Subwoofer Install w/ Harman Kardon System

[Joe Kraebel]

Thanks, I like how it turned out plus figured the carpet may help with any potential vibration.

No issues with amp clearance and made it with about a 1/4" to spare. I have it mounted on 1/4" MDF plus thickness of carpet. Amp is JL Audio JX500/1D which puts out 300W @ 4ohms and 500 @ 2. Dimensions are 7.83" L x 7.68" W x 2.15" H.

I tinkered with levels some more and tried different positioning and sounds best firing towards back like in pictures and with the hatch cover off. That thing is pretty thick and seemed to kill some of the bass. I kind of want more now. Maybe i'll get another 10 or go with a solo 12

What did you end up setting your LC2i's bass output to as well as Accubass level and threshold. I tuned more by ear at this point but should probably do some level matching. Also not sure if the stock system rolls off the bass at higher volumes.

 

[Shady Acrez]

I've got the bast GT with the 9(?) speakers (non HK). Bass does not roll off. Ended up turning threshold all the way up...and Accubass up damn near 98% before the maximize light came on. Then I dialed it back a smidgen, so now I'm almost at 92%-95%. Also messed with the gains & low pass of the amp just a little....then fine tune everything with the LC21 dash mounted knob dependent on what I'm listening to.

 

[WildBill]

I meant to check this last night but got busy. GT2 w/ HK system...

On the LC2i I cranked my main up most of the way and then dialed it back just a hair in order to "maximise", my AccuBASS is at maybe 25% and the bass setting is again about 25%

I figure that the bass adjustment can come from the front knob.

The gain on my amp is about 50%, the low pass filter is set to around 120 Hz, high pass filter is set to 20 Hz and it has a bass boost adjustment on the amp set to 50% as well.

 

[Shady Acrez]

Interesting setup...I've got a monoblock amp. Gain is about 25%...low pass set to 80hz, cant remember if using bass boost, but if so...no higher than +6 (so about 50%).

Amp is a Polk Pa 880...barely fit in the tire well...lol

 

[DiabloStinger]

Thanks for the pin out info.. made wiring a piece of cake. Now to tune the rest of the system to accommodate for a much louder and crisper bass.

 

[andrew tay]

Anyone tapped the subwoofer output of the HK system? I have read somewhere that the front speaker has high pass filter at 80Hz.

 

[andrew tay]

Update on my project. First...I tapped the rear speakers, looks like you were right...exhaust/engine sounds being piped through those.


Did you tried to tap from the subwoofer output?

 

[Shady Acrez]

No, I did not. In addition to the lc2i & mono amp, also using an epicenter which needs a full signal input. Am planning another install/upgrade...adding lc6 or lc71...replacing door speakers, & adding a mutlichannel amp. Just havent figured out where to mount the multi-channel amp. Also, need to figure out if the factory amp splits signals. This will tell me if i need the lc6 or lc7...plan to place the LOC between factory amp & aftermarket amps. New door speakers just got delivered....ordered back in August, so time to start researching options...

 

[Bill Lesser]

Before chopping up the factory 15 speaker setup, I figured I would leave this here. Any audiophile will immediately recognize this name!

 

[Bill Lesser]

If anyone would have asked me if there would be a day I would see a Lexicon processor in a Kia, I would have probably lagughed myself to death! I also would have never thought I would see Kia build a car like the Stinger, let alone ever own a Kia! But hey, here we are!

 

[Waynerm002]

View attachment 14966Before chopping up the factory 15 speaker setup, I figured I would leave this here. Any audiophile will immediately recognize this name!

Is that the actual amp in the Stinger? I know in Korea the speaker covers and screen has the Lexicon logo and Lexicon (as well as JBL, Infinity, HK and Mark Levison for automotive audio) is a part of Harman, that is now owned by Samsung. It would make sense for them to label it HK in the US as the more renowned names are typically on "luxury" cars. Harman Kardon used to be on BMW, Volvos, etc. as their top audio system, now they have Bang and Olufsen, Bowers and Wilkins, etc.. I've seen Krell being used on KIA vehicles in Korea, the 2019 Cadenza, Forte, Niro and Optima. They step thing up for their home market which is nice. I figured they would probably keep the Lexicon amp and use different names on the speaker covers. I figure they probably use similar components in the system with maybe a couple for features turned on in the one with the higher brand names.

 

[WildBill]

Yes, That is a picture of my amp I posted from digging around in my GT2

 

[andrew tay]

 

[andrew tay]

Installed the sub the other day, I can confirm that I tap the signal from the subwoofer line and it work fine. Built a fibreglass enclosure at the side. The amp is mounted as per WildBill.

 

[WildBill]

Very nice. Do you have any details on the driver or amp you used?

Also, any pics of the build process for the box?

I like how you reincorporated the light into the box. Nice touch.

 

[Waynerm002]

The car's system is plenty good for me, can't deal with massive amounts of bass. For me I would prefer the car to be more insulated from the road noise.

 

[andrew tay]

I did not take photos this time. This is my last install into another car. same proccess

Very nice. Do you have any details on the driver or amp you used?

Also, any pics of the build process for the box?

I like how you reincorporated the light into the box. Nice touch.

 

[andrew tay]

This is what it looked like in another car before I close it with mdf baffle. it needs about 6 layers of fibreglass. Apply like paper mache. I get 0.8 cubic foot of volume in the Stinger with 1 inch frame (pour water in it and measure the volume). The light is a cheap led 12v caravan light which I bought from ebay. Power spliced from the wires to the original boot light.

The car's system is plenty good for me, can't deal with massive amounts of bass. For me I would prefer the car to be more insulated from the road noise.

 

[andrew tay]

After doing much research the best SQ 12 inch sub that will fit in the space is Morel Sub. They are thin and light but carries a lot of power. Most of the american subs would not fit and need bigger volume..unless you have classic american subs like earthquake, JL 12w0, boston pro etc which work in small boxes. The morel sub sound a lot of like the classic boston pro.
I use morel amp mps550 which I think sounds better than JL XD600 at around the same price.
The sub in the photo is Morel Ultimo Titanium. I got it because my mate at the shop has one that he sold to me cheap. its a 1000w RMS 3000w peak sub with 5 inch voice coil, all for just 6 inch deep and weight 5kg. Overkill, I know. I have tried Morel Primo 350w RMS and it just work as well.

Very nice. Do you have any details on the driver or amp you used?

Also, any pics of the build process for the box?

I like how you reincorporated the light into the box. Nice touch.

 

[brancky3]

I did not take photos this time. This is my last install into another car. same proccess

Curious - how much sanding is / was required? I have a JL sub and amp collecting dust in my basement and would love to have it in the car, but not in a space-wasting box.