Subwoofer Install

[cowen]

Hi all. Recently installed a sub, i’ve gotten it all wired in and working (partially) with an amp, sub and hi low level adaptor (came as a wiring loom that extends the plug going into the back of my media unit in the glovebox). Everything seems to be working however it’s got almost no kick to it, is this something that’s being controlled by the media unit? Many thanks.

 

[WozzaB]

Do you have any bass coming from the sub?

When I fitted my active sub and 4 channel amp used a ISO T harness behind the CD unit and tapped into the front left/right speakers for the sub input, but it barely had any output, the helpful guys on here told me that with my particular setup the front left and right was only the tweeters so the sub wasn't receiving any low frequencies, I had to tap into the front door speakers on the ISO loom, which was on separate pins, and boom it's pounding now.

I'm not sure if you have a similar issue, as I had virtually nothing coming from the sub initially.

There's a useful pic of the wiring somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment.

 

[cowen]

Do you have any bass coming from the sub?

When I fitted my active sub and 4 channel amp used a ISO T harness behind the CD unit and tapped into the front left/right speakers for the sub input, but it barely had any output, the helpful guys on here told me that with my particular setup the front left and right was only the tweeters so the sub wasn't receiving any low frequencies, I had to tap into the front door speakers on the ISO loom, which was on separate pins, and boom it's pounding now.

I'm not sure if you have a similar issue, as I had virtually nothing coming from the sub initially.

There's a useful pic of the wiring somewhere, but I can't find it at the moment.

Yes there’s bass coming from the sub, just non existent even though it’s using a hi-low converter, which i’d assume is going to eliminate that problem? It’s been wired in before as you’ve mentioned and that still didn’t work, which is why i bought a converter. I’ll attach a photo of the adaptor i have. Not sure if it’s obvious in the photo but it’s an extension of the wiring harness with a vibe hi low already wired into it.

 

[WozzaB]

Yes there’s bass coming from the sub, just non existent even though it’s using a hi-low converter, which i’d assume is going to eliminate that problem? It’s been wired in before as you’ve mentioned and that still didn’t work, which is why i bought a converter. I’ll attach a photo of the adaptor i have. Not sure if it’s obvious in the photo but it’s an extension of the wiring harness with a vibe hi low already wired into it.

Well it should be getting a low frequency signal from that, what are the settings on the sub amp and also the Sound/EQ settings on the main unit?

I have the 125hz near max on the head unit EQ as if I lower it the bass output from the sub drops a lot, also the Sound Focus on 'Driver' drops the output a touch as well, so I have it set to 'All'

 

[cowen]

Well it should be getting a low frequency signal from that, what are the settings on the sub amp and also the Sound/EQ settings on the main unit?

I have the 125hz near max on the head unit EQ as if I lower it the bass output from the sub drops a lot, also the Sound Focus on 'Driver' drops the output a touch as well, so I have it set to 'All'

now that’s not something i’ve touched yet, i’ll have a play about with the cars eq and get back to you; many thanks !

 

[WozzaB]

now that’s not something i’ve touched yet, i’ll have a play about with the cars eq and get back to you; many thanks !

No problem, hopefully it's something simple like that, I'm no expert though!

 

[cowen]

No problem, hopefully it's something simple like that, I'm no expert though!

so, turning up 125hz to max defo got it kicking more, is there anything else i should change on my amp or manual equaliser?

 

[WozzaB]

so, turning up 125hz to max defo got it kicking more, is there anything else i should change on my amp or manual equaliser?

I've got the 'Sound Focus' on All and not Driver. apart from that the balance is set in the middle, I don't have a fader on my unit so, nothing to change there.
Depending on your amp, you might have gain, bass boost, HPF/LPF etc, you can have a play with the settings, there are lots of guides online if you're not sure on what's what