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Subwoofer install question???

41K views 84 replies 37 participants last post by  Ace95  
#1 ·
Hey guys,

I just got my black 2.0t coupe, and want to install my 12" Rockford Fosgate P3 into it. As soon as I get a different amp, I would like to do this. However I have some questions before I do this:

Will it be different when I use the stock head unit and do not use an aftermarket one? I had an aftermarket one in my last car so I do not know if it will be drastically different in terms of sound quality or anything else.

If I do get it installed, will turning the bass up on the sub result in having to turn the bass control for all the other speakers up also? I would hope that I do not have to have the bass in the door speakers up to turn the bass up on the sub.

What do you think would be the best place to mount the amp? On the back of the box, on the ground, or on the back of the rear seat? Also, how many channels should I have on the amp i am going to get if I am only using it to wire a sub that has two speaker wires?
 
#2 ·
I'm assuming the factory deck doesn't have rcas so will need to install an Inline converter to hook ur amp up. When you get ur amp get one with a bass knob so you can adjust it seperately. If you're going to only run the sub with the amp just get a dedicated sub amp with one channel.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Factory units will work fine if you get a good amp but yes if you connect the amp off of a hi pass lead from a speaker in the car then when you adjust the base it will intern adjust what is going to the amp. But like i mentioned if you have a strong enough amp you can balance the main mids and highs and adjust gains on the amp to achieve the bass you are looking for. Also make sure you get a amp with a good crossover or external crossover to be able to tune your sound. And for amp choice i would go with a monoblock 1 channel amp.
 
#6 ·
If you're going to hook the subs to the factory HU, you will need a LOC (line out converter) you can pick this up from most electronic store for under $30.
Although, this set up will help power your aftermarket amp and subs, it's not going to give you nearly as much power as the after market HU can give. factory HU +-5amps vs aftermarket HU 20+amps. I'm personally going with the factory HU set up with a LOC just becuase, I want to keep the clean factory look with an extra thump for the ladies. haha

As for the placement of the amp, it's best to keep it in a place where it will not attract heat. Under your seat is ok, but it tends to overheat after a long period of time. I prefer the back of the seat in your trunk.

Also, if you're not going to upgrade your high's and mids, a mono block amp will suffice for just the sub.

I hope this answers your questions.
 
#7 ·
I believe the base model has an amp already, just not the infinity. Look behind the passenger side rear panel, next to the rear seat. There should be all the wiring access that you need. I would still run its own power lines just to be safe.

the Stock system is designed to produce more base on the mids in the door panels, IMO the sub in the back acts more like a center channel, in terms of which produces more base.

Here what it looks like and the pin-out

Image
 
#24 ·
Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you want to replace the sub that came with the base radio, you're going to need to pony up some cash. First off, I don't think the base stereo even has a subwoofer. If this is true, then the base head unit might not even have subwoofer pre-outs. If you ain't got no pre-outs, then you're going to need a new head unit or a way to convert the existing signal intended to be used for a speaker into a signal to send to the sub amp. Yeah, you can use a line converter, but unless that feeds into a low-pass filter, you're going to be using the sub to reproduce a full range signal well above what it's rated for. Oh, and this is of course assuming that the head unit doesn't roll off the speaker out above 120hz. So basically, you're going to be using the sub to play 120hz - 20khz signals. This is well outside it's operational range and it's going to sound like crap.

Oh, and you're definitely going to need a sub amp. Trying to run a 12" p3 on a stock amp intended to be used with 4" 24w RMS speakers is a major fail.

So, um, what's your budget. :p
 
#26 ·
This thread hurts my head. I wish one of the other audio guys got ot this before I did.

Base model has no external amp. It's built into the head unit.
It's not very much power, probably 10-15w RMS x 4. It has 4 outputs, 2 front 2 rear. That's it. No sub, no centre channel. It also has no amp in the rear as the photo shows above.



To make it simple, you need an amp with speaker level inputs, or a LOC (line out convertor) as explained already, it lets you run RCAs from behind your stock radio (if this doesn't make sense just take your car to a shop and pay someone to install for you)
That's it, amp, sub, box and possibly an LOC if your amp doesn't have speaker level inputs

before the arguments come in, Right now I'm running a 4 channel amp from my FR and FL speaker leads (speaker level input on amp) to a set of components up front and a sub.

If you want to run a sub in a base GC it's very simple.
 
#28 ·
so, if i had a factory infinity head unit with external amp, is the signal between the HU and Amp line level or speaker level?

also connector "A" and "B" are not "in" and "out". notice connector A pin 7 and pin 10.
 
#29 ·
Bottom line is, you're not going to run that speaker off the base or premium amp that comes with the car. They are made specifically for the speakers that come with the car, and most likely at different impedance than what most subs would play at.

If you want to run a sub(s) with the stock system, you're going to need a separate amp and LOC as others have stated.
 
#31 ·
I'm trying to do the same thing as the initial question implied only with an 8'' sub in the factory hole. But the part that is really confusing me is how to get the signal into the amp...

I'm gonna purchase an amp with speaker level inputs and I understand all the grounding and running the power cord too it and such. But what i'm clueless about is where to hook it up to the system? People keep telling me I can tap the other speaker wires or somehow get it straight into the head unit.. What's the best way to do this?
 
#36 ·
From my understanding with the premium audio you have to tap in post amp or else the headunit will cut or add bass and treble depending on volume level.

I kept the stock HU and used an amp that takes speaker level inputs. No LOCS to worry about. Tapped in right being the HU, power 2 front door spears and a single 10".
 
#40 ·
Only infinity systems have an external amp.
 
#42 ·
That would be the easiest. Wire up a LOC behind the radio. This is what I do on customers cars, that way if they come back in a month or so for a new radio, the RCAs are already behind the deck, and dont have to be re-ran. IF they have a non externally amped factory system.
 
#43 ·
for an aftermarket sub amp tap in to the front doors outputs, the rear outputs have less bass
 
#44 ·
And how did you come up with that? The base headunit is bi-stereo, not quadrophonic. Also, the rear speakers are the exact same and have the exact same power level to them as the fronts. Might be different in the premium since it's DSP'd 5.1.