Under-Seat Subwoofer Issues

[davebo]

Yes, I've played a SPL bass track just to test different frequencies.

If it's not doing much, give it some more time to break in, but if it's not doing anything go straight to your dealership because you're not the only one having this problem and eventually Kia is going to have to say something to the dealers.

 

[AV8R]

Here the link
Under-Seat Subwoofer Issues

 

[Kia Stinger]

Yes, I've played a SPL bass track just to test different frequencies.

Welcome aboard, @Release. Thank you for signing up. Sorry to hear about the bass issue you're having...

 

[Dick Dastardly]

For me personally, I think the HK system is one of the nicest and most balanced I have had in a car.
Everyone who drives with me notes how good the sound quality is.
I like loud when driving fast and never had any distortion in sound. Not sure I want to have surround sound vibrations through my arse, I prefer my music through my ears.
So maybe the subs don't replicate earth tremors but they are certainly giving a balance which overall is great.

 

[Tazztattoo]

Hi Dominic are you in Nsw? Need mine checking, could use your dealer. Mine is pretty clueless.

Hi Oz,

I would be keen to see a comparison of my subs sound to yours with the improved performance you mention since visiting the dealership. I still cant feel anything with my hand directly of the sub but placing a piece of paper on them today you can see a very small amount of air movement so they are working........ but just barely.

If you watch the video here the system is at high volume with high bass EQ setting and playing a Spotify song (Pony by Ginuwine) that has plenty of DOOF DOOF!

I cant complain about the HK system as overall it does sound good, it just seems like it should have a lot more potential if the subs were actually working like subs should making the bass vibrate through the seat.

 

[AV8R]

Hi Oz,

I would be keen to see a comparison of my subs sound to yours with the improved performance you mention since visiting the dealership. I still cant feel anything with my hand directly of the sub but placing a piece of paper on them today you can see a very small amount of air movement so they are working........ but just barely.

If you watch the video here the system is at high volume with high bass EQ setting and playing a Spotify song (Pony by Ginuwine) that has plenty of DOOF DOOF!

I cant complain about the HK system as overall it does sound good, it just seems like it should have a lot more potential if the subs were actually working like subs should making the bass vibrate through the seat.

Looks ok to me.

 

[Ozstung]

Hi Oz,

I would be keen to see a comparison of my subs sound to yours with the improved performance you mention since visiting the dealership. I still cant feel anything with my hand directly of the sub but placing a piece of paper on them today you can see a very small amount of air movement so they are working........ but just barely.

If you watch the video here the system is at high volume with high bass EQ setting and playing a Spotify song (Pony by Ginuwine) that has plenty of DOOF DOOF!

I cant complain about the HK system as overall it does sound good, it just seems like it should have a lot more potential if the subs were actually working like subs should making the bass vibrate through the seat.

Coincidentally parked the car reading your post and was just thinking sound was up to 45 and it is only as loud as my mini hifi stereo at home. Will do the paper test when i get home.

 

[AV8R]

I reckon it’s a loose wire some where.

 

[Jin]

No to extremely low sub output on my GT2. Failed paper test. Using Spotify via CarPlay at extreme quality settings. Something is definitely up with these subs.

 

[Never thought]

No to extremely low sub output on my GT2. Failed paper test. Using Spotify via CarPlay at extreme quality settings. Something is definitely up with these subs.

Paper might be too heavy. Try a dollar bill. That’s the Kia test

 

[Ozstung]

Paper might be too heavy. Try a dollar bill. That’s the Kia test

My local car audio shop had a look at the subs under the seat and said mine were working .He did say they were acceptable but a bit on the small and weak side. Personally i couldnt get much of a flutter out of an atm receipt. Did expect more noise out of spotifier. Radio though- not too bad.

 

[Kia Stinger]

No to extremely low sub output on my GT2. Failed paper test. Using Spotify via CarPlay at extreme quality settings. Something is definitely up with these subs.

