under-seat subwoofer

[Fimbo]

Hi All, I have been contemplating the idea of installing an active subwoofer under one of the seats as means of unobtrusively introducing some base into the terrible, factory-fit, stereo that came with the car! Just wondered if any of you have done this. I dont know the clearance height from the seat base to the floor but there doesnt appear to be a lot of room to get something in. I had my eye on the Kenwood KSC SW01 which is 7cm in height but am doubtful that there is sufficient clearance for it. Any help/input gratefully received.

Thanks.

[justyr]

Why do you need an under-seat subwoofer when you have an under-bonnet ICBM.
Wind the window down and listen to that instead.

[bionicjim]

I've dropped a sub in the back of mine
I'm not going down the pimp my ride root
But when I'm on a long journey and on me tod I do like to have the wireless on
Can't you put it behind the front seats
There are a few subs out there with big power
And 60mm deep

[Toady1]

justyr said:

Why do you need an under-seat subwoofer when you have an under-bonnet ICBM.
Wind the window down and listen to that instead.

music is good to listen to too though, especially if like mentioned above. I didn't buy the TVR for its stereo but it will be getting a look into at some point this year!

[Fimbo]

Thanks for the input. I hadn't thought about dropping it behind the seat - guess I thought it needed to be in an enclosed space but will have a look. Like one other poster said, I'm not looking to 'pimp' it, just improve the sound on long journeys! If you have a particular make/ model of sub to recommend please pass them on . Tks

[geoffphead]

look at the Alpine SWD1600, its a fantastic little sub google it, Ive got a spare one some where

[bionicjim]

At the bottom end something like pioneer 8inch top end jl audio or focal

[RPE11Y]

I looked into this in the past - think you'll find theres bugger-all useable depth under the seats...

[dvs_dave]

Have a look at this thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Discussion on various options and also documenting my solution (with a pic) following similar requirements to yourself. I just wanted better sound without spending a ton on a heavy max power setup and butchering the interior to fit it.

My solution involved getting a decent alpine head unit, fitting tweeters on the dash to bring the sound-stage forward (amazingly effective), adding a bit of dynamat to the inside of the side panels where the factory speakers are mounted (already had upgraded speakers here), and adding an underseat type sub. However rather than putting it under the seat where there is insufficient space, I put it on the front wall/bulkhead of the passenger footwell under the carpet. Totally invisible, cheap, light, and it sounds great!

[Fimbo]

Dave, that's a really interesting set up. I'm thinking that might be the way to go. I haven't burrowed around in the passenger footwell for a while but would it be possible to mount it further up/inside the footwell? It doesnt look like you've given up more than 3-4 inches of leg room - which is neglibile really - but if I could mount it a bit higher I might avoid having to do that. Just a thought.

thanks to the other posters with recommendations about subs. Will have a look.

[dvs_dave]

There isn't really any room to put it anywhere other than where I put it. Any higher up and you've got the heater air pipes and other gubbins in the way. The reduction in legroom is negligible, so much so that nobody has ever noticed, or ever struggled with legroom. Even people well over 6' tall.

[Fimbo]

Thanks Dave. Will take a look on Saturday if rain holds off!

[Robertjp]

I used the passenger footwell for two genesis amplifiers and then cover with a false facia board covered in black alcantara, lost about 3 inches of legroom but no passenger has ever really complained! Most dont notice...

I started with some good quality midbass but they were midbass trying to be subs and werent right for the job...I then put in two 6.5 inch JL subs in the cavity under the rear window.

Very effective and vision blurring bass if you really want it!

The only thing i would change is maybe bringing the sound forward by mounting the mids in the doors at the front of the pockets instead of in the factory fit locations...but its a small niggle and i didnt want to start hacking the door cards...

link to what i did (pics show original midbass - link to the JL's further down, they are incredible little subs.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...