Beats subwoofer replacement

[pkaps]

ESX VS1100P | Passiv Subwoofer Reserverad

ESX Vision VS1100P Passivsubwoofer: Reserverad Subwoofer mit 28cm Bass Lautsprecher und 300 Watt Leistung für Anschluss am Werksradio

www.carhifi-store-buende.de

Seen this one on the Ibiza mark 6 forum here, discussing how to improve the Beats sound.
So, I went ahead and got it, not a plug and play matter as I had to cut the tightening bolt by 6 cm and had to cut the Beats wires to the sub as the ESX plug is not compatible with the Beats sub plug. Anyhow, the sound got quite better, also in low volume as the bass is now there, where with the Beats you had to crank the amp to feel some of it. Beats is not a bad sound system, if you know how to adjust it to your liking, its just not good enough for deep bass. The Beats sub box when I took it out it was like a toy box, I would guess its weight being not even 2 kg, a 6.5 inch sub with a small magnet and a large plastic donut around it, actually seeing it now for its size it plays well, considering. On the other hand the ESX is 10 kg, yes, that puts more weight in the trunk so no toping up the gas tank anymore to compensate.
However, although the bass clearly improved, being in the spare tire is not as in a dedicated sub system, the sub itself feels playing not to its full potential, so at some point, if I want more and can spare the money, will add an amp, probably the Match 5.4 DSP, yes, costly, which is real plug and play and fits with the Beats amp under the seat.

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

The sound system transmits data via ethernet, so adding an aftermarket amplifier is currently difficult/impossible

 

[pkaps]

https://www.arsshop.de/seat-beatssystem-upgrade-plugplay-dsp-endstufe-

This is where I got the idea from, dont think there is a problem

 

[East Yorkshire Retrofits]

https://www.arsshop.de/seat-beatssystem-upgrade-plugplay-dsp-endstufe-

This is where I got the idea from, dont think there is a problem

That looks like it's taking a high level signal and leaving the original amplifier in place as apposed to the digital signal and removing the existing amplifier

It also only has a 4 channel input whilst the original amplifier is outputting more than that (10 off the top of my head).

 

[pkaps]

Yes, seems like it, got to part with 700 eur to find out

 

[lajchi]

That looks like it's taking a high level signal and leaving the original amplifier in place as apposed to the digital signal and removing the existing amplifier

It also only has a 4 channel input whilst the original amplifier is outputting more than that (10 off the top of my head).

I was researching this as well. In this case, only the front and the subwoofer are driven by the small DSP amp, while the rest remains driven on the factory amp.
I had one of these (older model) in an Audi a4 B8, and it did improve the sound quite a bit.

This one would be a better option as it could drive all of the speakers - front and rear, and add waay more power to the subwoofer, which would give more options, even adding a propper subwoofer in an external enclousure:

Seat Beats ampPRO | 8 Kanal DSP Upgrade Verstärker für Beats

Seat ampPRO Beats: Plug and Play Verstärker zum Upgrade des Beats Werkssystem mit integrierten DSP und deutlich mehr Leistung

www.carhifi-store-buende.de

Only drawback would be that the plastic cover would not fit anymore.

Not sure if anymody managed to replace the original amplifier itself with something decent.

 

[pkaps]

Having lived now for a few days with the new sub I can attest that there is a notable difference, even on low volume, you dont have to crank it up to max to feel some bass. Yes, you don't have that feeling where your stomach is pounding with every beat, after all its still a medium output amp and a tire space sub, but you can feel the bass. Seems now the whole system performs better, that filling of the bass at low volume leaves the high tones to be more distinct, yet this is my opinion, others may not feel the same.
I believe adding the Match DSP will even have better results, but its price is putting me off at the time.
@Active Member, worst case scenario is to have both without the plastic cover, but should be no problem as the factory amp is all metal and the Match will be behind it and not exposed to any contact, other than dust. Pricier but better too!