Subwoofer fix

[Antm72]

Been looking into resolving the subwoofer issue i had in the zed.
I have the HK system and when turned up the sub just tends to quack rather than give bass.
Having removed the top cubby hole cover it revealed the enclosure.


Four screws to remove and the whole unit slides out and one multi plug to undo.

It would appear that two different enclosures are availible for the zed one like mine with 2 5.25" speakers fitted and the other which i believe is a single 6"

6 screws to undo and the enclosure comes apart showing the two speakers. These are fitted kind off back to back and i presume wired out of phase so they move in the same direction.


The speakers i brought where a componant set so have just used the 5.25" speaker with out any crossover as the amps feeding the correct frequencies.

A striaght forward swap out all screws and fixings identical.



Refitting was just the reverse of the dismantling.
Happy with the sound has given a better mid bass sound, Its an improvement for sure and an easy job for anyone with the same issues.

 

[Don N]

Can't wait to try this! My sub is so blown. It looks easy. But the tan cover - does that just pull off? I didn't want to break anything.

 

[Antm72]

Yes it clips in with two clips the same as what holds a door card on and two push fittings at the rear quite easy to get off....

 

[5harp3y]

Great write up, mine's popping like crazy. looks like an easy fix!

where did you get the speakers from?

 

[Antm72]

They where only a cheap set really from halfords but for what the system is they are up to the job they had a deal on for them. They were 30 quid not bad for a component set.
Wasn't looking for something to shake the car just give a better sound and they fit the bill.

 

[Lee]

Wow if i knew it was that easy i would have done that years ago.

 

[5harp3y]

Took mine off to check the speakers and it is literally the easiest thing to do.

Mine still pop and crack at high volume but I'm guessing they just ain't man enough for the head unit now.

Might upgrade soon as components are cheap

 

[Rha]

Well I'm shocked at how easy it is for the HK owners to swap in some decent speakers making their upgrade really easy. Still not put off with what Im doing, I've got the HERTZ component set fitted so if this sub box fits then it's into the boot with amp in old changer location and wiring down the drivers side then see what it sounds like. Will use the little pull out bin front as a template for something that looks in keeping with the top speaker cover if possible.

Roy.

 

[zedonist]

The reason your speakers are popping on the HK or HiFi system is because your are playing an amplified signal from your new HU through an amplifier, this is fine at low volume, but at high volume the power coming into the amplifier is too much that it shuts it self down, the clipping thecsound is the amplifier switching on and off repeatedly, over a period of time the amplifier just breaks, or can feed back and break the HU.

With a high power HU (50 watts per channel etc), then you need to run the speakers direct from the HU bypassing the amp to get the best output, in order to use the amp, you need to run RCA's which have no amplified signal, and the amp will not clip. I doubt though very much that an oem amp will allow rca connections. So again it is best to bypass the oem amp and fit after market.

My system completely by passes the oem wiring, does not clip and provides excellent sound reproduction, even though it is a roadster.

On the subject of the sub, it will never sound like a sub as the speakers used are mid speakers not bass speakers, so at best will give you some great fill in, which will help to bring the tone up from the floor, so all in still good.

If you want proper bass then for oem solution you can fit the 6.5" kicker cvt sub into the oem enclosure (single speaker type) or as i did buy a bespoke enclosure. Another thing to bear in mind unlike tweeters and mids, bass is not directional, it is felt more than heard due the long sound wave. Therefore the subs that you see facing upwards are of no use as you need the bass in the cabin, therefore if you can't fit In the oem position, I would fit a slim under seat active variant in your passenger footwell, both methods work well.

 

[Rha]

The reason your speakers are popping on the HK or HiFi system is because your are playing an amplified signal from your new HU through an amplifier, this is fine at low volume, but at high volume the power coming into the amplifier is too much that it shuts it self down, the clipping thecsound is the amplifier switching on and off repeatedly, over a period of time the amplifier just breaks, or can feed back and break the HU.

With a high power HU (50 watts per channel etc), then you need to run the speakers direct from the HU bypassing the amp to get the best output, in order to use the amp, you need to run RCA's which have no amplified signal, and the amp will not clip. I doubt though very much that an oem amp will allow rca connections. So again it is best to bypass the oem amp and fit after market.

My system completely by passes the oem wiring, does not clip and provides excellent sound reproduction, even though it is a roadster.

On the subject of the sub, it will never sound like a sub as the speakers used are mid speakers not bass speakers, so at best will give you some great fill in, which will help to bring the tone up from the floor, so all in still good.

If you want proper bass then for oem solution you can fit the 6.5" kicker cvt sub into the oem enclosure (single speaker type) or as i did buy a bespoke enclosure. Another thing to bear in mind unlike tweeters and mids, bass is not directional, it is felt more than heard due the long sound wave. Therefore the subs that you see facing upwards are of no use as you need the bass in the cabin, therefore if you can't fit In the oem position, I would fit a slim under seat active variant in your passenger footwell, both methods work well.

Hi Zedonist, I'm not really after pure bass that's why I purchased a mid speaker which will hopefully fill in a little when run by its own amp and the rest by the HU, must admit I didn't know about a bass speaker being no use pointing up so maybe by purchasing a mid range speaker I'll be able to get that little extra fill in even though it's pointing up, if not then I'll have to re think, what do you think.?
Rha,Roy.

 

[zedonist]

I used the hertz kit as you know, and because the 5.25" are shallow mount I also fitted a pair flush mount to the rear. I did this for two reasons, one it provides fill and it lifts the sound station up to the dash, I also enhanced this with putting the tweeters into the windscreen as far up and forward, this stops the brightness being right at the side of you.

I think if you port your sub back into the cabin it should be fine, like you say your only looking for good Hi Fi sound only, what I would say is at higher volumes it will sound harsh and too bright without the bass to bring it down.

 

[5harp3y]

@zedonist thanks for the advice on the clipping, I heard heard that from other forums.

I might invest in a small amp. To replace the harman kardon version. Do you recommend any particular one?

 

[Antm72]

Im not running an aftermarket headunit mine is the bmw Business unit its all stock the speakers where just toast....

 

[zedonist]

Alpine are as good as anything out there for this type of requirement something around 300 watts will do.

The oem speakers are made from pressed paper the inner and outer cones tear over time, the foam degrades and then they just fail, on a car over 15 years old they are going to want changing.

 

[Antm72]

Just to add to this have upgraded the HU now and have an adapter from the unit to the H.K system and only uses the rca out so the H.K system works perfectly just with better sound.

 

[Keith_Thompson]

Replacing the 6.5 inch sub in the oem enclosure. Should I remove the padding inside the enclosure?

 

[t-tony]

Hi Keith, Ant hasn't been a regular on the forum for quite a while now. Try searching Z3 Sub and seeing what he did. I did hear it first hand at my place and driving his Z3. It was awesome.

Tony.