Under seat subwoofer

[phil_cardiff]

The standard system on my Octavia is OK, decent mid and highs but certain tracks lack bass. I think I've been trying to compensate by turning up the volume and have now blown a woofer.

I know an amped sub in the boot would be best but this us the family wagon and is often full to the brim.

I'm therefore considering an under seat sub and was wondering if anyone has experienced one and what you thought if it? Local audio place can fit a Phoenix Gold 8" one for £330.

[griffin dai]

Can’t help with under seat ones, but this is a cracking little 8” for the boot and doesn’t take up too much space

https://www.caraudiocentre.co.uk/product_m-alpine-...

Old review but still a really nice little sub, I’ll probably go for one in the Saab.

https://www.adamrayner.net/alpine-swe-815-active-s...

[drmike37]

I made a plywood box to fit the space behind the nearside rear wheel, Ebay 10" sub went there. amp went under the variable boot floor.
Made a massive difference to the sound.

[hyphen]

phil_cardiff said:

I know an amped sub in the boot would be best but this us the family wagon and is often full to the brim.

Get a roof box too.

[phil_cardiff]

hyphen said:

phil_cardiff said:

I know an amped sub in the boot would be best but this us the family wagon and is often full to the brim.

Get a roof box too.

Yep, all ready got one which gets filled to the brim. We don't travel light when camping

[Hanslow]

Would a spare wheel mount sub help? They're not massively powered but can fill out the sound nicely without swamping it. VAG did one as an option so you should be able to pick one up relatively cheap. Mine is currently sat in the loft and I modified mine to take a left and right signal through standard crimp bullet connectors rather than the specialised connector and it worked fine in use. Has a small amp built in, so just needs power, switched power and audio signal. Worth looking up to see if you can get one cheap, assuming you have room in your spare wheel to mount one.

Something like this: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/300155-how-t... although that shows how to modify the bose Mazda one for a VAG vehicle. There are VAG ones that should be more plug and play. I think mine is the Bose type shown in the link.

Edited by Hanslow on Sunday 2nd January 10:01

[Lincsls1]

I fitted a Vibe Pulse C8 under seat subwoofer.
It works very well, I actually turn down the bass on the head unit so I can drive the HU louder meaning the car speakers have an easier, distortion free ride, whilst the sub does more of the heavy work.
Its only a 240w max power (80w RMS) amp, but remember this adds to what you've got.
Just don't expect too much, it can't compete with a massive amp and boom box in the boot.

Edited by Lincsls1 on Sunday 2nd January 10:19

[phil_cardiff]

Hanslow said:

Would a spare wheel mount sub help? They're not massively powered but can fill out the sound nicely without swamping it. VAG did one as an option so you should be able to pick one up relatively cheap. Mine is currently sat in the loft and I modified mine to take a left and right signal through standard crimp bullet connectors rather than the specialised connector and it worked fine in use. Has a small amp built in, so just needs power, switched power and audio signal. Worth looking up to see if you can get one cheap, assuming you have room in your spare wheel to mount one.

Something like this: https://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/300155-how-t... although that shows how to modify the bose Mazda one for a VAG vehicle. There are VAG ones that should be more plug and play. I think mine is the Bose type shown in the link.

Edited by Hanslow on Sunday 2nd January 10:01

2-3 times a year I remove the false boot floor and cram stuff into the spare wheel well (my car doesn't even have a spare, just foam). I could just remove the sub each time but that's a bit of extra work I could do without to be honest.

[phil_cardiff]

Lincsls1 said:

I fitted a Vibe Pulse C8 under seat subwoofer.
It works very well, I actually turn down the bass on the head unit so I can drive the HU louder meaning the car speakers have an easier, distortion free ride, whilst the sub does more of the heavy work.
Its only a 240w max power (80w RMS) amp, but remember this adds to what you've got.
Just don't expect too much, it can't compete with a massive amp and boom box in the boot.

Edited by Lincsls1 on Sunday 2nd January 10:19

Thanks, really good to hear your opinion. I'm not expecting the windows to shake, it simply can't move enough air, but if it can fill in the bottom end on some tracks I'll be happy.

[figtree]

I have this

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0082YUR7M/ref...

Sounds great, plenty enough bass

[Paul_M3]

If you want something really compact, this is worth a look.

https://www.pioneer-car.eu/uk/products/ts-wx010a

I fitted one in the footwell of my Exige. It's really solid, and the passenger can basically use it as a footrest.

[hyphen]

phil_cardiff said:

Thanks, really good to hear your opinion. I'm not expecting the windows to shake, it simply can't move enough air, but if it can fill in the bottom end on some tracks I'll be happy.

