My Adventures in Upgrading the Subwoofer and Center Speaker

[Starship Enterprise]

System; Agreed! But I didn't want to dive any deeper than I did.

Fruitstang: Agreed! trying to fill that 1300W Pioneer was like throwing a pebble in the ocean and expecting a big wave.

71Stang99: Link to the grill is on page 1 of this thread along with all other purchase links..

The 4 bar grill
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H9IL29S?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

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[71stang99]

System; Agreed! But I didn't want to dive any deeper than I did.

Fruitstang: Agreed! trying to fill that 1300W Pioneer was like throwing a pebble in the ocean and expecting a big wave.

71Stang99: Link to the grill is on page 1 of this thread along with all other purchase links..

The 4 bar grill
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H9IL29S?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Thanks, order placed!

 

[D/\rK•650]

OK, I installed the new sub today. Took 15 minutes. The sub has twin sets of 4 ohm spade connectors. It mounts using 8 screws vs. the 6 Pioneer screws. I just drilled 8 new holes in the box and found 2 more screws. Size-wise it's a perfect drop-in.

So I played SXM and music off my Samsung phone via bluetooth. The difference was staggering! Did it shake the windows? Hell no, but the sound was MUCH MUCH more pronounced than the Pioneer with MUCH more bass response.

Testing was also done with sound faded to 100% rear. Playing SXM, I could hear little digital artifacts, but not from bluetooth. But when sound was balanced to middle of the interior, it sounded FANTASTIC in all modes!!!

The difference was extremely noticeable and a MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT over the Pioneer. The sound overall was louder, clearer, sharper with much better bass response. It just sounded so good!

200W RMS and 400W max, with 86 db. sensitivity, it is a MUCH better match to the stock stereo system vs. the Pioneer.

FWIW, I also keep one rear seat folded down which lets MUCH more sub sound carry through to the front.

I highly recommend this sub. Only $49 at Amazon. Others who got the DD sub probably got a big improvement I'm sure as it also has an 86 db sensitivity.

At this point on the stock amp, I would NOT recommend the Pioneer sub.

Live and learn....

Ok, so the higher the sensitivity and closer rms wattage to stock is the key? I mean without adding an amplifier? Thank you for posting and good job.

 

[System]

The sensitivity is the key. Don't sweat the RMS wattage.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I'm not even close to being a expert on sound specs, but I'm going to say anyway, that it seems to me that higher wattage speaker has a lower sensitivity by default.

That said I originally thought a 74 db speaker has a higher sensitivity than an 86 db speaker, but it seems the opposite is true. Meaning I thought a 74 db speaker only needs 74 db of sound to react making it more sensitive than an 86 db speaker.

But the more I looked at lower wattage subs the higher the db sensitivity number was. So just looking for a lower wattage sub will get you more sensitivity. win/win.

My confusion on all this is why I bought the "wrong" sub first time.

Real world listening to this new sub has told me I was on the right track though. For what I have spent in the last few weeks at the vet for our sick kitty, $49 to try the new sub is a drop in the bucket. Hell, is $49 even a full tank of gas?!?

 

[System]

The higher the sensitivity #, the lower wattage the amp needs to be to drive it efficiently. So yes sir, you had it backwards. That said, it's a cost thing more than a wattage thing. You can buy a highly sensitive sub that can handle plenty of power...

 

[dusman59]

I know db sound as far as noise coming from a an appliaance(example) is non linear. Does that hold true for a speaker sensitivity?

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Can you still use the factory speaker grill with that sub?

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Can you still use the factory speaker grill with that sub?

Good question. I didn't attempt it since I already had the 4 bar grill. First thought is maybe not, but can't say for sure. Can't even remember how the OEM cover attached. Did it clip on or screw on?

Worse comes to worse, the 4 bar grill is only like 12 bucks and attaches with 4 screws.

I can't stress enough how happy I am I took a chance on trying this sub speaker and how amazed at how much more it projects a clean bass sound and it transformed the whole sound system. Like I said, it won't shake your windows, but it is MUCH louder than the Pioneer and it wakes up the sound system as a whole!

Best comparison test is to fade the sound back 100% to the rear on the OEM speaker, swap out.... and compare the old speaker to the new and hear how much more projection the Hifonics makes.

Highly recommend!!! You won't regret it!

(Be sure to get spade connectors for install). I got these for $9.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF1ZSLVZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

kit includes 3 size connectors. Speaker uses the med 4.8mm and wide 6.3mm spade connectors.

 

[dusman59]

If I remember you need to remove the thick gasket to use the OEM grill. I wanted the stock look so incase a need for warranty. I doubt if something went wrong with the B&O dealer would not look into stock looking sub box.

 

[71stang99]

Good question. I didn't attempt it since I already had the 4 bar grill. First thought is maybe not, but can't say for sure. Can't even remember how the OEM cover attached. Did it clip on or screw on?

Worse comes to worse, the 4 bar grill is only like 12 bucks and attaches with 4 screws.

I can't stress enough how happy I am I took a chance on trying this sub speaker and how amazed at how much more it projects a clean bass sound and it transformed the whole sound system. Like I said, it won't shake your windows, but it is MUCH louder than the Pioneer and it wakes up the sound system as a whole!

Best comparison test is to fade the sound back 100% to the rear on the OEM speaker, swap out.... and compare the old speaker to the new and hear how much more projection the Hifonics makes.

Highly recommend!!! You won't regret it!

(Be sure to get spade connectors for install). I got these for $9.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FF1ZSLVZ?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

kit includes 3 size connectors. Speaker uses the med 4.8mm and wide 6.3mm spade connectors.

So I watched a video on YT about installing the Pioneer sub in the box and they bought this type of connector to attach to the factory cables however cut and stripped the spade off to work with the Pioneer.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089Q9K9Z6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

Would those work?

 

[Junkyard Dog]

If I remember you need to remove the thick gasket to use the OEM grill. I wanted the stock look so incase a need for warranty. I doubt if something went wrong with the B&O dealer would not look into stock looking sub box.

My transmission broke!

Sorry, sir. You swapped out the subwoofer. The warranty is off.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

71Stang99:

Wow...my memory is dog crap anymore. I went back to page 1 of this thread and found those are the exact adapters I bought, so yes, they will 100% work.

Last year I stripped the spade connectors to fit inside the Pioneer spring connectors. But for this Hifonics sub it would be truly a plug-and-play with no splicing!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089Q9K9Z6?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

If I had half a brain left, I would have just bought another set of those Red Wolf adapters for the Hifonics sub and not have had to splice the spade connectors on the existing wire like an idiot.

Jeez, it's a wonder I can find my feet to put shoes on anymore....

 

[dusman59]

@Junkyard Dog you are right about a modified sub would not effect a transmission warranty. I was meaning a B&O issue.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

@Junkyard Dog you are right about a modified sub would not effect a transmission warranty. I was meaning a B&O issue.

I have a sense of humor that many do not find funny. I was just making a joke.

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