Is there an underseat subwoofer(s) that runs well off the stock/oem amp?

shutterbug67 · 01-13-2015, 06:59 AM

Is there an underseat subwoofer(s) that runs well off the stock/oem amp? I have decided to go with the BAV stage one fronts and would like something to kind of compliment those and not have to worry about adding an aftermarket amplifier for my front end. And then add some kind of sub/amp combo for the rear cargo area of my e91 wagon. I really don't want to have to add an amp to the vehicle just to run those undersea subs... If there is not anything out there, I will probably just leave them as they are and add the sub/amp combo in the rear later.

kaigoss69 · 01-13-2015, 07:17 AM

Not really. Since you have a wagon, in a simple system like that you can just let the aftermarket subwoofer handle some of the mid-bass and not have to worry about the underseats. Will it be perfect? No, but since you are not even amping the fronts, this solution should suffice.

Just do some research on which sub/enclosure combination will play to about 100 - 120Hz. I don't think you will need more than 300W unless you want the sub to be able to severely overpower the fronts.

You can always upgrade the underseats at a later point and put an amp on them if necessary, but it sounds like you don't want to get too crazy.

3002 tii · 01-13-2015, 08:40 AM

Nothing that came across my research, most of those options risk frying the stock amp. I bought a used small 2 channel amp so it only drives the 2 underseat woofers. Very happy overall with the improvement in bass.

shutterbug67 · 01-13-2015, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Nothing that came across my research, most of those options risk frying the stock amp. I bought a used small 2 channel amp so it only drives the 2 underseat woofers. Very happy overall with the improvement in bass.

What would be a good 2 channel amp for this application? and what can I expect to spend?
BTW, if I add the aftermarket underseat subs, are the earthquakes the best option in this $200 range? I remember reading some good things about the Rockford Fosgate Helix also?
thanks

chumley · 01-13-2015, 08:59 PM

Don't know how much space you have in a wagon for a sub other than under the seats but I have the SWS's and a pretty solid Rockford amp, technics harness etc and while it was a fun install and completely hidden, the results are just ok. It gets "louder" and there's more bottom end but it's sloppy. No matter where you cross it over or how you balance gain or equalize it, it's not tight. If I had to do all over again I would get an enclosure with a single sub built to tuck in one of the corners and be done with it.

ctuna · 01-13-2015, 09:12 PM

SWS-8s are not mid bass speakers
The Jehnerts are the best under seats but they around 500 bucks a set.
The next thing down that will do mid bass is Gladen or Helix.
There are the German Masteros but those are around 1k a set I think,
and require modification of the enclosures.
If you are not into thump the above may be enough for you,
if you amp it correctly .
I would stay with the amps that have been proven here
Jl audio , Arc Audio , Alpine PDX , Mosconi and maybe Helix.

01-13-2015, 06:59 AM	#1
shutterbug67 Private 10 Rep 80 Posts Drives: BMW E90 335i sport Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Georgia iTrader: (0)	Is there an underseat subwoofer(s) that runs well off the stock/oem amp? Is there an underseat subwoofer(s) that runs well off the stock/oem amp? I have decided to go with the BAV stage one fronts and would like something to kind of compliment those and not have to worry about adding an aftermarket amplifier for my front end. And then add some kind of sub/amp combo for the rear cargo area of my e91 wagon. I really don't want to have to add an amp to the vehicle just to run those undersea subs... If there is not anything out there, I will probably just leave them as they are and add the sub/amp combo in the rear later. Last edited by shutterbug67; 01-13-2015 at 08:56 AM..
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01-13-2015, 07:17 AM	#2
kaigoss69 Brigadier General 300 Rep 3,969 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: JAX iTrader: (6)	Not really. Since you have a wagon, in a simple system like that you can just let the aftermarket subwoofer handle some of the mid-bass and not have to worry about the underseats. Will it be perfect? No, but since you are not even amping the fronts, this solution should suffice. Just do some research on which sub/enclosure combination will play to about 100 - 120Hz. I don't think you will need more than 300W unless you want the sub to be able to severely overpower the fronts. You can always upgrade the underseats at a later point and put an amp on them if necessary, but it sounds like you don't want to get too crazy. __________________ Mobridge DA2 > JBL MS-8 > ARC XDi 600/4 > JBL Gti 408 Mids & Vifa OT19 Tweeters; PG Ti2 1600.5 > Morel HCW-10 & IDMax 15
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01-13-2015, 08:40 AM	#3
3002 tii Lieutenant General 2301 Rep 12,570 Posts Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (99) Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75] E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.26]	Nothing that came across my research, most of those options risk frying the stock amp. I bought a used small 2 channel amp so it only drives the 2 underseat woofers. Very happy overall with the improvement in bass. __________________ Follow for latest mods
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01-13-2015, 08:59 PM	#5
chumley Captain 50 Rep 776 Posts Drives: 2009 335 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Naples, FL iTrader: (1)	Don't know how much space you have in a wagon for a sub other than under the seats but I have the SWS's and a pretty solid Rockford amp, technics harness etc and while it was a fun install and completely hidden, the results are just ok. It gets "louder" and there's more bottom end but it's sloppy. No matter where you cross it over or how you balance gain or equalize it, it's not tight. If I had to do all over again I would get an enclosure with a single sub built to tuck in one of the corners and be done with it. __________________ MHD flash, DCI, BMW PE, ETS FMIC, Powerflex, SWS8xi's, VMR 803's in Solar Rain, LUX V4
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01-13-2015, 09:12 PM	#6
ctuna Lieutenant General 1920 Rep 13,122 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	SWS-8s are not mid bass speakers SWS-8s are not mid bass speakers The Jehnerts are the best under seats but they around 500 bucks a set. The next thing down that will do mid bass is Gladen or Helix. There are the German Masteros but those are around 1k a set I think, and require modification of the enclosures. If you are not into thump the above may be enough for you, if you amp it correctly . I would stay with the amps that have been proven here Jl audio , Arc Audio , Alpine PDX , Mosconi and maybe Helix.
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