Look what just arrived ......

[GRAV888]

I've just been given 2 x 12" subs in custom boxes with an amp. (The ones I borrowed for my C180 on the German trip).
Trouble is, I've just taken the audio 30 out and there are no RCA plugs there.
Looks like I may need another stereo unless someone knows of a way round this

 

[Doodle]

It depends on the amp, but most amps have the potential for speaker level inputs instead of RCA's. The quality isn't quite as good as an RCA pre-out connection, but frankly in a car you'd be pushed to notice the difference.

 

[Satch]

I'm having terrible trouble getting sounds out my Merc, I'm on the point of chopping up the metal in the rear shelf and mounting a couple of 10s inside the car on the rear shelf.

We've tried 4x15s and even that isn't overly loud with the boot shut, just seems to rattle the hell out of everything in the car.

good luck with the sub box building.

If ye put subs. into what is effectively a small, well enclosed space you will always be fighting against the laws of physics and acoustics. One way or another you need to let them breathe!

Bear in mind that the wavelength of a low frequency acoustic signal is long. At 50Hz it is about 20 feet which is why it is difficult to get good LF sound in a small room: not enough space for the wavelength to propagate fully

So the 20Hz air shakers are often relying on the waveform to propagate through the body and outside the car (or indeed through walls/floors!) which is why LF sound is so damn annoying and travels so far.

With 4X15 speakers might not have enough volume within the bootspace to let them work effectively. If it is well sealed the speaker cones will be shifting a lot of air but also fighting against the air pressure they create!

 

[GRAV888]

It depends on the amp, but most amps have the potential for speaker level inputs instead of RCA's. The quality isn't quite as good as an RCA pre-out connection, but frankly in a car you'd be pushed to notice the difference.

Sorry to hi-jack your thread for a moment Howard
This is the Amp and subs:
Do I connect to the high level?

 

[GrahamC230K]

If you have the optional ski-hatch, or if you don't mind cutting into the floorpan then you could do what Koolvin did:

It's a bit do as I say rather than as I do, but having the sub towards the back of the car, firing away from the driver gives the most bass. It also results in a comprimised boot for any other prurpose!

Stealth is the way to go

 

[Doodle]

GRAV, that's a yes. The 3rd picture shows the high level inputs.

 

[GRAV888]

GRAV, that's a yes. The 3rd picture shows the high level inputs.

Cool.
Thanks mate.
All I need now is some super dooper power cable:bannana: :bannana:

 

[Howard]

Ok, chaps and chapesses ....

Finished the 1st box, wired up the speaker ...... just waiting on b****y Maplin to deliver the grey carpet for the outside....

Hooked it up in the car ....... My God it was like the night of the living bassheads, the number plate was rattling , God knows what it's going to sound like with 2 in there .......

Heres the 90% finished article, just got to cover it .... will post another piccy when finished .... if anyone with a w124 wants the measurements to build their own, PM me .......

 

[reflexboy]

It depends on the amp, but most amps have the potential for speaker level inputs instead of RCA's. The quality isn't quite as good as an RCA pre-out connection, but frankly in a car you'd be pushed to notice the difference.

You can also get a converter that converts speaker level outputs to line level, ie:twin rca/phono type plugs...This may solve your problem.(sorry to hijack your thread howard)

 

[pammy]

I can see structural damage coming

 

[Ian B Walker]

I can see structural damage coming

No no no its a w124 not a, whats yours again? So non descript I keep forgetting

 

[Howard]

Ok, finished box number 1 ...... seems to fit ok.....colour isn't a bad m atch either :bannana:

Will start box 2 on Saturday ...

First picture is just after finishing glueing the covering on ... picture two is in situ ... apologies for all the crap in the boot ....

 

[Alps]

good job mate, hows it sound?

 

[MangoMan]

Looking Good Howard !!!

 

[Howard]

Just to ressurect this thread .....

Finally finished the amp and sub install.... I put a perspex plate across the front of the sub on machined aluminium stand offs, as i was concerned about the cone getting damaged by stuff flying around in the boot ....

The amp, as you may recall was mounted under the rear shelf but i was having problems with it cutting out due to thermal overload....

So, the solution is to fit it to the rear wall, but the fuel tank is located behind this so you can't drill it.

Solution, take the rear wall out , which is mildly corrugated across it , 4 inches raised, 4 inches sunk etc etc , the depth of the sunk sections is about 5 mm, so in the sunk sections behind, two 6 mm strips of MDF were screwed through to a 15 mm sheet of MDF which was carpeted and then had the amp screwed to it . The rear wall was reinstalled and is very solid. This way the car can be returned to stock if i sell it, with only a couple of screw holes ...

Amp now works perfectly, no cutting out at all, plenty of bass although i may port the box at a later date to see what happens.

 

[basmar]

Nice job mate... looks fantastic, and I am sure it sounds great too :bannana:

 

[Doodle]

Superlative, looking very good indeed!

Still haven't got round to finishing my install properly, and may well never do so in the W202...An Integra DC5 is beckoning, and I have a hard decision to make.