JL Stealth Box w/ amp... sound clip!

chusteveb · #1 11-01-2006, 02:29 PM

My X5 is now equipt with a JL stealth box powered by their A2150 amp. The install went relatively painless with no suprises. The intructions are very well written and the pictures are black and white but clear. JL rates this install with a dificulty level of 1 out of 5, i agree. Of course this is for the box only, not including the amp.

I have the Navi with DSP, I plan on keeping the rest of my stereo set up stock. Having said that, I can say that this stealth box meets my expectations. After seeing the box, I understand why it comes with a W1, there simply isn't enough room depth wise for anything else although a W3 would come close I'm sure it didn't fit or else it would be in there.

The first thing I notice when we fired it up was that this sub/amp/box set up plays impressively low notes. I'm still messing with the amp settings but basiclly with the DSP off and the tone settings straight in the middle at 0, the sound is very impressive. The volume gains up and down perfectly with the rest of the stock system which is very critical to me. I didn't want to have a bass knob if i didn't need it.

With the volume at a high level there is a little rattle on the outside of the X where the gas cover is but it is minimal. If it gets worse, I will consider adding dynomatt.

The only thing I may end up doing is cutting a 10" hole on the factory cover and installing a grille there. it doesn't rattle at low volumes and at higher volumes I can't hear the rattle (due to high volume sound lol). With the cover off, I can verify that the bass is cleaner sounding. But anyone would probably guess that looking at how thick this cover is.

Ok so for those of you hoping to get the type of bass from this stealth box others can feel from sitting next to you at a traffic light, probably not going to happen. But if you like the sound of your stereo stock but just want to add bass to compliment the set up, this is your answer. Plain and simple, you will be happy! I am!

Sound Clip?! Yeah right! Ok ok what I do have are pics of my X equipt with the load floor so here they are!

We start with the "not so premium sound" stock subs which are 2 5.25" dual voice coil speakers

Remove the old, ready for the new.

Looking for a place that the BMW engineers may have left for me to install an amp.

Hmm... no place over here?!

OK so decided that the car jack needs to be relocated. Removed the jack and using a hammer bent the bottom tabs up and the top tab down that use to hold up the jack. Tucked them under the carpet.

Now I'm able to mount my amp in that location!

Now that everything is mounted, wiring is the easy part.

Spare back i place with plenty of space.

Jack relocated.

Everything back in place.

Comments/ questions welcome!

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Kewl X5 · #2 11-01-2006, 02:36 PM

Great pics.

I think you only can post 12 pics per message. Post another message with a comment and you can post another 12 pics.

Finally JL Audio made Stealth box for the X5. I made my own version back in 2001 by using the stock OEM sub box, but I did use a JL Audio subwoofer....Here is a pic....

By the way, I placed my amp where the Bluetooth ULF usually goes (left lower area) and I put the ULF on top of the components rack...

Red1 · #3 11-01-2006, 02:55 PM

Where did you purchase the stealth box from ? Can't seem to find it anyplace..

chusteveb · #4 11-01-2006, 03:17 PM

My local stereo shop.

My friend owns and operates a local stereo shop. I told him about this stealth box project this summer and how it was to be released soon. He asked his JL rep about it and told him to get one into the store asap. I got a call Monday telling me that my stealth box was sitting in front of him!

But really this means that any shop that is a JL dealer can order this!

X5ive · #5 11-01-2006, 08:59 PM

Nice install!
However, I can't help feeling a little jealous as I sit with my stealthbox installed and waiting for my Amp to arrive.

I'm glad you’re happy with the performance. I'll share your post with the guys at JL Audio tomorrow when I swing by to pick up my old DSP subwoofer.

chusteveb · #6 11-01-2006, 10:28 PM

Kewl X5; your box looks great!!! Actually it is easy to tell that JL used the stock sub box to make a mold for our existing stealth box. So really yours is almost the same as mine. HA HA!

chusteveb · #7 11-01-2006, 10:34 PM

XFive, How did JL let you leave without it playing? HA HA When you drop by to p/u your stock equipment, make them install an amp for you while you are there!

Let me know how you feel once you get yours up! I just want to exchange opinions and share the excitement with someone else that has the same set up.

Which amp are you going with? I used the exact amp they recommended for this stealth box.

Kewl X5 · #8 11-02-2006, 12:54 AM

BTW, that is an old pic. A month after installing the sub, I cut a hole on the right rear panel and placed a speaker grille over it and the sub sounds much clearer and better. I usually have the rear cargo cover on and so no one can see the sub.

I'll take an updated pic and post it later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by chusteveb

Kewl X5; your box looks great!!! Actually it is easy to tell that JL used the stock sub box to make a mold for our existing stealth box. So really yours is almost the same as mine. HA HA!

ALFRED · #9 11-02-2006, 01:20 AM

How much was it for everything? I'm very interested to get one for my X5 as well. Thanks!

chusteveb · #10 11-02-2006, 01:24 AM

I'm not too concerned about people seeing the grille for a sub in that panel. A lot of suv's of all makes and sized have a sub in this location.

I do know that I will be cutting this panel for some kind of air movement. I drove around today with the cover in place and I can't say it sounded all that bad if you can tollerate a little rattle at times. But just 3 miles tonight with the cover removed convinced me to go ahead and get the door cut. Really it just sounds so much better with the sub being unrestricted.

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