Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer.....

sleithykeithy · 02-07-2008, 10:32

....... By using a home cinema subwoofer!

Requires no power from the battery etc, all I did was disconnect the rear speakers, as they are pap way back there, and use the wiring to connect up the passive sub.

Ok its not going to sound as good as a proper set up, but what is a bonus is that I havn't had to mess about with lots of wires, and it weighs next to nothing too! It is slim too so doesnt take up much room.

It makes the sound so much more meaningful now, with nice deep bass and no rattles from the front doors!

Enjoy, Si

smstext · 02-07-2008, 12:11

is it pre amped? i know from years ago trying to run a huge bass bin from standard speaker connections from the radio can eventually blow the stereo, just a thought.

Skodaboy1983 · 02-07-2008, 12:14

Looks good and does not take up too much space.

Davy

sleithykeithy · 02-07-2008, 12:19

No its not pre amped, just passive from whatever is running it i.e, headunit.

I will keep a check and see what sort of power the sub requies, I dont want my nice Alpine headunit getting ruined!

Cheers, Si.

EDIT - Just checked the sub rating, and its 4 ohms, 80w RMS.

fatty5000 · 02-07-2008, 12:25

Is it filtering the low signal only or is there highs going in as well??????

Just buy a real one imo !!!

Up to you though.

**mannyo** · 02-07-2008, 12:28

You'll proberbly blow the amp i the HU, the resistance of the home cinema sub will be less than 8 ohms, so basically you are almost but not quiet short circuiting the output stage of the HU.

sleithykeithy · 02-07-2008, 12:31

Ive got a proper sub etc in the garage, but this was kind of a test to see what it would sound like, and tbh I cant be bothered to pull my car apart when this will do the job for now.

Its just playing the lows of what it can handle so 25hz - 180hz, no filter fitted.

Si

sleithykeithy · 02-07-2008, 12:33

Car speakers are 4 ohms!

bubba · 02-07-2008, 12:35

I remember when I was 17 and just learnt to drive, I put my old house speakers in the boot of my car and wired them up, as I thought it was cool

Hopefully it won't blow your headunit

smstext · 02-07-2008, 12:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by bubba

I remember when I was 17 and just learnt to drive, I put my old house speakers in the boot of my car and wired them up, as I thought it was cool

Hopefully it won't blow your headunit

i did this too, the speakers sat behind the front sites in the rear footwells, certainly sounded better, but dont think did much good to the head unit.

sleithykeithy · 02-07-2008, 12:53

Thanks for your advice, i can understand that house speakers are normally 6 or 8ohms, but this one definately says 4, so I will leave it be and hope it will be alright.

Si

cheezemonkhai · 02-07-2008, 13:04

IIRC Home subs are generally 4 ohms but have an amp to drive them.

If your head unit is something like 4*40W if you turn it up too much you will fry the head unit's amp circuit.

dan_the_v8man · 03-07-2008, 01:55

most decent headunits have overload protection these days anyway

twonks · 03-07-2008, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheezemonkhai

IIRC Home subs are generally 4 ohms but have an amp to drive them.

If your head unit is something like 4*40W if you turn it up too much you will fry the head unit's amp circuit.

If the sub is 4 ohms and he is running it from one channel on the deck, then it won't blow the head unit up through impedance problems, as car speakers are nominally 4 ohms.

If however he has somehow connected right and left channels to the 4 ohm sub then there may be problems ahead depending on how it it wired.

Still, all things considered it isn't a good way to run a sub.

ShadyAl · 06-07-2008, 09:35

Asking for trouble..

redbaron · 06-07-2008, 09:44

on a decent modern alpine unit it will probably run right for a year or 2... just dont max out the h/u and bear in mind if you are bridging the 2 channels you will drop the impedance further. does your model of h/u support bridging.. some do...

sleithykeithy · 06-07-2008, 15:31

Im just running the sub off one rear channel as having rear speakers does nothing for the soundstage, so the other is just disconnected.

Until I get my new components and amp all sorted for the doors, this setup sounds good and is easily removable for a short term fix for now, and miles better than the standard setup.

