turn back the clock

[oneHeadlight]

hi guys.... this thread is somewhat inspired by a couple of recent replies to threads that were last responded a year or two ago.

just curious...as we all have moved on and learn quite alot. Some painful lessons, some great insight.

so...my question...just for discussion sake...

would you have done your ice differently ? and what ?
some details would help.

 

[ebay]

Re: turn back the clock

if i can turn back the clock, i would cut the door panel to fit in the 6.5" component speakers. currently on 4" component, and it's only good for vocal track.

 

[oneHeadlight]

Re: turn back the clock

u could still mod the door...and go 3 way.

were u previously advised to mod the door ?

 

[Playtennis]

Re: turn back the clock

Interesting post....I would have done the following:

1. Leave the original BMW HU alone. (for 'looks' sake).
2. Custom bracket and mount my HX-D2 at the compartment just above the ashtray/cigarette compartment. (Above my DSC button)
3. Use a free air sub instead of sealed box sub.

My current setup is using the original BMW HU with hi-lo converters and Alpine 701 processor.

Cheers!
Jenn.

 

[oneHeadlight]

Re: turn back the clock

hey Jenn,... i thought its an interesting post too, but it seems like its dying a natural death haha..

anyway, i am abit confused by your post. YOu have a HXD2 and yet you are running on stock HU ? Its arguably the best HU around, as rated by some of the most established competitors and reviews. so...i am curious...why ?

 

[southpaw23]

Re: turn back the clock

If i read her reply correctly, i don't think she currently has a HXD2, i think she's running off the HU and Alpine processor.

What she would have done was to use the HXD2, but place it at a different location and keep the existing HU in it's place for aesthetics. The HU would probably just be a dummy in this case.

I could be wrong.

But i'm a lil stumped on why you'd go with a Free Air over a sealed enclosure though. I understand that free air subs don't perform nearly as well as sealed or ported subs. Understandably, having a box in the trunk greatly compromises on usable space.

Perhaps you should check out JL's new shallow subs 13TW5. Have read some good reviews on em and you can stick em almost anywhere! Am seriously considering one myself but will just have to find one first

 

[oneHeadlight]

Re: turn back the clock

9 out of 10 times, i would go for sealed enclousure to save myself alot of trouble trying to get a sub sound right. The speakers would have given alot of headache already.

 

[Playtennis]

Re: turn back the clock

In fact, I have never heard the performance of a free air sub but I think it should be ok if a good free air sub is chosen. Reason for leaning towards a free air sub is because of:

1. Boot Space. The E46 boot space is already quite small. Having a box in there makes it worse.
2. The original rear speakers are removed which will leave hole for the sub's sound to travel to the cabin. Installer say one, so I accept. Subsequently, the sound of all the barang barang running around in the boot when the vehicle moves will also travel to the cabin. Sometimes, I have styrofoam boxes in the boot. They 'squeak' a lot.
3. Lastly, I have this problem of a 'base lag' from the sealed box. It sounds like the sub reacts a few milli seconds late compared to the front speakers. It can be irritating especially when listening to 938Live as it sounded like the DJ 'breathing' into the mic after every sentence. One installer explain that the reason for this is because the Sub's waves took some time to travel into the cabin. Don't know how true this is. To cure this, I would have to go for a ported enclosure but it will occupy even more space compared to the existing sealed enclosure. Alternatively, soften the sub's amplification. Haiz...

 

[henry2703]

Re: turn back the clock

a bit OT....

but if i could turn back the clock, i won't even have gotten my driving license....

no need to waste money on cars.... ICE... RIMS.... etc..etc... hahaha

end of OT

 

[oneHeadlight]

Re: turn back the clock

In fact, I have never heard the performance of a free air sub but I think it should be ok if a good free air sub is chosen. Not really. A free air sub is alot harder to get it right, and alot of power is required. There are less proper free air subs than subs for enclosure. Reason for leaning towards a free air sub is because of:

1. Boot Space. The E46 boot space is already quite small. Having a box in there makes it worse. Fair enough, and i think this the most common reason for some people dropping the sub. I did remarked once though...not having a sub is like having chicken rice without the chilli.
2. The original rear speakers are removed which will leave hole for the sub's sound to travel to the cabin. Installer say one, so I accept. Subsequently, the sound of all the barang barang running around in the boot when the vehicle moves will also travel to the cabin. Sometimes, I have styrofoam boxes in the boot. They 'squeak' a lot. Haha, this is true, but if your music is loud enough, and not too pedantic about imperfection, then the pleasure of the sub-bass will outweigh the irritation i reckon.

3. Lastly, I have this problem of a 'base lag' from the sealed box. It sounds like the sub reacts a few milli seconds late compared to the front speakers. It can be irritating especially when listening to 938Live as it sounded like the DJ 'breathing' into the mic after every sentence. One installer explain that the reason for this is because the Sub's waves took some time to travel into the cabin. Don't know how true this is. To cure this, I would have to go for a ported enclosure but it will occupy even more space compared to the existing sealed enclosure. Alternatively, soften the sub's amplification. Haiz...

I think he is quite right actually. Most if not all of those who run active, and dabble into Time Alightment to make sure all the high and low frequencies reaches your ear at the same time. Your solution may be to have a HU that allows TA or add a processor.