Subwoofer
 

Just trying to think of a simpler solution for the DSP subwoofer issue. What if we remove the stock sub enclosure, create a new board and mount a free-air sub to it? Any thoughts? Pros? Cons? :dunno:

where can you buy a purpose built sub box for X5. The standard place on the rear right. or left depends which way you look at it. :)

There aren't any purpose built boxes that are mass produced for the X5. A couple forum members have had custom boxes made (not an easy process). Other than that, we're all kind of in the boat waiting for something to come along.

The issue as I see it is that you can't really give it enough of a baffle relative to its cone size for the baffle to be worth anything. (i.e., it would sound crappy).

Someone measure the OEM box and see if these would fit depthwise (the hole would need a mod, I suspect)

http://edesignaudio.com/product.php?...id=32&cur=USD:

I think this would fit depth wise, although I have not checked it yet... will do so this evening.

Do you think this sub, coupled with opening a hole through the loadspace cover make a noticable difference?

I haven't heard of Elemental Design subs... I suppose if you are pointing us to them, they are pretty good... at least better then stock.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with the sound out of the DSP... EXCEPT for the bass, there is none. If I could add just a bit more bass for $75-$100 I'd be extremly happy.

cjett

I am actually going to visit this guy at a local audio shop who is going to look into making a box for me, I will keep everyone posted on what happens.

Whatever plan someone might come up with should also have some option for those of us without DSP, OK?

I don't have DSP so whatever I do I will let everyone know

Once the sub enclosure is removed, it looks like the non-dsp opening so any box that is made should fit (dsp or non-dsp).

Would it be better to have the sub mounted in the driver's side area, so it doesn't rattle the fuel door?

a little electrical tape will keep the gas door from rattling. :thumbup:

I have the back of my X5 apart right now anyway so I'll do some research tonight as well.

LOL

Like this??

:rofl: no, not like that. i'm being serious.
inside the fuel door, there are 2 little plastic pieces. take them off and wrap a piece of electrical tape around each of them, then reattach. problem solved. :thumbup:

Too many things on the driver's side in too many models for it to be a good plan very often.

Elemental is an internet-only company that has a good reputation. I haven't used them yet, but I ordered a set of these.

It doesn't matter where you mount the sub, fuel door will rattle regardless. My sub is just sitting on the load floor of the cargo area and that rattled the fuel door...and I didn't even turn it up that loud. The electrical tap as suggested DOES work! It was discussed on a separate thread a while back.

thanks for backing me up on that one. i thought i was losing it. unfortunately, i can't find the thread that talks of the electrical tape. i found 1 thread that i again mentioned it, but i can't find the original thread. :dunno:

Nope not true :D

There's no rattle whatsoever on my X5 and I think I got an ok system in mine. The fuel door rattle ism most likely coming from the little plastic piece (green colored on mine) which is used to hold the gas filler cap when you are at the gas station. You can simply bend the two metal "strips" the plastic slides into and the rattle will most likely be gone.

Removing rattles is a very time consuming job and takes experience, this is something which seperates the good shops from the others ... :) ....


- Jan

Yep...those plastic pieces in the fuel door were the exact cause of the rattle. I just used electrical tape to "thicken up" the metal "strips" so the plastics slide in snug...no more rattle from the fuel door after that.

el duderino,
What do you know about this sub enclosure by JL? I stumbled across it on eBay, but can't find it at JL's website.

The vantage line were molded plastic, not fiberglass, and not deemed good enough to carry the JL name.

Don't know if they're made any more.

I take it then that you would not recommend the purchase of this, even if someone installed a decent speaker in it?

el duderino...would you let us know how those speakers are when you install them. They seem like the ideal solution to the X5's bass issues as their freq response goes pretty low and would seem to work with the current subwoofer location. I read some reviews on these speakers and they sound like they're good speakers, but I also read reviews about their previous speakers and the problems they had. They are a great price at $50/speaker, but if the speaker constantly blows, it might not be worth the aggravation. What do you think? Thanks.

I've received them and the install into the OEM box will be a bit of mod. Probably won't get it done till next week.

The speakers are a bit off-shore-y. Cheap and look it, but with a long throw to them.

The cone itself is only like 100mm (4") across, since the surround is so big. So they might not be very loud. We'll see... stay tuned.

Just couldn't make it work.

The frames get too close to each other even with the OEM box re-faced.

Do you think that they would be able to fit into the OEM location if they were mounted in a MDF or fiberglass box? Considering that each speaker only needs .3 cu ft max, they should work in the box you built for the 10" w/o having to build out of the panel. But then the question is how would they sound compared to the 10"? What do you think? :dunno:

Nevermind the last question...just remembered how to figure out the question after I asked it...the 10" would be louder since it has more surface area, or at least should be louder.