I recently purchased the Z4 and am impressed with the sound system but the bass is lacking... My 91 accord has 3 12" rockfords in it that pound. I was thinking two tens in the trunk between the wheel wells could fit. Any one given this a shot??

Thanks
Zach

PS I've read through a lot of posts on this with no solid answer...

Depends on what you want...

I prefere fidelity and have 1 JL 10W6 that is so powerful that I have it turned down pretty low. I can say that it improved my stereo about 40% and takes up .66 cubic feet which is very little of my small trunk. I honestly think that a complete stereo overhaul is needed for any more improvement...not more subs. YMMV.

You can follow my build out thread in A/V if you like for lots of good ideas. I haven't done any subs yet but thats my next task. I did overhaul the entire electronics and amp'd everything appropriately.

However, after 6 months, I have blown the carvers to shreds. I'm thinking about putting 2 JL 6w0's in their place, but I need to figure out how I can build an enclosure for them in there first. In a roady, you've got a tough choice to make. You can either go with a full sized 10 or 12 inch sub and absolutely destroy your trunk, or if you need it like I do, stick with what you can cram in the rear component shelves. This is how I'm gonna do it.

I did the JL 6W0 (Actually replaced everything). Love em and they're better


Two things... First, good luck finding any close by. Second, You do not want to run them from the premium stock Amp and it's not the right set up.

Also preplacing that amp and leaving the stockers will damage the stockers.

Reach, what exactly do you mean destroy my trunk? I don't mind losing the space if that is what you had meant.

Burt, I was thinking a nice single rockford 10 P2 would be plenty of thromp for me.

Looking at it now it sounds like I may be better off running the in the stock locations just better quality. I of course though am trying to avoid having to mess with the headunit much. I'm looking for some powerful bass, not blow your ears bass but more umph than the stock. I feel like the speakers have a decent sound for stockers, haven't heard much distortion.

I can run both the stock amp and an additional amp for a sub correct??

Thanks guys keep the advice coming,
Zach

You can follow my build out thread in A/V if you like for lots of good ideas. I haven't done any subs yet but thats my next task. I did overhaul the entire electronics and amp'd everything appropriately.

However, after 6 months, I have blown the carvers to shreds. I'm thinking about putting 2 JL 6w0's in their place, but I need to figure out how I can build an enclosure for them in there first. In a roady, you've got a tough choice to make. You can either go with a full sized 10 or 12 inch sub and absolutely destroy your trunk, or if you need it like I do, stick with what you can cram in the rear component shelves. This is how I'm gonna do it.

please link

I think I will end up just installing a better sub. I am thinking P3 10" 400RMS@2ohms and fully power it with a pioneer amp.

You had mentioned I should get rid of the stock subs if I add my own correct? Could I fit the 10" in the sub area?

Thanks
Zach

Come on Roffle, you know how to search! :D
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=896817&page=2

1979: You'll never fit more than a 6.5" sub in the stock area. The opening is about 7", tops.
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/113/bmw362je1.jpg

There are actually a few larger subs that will fit.

The problem is that air space is absolutely not suportinve of propper opperation.

I tried 3 larger and they all sounded worse than the 6W0 jl.

Agreed. I'm thinking of putting 2 tang bands in there and cramming it full of polyfill.... http://www.tb-speaker.com/detail/1230_04/w6-1139si.htm

Idk what the space is like, but anyone ever thing of putting in kickpanel speakers, some nice aftermarket with alot of low end should be good. But unless you want to fabricate some nice fiberglass enclosures, there are better ways.

I don't think there is much room for fabrication, plus the interior could be hard to make something fit in and look right.

Is it possible to run the stock subs and aftermarket subs at once?

Zach

Yea its possible to run both, just tap the signal off of the back of the stock sub, use a speaker level to line level converter box[ not sure if thats what its really called, all it does is take an amplified signal and drops it down and outputs with rca so it can be run into an aftermarket amp] Than just run your rca's from the converter to the aftermarket amp, and wire everything up as if its a regular setup.

I don't think there is much room for fabrication, plus the interior could be hard to make something fit in and look right.

Is it possible to run the stock subs and aftermarket subs at once?

Zach


Not on the stock amp. The output from stock is different than most aftermarket speakers will run. You would also want a cross over to keep your stockers on a range they're better suited to. And, unless it's what you want a stereo that impresses outside the car (not saying there's anything wrong with that) you can get what you need from the stock spaces at pretty high volumes.



I honestly believe this is being addressed wrong. I wouldn't look at just a sub.

I pulled all the speakers

2 kick panel speakers, two door tweets, 2 (horrible) 3.5 inch door speakers and they match the horrible 3.5 inch speakers that sit behind your head. then two subs. 10 total.

But you can do yourself better by doing subs in the stock area and kick panel and a very good kick panel and tweeter set.


I would also simply not fill the sub space with anything. And there's no need to fabricate (unless you want someone to cut into your structure, which you really do not want).

the problem is too little airflow for larger speakers or more powerfull speakers, not too little. Fabricating anything will just reduce the available airspace and the opening is actually pretty well done for speakers.

The TB look interesting, but the flat profile copared to whats stock or the 6W0 doesn't look like its going to project really well. I also would't harm the projection and actuation of the cone by back filling with poly...

I do agree, to properly get the system up to par you would have to replace all speakers. Except the only thing that bothers me is that the bass has no power, it's somewhat solid but nothing impressive. Also the cost to replace everything has me holding off for now. I also think from what I have read you may even have to mess with the positioning of the speakers, in a cabin with no real space.

Frustrat1on, explain to me again why you wouldn't poly fill? (I'm not quite sure I understand). Also, if you take a card and seal the top "port" of the stock sub box, it makes a pretty OK enclosure. I measured it as best as I could, taking extensive measurements, and it works out to approx ~0.175 sq feet. I know thats right on the money with what JL specs for the 6w0, but I've heard a lot of knocks on the 6w0 for deep bass response. (Yes, I know we're not talking 10/12 inchers here). And the TBs are supposed to be much better in that area and boast a significantly larger xmax. They're all about the same price so its just about whats best. I'm going to try the TBs (I've already ordered) but with them being so cheap I may yet try the 6w0's down the road.

To 1979 and others, I'd suggest getting a good 3-way component set for up front, and a strong amp. I'm bridging up 2 channels to power each side of my setup. Stock components are a 5.25" woofer, 3.5" door mid, and 1.5" tweet.

I think maybe you mean Poly "Line? rather than Fill? What I mean is not to remove the useable airspace. The port is also positioned / sized for the space and I would leave it open unless the other woofs spec it.

And hey run the TB's and please let us know. I would love to have an alternative to the 6w0, but have seen them in a few applications run well for quite a while...

I say poly-fill, but yes I mean the acoustic material. Tomayto, tomahto.
Like this: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?&Partnumber=260-317

I did go ahead and order the TBs, but now they are on backorder. Damnit.
I also have an order in for some Rainbow Soundline 3-way components from Germany, so I'm going to have to wait a while before those get here as well.

Also, since that port is open to the trunk / cabin space, its effectively turning anything you put in there into an infinite-baffle woofer. I would suggest sealing it, especially with the 6w0, as those are not meant to be used in an infinite-baffle area. You might actually realize more punch out of your speakers if you do, those JL's are spec'd for a full enclosure at 1.5 - 0.175 cu ft. Just a thought.

:buttrock

Gotcha.

this weekends project and I'll let you know.