Subwoofer questions

[pstables]

I'm toying with the idea of buying a sub for my Leon Cupra (with Aura head unit).

Empire Direct have a Sony XSAW200X Active Sub for £132:

http://www.empiredirect.co.uk/productdetailsnew.asp?MODELCODE=SON-XSAW200X

Is this any good?
Will I notice much difference?
How do I wire it in to my head unit.

Thanks in advance,
Paul

 

[Cupramax]

Paul,

Looks nice but you have 3 problems.

1) The Aura head unit has no RCA line outputs only speaker outputs.

2) If the amp in the Sony unit can accept speaker line inputs as well as RCA you need some sort of adapter to split the standard output cables...Halfords may do something that splits from a standard ISO socket (on the back of the Aura) to the input on the Sony that you require.

3) You'd need to route a heavy gauge cable to power it direct from the car battery.

Erm thats about it.

 

[Cupramax]

Just found the full spec so yes it will work but you'll need the ISO splitter to get speaker cables to the unit in the boot....

XS-AW200X Sony Active Sub
8 Inch Active Subwoofer, Max output 200W, Variable LPF, Wired remote included, Phase shift. Speaker Level Input. RCS Input. Bass Reflex Construction

Also there'll be a cable which controls the unit powering it up when the Aura is switched on. Not sure which pin on the ISO socket this one is though. I'm sure somebody else on here will know.

 

[pstables]

So you split either the front or rear speaker outputs and run a stereo pair to the sub? Will that affect the impedance and level of the speaker you take the feed from?

So the other Q was will it sound any good? Not been in a car with a sub before (I have one at home for the home cinema), always been fairly happy with the Aura sound, just thinking of an idea to get as a birthday pressie as there's nowt else I can think of.

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Saul]

I was always under the impression that an active sub didnt need a remote wire, it would turn on when the signal from the HU came down the cable???

 

[ozzy]

Paul a sub makes a world of diffrence even if you are not
a sound freak.....

my Leon is my first ever car with no sub....

i want to do the same setup as you keeping my Aura unit.
the key is the quality rather then power.

my idea is to get a cross-over unit and use door speakers
purely as mid range,though an active sub probebly have
a built-in cross-over,you can still adjust the signal its getting
from the cross-over for better sound,and keep your door
speakers alive for a longer time since they wont need to provide
low frequency (bass) at high volume levels.
also much less distortion and pure component sound.

 

[pstables]

Someone on the uk.rec.audio.car newsgroup has pointed me in the direction of this:

http://www.letsbuycaraudio.com/main.php?cat=speakers&make=20&product=770

Which is an Infinity Basslink X for £179. Smaller than the Sony unit, but with a 10" driver. Looks nice. It has 4 speaker level inputs so you split L/R and F/R speakers so it's not affected by F/R fader settings.

 

[mark]

Active subs do require remote leads mine does anyway. Most active subs have a Hi level input, use this instead of using in line converters i.e. Hi level to RCA as I have found these to be more likely to experience interference.

 

[prc]

I think the basslink has one super feature:
When using the Hi level inputs the basslink has an auto turn on feature which automatically turns on when it senses voltage (ie when the headunit turns on).

 

[bigfella_V5]

I have on of these on its way and am using the Aura unit. I have also bought a line level convertor as running an RCA cable is neater than running speaker cables. I've read that they sound better when using a line level convertor.

The only thing bugging me is I will have to source a remote on lead. I'm sure the Aura unit will have one? Any ideas?

 

[Danny_FR]

Even if the Aura HU doesn't have a remote output, just take the ignition live from somewhere. Cigarette lighter is usually ignition switched so take it from there. There's no worries about blowing fuses, the remote switches on amps only draw a very little current (less than 0.2amps IIRC).

 

[Skorchio]

I was always under the impression that an active sub didnt need a remote wire, it would turn on when the signal from the HU came down the cable???

If not u can always run a feed from the ignition. All it does is flick a relay.

The power cable is always a pain. I have 4AWG and its a nightmare.

Im a sound freak tho 300 watts RMS Alpine Type R sub amped with and MRD M300 Alpine amp, and components to match amped at 70 wats RMS each Alpine MRV T320. Backed up with a 1.5 Farad Digital Power cap Crystal clean and bloody loud

 

[Big_daddy]

Even if the Aura HU doesn't have a remote output, just take the ignition live from somewhere. Cigarette lighter is usually ignition switched so take it from there. There's no worries about blowing fuses, the remote switches on amps only draw a very little current (less than 0.2amps IIRC).

You cant use th cigrette lighter it always be on even after you take ignition key out, causing the amp to stay on and kill your battery!

using a tester find a live wire on the head unit lead and tap into it! so you know when you take the key out it will cut off!

 

[bigfella_V5]

Yeah I can take a switch live, thats not a problem. But its not correct, it should power when the headunit is turned on. There must be a switched live, possibly use something that goes to the CD changer?

I need to find out what each wire that goes to the Aura does?

 

[Icecavern]

http://www.icecavern.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=112

 

[bigfella_V5]

Just found that post last night, thanks very much - just what I needed!

 

[pstables]

Hi All - not been on this forum for some time, defected to an RX-8 around 3 years ago. Quite suprised to see this thread resurrected.

I actually put an Infiniti Basslink into the RX-8 and have been very happy with it. It just fills the bottom end of the audio range nicely, without being too boomy.

Cheers
Paul

 

[bigfella_V5]

Yeah I've heard some good things. I have a Basslink II on its way so we shall see. Not really looking forward to fitting it as I hate pulling interior apart.

I shall be using a Fli line level convertor.

 

[pstables]

Do you need a line level converter? The Basslink has both line level and speaker level inputs. I'm driving mine from the rear speaker level outputs only and it sounds just fine.

 

[Danny_FR]

You cant use th cigrette lighter it always be on even after you take ignition key out, causing the amp to stay on and kill your battery!

The cigarette lighter is always live? That'll be the first time I've had a car that's like that!