Woofer Upgrade Project

[Tom2207]

I installed the second CT Sounds sub behind the passenger seat today, and was surprised at the amount of improvement made by replacing the remaining factory sub. I had to turn the 80Hz bass boost on the DSP way down from where I had it to only a couple of notches. With the top up no EQ is required at all - and with the Bavsounds and Kickers I mean no EQ whatsoever across the spectrum - gotta be pleased with that!
These CT Sounds subs are impressive! (particularly given the price)

I highly recommend doing the lot, as tightening up the bottom end really shows up how horrible the factory tweeters sound.

very tidy looking job . thats thee trouble though , once you start its a never ending circle ,, but nothing wrong with that either.
I find overall the best direction is to never turn anything up , its to cut the rest , bass boost / loudness is just annoying. Although if you look at things like the old bbe sonic maximiser or the first gen multifex or an old aphex aural exciter there is certainly something in this whole psyco acoustics thing ,, but then again where to do stop .

 

[B21]

The tweeters are cheap so it’s not really surprising…well done…

 

[poss]

The tweeters are cheap so it’s not really surprising…well done…

At least they're not plastic domed like the Harmon Kardons in the E46! The epitome of cheapness - and sonic garbage.

 

[Tom2207]

My old PA had 28 TAD 4001s in it ,, and I had about 20 more EV DH1,s , and a few 2450,s and 2451 and a handful of old 2440,s too , for those who simply must have alnico magnets .
You get an appreciation for horns / tweeters after that , and boys do good tweeters lift a system , probably more so than any other single item . I do like nice tweeters

 

[Tom2207]

My old PA had 28 TAD 4001s in it ,, and I had about 20 more EV DH1,s , and a few 2450,s and 2451 and a handful of old 2440,s too , for those who simply must have alnico magnets .
You get an appreciation for horns / tweeters after that , and boys do good tweeters lift a system , probably more so than any other single item . I do like nice tweeters

Having said that Mayer ran 8 manifolded motorolla piezo tweeters , the three quid ones as super tweeters on one of their tour boxes ml8,s from memory and with a good crossover and a well designed horn and not overdriven they were amazing . I once blew a TAD and didnt have a diaphragm to hand and bunged in a 3 quid piezo and it sounded surprisingly well , granted it was well crossed over but when it was just bunged in a hole with a turn of gaffa it was surprising , it wasnt as good to be fair , but it wasnt as bad as you would ever think ,, you knew there was a difference but it got by .

 

[grannyknot]

poss, thanks for this How to, I'm going to tackle this job in the spring and this will help.

 

[poss]

poss, thanks for this How to, I'm going to tackle this job in the spring and this will help.

Glad to be of service.

 

[Command50]

I realize I'm resurrecting such an old post. However, I just got my "new to me" E86 Z4. Can you give an up date on the CT speakers? They are still available in 6.5 and I'd like to try them.

Thanks!

 

[poss]

An update in what way? Do they still wipe the floor with the OEM rear of seat woofers? Absolutely! Night and day.

Is there anything better since my original review that is practical to fit in a Zed? Unlikely. They are double voice coil drivers with a serious amount of excursion. Still very happy with them.

Note these are slightly larger mounting diameter than original so you need to file/grind out the mounting plate hole a bit. - but its worth the effort.

 

[Command50]

You are perhaps the only person on the entire internet to find a workable solution to this. I’m going to get the 4ohm CT Tropo 6.5. Do some trimming and jam them in. I too have the carver amp and don’t want to change it.

Can you share some more insight on how you wired them?

Thanks!

 

[poss]

It was some time ago, but I believe I wired the 2 voice coils in series. This means you need to wire the + end of one to the - end of the other. Wire both speakers identically! This will double the impedance the amp sees. 2 4 ohm voice coils will give you 8 ohms of load on the amp.

Double check wot the OEM speaker impedance is first.