Subwoofer Install Questions: Best Approach

[TheBusch]

For those of you have who have added subwoofer(s) to their stock systems, I want to know what the best tap-off would be. Should I tap before the amplifier and not use the stock sub, or is there no issue with simply tapping off the stock sub and leaving it connected?

In addition, will I need an LOC from either of those options or are they pre-amp ready? If this answer changes based on trim level (GT, GT1, GT2) please specify. Thank you!

Also, if anyone has found a good spot for a decent sub box that does not take up room in the center trunk space, let me know. I assume smaller but capable subs would be the better option.

 

[mfenske]

Generally, you'd probably want to disconnect the factory subwoofers if you're using different ones as they're different distances from your ears and could sound funny. Everyone I've seen do an install has tapped the signal from the amplifier in the rear passenger side of the car and most folks have used some sort of LOC (unless your amp takes a high level input). Importshark makes a box that fits in the back but it's pretty spendy. I'm leaning towards something easily removable for when I need more space.

 

[Snowwhite]

I tapped the sub outputs at the stock amp using an amp that had high level inputs to keep things simple. The amp is in the spare tire well, so the sub is moveable (or removable entirely by disconnecting the speaker wire banana plugs) if I need the space. Note that the rest of the speakers in the car have some of those frequencies filtered out, so using other inputs may not work out they way you intend.

 

[mfenske]

Hey @Snowwhite digging the old school Solobaric!

 

[Snowwhite]

Hey @Snowwhite digging the old school Solobaric!

that frankensub has been in most of the cars I've owned since college. It started life as a Boston Acoustics sub, when that stopped working, I replaced the driver with the Solobaric and it keeps on kicking. It is currently hooked up to an Alpine monoblock.

 

[Stiletto]

I knew that I wouldn't be able to get the bass I wanted from anything smaller than 10". Plus, I have an SUV if I need to haul stuff.

The amp and LOC fit easily in the spare tire well. The tap is on the factory amp off the rear speakers, but you could pull from the sub wires if you wanted.

 

[mfenske]

Hey @Stiletto how you like that Soundigital amp? I hear good things about them and was thinking of a few of them for the Stinger.

 

[Stiletto]

Hey @Stiletto how you like that Soundigital amp? I hear good things about them and was thinking of a few of them for the Stinger.

At first, I was worried that it would not hold up. But, I've pushed it several times and hasn't cut or failed me.

 

[mfenske]

@Stiletto one more question for you-happen to know the threading on the bolts you attached to board to? I'm assuming it's metric? M6?

 

[Stiletto]

@Stiletto one more question for you-happen to know the threading on the bolts you attached to board to? I'm assuming it's metric? M6?

I don't, sorry. I paid a shop to do the install.

 

[TheBusch]

Generally, you'd probably want to disconnect the factory subwoofers if you're using different ones as they're different distances from your ears and could sound funny. Everyone I've seen do an install has tapped the signal from the amplifier in the rear passenger side of the car and most folks have used some sort of LOC (unless your amp takes a high level input). Importshark makes a box that fits in the back but it's pretty spendy. I'm leaning towards something easily removable for when I need more space.

Do the GT and GT1 trims have two subwoofers? I haven't been able to find any write-ups on non-HK stinger installs to find the stock amp location/pinout for those


edit: I think I found it if anyone needs the info as well

http://www.kstinger.com/external_amp-745.html

 

[mfenske]

Do the GT and GT1 trims have two subwoofers? I haven't been able to find any write-ups on non-HK stinger installs to find the stock amp location/pinout for those


edit: I think I found it if anyone needs the info as well

http://www.kstinger.com/external_amp-745.html

As near as I can tell my GT1 has 2.

 

[sting me]

Simple and effective install:

LC2i tapping the floor woofers
JL 500/1D with remote bass knob
JL CS110LG-TW3 @ 2ohm attached to the rear seat

 

[Snowwhite]

wow! how did you attach to the seat? I like the space saving aspect of that sub.

 

[sting me]

wow! how did you attach to the seat? I like the space saving aspect of that sub.

Honestly I just removed the sub and drove 3-4 screws into it. It's been like that for 8k miles already and hasn't loosened or budged in any way. The signal wire is on the right side and spaced so the seat still folds perfectly flat, there's basically no fitment issues at all. And it will shake the mirrors all day long.

 

[Travis Wills]

I have been considering the 12” low profile sub below. It is sturdy but still had one active and one passive 12” sub in it. I think I would need to add another dedicated sub amp though? It is a 500 watt 2 ohm sub.

Kicker 47TRTP122

Sealed downward-firing enclosure with 12" 2-ohm shallow-mount subwoofer and passive radiator

www.crutchfield.com

 

[Travis Wills]

Do the GT and GT1 trims have two subwoofers? I haven't been able to find any write-ups on non-HK stinger installs to find the stock amp location/pinout for those


edit: I think I found it if anyone needs the info as well

http://www.kstinger.com/external_amp-745.html

Does anyone know what the amp is for a GT2? Also does the GT2 have one or two subs? What kind of wattage does the factory amp put out for 2 ohms?

 

[sting me]

Does anyone know what the amp is for a GT2? Also does the GT2 have one or two subs? What kind of wattage does the factory amp put out for 2 ohms?

This is the amp for the GT1/GT2


They both have two subs. I haven't ohmed the subs out to see what they are stock, but suffice it to say you probably aren't going to want to run your aftermarket subs off the factory amp. There's also no adjustment built into the car for the levels sent to those subs.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

 

[Travis Wills]

This is the amp for the GT1/GT2
View attachment 52407

They both have two subs. I haven't ohmed the subs out to see what they are stock, but suffice it to say you probably aren't going to want to run your aftermarket subs off the factory amp. There's also no adjustment built into the car for the levels sent to those subs.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help!

Thanks. Do you know if we can add our own amp just for the sub channels and then bypass the factory amp just for the sub output? Then run a bass control knob for the sub control.

 

[sting me]

Thanks. Do you know if we can add our own amp just for the sub channels and then bypass the factory amp just for the sub output? Then run a bass control knob for the sub control.

That's exactly what I did. I tapped the OEM sub wires for signal, used an AudioControl LC2i to convert them to line level, and used a JL amp and bass knob (as well as some tuning on the LC2i) to power the sub!