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      06-22-2020, 07:24 AM   #1
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Advice from knowledgeable stereo installer

Love the crystal clear quality from the B&W.... and the bass is "good", but not "great". Was thinking of adding something small..... nothing too outragious.... but just something that adds a little bit more thump.

Came across the JBL, Rockville, or Cervin Vega (they all make one) spare-tire mounted subs, with built-in amp. Seems like it just might do the trick for what I want.

I've installed basic stereo systems on old cars.... never delved into modern cars, amps, etc.

I know the battery and the amp are both in the trunk. If it's just a matter of somehow piggybacking on them, I can do the install.

If it requires running signal wires, power wires, etc.... all the way up to the head unit, then I'll probably leave that for the experts..... which means, I probably won't at all due to where I live.

So.... to the knowledgeable car audiophiles..... is adding a powered sub under the trunk floor a simple/straightforward job...... or is it far more complex?
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      06-22-2020, 10:50 AM   #2
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Its a piece of cake. Just tap a line level converter on the stock amp output (go to newtis for the wiring diagram). 12V signal can be tapped into off the 12V "cigarette" port in the cargo area, and battery is under the cargo area.

Installer did my F15, but I took it out and will be installing it soon in my M50i.
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      06-22-2020, 05:35 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spike5150 View Post
Its a piece of cake. Just tap a line level converter on the stock amp output (go to newtis for the wiring diagram). 12V signal can be tapped into off the 12V "cigarette" port in the cargo area, and battery is under the cargo area.

Installer did my F15, but I took it out and will be installing it soon in my M50i.
Thank you. Apparently I came across as much more knowledgeable than I actually am...... lol.

Ok...... so...... the stock amp output. Presumably you mean the signal out, yes? So...... no RCA cables??

12v signal from the cig lighter. Easy enough. I got that.

Power from the + terminal of the battery. Got it.

So....... where's the ground? Neg terminal?

Also.... do you have that link you mentioned that provides a diagram of the stock amp, and wherever I need to tap into?

Also.... what's a line level converter?
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      06-22-2020, 08:48 PM   #4
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Wiring diagram:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...tem/1VncYVgPpE

Line level converter takes signal from amp to speaker (amplified power) and converts it to an RCA plug to send line level signal to your new amp.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pac-4-c...?skuId=4290905

Installer grounded mine to negative terminal.
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      06-22-2020, 11:58 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spike5150 View Post
Wiring diagram:

https://www.newtis.info/tisv2/a/en/g...tem/1VncYVgPpE

Line level converter takes signal from amp to speaker (amplified power) and converts it to an RCA plug to send line level signal to your new amp.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pac-4-c...?skuId=4290905

Installer grounded mine to negative terminal.
Awesome. Thanks! Doesn't sound too complicated at all.
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      06-23-2020, 11:22 AM   #6
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So.... I just came to the realization that there is no way to install one of these, without messing up the organization of tools in the spare..... which I don't want to do.

I know there were some suppliers of custom-fit sub boxes for older model X5s (that mounted on the sides of the cargo area).

Is anyone making one for the G05 yet?
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      06-23-2020, 05:02 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninefourteener View Post
So.... I just came to the realization that there is no way to install one of these, without messing up the organization of tools in the spare..... which I don't want to do.

I know there were some suppliers of custom-fit sub boxes for older model X5s (that mounted on the sides of the cargo area).

Is anyone making one for the G05 yet?
I went with a separate amp and sub. A 600W Alpine amp and a 10" JL sealed sub box. That way the amp is mounted near the stock amp, and the sub box can sit in the cargo area and be easily removed if the space is needed temporarily.

https://www.jlaudio.com/collections/...-systems-93323
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      06-23-2020, 06:41 PM   #8
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Have you tried giving BAVSOUND a call? They make subwoofer upgrades.
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      06-24-2020, 01:00 AM   #9
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Have you tried giving BAVSOUND a call? They make subwoofer upgrades.
I have.... and I've done full Bavsound upgrades on the last two BMWs I've owned.

They make great stuff. For hifi and H/K upgrades.

Not sure it's going to be better than what B&W puts in the car though. In fact, Bavsound doesn't list any upgrades for my car with the B&W. That makes me wonder if:
1) The upgrade isn't even worthwhile..... or
2) It won't fit, because it's a different layout/shape/configuration.

Last 340 I had, I went with 14 Bavsound speaker upgrades (from H/K), and went with a set of Earthquake SWS-8 underseat subs. Made a HUGE difference in bass response. Maybe that's an option. I've been researching though, and I'm not sure if the layout/shape of the B&W subs are the same as the H/K, or if upgrades are even available. No info out there yet on the B&W speaker specifics.

