So I finally got the energy to build a subwoofer and install my amplifier that has been lying in the garage for three years now.
HU and the other speakers has already been upgraded but I was missing the real punch that only massive power and a well tuned sub can make.
Here's some pics, the sound is just awesome now.
Box almost done here.

Now covered with black speaker mat.

Installed in the car

The element that I used is a Focal 10" woofer suitable for small closed boxes.
The volume is 18L which is close to the limit if you do a square box like I did.
I used 19MM MDF.


/Peter

 

Very nice job!!

 

close to the limit on the side of small volume?

 

Nice install...how much above the back seats if your board when the rear seats are in the down position? Yours looks quite flush...I much prefer that.

 

Very clean install, great job!

 

Thansk for the nice comments, I'm very pleased with the outcome.
Bdonaldsson, it is exactly where it should be for this element and it's parameters and what I prefer which is fast and tight bass reproduction.
(Still enough to rattle all the mirrors and shake your entire body)
It is calculated based on the speaker data in a program called ProBox.
One of my objectives was to not intrude to much on the height in the trunk.
It could have been even lower down but I decided to add thick waffle shaped foam underneath to be able to run all wiring from the amplifier hidden.
It now sits about one inch higher than original.



/Peter

 

Very nice and clean.
How much power does the Soundstream amp put out and what does it power?

Did you need to use a capacitor to feed the amp so the headlights don't pulse with heavy bass?

 

Thanks Ernest,

the Soundstream Ref705S puts out around 300W at 2 Ohm load for the sub channel which is what the Focal bass is at when connected the way I did.
(Two coils in paralell 4 Ohms each)
It is a 5 channel amplifier and so far only the sub is connected but I will work over the weekend to hook the rest of the system to this amplifier as well.
The other 4 channels puts out 4x50W with THD of 0,1% and this is three to four times the HU capacity.
Yes I have a 1F capacitor hiding in the spare tire compartment as well since i had one lying around in the garage.

/Peter

 

Show us the sound!

Looks really professional

 

Looks Great!! Love seeing when others use "Old Blues"



Michael

 

Yes amplifier might have some age on it but still kicks but.
(Back in the days when it was new it was state of the art with PWM power which allows for better wattage output than rated when battery sees more than 12V which it always does when you drive)

/Peter

 

Great install! Looks like you really spent some time on it and paid attention to the details. Also looks like you've done this before judging by the layout and overall quality of the installation.

 

Thanks Afshin,

yes I have built one subwoofer some years ago but now I got the inspiration from a fellow member of the Swedish Porsche forum who posted some pictures of his subwoofer bild.
I had all the key parts as subwoofer, amplifier and capacitor.
Just needed the time and inspiration to do something with it.
Honestly I was really disapointed with the sound before this upgrade.
Focal speakers in the doors and MB quart in the rear but no punch and now it is just awesome, and I expect it to get better when I hook up all the speakers to the amplifier and ditch the HU units built in power.
(Or lack of...)
I also guess that all of these speakers require good power to live up they way they really can.
The HU is a really good one from Pioneer with built in DSP and filters and can normally make speakers move.
It's not up for the job with above though.
Thanks again for all the kind words.

/Peter

/Peter

 

Getting a high voltage HU without an Amp will definitely take it to the next level and bring out the subtle sounds you never ever hear.

Back when I was single and had some extra money I remember finding a stereo shop that let me updgrade HU's and gave me full credit for the previously purchased HU as long as it was in as new condition (don't ask). Three updgrades late I discovered that the best HU's had the higher output voltages and no amp. They really changed the sound in the car.

I'm sure you will notice a huge improvement when you make the switch to a dedicated amp.

 

You guys make me so jealous.