Si

dan_the_v8man · 06-07-2008, 16:20

you might want to get a dummy load for the other channel, doesnt do the amp any good leaving it with no load when its turned up

02-07-2008, 12:11	#2
smstext 2.0 FSI Sport. Join Date: May 2007 Location: oxon Posts: 7,274 Thanks: 8 Thanked 200 Times in 183 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... is it pre amped? i know from years ago trying to run a huge bass bin from standard speaker connections from the radio can eventually blow the stereo, just a thought. __________________ OXON Meet 5 October 2008 click here for more info

02-07-2008, 12:14	#3
Skodaboy1983 Briskodian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Midlothian/Fife Posts: 7,820 Thanks: 241 Thanked 203 Times in 198 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... Looks good and does not take up too much space. Davy __________________ 59.7MPG 05 Lemon Yellow Fabia vRS, PD160, Green cotton filter, Stripes and B pilar Graphics, Cupra Splitter, Aero Wipers, Rear Number plate surround, silvertec indicators, and led side lights

02-07-2008, 12:19	#4
sleithykeithy Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... No its not pre amped, just passive from whatever is running it i.e, headunit. I will keep a check and see what sort of power the sub requies, I dont want my nice Alpine headunit getting ruined! Cheers, Si. EDIT - Just checked the sub rating, and its 4 ohms, 80w RMS. Last edited by sleithykeithy; 02-07-2008 at 12:27.

02-07-2008, 12:25	#5
fatty5000 Why So Serious Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: "What" ...What ain't no god damn coutry Posts: 4,782 Thanks: 215 Thanked 142 Times in 128 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... Is it filtering the low signal only or is there highs going in as well?????? Just buy a real one imo !!! Up to you though. __________________

02-07-2008, 12:28	#6
mannyo BRISKODA Staff Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Stevenage Herts. Posts: 10,767 Thanks: 27 Thanked 267 Times in 249 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... You'll proberbly blow the amp i the HU, the resistance of the home cinema sub will be less than 8 ohms, so basically you are almost but not quiet short circuiting the output stage of the HU. __________________ Manny 2005 Octavia 2.0TDi Elegance combi my skoda website http://www.octaviars.co.uk Join the briskoda.net folding team click Here for more info

02-07-2008, 12:31	#7
sleithykeithy Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... Ive got a proper sub etc in the garage, but this was kind of a test to see what it would sound like, and tbh I cant be bothered to pull my car apart when this will do the job for now. Its just playing the lows of what it can handle so 25hz - 180hz, no filter fitted. Si

02-07-2008, 12:33	#8
sleithykeithy Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... Car speakers are 4 ohms!

02-07-2008, 12:35	#9
bubba Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 65 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... I remember when I was 17 and just learnt to drive, I put my old house speakers in the boot of my car and wired them up, as I thought it was cool Hopefully it won't blow your headunit __________________ Neil Silver MkI Octavia VRS

02-07-2008, 12:53	#11
sleithykeithy Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... Thanks for your advice, i can understand that house speakers are normally 6 or 8ohms, but this one definately says 4, so I will leave it be and hope it will be alright. Si

02-07-2008, 13:04	#12
cheezemonkhai Briskodian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 13,928 Thanks: 77 Thanked 353 Times in 327 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... IIRC Home subs are generally 4 ohms but have an amp to drive them. If your head unit is something like 440W if you turn it up too much you will fry the head unit's amp circuit. __________________ Cars make CO2 and trees absorb CO2. By driving your car you're feeding a tree and helping the environment.*

03-07-2008, 01:55	#13
dan_the_v8man Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sheffield Posts: 323 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... most decent headunits have overload protection these days anyway __________________ 57 Mk2 2.0TFSI vRS Estate in Race Blue, jumbo box, cruise control, dual zone climate, zenith 18", maxidot, xenon's, rear parking sensors, light assistance, sunset glass

06-07-2008, 09:35	#15
ShadyAl Briskodian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 151 Thanks: 30 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... Asking for trouble..

06-07-2008, 09:44	#16
redbaron Briskodian Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 9,288 Thanks: 9 Thanked 52 Times in 47 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... on a decent modern alpine unit it will probably run right for a year or 2... just dont max out the h/u and bear in mind if you are bridging the 2 channels you will drop the impedance further. does your model of h/u support bridging.. some do... __________________ ________________________________________ Some times I just feel like smiling.

06-07-2008, 15:31	#17
sleithykeithy Briskodian Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... Im just running the sub off one rear channel as having rear speakers does nothing for the soundstage, so the other is just disconnected. Until I get my new components and amp all sorted for the doors, this setup sounds good and is easily removable for a short term fix for now, and miles better than the standard setup. Si

06-07-2008, 16:20	#18
dan_the_v8man Briskodian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Sheffield Posts: 323 Thanks: 15 Thanked 9 Times in 9 Posts	Re: Probably one of the easiest ways to install a subwoofer..... you might want to get a dummy load for the other channel, doesnt do the amp any good leaving it with no load when its turned up __________________ 57 Mk2 2.0TFSI vRS Estate in Race Blue, jumbo box, cruise control, dual zone climate, zenith 18", maxidot, xenon's, rear parking sensors, light assistance, sunset glass

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