Subwoofer size when installed behind seats?

B

BigOJS

Member
Hi Everyone,
I have 3.0 Z4 but unfortunately with standard audio. Basically it means that I do not have any subs behind the seats and definately I would like to install them and naturally amps etc. Anyway I would be interested to know what is the max size of the sub that can be installed behind the seat? I have read that carver subs are size of 6", but has anyone installed 8"'s or even 10"'s (probably there aint enough air space). If anyone has knowledge about set of the subs behind the seats I would be glad to know about it?

Thanks in advance!
-BigO
 
check out:
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BU52&mospid=49303&btnr=65_1218&hg=65&fg=20

Doesn't give you the answer.. but this might:
http://users.telenet.be/AcousticSolution/z4infoweb/bodycarhifi.htm

I'm thinking about getting the boxes and going custom too, not sure..
 
Thanks about good links. Based on info from these web pages it really seems that rear subs are size of 6". Has anyone installed bigger subs to same slots? If you think about diameter of original "boxes" size of 8" or even 10" should fit, but problem maybe the cubic volume of this space. If someone has experience about fitting bigger subs behind the seats please share your info with us.

Thanks in advance!
-O
 
Another question - can i buy thse std subs and hook them up to my standard 8 speaker setup?
 
srhutch said:
jamiez said:
Another question - can i buy thse std subs and hook them up to my standard 8 speaker setup?
Click to expand...

8 Speaker Setup, are you sure? thought it was six or ten
Click to expand...
Yep 6 or 10, the grilles on the doors have nothing behind them which is probably confusing the issue.
 
so can the subs be hooked up to the standard 6 system or do they require the amp? how hard is it to upgrade from 6 to 10?
 
follow my first link at the top. isnt there something special about the carver subs which means you can't just run those from any amp?

I'm looking at getting the boxes though, then filling in the mids in the doors and amping the lot. plan to spend about £350.
 
paddy wright said:
so can the subs be hooked up to the standard 6 system or do they require the amp? how hard is it to upgrade from 6 to 10?
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PeteH on Z4um had his Alpina done by the dealer so it is possible, I think he retrofitted the entire set-up.

Personally I wouldn't add the Carver subs but start again with a decent head unit, maybe with a USB or SD card input too, and I'd get a new amp. I don't think the standard head unit could drive 10 speakers without an amp somewhere. You should be able to do it fairly cheaply especially if you can run some of the cables yourself for the installer.
 
Wondermike said:
paddy wright said:
so can the subs be hooked up to the standard 6 system or do they require the amp? how hard is it to upgrade from 6 to 10?
Click to expand...
PeteH on Z4um had his Alpina done by the dealer so it is possible, I think he retrofitted the entire set-up.

Personally I wouldn't add the Carver subs but start again with a decent head unit, maybe with a USB or SD card input too, and I'd get a new amp. I don't think the standard head unit could drive 10 speakers without an amp somewhere. You should be able to do it fairly cheaply especially if you can run some of the cables yourself for the installer.
Click to expand...

Ahhh.... HERE/THERE you are Mike!!!!!

Mike
 
I have done some research and now vision starts to be clear. I removed panels behind seats and it seems that 6" or 6,5" are biggest elements that fits without modification. Because I have standard sound system I have planned that I will get rid of all old stuff so that in front there will be new tweekers, 4" (which do not exist now just fake covers) and 6,5" mid bass near floor. Behind seats there will be 4" and 6,5" bass elements. Everything is powered with 4x100W amp that will be put to the trunk near battery. I haven't yet made any decisions about head unit but probably I will save original one because I like that all mods are "invisible". I try to send here some pictures when time comes.
-O
 
I'd like to see how you've configured you're new set up as I'm lookking to upgrade my std 6 speaker set up using the original head unit. Some of the explanations I read on here leave me a bit confused as I'm not very good with this sort of thing. I am looking for a 10 speaker set up with everything hidden. Good luck with it all.

Marcus.
 
From what I understand you cant upgrade the 6 speaker system into a 10, without replacing the headunit as there is no output to an amp in the standard unit! can anyone confirm?!

I'm thinking about doing this as I cant think a car with the 10speaker system at the moment! so basically I'm looking at 2 new door speakers, 2 subs, an amp and a new headunit!!!
 
I am not sure why you want to upgrade your system in the way you mention, and its sounds expensive! why not put in a seperate small powered sub base behind the passenger seat, and have a composite 3 way speaker sysem installed in the front (utilising the blank door speakers as mids and a seperate power amp in the boot, there is no need to change the head unit, have put some suggested links in, see what u you think,,,

http://www.shopwiki.co.uk/detail/?q=Alpine+car+subwoofer&s=409517&o=140907261&d=Alpine+SWE-1000+Active+Car+Subwoofer


http://www.raysmith.co.uk/Audison/sort/3a/page/6/



http://www.hertzincar.co.uk/component.php


The sound will be awesome, bearing in mind the three way system has very powerfull bass in its own right.
 
Sorry to hijack (but it's relevant!)...

How do you get RCA feeds from the standard headunit to power an aftermarket powered sub or an amp? I'm guessing the standard headunit doesn't have any RCA outputs?

Cheers
Ally
 
Any powered sub worth its salt will offer "speaker-level" inputs and built in crossover, so you can connect to the factory system by tapping into the front speaker wires (or the rear if you prefer). you can if you want put an inline rca adaptor, again a decenr powered sub bass should come with all the fittings.
 
Sorry about late comments. Setup will be built so that I will convert speaker signal to RCA (with adapter) coming from headunit right away after HU output. This way I will get rid of possible noice and interference. After that RCA wiring is done to the trunk where amp is next to battery. Based on info from local store that is specialized to car hifi is that 4" behind the seats should be left out from the system. Whole system balance is better if there is 3 way system in front (tweekers, 4" and 6,5 mid-basses) and subs behind the seat. Also local dealer very strongly encouraged to rethink about getting rid of original HU, but I definately would like to save original style in my car. There is few manufacturers who are doing good quality 6" subwoofers and dealer proposed me JL-Audio or DLS subwoofers behind the seats to original places. Amplifier in this proposed system gives 100W per channel to both sides in front and 160W to each sub. Let's see what happens. I am going to have few week holiday in Dubai but after that I try to find some time to build this thing up.
-BigO
 
Rusty - cheers, I guessed that's what I'd have to do.

BigO - I know what you mean. I'm keen to retain the original dashboard look too. In fact, this will be my first car ever where I've not replaced the HU with an aftermarket unit.
 
Ok guys... Now I have upgraded the sound system. Rainbow SLC 365 to the front (www.rainbow-audio.de) and DLS 6' subwoofers behind the seats (www.dls.se). Amp is coming from SPL Dynamics (www.spldynamics.fi) and model is 4006. It is tuned to 4-channel so that frontend will get 2x100W and subs are getting 2x160W. System is not yet adjusted yet, but I can say that difference is huge. Anyway I have to say that 6's subs are not "rainmakers" but it is really good comparing to original ones. Now sound system quality is enough for such a great car as Z4 is. I will add pictures later on until I finnish installation. If anyone has same kind of project on mind I will be glad to give advices.
 
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