My Adventures in Upgrading the Subwoofer and Center Speaker

[Zig]

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.

Just .02 cents agreeing with both. I’ve usually tried to get it set so when listening to ‘stereo’ perception is in the center of the head (subs are more felt than heard - hence non locatable - doesn’t mean location doesn’t matter means unable to readily identify where when in use) with the occasional predominant or emphasized interlude sound coming from an isolated direction.

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[Starship Enterprise]

agreed Zig.

My take is that this sub in our car has such a high crossover it just sounds like any of the other speakers. It's the most non-sub sounding sub I ever heard.

 

[steveo1960]

agreed Zig.

My take is that this sub in our car has such a high crossover it just sounds like any of the other speakers. It's the most non-sub sounding sub I ever heard.

I agree. The factory sub has a mid-bass hump which drives me crazy as it muddies up the sound.
I'll be installing the SW10A-D4 - DD Audio later this week when it arrives. I also have the Pioneer replacement sitting on the shelf as I never got around to installing it. Life has a tendency to get in the way once in a while !

 

[Zig]

I agree. The factory sub has a mid-bass hump which drives me crazy as it muddies up the sound.
I'll be installing the SW10A-D4 - DD Audio later this week when it arrives. I also have the Pioneer replacement sitting on the shelf as I never got around to installing it. Life has a tendency to get in the way once in a while !

I asked one of the fancy calculators (ai) what it would take to make the b&o ‘you shook me’, ‘whole lotta love’ compliant, provided you are open to entertaining more than just the classics.

But looks like even the machine tries to cover its bases by suggesting a swap.

(Applicable settings follow)

 

[71stang99]

Correct me if I'm wrong there is no subwoofer setting right? Oddly the AI response said nothing about cancelling or changing the Forscan settings for the fake engine noise. I still need to do that but have to buy a laptop. I'm not packing my desktop to the garage!

 

[Zig]

Correct me if I'm wrong there is no subwoofer setting right? Oddly the AI response said nothing about cancelling or changing the Forscan settings for the fake engine noise. I still need to do that but have to buy a laptop. I'm not packing my desktop to the garage!

^ correction appended (phone fight currently underway - editing mobile jumping page ugh)

 

[Starship Enterprise]

Stevo: Swapping the sub takes less than 1/2 hour. 3 easy to see bolts and the whole box comes right out. Easy unclip at the back. You will kick yourself you didn't do it sooner. It sounds THAT much better. Install that DD, the Pioneer turned out to be a very poor choice for the stock sub.

Zig: for the most part, that's good stuff. But yeah friggin AI can screw up a summary and details that is frightening think we are supposed to rely on this crap?

I've tried Stereo mode and it feels like mono compared to surround...

Though I agree with balance placement. I put it right at the headrests center.

ATM I have full Treble and Bass with Midrange at 0. too low midrange sounds muffled and too high sounds like a transistor radio.

 

[Zig]

Stevo: Swapping the sub takes less than 1/2 hour. 3 easy to see bolts and the whole box comes right out. Easy unclip at the back. You will kick yourself you didn't do it sooner. It sounds THAT much better. Install that DD, the Pioneer turned out to be a very poor choice for the stock sub.

Zig: for the most part, that's good stuff. But yeah friggin AI can screw up a summary and details that is frightening think we are supposed to rely on this crap?

I've tried Stereo mode and it feels like mono compared to surround...

Though I agree with balance placement. I put it right at the headrests center.

ATM I have full Treble and Bass with Midrange at 0. too low midrange sounds muffled and too high sounds like a transistor radio.

Yeah, apologies the attempt at including summarized details got funked.

Even with upgrades it’s a tweak of the setting here and an adjustment there, depending on both source, sound and intent.

glad to hear your upgrade, in the end, made the adjustment you were after.

 

[Cobrakit]

Is this the speaker being referenced?

DD AUDIO SW10-D4 10" SUB WOOFER 600W DUAL 4-OHM

• 
  

  :

  Speaker Size (In): 10 Watts RMS: 100 - 300 Watts Peak: 600 Impedance: D2 / D4 VCD (In): 2 Piston Diameter (In): 8 Fs (Hz): 35 Qms: 11.107 Qes: 0.53 Qts: 0.506 Vas: 32.495 dBSPL: 86 Xmech (MM): 18 Xmax (MM): 8 Frame OD (In): 10.12 Frame OD w/Gasket (In): 10.25 Mounting Diameter (In): 9 Mounting Depth (In): 4.75 Motor Diameter (In): 9 Motor Depth (In): 1.7 Magnet Weight (Oz): 55 Woofer Displacement (CuFt): 0.03 Sealed Enclosure (CuFt): 0.5 - 1.0 Ported Enclosure (CuFt): .75 - 1.25

 

[SteveinKG]

You guys are really missing the boat in not adding a LOC and amp. It's really simple and the results are night and day difference. I understand this thread is about a budget upgrade but.....

I have the PAC for the aftermarket amp. And it is a sweet little piece of equipment. Did you just add your amp (watts?) and retain the oem speakers? If so, I am just going to imagine the difference is substantial.
I had a 24 s650 w b&o, and replaced everything, etc. If i get another one, id really like to forego replacing all those speakers as well as what it takes to replace, especially those rear ones! The sub replacement is cake.

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