Last edited by Ninefourteener; 06-24-2020 at 01:18 AM..
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      06-25-2020, 12:11 AM   #10
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So... I got a quick response from BavSound:

"Hey Matt,

The Bowers and Wilkins subwoofers are unfortunately glued into the enclosures in a manner that makes removal without enclosure damage nearly impossible. Due to this we aren't offering subwoofers for an 2020 X5 audio system at the moment, and haven't done extensive testing.

We do not have any subwoofer upgrades available for your car I do apologize."
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      06-28-2020, 04:48 AM   #11
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Sooooo.... all week long I've been researching amps, subs, making fiberglass enclosures, watts, ohms, etc....and basically all the information I can get about this. Ironically, making an enclosure doesn't scare me at all..... but choosing the correct equipment and wiring it properly, does.

All the information I can find is generally geared toward how to create the loudest, "boomiest" system possible..... which isn't what I want.

What I want..... is a high quality system that has a little more bass response, like it came from the factory that way.

So, with a B&W system...... what is a reasonable amount of watts/ohms to focus my search on? 150w? 300w? 500w? 2 ohms? 4 ohms? Having never done this, and not knowing what to expect, I'm intimidated by having to make these choices. I understand I need to match the amp to the sub.... but I'm not sure what power level to search for that will be enough.... but not be overkill. The smaller the physical amp size, the better. But, I need to make sure it's enough to have an impact, otherwise this will all be a waste of time.

I have no point of reference. I don't know "how much bass" 300w will produce, or "how much more bass" 500w will produce. I'm clueless.

I listen to mostly rock/metal.... some bass-heavy modern stuff, and occasionally some old school 90s hip-hop. Definitely want "good, well-rounded" bass response.... but I'm not trying to shake my car and rattle the rearview mirror apart. Know what I mean?

If B&W were to have added a trunk side-mounted sub from the factory to better balance out the music, what size, wattage, ohms, do you think they would have used?

Last edited by Ninefourteener; 06-28-2020 at 05:00 AM..
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      10-12-2020, 01:28 AM   #12
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Does anyone have the wire diagram for the HK system to tap into the factory amp? I'm looking for the color codes. Thanks !!
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      10-12-2020, 01:36 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gtz1wickedest View Post
Does anyone have the wire diagram for the HK system to tap into the factory amp? I'm looking for the color codes. Thanks !!
Absolutely no idea. It is VERY difficult to get wiring diagrams for our cars. I'm struggling with this trying to retrofit rear foglights.

If you do find out however, please post up. I'm very curious to know as well.
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      10-12-2020, 12:53 PM   #14
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I have everything ready to go for my F95 with B&W, but haven't researched what wiring needs to be tapped. As soon as I do that, I'll be sure to post. I'm just going to go with a shallow mount downfiring sub in a small enclosure.
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      10-12-2020, 08:57 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gtz1wickedest View Post
Does anyone have the wire diagram for the HK system to tap into the factory amp? I'm looking for the color codes. Thanks !!
Here you go.
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      10-12-2020, 09:00 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spike5150 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gtz1wickedest View Post
Does anyone have the wire diagram for the HK system to tap into the factory amp? I'm looking for the color codes. Thanks !!
Here you go.
Thanks bro I appreciate it!
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      10-12-2020, 09:01 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lstoker View Post
I have everything ready to go for my F95 with B&W, but haven't researched what wiring needs to be tapped. As soon as I do that, I'll be sure to post. I'm just going to go with a shallow mount downfiring sub in a small enclosure.
This is for G05, but probably the same.
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      10-13-2020, 05:59 PM   #18
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I wouldn't go with any of those brands. pick something good to go along with your B&W. Focal or JL Audio.
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      10-15-2020, 01:32 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spike5150 View Post
This is for G05, but probably the same.
This is fantastic. Thanks!!!

I've put my subwoofer box on hold, because the weather got cold & wet.... and getting fiberglass to dry is going to be a PITA.

But, as soon as the weather lets up... I'm back on it. This will be helpful.

Admittedly, I'm a bit concerned about the "Fucktopus Remix" tab at the top of your page though.... LMAO
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Last edited by Ninefourteener; 10-15-2020 at 01:39 AM..
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      10-15-2020, 10:37 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ninefourteener View Post
This is fantastic. Thanks!!!

I've put my subwoofer box on hold, because the weather got cold & wet.... and getting fiberglass to dry is going to be a PITA.

But, as soon as the weather lets up... I'm back on it. This will be helpful.

Admittedly, I'm a bit concerned about the "Fucktopus Remix" tab at the top of your page though.... LMAO
LOL I didn't see that! FWIW its a 3D print file of an octopus flipping the bird on all 8 arms.
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      10-15-2020, 01:25 PM   #21
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LOL I didn't see that! FWIW its a 3D print file of an octopus flipping the bird on all 8 arms.
LOL.... I was afraid to google it at work
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      10-15-2020, 01:40 PM   #22
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LOL.... I was afraid to google it at work
That seems like a wise choice...
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