My Adventures in Upgrading the Subwoofer and Center Speaker

[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?

I did look this up. It is non linear. Say a speaker has 74db vs 86db a 12db gain would sound 4 times loader to your ears. Your amp would have to work much harder (16 times)to match the same volume as the 86db speaker. Considering Ai can be wrong anyone that is an expert please correct.

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[Junkyard Dog]

I did look this up. It is non linear. Say a speaker has 74db vs 86db a 12db gain would sound 4 times loader to your ears. Your amp would have to work much harder (16 times)to match the same volume as the 86db speaker. Considering Ai can be wrong anyone that is an expert please correct.

If you spend a little more money, how much higher can this 74 to 86 dB rating go in speakers of this size?

 

[dusman59]

You can get a higher db(95/99) rated 10"woofer for $250 to $350 but you run into ohms rating to match B&O system and speaker depth to fit the box.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

All I can say I I spent time in the car today and could not get over the fact I was hearing music BEHIND me FOR THE FIRST TIME!

The sound is so much fuller now!

 

[Frank 60th Anniv. Mustang]

I ordered the DD SW10A-D4.
Subwoofer Comparison on Factory Amp

• • DD Audio SW10A-D4:
    • Sensitivity: ~86 dB (1W/1M) – Highly efficient, meaning it converts low factory wattage into much higher volume without straining.
    • Performance: Delivers punchy, hard-hitting bass that easily outperforms the thin stock paper speaker on stock power.
  • Pioneer (e.g., TS-A250D4 / TS-D10D4):
    • Sensitivity: ~74–76 dB (1W/1M) – Very low efficiency.
    • Performance: While it provides a tighter, crisper sound than the stock cone, it requires significantly more power to come alive. Running it purely off the weak factory B&O amp can leave it feeling quiet or underpowered unless paired with an external mono amp.

Factory B&O Subwoofer Wattage

• • Power Output: Ford and B&O market the total system at 1,000 watts, but the dedicated sub channel from the factory amplifier supplies only an estimated 100 watts RMS max.
  • Impedance: The factory enclosure houses a dual voice coil setup wired at 4 ohms per coil (or a low-ohm load handled by the factory DSP), which is why dual 4-ohm (D4) aftermarket replacements like the DD or Pioneer match the wiring layout mechanically.
• Hope this helps everyone. I haven't installed it yet, but for $135 total on Amazon with wire harness and polyfil, not sure if I can go wrong.

All I can say I I spent time in the car today and could not get over the fact I was hearing music BEHIND me FOR THE FIRST TIME!

The sound is so much fuller now!

Just installed the DD Redline sw10A D4 and all I can say is... WOW!!! WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!! Took about an hour. Perfect punch and really steps up the entire listening experience.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Congrats!!! Looks good too! My Hifonics didn't come with a trim ring unfortunately. But it's just a trunk, so I don't care too much.

I'd love to hear the Redline and Hifonics side by side to see who wins. Would have to hear in person though, no way a video could capture a true difference.

 

[Frank 60th Anniv. Mustang]

Congrats!!! Looks good too! My Hifonics didn't come with a trim ring unfortunately. But it's just a trunk, so I don't care too much.

I'd love to hear the Redline and Hifonics side by side to see who wins. Would have to hear in person though, no way a video could capture a true difference.

Thanks! I'm sure they are both very similar! Either way... both sound great!!!

 

[Starship Enterprise]

It's great actually hearing music behind you isn't it? Do you have a rear seat folded down? that makes a huge difference too.

 

[Frank 60th Anniv. Mustang]

It's great actually hearing music behind you isn't it? Do you have a rear seat folded down? that makes a huge difference too.

I have not dropped the seat yet. I definitely will!!!

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Try it...with both back seats up, the sound just sits there muffled in the trunk.

If you have easy exit/entry enabled on your driver seat, don't fold down the seat behind you. the driver seat motor gets hung up because the folded down back seat prevents the driver seat from gliding all the way back.

Just fold down the rear passenger side. HUGE difference!

 

[Fruitstang]

A subwoofer is, due to the frequency range it should play, supposed to be not locatable, that's why also home hifi subwoofers can be placed away from the main speakers.
If you clearly "hear" more music from the back, then it will rather be coming from the rear speakers which now sound from outside and inside the trunk with your seat folded down.
Also note that music typically shall come from the front rather than the rear, as most people in concerts face the stage rather than the people behind them

If you enjoy it more from behind (no pun intended), that's fine of course, but not what a good music system is designed for

 

[AZ_Ryan]

A subwoofer is, due to the frequency range it should play, supposed to be not locatable, that's why also home hifi subwoofers can be placed away from the main speakers.
If you clearly "hear" more music from the back, then it will rather be coming from the rear speakers which now sound from outside and inside the trunk with your seat folded down.
Also note that music typically shall come from the front rather than the rear, as most people in concerts face the stage rather than the people behind them

If you enjoy it more from behind (no pun intended), that's fine of course, but not what a good music system is designed for

Thank you for posting this. I was thinking the same thing. I certainly dont want to hear my music coming from behind me in my car.

...and now im laughing like butthead at the puns.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

I absolutely agree with you Fruitstang, that a good subwoofer with the proper frequency should not be locatable. But...The subwoofer setting in these cars has a very strong crossover frequency, making it sound more like a rear speaker than a true subwoofer any day. Pan the surround setting 100% to the rear sub...you hear everything...not just the low frequency.

That said....I come from the era of 6x9 speakers on the rear package shelf along with the front dash speakers. I always wanted to be surrounded by the sound.

I'm now used to 5.1 surround sound. I watch movies in surround sound.... I listen to music at home in 5.1 surround. Everything in my house has 5 speakers and a sub. The car has a surround sound selection. I like being surrounded by sound.

To me have the music just blast in my face...may as well be mono AM radio.

But I'm not going to argue personal preference, that's something else.

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