Subwoofer Upgrade Project
07-24-2012, 01:42 PM
#31
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Well I ended up with a brand I knew nothing about, and still don't after doing a bit of googling... So at the risk of some guffaws and having the mickey taken...
The auto sound shop that helped me are a pretty clued up bunch, or so it would appear from all the trophys on display and magazine articles on award winning sound installs in frames on the walls of the customer area. Anyway, they were very helpful and we spent some time and tried a few brands to see if we could improve the bass. Fortunately swapping the unit out takes only a minute or so.
The winner was... Digital Designs (digital who? I asked) - a fairly nondescript 4 ohm speaker of 6.5" that fitted perfectly into the slot. No question about the improvement in bass, quite remarkable and not boomy boy racer thump but sharp and clear, and a bit of a kick in the back of the seat at higher volumes. After all bass should be felt a little, as much as heard. Like the B&O should have been. Matches the rest of the system really well and I am now happy with the sound with the bass at or just one notch past the mid 12 o clock. It was a unanimous consensus that this was the best speaker for the job. The sound shop was pretty amazed at the sound the B&O was producing, saying they rated it one of the best OEM systems they have ever heard. Never mind I had to point out to them that it was a Q5, not a Q7 :-)
Glad that the solution was a 4 ohm unit as this will not stress the amp either - peace of mind and same as original unit apparently. They did not advise a 2 ohm unit, saying the increased demand on the amp "is massive" - their words...
Not sure if it made a difference but they also lined as far as possible the inside of the wheel box with a sort of sound mat. Kinda like a thin rubber stuff.
Downside was that this speaker was not particularly cheap, equivalent of around $180 US, but that included their time and effort also. The speaker itself looks pretty bland, certainly nothing more spectacular that the original B&O. It is however noticeably heavier and with a larger diameter magnet. But what matters is that it thumps away without detracting in any way from the audiophile quality. I will keep the original sub safe in the cupboard for another day. Best part is the upgrade is 100% reversible if required, no cutting of wires or speaker housing, simple plug and play!
To anyone thinking about this, check with you local car audio guys and see if they are willing to work with you and actually test a few options. When one repeatedly and consistently stands out superior, you have a winner, regardless of brand or looks. Play the same song on one select CD, not MP3, repeatedly with each option and see what sounds best at various volumes. I can recommend Dire Straits, Tunnel of Love as the track for the testing (studio recording, not live).
The auto sound shop that helped me are a pretty clued up bunch, or so it would appear from all the trophys on display and magazine articles on award winning sound installs in frames on the walls of the customer area. Anyway, they were very helpful and we spent some time and tried a few brands to see if we could improve the bass. Fortunately swapping the unit out takes only a minute or so.
The winner was... Digital Designs (digital who? I asked) - a fairly nondescript 4 ohm speaker of 6.5" that fitted perfectly into the slot. No question about the improvement in bass, quite remarkable and not boomy boy racer thump but sharp and clear, and a bit of a kick in the back of the seat at higher volumes. After all bass should be felt a little, as much as heard. Like the B&O should have been. Matches the rest of the system really well and I am now happy with the sound with the bass at or just one notch past the mid 12 o clock. It was a unanimous consensus that this was the best speaker for the job. The sound shop was pretty amazed at the sound the B&O was producing, saying they rated it one of the best OEM systems they have ever heard. Never mind I had to point out to them that it was a Q5, not a Q7 :-)
Glad that the solution was a 4 ohm unit as this will not stress the amp either - peace of mind and same as original unit apparently. They did not advise a 2 ohm unit, saying the increased demand on the amp "is massive" - their words...
Not sure if it made a difference but they also lined as far as possible the inside of the wheel box with a sort of sound mat. Kinda like a thin rubber stuff.
Downside was that this speaker was not particularly cheap, equivalent of around $180 US, but that included their time and effort also. The speaker itself looks pretty bland, certainly nothing more spectacular that the original B&O. It is however noticeably heavier and with a larger diameter magnet. But what matters is that it thumps away without detracting in any way from the audiophile quality. I will keep the original sub safe in the cupboard for another day. Best part is the upgrade is 100% reversible if required, no cutting of wires or speaker housing, simple plug and play!
