Any quality 5.5" woofer to replace stockies?

[Massive Lee]

I'd like to change the four little "woofers" from my Premium BMW audio system by similar units, fitting in the same rear pods and front kick panels. Is there anything that has been done before? I am sure I am not the first one who wishes to improve bass response without having to install a sub, or gut some sheet metal...

[Bimmerman325i]

While expensive, I have heard/read good things about the Focal line of small subwoofers, including 5" subs. I think they are called the SX5 line, though I may quite possibly be mistaken. Check their website for more info.

Aside from them, I do not know of any manufacturer who builds and markets <8" dedicated subs. I also haven't looked that hard, as 5" woofers aren't what I personally am looking for.

[Dozyproductions]

If you actually want a 5" sub there is the tang band 5 inch sub. Their 5" woofer plays up to really high frequencies so it would be safe for drop in applications.

A lot of other options to look for are at madisound. I would definitely recommend the peerless sls line or fountek's.

Check out Zaph's site for a lot of speakers he's reviewed as well. A lot of his choices can be found on partsepxress.com, madisound.com or even tymphany.com


Of course a lot of these guys weren't made to be played in a car without enclosures so without one, bass will be reduced. As long as you have a little deadening you should be fine.

[StereoInstaller1]

If you actually want a 5" sub there is the tang band 5 inch sub. Their 5" woofer plays up to really high frequencies so it would be safe for drop in applications.

A lot of other options to look for are at madisound. I would definitely recommend the peerless sls line or fountek's.

Check out Zaph's site for a lot of speakers he's reviewed as well. A lot of his choices can be found on partsepxress.com, madisound.com or even tymphany.com


Of course a lot of these guys weren't made to be played in a car without enclosures so without one, bass will be reduced. As long as you have a little deadening you should be fine.

3 things wrong with those drivers:

1. Your amp power will be cut in half, so there will be LESS low frequencies (we all know bass takes power, right?) as these are 8 ohm instead of 4 ohm, which is only adequate. I think we would get better sound using 3 ohm drivers...but that is rare stuff.

2. The "Qts" spec on most high quality drivers is in the range of .3 to .4.

We need to see something more like .7 to 1.2

"Q" is a measurement of resonance magnification...these small woofers resonate fairly high, as in typically about 70Hz. We need to see a Resonant Frequency (Fs is the spec) MUCH lower, like 40Hz, which is a fucking dream in a 5" woofer...50 is gonna be more typical.

The woofer in my car has a Fs of 24Hz, BTW.

3. Those round die cast woofer won't fit as a drop in either front or rear. You can cut the sides down to make them fit in the rear housings, but they still won't fit under the front kickpanels without hitting the panel...they gonna buzz, bad.

If you want better bass, find 4 stock left front mids from an E34...left front ONLY is DVC, adn the second coil could be wired to make bass only, using a simple 6db/oct crossover...but you gotta find 4 of those damn mids!

Do you see why I build the boxes I do the way I do? No cutting, no modding, very small space impact, don't require much power to get loud and sound terrific...now if I only had brakes big enough to fill up my 17" wheels...

Luke

[atomic]

If you want better bass, find 4 stock left front mids from an E34...left front ONLY is DVC, adn the second coil could be wired to make bass only, using a simple 6db/oct crossover...but you gotta find 4 of those damn mids!

Luke

:p



;) ThxKbye (& no I haven't tried the e39 woofer box yet) :neutral:

[Dozyproductions]

1. Your amp power will be cut in half, so there will be LESS low frequencies (we all know bass takes power, right?) as these are 8 ohm instead of 4 ohm, which is only adequate. I think we would get better sound using 3 ohm drivers...but that is rare stuff.

I don't know that about less low frequencies there unless you're talking about pretty much the general output of the speaker. I was under the impression that all the resistance does is giving more or less power to the speaker.

One of the positives I can see using an 8ohm driver is that theoretically they can be just a loud with less power which would just make them more efficient. Anyways I wouldnt think we are going to lose any 'loudness' from using an 8 ohm driver. Of course im assuming that an amplifier is being used. I do know that image dynamics offer 2ohm drivers though btw.

When I went to some car audio meets in san diego people used the above mentioned drivers and even though the specs don't accommodate for it, they still sound great and a lot better (when gone active) then some car audio component sets.

Sucks that fitment is such an issue with the stock locations. Install is my weaker point even though it's just as important. That's why I sub boxes to guys like you mate :)