will that limit it's output if it's effectively hanging in the air? I'm not an audiophile (but enjoy good quality music), so I'm not providing proposals, merely asking questions!

 

[Darkangelv2]

Bearing in mind Liam’s racecar build, you could also cut a hole in that wall if you wanted.... it’s not structural :evil:

Like you, I’m not an audio expert and don’t know which would benefit you most.

 

[Z4C_er]

Bearing in mind Liam’s racecar build, you could also cut a hole in that wall if you wanted.... it’s not structural :evil:

Like you, I’m not an audio expert and don’t know which would benefit you most.

Thanks. I'll rip off the trim this week and ponder....

 

[Z4C_er]

So, here it is. Over the last few weeks I've been stealing a few minutes here and there (anyone with young children will understand this) to fit the subwoofer.
This is the MDF mount plate.

Here it is all fitted. I got M5 wood inserts to retain the M5 screws I used for mounting. I made 3D printed items to support the subwoofer on the bottom and restrain the subwoofer at the top. It aint coming out in a hurry.....
I found the most frustrating thing was getting to the LHS speaker wires behind the BT module. The wires were pulled so tight that if I plucked them they would (I'm sure) play a tune! I had to remove the BT module and release some loom tape in order to get some slack in the speaker wires.


I fitted the bass adjustment knob in the cubby compartment.

All in all it works fine. I thought it didn't work at first but found I had to crank it up quite considerably to pick up the inputs.

 

[Darkangelv2]

Looks a great job. Same issue with the LH speaker wires - far tighter than the right. Happy with the bass fill you’re getting?

 

[Z4C_er]

Looks a great job. Same issue with the LH speaker wires - far tighter than the right. Happy with the bass fill you’re getting?

Thanks! Yes, it's not earth shattering, I mean I didn't even know it was working, and then I went out this morning to just crank everything up 'till the max and then it came to life. Yes, but it's good. I now have to tune it up and get the balance right.