is this good placement for a sub?

I would bet as much as $2.50 that your amp is old school ADS, likely a PQ10.

As far as that changer, if it worked you should call the Smithsonian.

Luke

It is an ADS. Is that a good thing?

[MrK]

In ANY sedan or coupe, there are two choices for installing a sub.

1. Completely seal the ENTIRE output of the woofer into the car. NONE of the bass energy should be allowed to come into the trunk AT ALL.

2. Throw a box into your trunk and hope for the best.

If you choose #1, expect a big hassle. I use thin foam weatherstripping tape to do the final seal, after shaping the MDF of the box I build to fit between the vertical trunk braces and fire through the ski hole.

Some of these box builds take me days to get perfect...and I have been a pro since 1980. When I say hassle, I mean a huge, raging pain in the ass.

Having the box sealed into the cabin is such an obvious improvement in basic engineering, I don't really thing further explanation is necessary.

The whole "throw it in" thing is fine: you will have boom, your trunk will rattle, everyone will hear you coming, normal car stereo crap.

Luke

Slightly OT, yet could prove useful to some of us:

I noticed that what you said perained to "any sedan or coupe." How would you change your recommendation for us guys with tourings? I currently have a sealed-box 12" sub that is firing upwards; is there anything I can do to improve the effectiveness of this setup, assuming I will not change the box?

[33lop]

hey e30 wagen,

also check the enclosure type/size for your subwoofer.

[StereoInstaller1]

I thought that was the factory amp?

I would bet as much as $2.50 that your amp is old school ADS, likely a PQ10.

As far as that changer, if it worked you should call the Smithsonian.

Luke

[backtrail69]

The factory amp is hidden behind panels in the trunk.

I spy an ADS amp...

PQ10?

I thought that was the factory amp? I've never really taken a good look at it. All I know is that my factory component speakers are still kicking out some nice sound and I'm thankful for that. CD changer doesn't work though.

[StereoInstaller1]

i think the e30 trunk seals out the woofer from the outside world pretty good

Yes, you are right. It does a great job keeping the bass in the trunk...just not getting it into the cabin!

Luke

[e304me]

i think the e30 trunk seals out the woofer from the outside world pretty good

[Mtriple]

I spy an ADS amp...

PQ10?

[StereoInstaller1]

So, like, 3 years ago I got into this huge, dumb argument on tha intarweb. Feelers got hurt, people got hit with the ban stick, all kinds of shit.

I really don't want to get into that again. I would like to explain a bit about subwoofer design theory, so you will understand what is going on with that plan.

Anyway, here is the basics of the point I made back then.

In ANY sedan or coupe, there are two choices for installing a sub.

1. Completely seal the ENTIRE output of the woofer into the car. NONE of the bass energy should be allowed to come into the trunk AT ALL.

2. Throw a box into your trunk and hope for the best.

If you choose #1, expect a big hassle. I use thin foam weatherstripping tape to do the final seal, after shaping the MDF of the box I build to fit between the vertical trunk braces and fire through the ski hole.

Some of these box builds take me days to get perfect...and I have been a pro since 1980. When I say hassle, I mean a huge, raging pain in the ass.

Having the box sealed into the cabin is such an obvious improvement in basic engineering, I don't really thing further explanation is necessary.

The whole "throw it in" thing is fine: you will have boom, your trunk will rattle, everyone will hear you coming, normal car stereo crap.

Basically, all subwoofer installations fit those two categories.

Here is why: One of the most basic physical laws is that energy follows the path of least resistance. If allowed to rattle around in your trunk, bass will do just that...make rattles, boom the neighbors, anything EXCEPT make nice clean bass for YOU, the driver.

So if you understand that tossing that prefab box into your trunk is just the easy way out, what the hell...go for it. That is what 95% of my customers get, because they are not willing to pay for doing it right.

So, if you are looking to get 100% maximum performance, step back and rethink your install. If you just want a little (or even a lot) of bass to make your car sound better, go for it.

Oh yeah...just so your phase angle is not 90 degrees out, point your sub towards the back wall.

Luke

[smonkbmw]

make sure you have your pass through punched out. my girl's sub is in the same location, is a 10" also. but is in a square box and facing to the rear.

[NC325iC]

what did you say?

i think thatd be fine, but im no guru

[franco90]

I think this will work good for you .
plus you still have all your trunk space.

I hope my picture is clear enough. I think I drew it a bit to small but that's the idea, it's only going to be for one 10". The idea is for the box to blend into that corner of the trunk. I guess my main question is what the sound quality is going to be like with it firing in that direction. Is an angle like that a bad idea?