Who's got a subwoofer?

[The Maestro]

Hi Guys,

Got a new Audi S3 Sportback and wanting a subwoofer in the boot. Anyone with the same car who's done the same thing... comments and details please.

Thanks

 

[Goner]

Is there not already one there? My A3 has Bose and there is one in the left hand side of the boot. It's not a massive thing though.. Bose sounds well that said.

:icon_thumright:

 

[Boydie]

There is a standard 6 or 8" woofer in all A3/S3's

I had an aftermarket sound system in my A3 if you want to search for my old thread for ideas

 

[mdre83]

First link is to my brothers setup, sound is crystal clear... awesome!!! (see signature for full details)

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?78111-The-Story-So-Far&p=796245&highlight=#post796245

There is a standard 6 or 8" woofer in all A3/S3's

I had an aftermarket sound system in my A3 if you want to search for my old thread for ideas

This is Boydies setup... which I believe won a couple of awards...? have you sold it all now mate?

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?71860-Mine-A3-Ya!

 

[c_w]

Yes as above the subwoofer is in most/all models in the left hand side of the boot. It won't win a sound-off competition but it sounds pretty good for a factory/base system (mines standard Concert system).

Actually I want to remove the interior panel covering the subwoofer; does anyone know how to remove this?

 

[deano670]

It would be interesting to see how its built into the boot... I wonder if it could be removed and a 10" or 12" installed in its place.

How powerful is the Bose amp? could it handle a larger sub or maybe even an additional sub?

 

[4NT]

Here you go. I took the feed from the standard speaker ( is both it and the enclosure are useless) and wired them into a dual coil sub, the internal amp is 50w RMS I think but this runs in 2 channels that go into 1 sub, I went for a Pioneer 10" in a tiny little custom enclosure and it sounds surprisingly well...

Oh, and clearly I'm no auto electrician, but it dodn't cost much money or take much time and the sound is a lot better than stock.

 

[deano670]

Please say that box is a joke

 

[mdre83]

Yes as above the subwoofer is in most/all models in the left hand side of the boot. It won't win a sound-off competition but it sounds pretty good for a factory/base system (mines standard Concert system).

Actually I want to remove the interior panel covering the subwoofer; does anyone know how to remove this?

Removing and installing luggage compartment side trim
1 - Luggage compartment side trim
q Left-side; with luggage compartment light
q Right-side; with socket: Removing and installing → Rep. Gr.96
Removing
– Remove rear seat bench → Chapter.
– Fold rear seat backrest forwards.
– Disengage securing cords from rear lid retainer and pull rear shelf to rear, out of mountings on side trim of luggage compartment.
– Remove luggage compartment floor covering.
– Remove rear cross panel trim: vehicles with front-wheel drive → Chapter; vehicles with four-wheel drive → Chapter.
– Unclip luggage compartment side trim -1-.
Trim (left-side):
– Unplug connector at luggage compartment light -4-.
Trim (right-side)
– If vehicle is fitted with socket, unplug electrical connector at luggage compartment socket.
All models:
– Take out luggage compartment side trim -1- to front.
Installing
Installation is carried out in the reverse order, note the following:

Note
Renew spring clips -2- if damaged.
– Note position of securing clips → Fig..
– Before fitting luggage compartment side trim -1-, make sure spring clips -2- have been positioned correctly.
– After completing installation work, fit seal for rear lid -5- over luggage compartment side trim -1-.
2 - Spring clip
q Qty. 4
q Renew if damaged
3 - Flap
q Only on vehicles with navigation system with CD drive control unit -J401-
4 - Luggage compartment light
q Only fitted on left side
q Removing and installing → Rep. Gr.96
5 - Seal for rear lid
6 - Nut, 2 Nm
q Qty. 3
7 - Retainer for luggage compartment side trim
q Removing and installing → Chapter


Position of securing clips
1 - Luggage compartment side trim
2 - Spring clips (4x)

It would be interesting to see how its built into the boot... I wonder if it could be removed and a 10" or 12" installed in its place.

How powerful is the Bose amp? could it handle a larger sub or maybe even an additional sub?

If you search or get in contact with AndyMAC, he was building stealth boxes which fit perfectly behind the panels. Check out the ICE section.

 

[4NT]

Please say that box is a joke

Ha, don't worry, it's all MDF, the cardboard box is an outer as I don't like the idea of having a massive sub sat in the boot taking up space and making me look like I listen to Bass Hunter.

 

[mdre83]

Ha, don't worry, it's all MDF, the cardboard box is an outer as I don't like the idea of having a massive sub sat in the boot taking up space and making me look like I listen to Bass Hunter.

But rather a boofin that carries your office files around

Why don't you go full a boot build or stealth box mate?