My car has Bose, which is a 8" sub. I would rather have it then not have it, but it also leaves me wanting more. I don't have the appetite to change it for now, but if I was installing a sub and going to the trouble of ripping the car apart and running wires and what not, I would not go with a 8".

Appreciate your point about space, but just be sure you won't always have a nagging feeling that you compromised. As you are installing a sub to obtain low end frequencies you are missing out on, but the 8" won't go low enough and you will still be missing out on the lowest range.

Will be a big improvement no matter how you go though, and good that you care enough about your music to make the effort.

Edited by hyphen on Tuesday 4th January 11:57

[stargazer30]

Op when most people say my system lacks bass, they typically are missing the mid bass, not sub bass.

I've used under seat subs and boot subs but in all honestly the best musical bass I've heard has been via a good set of front components speakers in a sound deadened door fed by a half decent or better aftermarket amp.

The boot subs were good for impressing kids at macDs though

[gmaz]

I had a Pioneer under-seat sub in a previous car, it worked very well and I would recommend it in preference to a boot mounted woofer.

[phil_cardiff]

stargazer30 said:

Op when most people say my system lacks bass, they typically are missing the mid bass, not sub bass.

I've used under seat subs and boot subs but in all honestly the best musical bass I've heard has been via a good set of front components speakers in a sound deadened door fed by a half decent or better aftermarket amp.

The boot subs were good for impressing kids at macDs though

That's interesting. I'd have to put the amp somewhere though.

Thanks for all the replies, I've found each useful and they'll help me make a decision.

[stargazer30]

phil_cardiff said:

That's interesting. I'd have to put the amp somewhere though.

Thanks for all the replies, I've found each useful and they'll help me make a decision.

The newer class D Amps are pretty small. My focus ST has a small class d hidden in the centre console feeding my JL front components. I need my boot space for bikes, daughters Cello and other kids stuff.

[griffin dai]

stargazer30 said:

I've used under seat subs and boot subs but in all honestly the best musical bass I've heard has been via a good set of front components speakers in a sound deadened door fed by a half decent or better aftermarket amp.

This^^^^^

Deadening makes a hell of a difference, never felt the need for subs in my old car, 2 way focals comps up front, DLS amp & properly EQ’d & TA’d with a decent head unit.

[Petrolhead]

I have spend so many hours looking at a similar situation for my Boxster. Hard to come up with something where this very little space.

I have pored over various options including under seat subs. My local car audio store, Autosounds (Part of the Four Car Audio group) reccomended a JBL Basspro Nano.

However I am just not convinced its going to give me the bass I want. Dont get me wrong, I don't want window popping bass but I do appreciate decent clean bass.

So my search continues and may end up building my own box, another thread, I know, sorry for rambling.

When I was searching I found this Kenwood sub which minics Audison. If it was smaller I would get it but may suit you as its flat and because its down firing, items can be put on top of it
https://www.amazon.co.uk/JVC-Kenwood-PAW801B/dp/B0...

[phil_cardiff]

griffin dai said:

stargazer30 said:

I've used under seat subs and boot subs but in all honestly the best musical bass I've heard has been via a good set of front components speakers in a sound deadened door fed by a half decent or better aftermarket amp.

This^^^^^

Deadening makes a hell of a difference, never felt the need for subs in my old car, 2 way focals comps up front, DLS amp & properly EQ’d & TA’d with a decent head unit.

How much would that typically set me back, if you don't mind me asking. I wouldn't be changing the head unit but am open to amplifying the signal from it to upgraded speakers in the doors.

[stargazer30]

phil_cardiff said:

griffin dai said:

stargazer30 said:

I've used under seat subs and boot subs but in all honestly the best musical bass I've heard has been via a good set of front components speakers in a sound deadened door fed by a half decent or better aftermarket amp.

This^^^^^

Deadening makes a hell of a difference, never felt the need for subs in my old car, 2 way focals comps up front, DLS amp & properly EQ’d & TA’d with a decent head unit.

How much would that typically set me back, if you don't mind me asking. I wouldn't be changing the head unit but am open to amplifying the signal from it to upgraded speakers in the doors.

I just checked the prices of my kit as of today

Front Speakers: JL Audio C2-650 6.5" 16.5cm 2 Way Component car speakers - £250
Rear Speakers: JL AUDIO C2-650X 6.5 16.5cm 2-Way Coaxial Speaker - £200
Amp: VIBE Powerbox 4 Channel Micro Amplifier - 4 x 65W - £100
Flashing tape from B&Q to deaden the doors - £25
Speaker wire from ebay about £15
Amp wiring kit - ebay about £10 - £15

My advice would be to leave the rear speakers for now and see how you get on with an amp and fronts first. The amp is the weak link above, If you can afford it, anything JL Audio, Focal or similar brand name would be better.