To anyone thinking about this, check with you local car audio guys and see if they are willing to work with you and actually test a few options. When one repeatedly and consistently stands out superior, you have a winner, regardless of brand or looks. Play the same song on one select CD, not MP3, repeatedly with each option and see what sounds best at various volumes. I can recommend Dire Straits, Tunnel of Love as the track for the testing (studio recording, not live).
Very informative - thanks! Quite interested in doing this "drop in" myself
By chance, do you know what particular 6.5" 4 ohm driver from Digital Designs they installed?? (model #)
07-25-2012, 05:36 AM
#32
AudiWorld Member
Very pleased to hear and very interested!
Is this the one?
http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobi...fers/sw65.aspx
Is this the one?
http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobi...fers/sw65.aspx
07-25-2012, 07:42 AM
#33
AudiWorld Member
It's great to see that the sub is made in the good 'ol U.S.A. Guess what...I bet it does cost $199 US right here where its made and you got a deal in South Africa.
Last edited by johncaravello; 07-25-2012 at 07:45 AM.
07-25-2012, 08:09 AM
#34
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Very pleased to hear and very interested!
Is this the one?
http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobi...fers/sw65.aspx
Is this the one?
http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobi...fers/sw65.aspx
The unit I have is a VO M 6.5. That's all I have on the part number, there may be more to it. There is not much about it on the web. The M stands for Midrange / Midbass depending on which sites you check out - something that would make you think twice when looking for better bass. Ultimately, proof is in the sound quality. I would never have thought twice about this speaker had the audio "experts" at the shop not put it forward as an upgrade option. I believe the B&O sub should be defined a mid bass and not a sub either.
07-25-2012, 08:24 AM
#35
07-25-2012, 08:37 AM
#36
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07-28-2012, 09:19 AM
#39
but they also have this: http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobi...tes/ddw65.aspx
I wonder if it would fit properly...
07-28-2012, 11:27 PM
#40
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The frequency response is 100-16K Hz, so it is NOT a bass/woofer driver, assuming that the system does produce frequencies below 100 Hz, that speaker would cut anything below 100 Hz, and most likely is not efficient in 100-120 Hz range
but they also have this: http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobi...tes/ddw65.aspx
I wonder if it would fit properly...
but they also have this: http://www.ddaudio.com/products/mobi...tes/ddw65.aspx
I wonder if it would fit properly...
Yes m1964, it's frequency response leads you to believe it is midrange, not subwoofer territory. However, I think the B&O stock unit is also perhaps operating at higher frequencies. I think it has MUCH to do with the design of the wheel box. It is a partnership between speaker and the space it occupies.
HOWEVER, some more feedback: sound guys called me on Friday to say that a Kicker CompVT 2 ohm Sub had arrived with them!!! I think they were as keen as me to see the performance and with no obligations, I popped around Sat morning to give it a test. You may recall that this was my original 1st choice but was not available.
Part no. On the box 10CVT652. It is a good looking unit, appears better made than all the others due to some fancy trimmings and frequency response is listed as 25-350Hz. It is a fair amount lighter that the Digital Design unit, abouth the same as the B&O I guess.
Well, the Digital Designs unit I have now is better and by some margin. Again there was consensus on this. I am certainly no expert so don't take my word for it here but to me I can take from this: 1) that 2 ohms is not necessarily going to improve bass, only stress the amp, 2) published (low) frequency response is not the be all - in this particular case 3) probably better off using a car sound company that is willing to work with you for your money rather that buying online and 4) looks can be deceiving as the Digital Design unit is not the prettiest. But who cares when it is hidden in the boot.
Another note on the Kicker unit - it has a fancy looking trim plate around it that needs to be removed before it will fit comfortably in the wheel box. Removing it is NOT easy unless you are prepared to break it off.
Last edited by GregH; 07-28-2012 at 11:40 PM.