 

[deano670]

Ha, don't worry, it's all MDF, the cardboard box is an outer as I don't like the idea of having a massive sub sat in the boot taking up space and making me look like I listen to Bass Hunter.

I dont quite understand why you would put your mdf box into a cardboard box... your setting yourself up for an epic fail.

Invest in a custom or carpeted box.

 

[4NT]

It was a budget thing, last 2 cars (which I kept longer than I'll keep this one) I had half decent installs in, I chucked this thing together quickly to see how it would sound compared to the standard Blaupunkt thing, as i said, surprisingly it sounds quite well and when i open up the boot it just looks like the other boxes I carry my files around in.

 

[deano670]

lol - fair play

 

[N8]

My B.O.S.E is the ony subwoofer that I need in my boot

 

[Goner]

My B.O.S.E is the ony subwoofer that I need in my boot

:icon_thumright:

 

[Lee_R]

It was a budget thing, last 2 cars (which I kept longer than I'll keep this one) I had half decent installs in, I chucked this thing together quickly to see how it would sound compared to the standard Blaupunkt thing, as i said, surprisingly it sounds quite well and when i open up the boot it just looks like the other boxes I carry my files around in.

I think its a cool idea, when your taking your shopping out of the boot, the local chav mafia wont suepct a thing when looking to go on the rob the following night!

 

[Joe90k]

It was a budget thing, last 2 cars (which I kept longer than I'll keep this one) I had half decent installs in, I chucked this thing together quickly to see how it would sound compared to the standard Blaupunkt thing, as i said, surprisingly it sounds quite well and when i open up the boot it just looks like the other boxes I carry my files around in.

How you've wired that to the stock amp won't last long. That Pioneer sub will be showing the BOSE amp incorrect impedance making it run hotter and eventually causing it to burn out. I am a trained auto electrician and I DO NOT suggest anyone does that unless they have some money to spend on a new BOSE amp or are feeling destructive.

Get an amp and a proper box and do it properly. I will post pics up of my install later.

Oh and I don't listen to Bass Hunter before anyone asks.

Joe

 

[4NT]

Cheers Joe, I matched the impedance at 4 Ohm (from memory) as the original sub was also dual voice coil it's literally a swap of sub, both with the same impedance it's just that the sub isn't in tuppaware like the OEM one and a cone made from tracing paper, I guess the amp doesn't match the sub in terms of wattage though. In my heart of hearts I kind of hope it does burn out so I am forced to put a decent set up in....

Look forward to seeing a decent set up anyhow, also interested to see if anyone else has any kind of stealth stuff going on....

P.S. Cheers Lee_R

 

[Joe90k]

Cheers Joe, I matched the impedance at 4 Ohm (from memory) as the original sub was also dual voice coil it's literally a swap of sub, both with the same impedance it's just that the sub isn't in tuppaware like the OEM one and a cone made from tracing paper, I guess the amp doesn't match the sub in terms of wattage though. In my heart of hearts I kind of hope it does burn out so I am forced to put a decent set up in....

Look forward to seeing a decent set up anyhow, also interested to see if anyone else has any kind of stealth stuff going on....

P.S. Cheers Lee_R

Think you will find that the stock sub is either 8 or 16ohms iirc meaning 4ohms is running the amp hard and hot. If you don't turn it up loud then you won't have a problem. The stock sub has a paper cone for a reason, some of the best aftermarket subs have paper cones as they are lightweight and give a large bass response. They use little wattage as the voice coils of the speaker are small due to the lack of cone weight, this means that the speaker is more efficient and gives better clarity etc.

BOSE engineers designed the entire setup to fit the acoustics of the A3's interior and for us to re-create what they have created would cost upwards of £800 in kit to get the same sort of quality and acoustics. In all honesty I run a 148dB+ Sub and amp combination alongside the BOSE system with no problems at all.

I did a massive install in my last three cars but the A3 simply does not need it.

Joe

 

[4NT]

I don't have BOSE (wish I did) the standard sub was the most flimsy thing I have witnessed in a long time. Anyhow, cheers for the advise, as I said, at some point I'm sure a new amp will be in there when this one gives up, for now my box file is doing just about what I need.

Let's have some pics of the install Joe, spec of your car looks good btw.

 

[Joe90k]

I don't have BOSE (wish I did) the standard sub was the most flimsy thing I have witnessed in a long time. Anyhow, cheers for the advise, as I said, at some point I'm sure a new amp will be in there when this one gives up, for now my box file is doing just about what I need.

Let's have some pics of the install Joe, spec of your car looks good btw.

Oh okay didn't realise you hadn't got BOSE. I thought the sub only came with BOSE you see. You learn something new everyday.

I will get some pics up too dark to take any now though and its raining.... A LOT!

