JL Audio Subwoofer + Amp for my 120i - opinion wanted

[@ri]

Hey guys.

Some background info - As you may/may not know I have a 120i Convertible. I have the professional hi-fi system installed currently (2 line display, MP3) with Aux and USB option.

I mainly listen to dance, trance, electro and house music.

So i've been looking at this subwoofer+amp setup for a while on 1Addicts, and it seems like an awesome setup! So OEM which is what I love.. Also takes up like NO boot space as it's installed in the little side section on the left of the boot..

Amp fits under the boot lining where the battery is (so practically a few cm of wiring needed too )

The components used are:

-JL Audio W6 10" Sub
-JL Audio 500/1 Amplifier

If I were to go with such a setup:

- would just run the sub off of the amp and leave the stock speakers running off the amp?

Here are some pics of the setup:
W6 Sub:

W7 Sub ( a bit bigger but still 10"):

So what I want to do is have the exact setup above (amp and all), but have the W6 sub instead of the W7 (as the W7 protrudes a bit).

So:
- What do you guys think?
- How much is a setup like this going to set me back?

Thought I'd ask you guys as some of you know about your sound, and wanted to get an idea of what I should be expected to pay before I go asking for quotes.

Thanks :thumbsup:

 

[Rennzport]

does the amp not get hot when it's covered like that?

---

oh, and dont u have less space in a convertible?

 

[clutchplate]

hmmm, dude that'll look sweet, not sure how much your gonna pay for JL equipment, but it shouldn't be too ruff.
boxes ussually are about 300-450. but that setup there looks tricky.. to get the correct volume of air inside that box for that sub... well, thats gonna be tricky.

 

[zaleonardz]

Hi @RI,

Ok there are a few ways to answer your question. Firstly, there are no pure music/unamplified signals (AKA RCA's) available in your car, and there is no way to tap into them on standard equipment.

A decent amplifier requires a very low voltage level and the amplifies that sound, usually around 2v but can go as high as 6v in some setups, therefore it is not possible to use a standard amplifier to drive your entire sound stage.

However, you get what are called hi to low converters, which means they convert already amplified (enough to make a speaker move) signal into a low voltage signal which is then an input into an amplifier.

The question is then, how can you make the sub work, sub frequancy responses work on very low hertz, thus it is possible to put an inferior or perhaps not the best hi to low converter in for the sub, and you will not get any or much distortion at the lower frequancy range using a hi/low converter.

However, when you climb into your high and midrange, hi/low converters really distort your sound input, meaning that with hi/lows, you will get poor sound quality in the higher frequancies, making it sound like crap.

To fully turn your standard deck from hi (amplified signals) into low pre-amp signals, you need a signal processor, such as the JL Audio clean sweep or the audio control LCR6i, what this does is in a very over simplified explination, it actually has a processsor that "Restores" the input signal into a clean signal, and then you can do a full range playback, these cost about R4000.00

Now again, you can patch into your existing sub with a hi/low converter, and it will sound pretty decent (although not perfect), and as such, you can then install an aftermarket sub, but if you want to go full range (mid's and tweeters), you will need one of the processors that I mentioned above @ about 4k.

Your question is, are you happy with the mid range, and only want to improve the bass (lower band), if so, then a hi/low on the exisiting sub using the config that you mentioned above will be cool.

If you want to amplify everything, you will need a processor as well for it to sound decent. I will do a DIY on my E65 with a full sound stage conversion soon, but I will be inputting a full processor.

PM me and I'll give you my number if I can help some more

LZ

 

[@ri]

Thanks for the detailed explanation LZ. Appreciate it.

I was just thinking of running the sub off of the amp to add a little "boom" and keeping my current speaker setup as it is.

So as I understand it, it's just the higher range/band (which are the mids + speakers + tweeters) that is affected by these hi/low converters ? the sub should be fine to run off of a hi/lo?

My stock sound is good as it is (i have two small stock subs under each of the front seats), but i wouldn't mind some more bass without it distorting..

I was wondering if I had the setup like above, would I turn the bass on the head unit down so that the stock sub's do not distort?

Thanks man! :thumbsup:

 

[zaleonardz]

@ri,

There is a little bit of signal loss on the bass frequancy with a hi/low, but you will almost not hear it, so yes, it will be ok.

You can always try disconnecting the subs in the front seats, or you can put in a resistor to tone them down a bit, and then set up the amp at the back, without having to touch the bass section of the EQ

If you adjust the bass on the head unit down which should work as well considering its a small sub and will be hardly noticable. Do the current subs distort at high or full volume ?

But from what I can tell, you should be good with a single cheapish hi/low for this single sub config, and it will give you that bit extra "umph" that you need, so go for it

LZ

This install should cost i think (Im rusty with prices, been out of the game)

Hi/Low 300
Wiring Kit 400ish
Sub 1,200
Amp 2,000
Installation with material 1500 to 2000

So your looking I would think of about 6k

LZ

 

[@ri]

I cant remember if its the speakers or subs that distort at high volume...Will check

Thanks LZ really appreciate it!

Must admit it was a bit more than I imagined!

Now to start saving up

 

[zaleonardz]

Cool man...

tis a pleasure