Compact Sub Setup in Convertible?
 

Hi There, I have a 2008 bmw m3 convertible with the upgraded (bmw professional) sound system (13 speakers, inc. 2 underseat 8" subs)...

I really dont want to heavily mod the sound system as everything is controlled via the I-drive and the stock sound is somewhat decent... However, the bass is pretty weak as the underseat woofers do more midbass than anything else.

Does anyone have any suggestions for a small high powered amp (im thinking class D here obviously) and 1 or 2 12" subs that play low in a compact enclosure...

The tough thing I guess is getting bass in a convertible, but at least the good news for me installing this is the battery and stock amp (line level input) are already in the trunk.

I would like to keep this in or around $1000 if possible!

Thanks in advance

How compact is compact? figure out how much space you can give up...width, height, depth...and then we'll try to give you some options. The budget is good, but 2x12's takes a bit of space regardless of box type.

found this on youtube:

YouTube - BMW e36 Convertible Subwoofer Install ib108 - Enclosure Moun

maybe give those guys a shout... they may have something for your application

but if i had to pick something out, maybe a JL audio TW5 13.5 shallow mount and a 500/1 JL amp

I have this is my 1993 Mercedes E-class convertible
It takes about 6" away from the passenger side foot area. Still lots of room.

This is the space im dealing with roughly:
http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...36345.2-lg.jpg

There is a partition that fold down to protect items from the roof when its put down. The side areas of the trunk are off limits. It's tight, but the height actually improves the deeper you go into the trunk and the depth is also pretty good. Width of that space under the partition has got to be 30" or so.

Consider a pair of the Pioneer Premiere shallow mount 10" or if you think you need them 12" subs. (cough on sale right now...). The first thing that is going to limit you is the size of the box. If you don't want to lose your trunk, the shallow mount drivers are great at offering respectable output in a really small box. They are a tried and true subwoofer so I know they will provide a highly predictable outcome for you. Pioneer also has a small mono amp (class D) that will suit your application perfectly as well. I would look at using a Audio Control LC6i + bass remote to integrate into the factory system. It will take your speaker level input and convert it into a rca level signal, throw a line driver behind it to give it a stronger signal and give you a up front level control for the sub. This should be exactly what you need, more than enough output, a good match to the factory system and control over it when you need it.

my experience with pioneers is that they are utter junk sound even wqorse....there are many far better woofers to choose from....ones ive peronally used and liked include the earthquake sws, kicker cvt and the avi......all of which have sounded sustantially better than the pioneer

After my last run around with Earthquake (still waiting actually after over a 1year and with the shallow mount subs for that matter), never again will I sell their equipment to anyone. If they cannot service me, how can I service a customer? AVI, sure we have had great success with as well. Kicker, not a dealer so I will not comment on them.

Dave as you are not a Pioneer dealer, I wonder how many you have sold or installed? As a dealer of the line I have not had one bad shallow mount sub since day 1 that they came out. They perform great in a small enclosure and fit this customers application. If he wants to spend more $ on the more expensive AVI, great, does he need to, not at all. These subs will work perfect for the budget that he has.

Hi MR2NR, thanks for the advice... I was looking at around $1000 for sub(s)/amp only, not factoring in installation, wiring, line level converter etc... so perhaps something a little better than Pioneer (even if it means pushing $1000 a bit)

I think Jalat's idea so far of the Tw5 and 500/1 seems most appealing, is the tw5 high excursion? is it a lot of output for 1 sub?

i have a future shop 2 blocks from me and have installed a disturbing amount( maybe 6- or 8, even 1 was too much) of the piles of dog crap........i find it amusing that you used the word perfect to describe a pioneer shallow mount woofer.....btw i got 3rd in the world with a earthquake shallow mount mount woofer and 2nd highest points in my class so they cant be all that bad and i believe i paid just over 100 bucks for it.....he count d a paid of kicker cvt 10's for around 350 for the pair and there are countless amps that will fit the bill, be in his budget and sound unspeakably better that the pioneers.....this from some who has used both