Cheers btw.

 

[The Maestro]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your input.

Yes, obviously I have the factory fitted bose but as someone pointed out "it won't win any sound-off competitions" - not that I'm planning on entering any.

The notion of ramming a big sub into the existing wiring has, as was pointed out, power differentials which, in time, will screw the amp and the sub I want will deffinitely need its own amp lol. I'll hunt these stealth boxes and go from there.

Happy motoring

M

 

[Dec]

I have a sub in my A3, done a tidy install on the wiring side of things but need to get a stealth box. I'll go take some pics in a mo (no wiring showing but will take the trim up to show where it goes etc.

 

[Haz1]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your input.

Yes, obviously I have the factory fitted bose but as someone pointed out "it won't win any sound-off competitions" - not that I'm planning on entering any.

The notion of ramming a big sub into the existing wiring has, as was pointed out, power differentials which, in time, will screw the amp and the sub I want will deffinitely need its own amp lol. I'll hunt these stealth boxes and go from there.

Happy motoring

M

I was about to sign of an installer to put a custom install in my s3 with focal be 3-way speakers and a 11" focal be sub. When we got down to it the 11" can be fitted where the standard speaker is but would have to be fibreglassed and will push the sub enclosure into the cabin by about 3". If you want to keep the standard head unit, the best thing you can install is an Audison bit one to integrate you car headunit with any additional amplifiers you install in the car.

Ps before my s3 I used to compete in IASCA so if you need any other audio advice i'll be more then happy to help. Here's another picture with the sub in the boot floor for ideas:

 

[Dec]

Sorry about the poor quality pictures..

So first off I removed the trim in the boot to find an earth point.

Then we set at running the power cable through from the battery. We found a grommet under the scuttle pannel that went through to behind the glove box, so poked a hole in the grommet and fed the cable through.

Battery box:

Only visible cable in the bay with cover over battery: (Will wrap with black tape at some point)

From the glove box, I ran it down the passenger side under the trim along with the remote wire:

Then I hid the cables around the back seat and up behind the sub in the boot.

The RCA cable goes down the opposite side to the power cable, which i ran under the boot carpet/rear seat and then down the drivers side trim, under the steering wheel and up behind the head unit. The earth cable is connected to somewhere behind the side trim in the boot but can't remember where exactly.

Sub looks crap but an install is on the cards:

And would recommend a double DIN head unit, but I had mine left over from my old car (likewise with the sub)

Didn't take that long to do really, bit fiddly under the bonnet as we couldnt see how the scuttle panel came off and didnt want to snap any clips so just held it out of the way best as possible.

Hope thats of some help (and please don't laugh, I know my sub is crap)

 

[The Maestro]

Hey Haz/Dec,

Appreciate your info and time on this. Points noted and indeed, sweet work my friend. Haz, your blue thang going on looks gorgeous.

M

 

[Lex]

i made this nasty thing ages ago for a design project
took up space but i like it
sounds sweet

looking back it was a joke
fitted so tight that when i got a flat i had to kick it to bits to remove for the spare wheel

got a nice little 18 audiobahn now

 

[Dec]

Hey Haz/Dec,

Appreciate your info and time on this. Points noted and indeed, sweet work my friend. Haz, your blue thang going on looks gorgeous.

M

No problem bud Get the wiring right, and the sub can be changed in 2 mins, so worth doing it neatly.

I have friends with cars (saxo's and other chavvy essex cars) that just have cables running down the middle of the car, under seats, etc.. and it looks so terrible and is annoying when it gets wrapped around your foot!

 

[Haz1]

Hey Haz/Dec,

Appreciate your info and time on this. Points noted and indeed, sweet work my friend. Haz, your blue thang going on looks gorgeous.

M

That's not my boot install but it was done by my local audio installer, glad i could help mate. Im just in two minds whether to get a £5K audio system installed or get the big turbo kit on the s3, choices choices lol

 

[The Maestro]

There's no choice! Turbo! I'm assuming you mean the Stage 2, or the big 380BHP? If the latter then I admit, I chewed over the 380 remap for a while until coming to my senses, remembering my age and that £8k would require an expensive sweetener for the missus next time we're out shopping.

I get sub 5secs o-60 on my stage 2 so I shouldn't complain really ???

M

 

[cooni]

If you wanted some more inspiration:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?52782-Alpine-Amps-Speakers-Installed-in-my-S3-(pics)
My Alpine setup in my S3... Moved away from the God awful speaker to line level converters since installation.

 

[The Maestro]

If you wanted some more inspiration:
http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/showthread.php?52782-Alpine-Amps-Speakers-Installed-in-my-S3-(pics)


Oh ****, now you've given me some ideas! Expensive ones.

Cheers Cooni

M