Sub and amp.

[VVC-Geeza]

I'm very pleased with the sound quality of my DD, and i think if it were to be hooked up to an amp and sub it could be truely awesome.

Has anyone done this or are planning to do it in the future?

[VVC-Geeza]

Nobody else?:shrug:

Looks like i'll be the first then when i get around to it :)

[Jakg]

What would you like to know? I've installed several different amps / subs into my ZT.

(not with a DD unit, but the procedure is exactly the same).

[VVC-Geeza]

Do you have any recommendations Jak amp/sub wise?

Where have you mounted them?

What sort of costs are involved?

[HarryM1BYT]

The already fitted - HK amp, subs and HK speakers sound brilliant with my DD. Much better than they did on the Hi-line system which I replaced with the DD.

[Jakg]

Recommendations? Depends massively on what you want.

What speakers will you be powering? Just a sub? Upgraded door speakers?

What sort of level of bass would you like? What sort of music do you listen to?


Location wise - you can fit a smaller amp under the front seats (I've got one there atm) - for something bigger you can fit them on the back of the rear seats.

Today I've made a bit of wood the size of the boot opening, which I will attach to the back of the rear seats to make things look a bit prettier - it's cable tired through holes in the board and around the metal rods in the back of the seat.

Costs - up to you. The basic wiring to fit an amp (i.e. power, signal & remote) will cost you ~£15 for something basic.

An amp can cost anywhere from £1 to £3000, but you can easily get something on eBay for sub-£40 - I've not spent more than £40 on one yet.

A sub can cost anywhere from £1 to £3000, but again it depends what you want - you can get a basic 12" on eBay for maybe £20.

Would you be fitting it yourself, or getting someone to do it for you?

When I get home I can show some pictures of my install - but beware it's not pretty.

ICE is more about install than equipment unfortunately.

EDIT - You *can* fit the HK amp, but I wouldn't (although I have). It's just as much hassle to fit, and upgrading in the future is still a lot of work, and it's a flawed design.

[Jakg]

And some pictures for you to think about:

Amps:

Under the front seats

http://i.imgur.com/DqQSw.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/o3NYG.jpg

If you got a small enough (i.e. not massive) amp then it's impossible to see.

Rear seat back (I did warn you, it doesn't look pretty but i'm in the middle of making that better)

http://i.imgur.com/dudZn.jpg

Subs:

My 9" Kenwood (with the amp mounted on the side in this shot - bad idea) didn't take up too much space

http://i.imgur.com/98xK5.jpg

The HK sub (the black box just under the parcel shelf in this shot, sorry it's a poor one)

http://imgur.com/NMXE0.jpg

Or to take things to extremes, my 2x 15"s

http://www.upload3r.com/serve/241110/1290611757.jpg

[HarryM1BYT]

EDIT - You *can* fit the HK amp, but I wouldn't (although I have). It's just as much hassle to fit, and upgrading in the future is still a lot of work, and it's a flawed design.

Its certainly not the cheapest way, nor the best value, nor does it have much punch - but for most drivers it has more than adequate volume. What is the design flaw you mentioned?

[VVC-Geeza]

I was thinking something similar to the set up i have in my coupe,and probably using the cars OE speakers initially.There is much more boot space in the 75 luckily.

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s303/mick_064/WimpoleHall.176.jpg

[Jakg]

Its certainly not the cheapest way, nor the best value, nor does it have much punch - but for most drivers it has more than adequate volume. What is the design flaw you mentioned?

It uses an amplified signal from the HU - and the HU amp isn't very good compared to a "proper" amp.

[HarryM1BYT]

It uses an amplified signal from the HU - and the HU amp isn't very good compared to a "proper" amp.

True, but despite that the output is surprisingly good. Bit an odd way to do it really, but I've seen it done that same way on several top of the range Ford systems.

[Jakg]

True, but despite that the output is surprisingly good. Bit an odd way to do it really, but I've seen it done that same way on several top of the range Ford systems.
The HK amp delivers good sound - however it's not what you want in a perfect world.

Considering the effort of retrofitting the HK amp, versus a "proper" amp, you might as well go down the proper route. The only people who I would recommend the HK amp to are the purists.

However I did it purely because I read "it wasn't possible" ;)

[VVC-Geeza]

I have the following in my coupe and the sound quality is superb (imo)

OEM headset
300W Clarion amp.
Pioneer enclosed sub
Pioneer uprated speakers.
Dyno matted rear shelf.