It's All About That Bass

[stevej37]

My new Civic has a Bose 9 speaker system that sounds good...but I wouldn't mind having some extra bass. I don't want to hack into the 10" infotainment screen...so easy installation is a must.
I saw these 12" self powered subs at Crutchfield....a little pricey, but they might be just the thing. Easy install..just power from the battery and splice into the existing sub.

My only worry is that it might change something in the Bose system to degrade the other speakers. JL Audio has excellent reviews.
Any opinions?


https://www.crutchfield.com/p_13693335/JL-Audio-ACS112LG-TW1.html

[aschen]

Its JL so you know it will be pretty decent. Cracks me up that it is rated at .25ohm and has a .25 ohm voice coil. maybe so the amps rails can run at 12v instead of having a step up power supply./

It wont degrade the other speakers the input impedence will be very high to the speaker level inputs. The last time I installed a car stereo, the late 90s, you had to be careful with bose wiring because the speakers were built as modules with electronics and amplifiers local. Not sure if that is still a thing, but you need access to the speaker level analog signal.

I think 12 in jl may be overkill for a factory system. Would be tempted to try to sneak something like this under the seat, if there is room.

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_109BASPRO2/JBL-BassPro-SL-2.html?tp=114

[911boost]

Is the Bose system fiber optic cables or normal wires? I know that’s an issue for Porsches with Bose….

[stevej37]

^^^ Aschen
Thanks for the explanation. I know nothing about the Bose systems.
The sub that is currently in the rear deck is an 8"...so I wanted to upgrade. JL also has a 10"...but it's about the same price as the 12"
I'm thinking I can take the line out signal right from the sub that is already there.

There is no room under the seats...I already checked that out when my phone slid under there.

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Is the Bose system fiber optic cables or normal wires? I know that’s an issue for Porsches with Bose….

I think normal....I'll take another look at the sub later on to be sure.

[Steve Carlton]

[stevej37]

^^^ exactly!

(still waiting for the fishermen to show pics)

[stevej37]

Originally Posted by 911boost

Is the Bose system fiber optic cables or normal wires? I know that’s an issue for Porsches with Bose….

I just now checked...the sub connector in my car has two wires (red and white) connected to it.
So..I'm sure it's not fiber optic.

[911boost]

That is good, my 996 used the Bose with the MOST system and it made swapping out anything a nightmare.

[stevej37]

^^^ from what I've heard from others...the noise cancellation feature might need to be defeated.
I've seen that option on my screen..so that would be no problem.

Maybe I have the feature name wrong...but it raises and lowers the sound relative to road noise. And if 'on' it can cause the bass to cut out when stopped in traffic.
I wouldn't want that.

[stevej37]

It also comes with a remote bass level control.
Would be handy for adjusting the level while driving.

[Steve Carlton]

Don't waste your money on a new set of speakers
You get more mileage from a cheap pair of sneakers

[stevej37]

^^^ I have plenty of sneakers....but only one speaker.

This one will reside on the back seat area and boost the bass.

[john70t]

I'm awaiting the build-pics required to run 12" copper wire to the sub-amp in back.
Please include window sealant and nasa panel clamps used.

[stevej37]

^^^ 8 gauge wire from the battery to the sub.
lighter gauge for the wires between the sub and the existing sub/speaker for the line-in.

I hate routing wires for stuff like this. I've done it before and it's never fun.

[fanaudical]

Meghan's all right, but this is my favorite version of that song:



The nice thing about low-frequency bass is that it travels throughout the car and location of the subwoofer can be relatively unimportant. My wife's Q3 has the subwoofer located in trunk area in a removable "support" between the spare tire and the removable panel above it.

[look 171]

I have a 10" Cervin Vega sub under the seat of my truck. Since I am not into the Boom, boom, boom down the street, its just the typical sub woofer that added a lot of quality sound to my existing system. All the speakers blew on the driver side so I had the stereo installer put in Focal separates into all my doors. Its sounds great and the bass is adjustable to eliminate it from over powering the other speakers. If you ask me, having any one of those pancake sub under the seat is better then the best door and dash speakers. I am very happy with mine but I am sure it isn't as good as the top end subs out there but more then good enough for me. Oh yeah, I did have a Pioneer head unit installed and I am sure that made a huge difference compared to the existing. My wife's van has the Boss system and factory sub. I didn't think it sounded all that great compared to what I installed in the truck.

[stevej37]

Yes...she does a great job with that song.

Originally Posted by fanaudical

Meghan's all right, but this is my favorite version of that song:



The nice thing about low-frequency bass is that it travels throughout the car and location of the subwoofer can be relatively unimportant. My wife's Q3 has the subwoofer located in trunk area in a removable "support" between the spare tire and the removable panel above it.

[Zeke]

You moving to Compton?

Originally Posted by stevej37

My new Civic has a Bose 9 speaker system that sounds good...but I wouldn't mind having some extra bass.

[stevej37]

^^^ One of those will not be a window or mirror rattler. But it will give more bass than the 8 inch one on the rear deck. I like being able to feel the bass.