Welcome aboard, @Jin! Thank you for signing up. Sorry to hear about the low output on those subs. It seems to be a very common complaint. I bet we'll see a TSB before too long...

Paper might be too heavy. Try a dollar bill. That’s the Kia test

Check the video a few posts up. It looks like plain paper moving on the speaker...

My local car audio shop had a look at the subs under the seat and said mine were working .He did say they were acceptable but a bit on the small and weak side. Personally i couldnt get much of a flutter out of an atm receipt. Did expect more noise out of spotifier. Radio though- not too bad.

Working but unacceptable... I bet there's some kind of wiring issue where many of these subwoofers are either getting no power - or too little...

 

[wildflowerdj]

With almost 700 miles driven, the subs on my GT2 seem louder and "punchier" than when I drove it off the lot. In fact, last night on the way home from work, with the volume at 25, my rear view mirror vibrates. I was listening to XM at the time. It seems there really is a "break in" period for these subs.

 

[oxide365]

i can also say that my subs opened up a bit after blasting the speakers at 40+ volume, also only use USB now. i suspect for bluetooth and XM cross over is set too high for the subs

 

[oxide365]

that said, when do we get a proper EQ for the tweaking the sound? any code to get to service menu?>

 

[Sting]

Guys, i mentioned before in this post that subs do need a break in period, like the car.
After 2 months and now 3 months later it is aqesome. Big dif from the time I purchased.
Some where her in the post I mentioned the settings and the types ov various music to play.
Also, being an ex Dj my music ian ecletic collection. From Classical to Heavy rock.
Now, my mp3 are mostly 320Kbit, nothing below 192!.
In saying that the last 3 weeks have been playing flac.even better, no compression.
Now, not to damage the speakers playing any of these at high volume at any time, especially during break in period is No No!
Above all music should not be clipping!! I use a freebie "mp3 Gain" to get it right say between 92 and 96db. Trustme it makes ahuge difference.
DOOF DOOFbeats are S#$T, full stop.
Subtle deep bass sound to heavier drum and bass arr great sounding.
Tryin searching for or uf you have THUNDERSTRUCK remix of a kind. With good recording. Sussudio by Phil Collins extended version and so on.. whatever you like.

My music level does not go above 30 to 35.
It's loud, bassy and overall music whatever it is, sound crisp and engaging!
Settings:
CLAR fi On
Bass +5
Mid 3
Treble +6
Also need to turn the overall volume mid to high. In the audio setup.

Now, some might have geuine issues with their subs.
If the wiring is is all good, then comes the amp.
Not knowing the specs of the subs, need to find how low the bass is setup..22 to 40hz??

showing video for setup and to hear is all good. But you really need to hear it live from any if the others who are willing to share.

Service guys are not much help!

Oh btw KIA STINGER, thanks for fixong up the dot on Stinger!!!

 

[PA_RN]

No issues with the subs for me. I found that clari-fi seems to really help on some sources like XM radio. Haven’t really used to quantum logic surround settings much so can’t say if that impacts it at all. Few times I used it can’t decide if I like the effect or not. Maybe early runs have wiring issues like the rear hatch rattle?

 

[Tri-Cities Owner]

Regarding the issue of the subs:

• According to Kia Customer Assistance, some of the subs were not activated (turned on) on the amplifier. I was told to have serviced at my dealer.
• Also according to Kia Customer Assistance no break-in period should be needed for the sub or any other speaker. My own experience would agree with this.

 

[Stinger73]

Awesome as it sounds like an easy fix. It's just a matter of convincing the dealer, I will call Kia Customer Assistance tomorrow about it and for them to let the dealer know. Thanks.

 

[AV8R]

Regarding the issue of the subs:

• According to Kia Customer Assistance, some of the subs were not activated (turned on) on the amplifier. I was told to have serviced at my dealer.
• Also according to Kia Customer Assistance no break-in period should be needed for the sub or any other speaker. My own experience would agree with this.

Let us know what the end result is after fix