What's up?

I want to replace the factory BOSE sub with an after market sub. However, I would like to place the sub in the same location as the BOSE.

I ran a search on this topic, but the best I could find is that you would probably need to use an 8" and do some modification.

I'm not an audiophile, so things don't have to be perfect. I'm just looking for improved bass response while keeping things "stock" looking.

Has anyone out there actually done what I'm looking at doing? If so, what size/brand sub did you use and modifications did you have to make?

Thanks.

 

JPritch
There are some 8" subs out there that might work with minimal modification. The ones that I have found so far are DEI 3084 (expensive one), MOREL HCW, Illusion Audio (I was told the company is going south), and KICKER RMB 8.

IMO, Kicker RMB 8 might be the best choice so far since it only has 2.25" mounting depth (and also free air). I am currently trying to get the detail dimensions of the sub to see if I could make it fit in the stock position.

If you are not a heavy bass listener, the 8" sub will work just fine. But if you like lots of punch... the best choice is to put a sub box with 10" sub or above in your trunk.

Just my $0.02.

Cheers !!!

 

Thanks for the info Drcookie.

I would prefer to just swap out the Bose sub with an aftermarket sub in the same spot.

Do me a big favor and let me know when you get the dimensions on the Kicker and whether or not it will fit in stock position.

I appreciate the help!

JPritch-

 

check out this thread. This shoudl give you and idea:

http://www.acura-tl.com/forum/showth...552#post217151

 

probably the easiest thing to do is find the best 8" free air speaker then put a spacer on the inside of the back dash so the speaker sits just high enough in the back dash to clear the trunk bars. a custom grill would have to be made to accomodate the added hight of the speaker, but any car audio shop should be able to do this with little trouble and minimal expense. the height of the grill may look kind of funny in the back dash, but if you cant find a suitable replacement speaker and dont want to add a speaker in the trunk this may be a relatively easy alternative

 

I remember many years ago Infinity Kappa had Uniplane speakers that used the same strong thin magnet as our sub. I had 2 in my front doors on my old camry where the front speakers were in the dash. I cut holes and they were so flat they still let my window roll down. They were sweet. Anyhow I am looking around and I think 2 companies are making 8 and 10 inch flat subs. Ill post details when I get them.

 

Yes, thanks alot for your help all of you.

Please post any details as you get them!

 

Just an update on the sub replacement. I got Kicker RMB8 8" mid bass sub last week and with some minor modification, I managed to get the sub fit into the stock position. I used a 1/2" plywood as a spacer and the sub fits just nice on the spacer. I will post some pictures soon as I got the amp mounted and wired up this Friday.

Cheers !!!

 

DrCookie coming through!

Definitely post the pics up when you get a chance!

Now that I know it can be done, I will put this mod on my list of to do's!

 

Hey JPritch,
I finished portion of my mini-project once I got home from work and below are some pictures that I took.

The ingredients that I used for the installation are
1/2" plywood cut to 10" x 9".
Cut a hold on the plywood to fit the kicker sub (7.25" in diameter).
Paint the plywood (black)
Four 10 - 32x1" screws to screw the spacer to the stock position.
Four 8x1/2" screws to screw the new sub to the spacer.

And here are the pics :

The stock sub and kicker sub



Now, I have not installed the amp yet so, I am still not sure the quality of the bass the sub will produce, but I definitely believe it will give more bass than the stock sub.

 

1/2" Plywood cut and painted. (Not really clean)

 

Another pic on the spacer.

 

Kicker sub with the spacer installed onto the stock position.

Note: You need to remove the light bulbs for the break light in order to slide the spacer into position.

 

There is still some clearance between the sub and the tension bar holder

 

very nice

 

So, how does it sound? I am assuming that everything else is stock right? If this mod buys you some extra boom, I would be willing to pay the money for a new sub and make the spacer.

let me know how it sounds.
Thanks in advance.

 

Damn nice DrCookie!

Thanks for all the pics and help.

BTW, where did you get your sub and how much did it cost? I couldn't find it on Crutchfield.

 

JPritch,
I could have made the spacer a little better but I think I will stay with it for now.

I got the sub from www.sounddomain.com
http://www.sounddomain.com/sku/KIC02RMB8

They are sold in pair. I plan to keep the other for now just in case I screw up something and blow up the sub.

Crutchfield also carries the sub.

Check out this link :
http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/S...06RMB8&o=m&a=0

www.onlinecarstereo.com also has the sub but they are not the authorized dealer.


909: I will let you know soon as I hook up the amp this Friday.
I will keep you posted.

Cheeers !!!

 

Keep in mind the RMB8 is a midbass speaker, not a sub. So if you're looking for low-end, this is not the speaker for you.

Here are the specs for the RMB8

Diameter(IN., CM) 8, 20.32
Impedance (OHMS) 4
Maximum Amplifier Power (WATTS PEAK) 350
Maximum Amplifier Power (WATTS RMS) 175
Sensitivity (dB 1W/1M) 89
Frequency Response (Hz) 30-500
Mounting Cutout (IN., CM) 7-1/4, 18.4
Mounting Depth (IN., CM) 2-1/4, 5.8
Grills Yes

 

this might sound like a stupid question
but would it sound ok if i got the mid now
and maybe 2 - 12" focal's later? and new component speakers also. would i have to run 3 amps for all this?
thanks in advance

 

hey snorlax52c if i am understanding what you are saying you want to replace the stock bose sub with a midbass sub and then place 2 12's in later and replace the stock door speakers with focals.....if this is correct sounds like a waste of money to me why would replace the stock bose sub with another speaker that you are gonna replace shortly....but it is your money.....but yes if you want to do this you probably would have to use three amps or a 5 channel amp with a 2 channel amp that would work aswell...and i am sure there are many other combos that would work....but if you want my personal opinion i would simply save up some money and when you have enought $$$cash to change the whole system to how you want it then do the upgrade....just my $.02

 

thanks shawhite you answered my question, but another question i have is would it sound better with the kicker in place of the stock sub with all the new components or is it just a waste of money to do?

 

snorlax52c,
If you plan to eventually upgrade the whole system, I would suggest to skip the mid sub since the 3rd party full range door speakers and the 3rd party sub(s) should be sufficient enough to cover all the frequencies (20Hz - 20kHz).

I did it because I don't plan to do anymore major upgrade on the sound system. I am pretty satisfied with what I have now.

Just my $0.02

Cheers !!!

 

Is our stock sub is actually a sub or is it also a mibass speaker?

 

None of the above. The stock sub is a cheesy sub. It does not give you any bass at all.

Cheers !!!

 

Most subwoofer (like the MBQuart) response range is 25-300 Hz...close enough I think.