Wagon Subwoofer DIY

[xpcgamer]

I think I remember somebody building a box in the factory space of the Wagons crappy Nokia sub. I am tired of this big ported box I have in mine. Any idea of where that thread is? I checked BavSound and the sub for the Wagon is no longer being sold and in either case I dont have the money to buy it anyhoo.

[repandpresent]

I'm with you on this. I need more knock but I don't want to compromise the factory look too much

[touring5]

Subscribed. I'm wanting to do the same thing. I checked with BSW and they will eventually have the wagon sub back, they are just currently sold out. I don't think I want to spend the money either, but it would be nice to have a drop in sub.

I'm also considering a little different route. I've got a JL stealth box from a Mk IV Golf, that looks like it should fit under the spare tire, and be totally hidden. This box uses a 10" sub and sounds good. The issue with my wagon is the self levelling suspension air pump that is currently located there. If I move this pump, it should work really well...

[TheMatrixz]

I use an Infinity Basslink sub in mine, it does take up a small footprint, but not anything like a ported box. IMHO, it's pretty decent, 10 times better than the stock box.

Tan

[fudman]

If you are looking for improved bass but don't need to feel your bass, consider an armrest subwoofer. Not sure if this will work for the wagon but it is a great fit for the sedan. I mounted a Blaupunkt ThB 200A powered subwoofer in my armrest pocket. This sunwoofer has a small 8" driver so don't expect to feel your bass. However, it is entirely adequate for most listening and is a huge improvement over OEM sound. This installation is totally hidden from view yet provides good bass response and fills the current void. It is quickly & easily removeable and stored in the trunk when you need to carry a fifth passenger. The installation takes about an hour with common handtools. I got mine for $160 but current total cost is less than $200 installed. Do a search for my DIY on this forum.

[oekundar]

Here's my Thread with what I did...

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...d.php?t=627674

But it has changed since I last updated that thread...I'll take pictures and update it tonight.

[xpcgamer]

I use an Infinity Basslink sub in mine, it does take up a small footprint, but not anything like a ported box. IMHO, it's pretty decent, 10 times better than the stock box.

Tan

Do you have pics of your set up? This is mine. I want to install the amp under the loading floor(was scared of heat buid up) and I want something in the stock location. Need me my cargo space again!

[TheMatrixz]

Infinity Basslink

[xpcgamer]

Diffently smaller. I think I might build a ported box that fits in the stock location. I just need to match it up with 10" Sub.

[TheMatrixz]

Diffently smaller. I think I might build a ported box that fits in the stock location. I just need to match it up with 10" Sub.

I really wanted to do that but the project just never realized, and per advises from my friend who builds speakers for a living, I need at least 1 sq ft box to get any decent bass. There's not enough room above the battery for that.



Tan

[xpcgamer]

oekunder is dealing with under .50 with his 8" and he loves the way it sounds. What I installed a passive radiator thingy to the box.

[TheMatrixz]

I have a pair of Focal Utopia 5WS (JMlab) subs (5.25") to do this project but didn't get to it, anyone interested? These are high end subs that put out a decent amount for air movement, very good for space saving.



Here's some specs:



Like nothing else! This is a 5-38 inch SUBWOOFER. Thats right! Utopia 5 WS Subwoofer for small bass reflex enclosure Woofer 5 WS 136mm (5-3/8) subwoofer, special long excursion subwoofer 40mm (1-3/8) v.coil, 100mm (4) magnet Midrange - Tweeter - Crossover - Impedance 5 + Max. power handling 160 W Nom. power handling 80 W Sensitvity (2,8 V / 1 m) 87 dB Frequency response 45 Hz * - 2,5 kHz * Depend on load Fs 44,6 Hz Re 5,2 ohms Qes 0,38 Qms 5,51 Qts 0,36 Dia 10,5 cm Mms 14,8 g Lvc 1,05 mH Hbob 17 mm Hgap 6 mm Xmax 5,5 mm Sd 86,6 cm2 Vas 9,0 l BL 7,5 N/A Folding diameter 116 mm Mounting depth 74 mm Sealed enclosure (l.) - Bass-reflex enclosure (l.) 5 - 7 litres

[BimmerBreaker]

polk momo is a great 10" subwoofer, not the loudest but one of the clearest I have heard. wont drown out the other speakers but still adds a nice depth
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_107MM21...04.html?tp=111
its discontinued on crutchfield but you can still find them

[Ratbike1]

Someone need to make a nice box that'll fit in the stock position. It appears they'd have quite a few customers (myself included!).

[BimmerBreaker]

If I had access to a mold I would not be afraid to make one. Would it be possible to make a wooden box that would fit under the stock panels? I am not sure how the wagon is designed.

[Ratbike1]

If I had access to a mold I would not be afraid to make one. Would it be possible to make a wooden box that would fit under the stock panels? I am not sure how the wagon is designed.

Theres a good amount of space in there for a wooden box, yes. The factory nokia box is on a hinge so you can access the battery, but as long as the box is secured and removable, I see no real issues. BSW makes one but it's $$$

[BimmerBreaker]

How much would people be willing to pay for a pre-made box? I know a local guy with a touring who *may* be willing to let me take some measurements, ill talk to him with enough interest.

[repandpresent]

I'm not sure. Of course we have to see the quality , build, and measurement of the box before we will put a tag on it.

But I'm interested and it seems like a few others might be too. Keep us posted!

[DennisCooper]

Hi all Touring owners!

I have a Trade contact here in the UK who makes bass boxes for pretty much most of the UK's car hifi dealers at his factory. A few months ago I visited him to start the ball rolling on getting E39 Touring bass boxes made up as a cheaper alternative to the BSW kit - not to take anything away from that solution as it's a very well engineered product. However, I want to supply a more traditional solution whereby customers can choose their own Sub woofer driver and have it powered by their own choice amplifier. Of course, the subwoofer needs to be of the correct type and be able to work in very small enclosures, as such this means only a few manufacturers of such subwoofers will have a suitable driver. I started the ball rolling with my own Touring and you can see the results below. As my car is Ex Police, the 'right hand' side of the car has a twin battery setup, and also some leftover wiring and various Ex Police fittings. As such I've decided to tackle that area at a later time. I looked at the 'left hand' side. As my car came with no DVD/SatNav etc, I have a totally blank space there. I got my contact to create a box for me to 'fit' snugly into the space. For final mounting, I'll still need to secure it, but the fit as it is sits very well indeed. From memory it's 0.3 cu Ft (I'll need to call him up again to confirm exactly)

Pics









The speaker hole is enough for an 8 inch subwoofer - there's a few makers of 8 inch shallow mount subs. A 10 inch would fit, however the compromise would be in the required volume. I've been told however, by using some of the acoustic 'wool' material, that would help fool a larger subwoofer into performing as though it was in a bigger enclosure. So some 'tuning' can be done here.

I do know for instance that Earthquake do a 6 inch subwoofer - I need to look into those and their specifications, but from initial thoughts, being Earthquake, they should have good power handling etc.

The enclosure itself is CNC machined and glued together. I 'beleive' there is some strengthening to the assembly of the pieces - dowel I think? I'll have to ask him again. It feels very solid indeed, more than enough for a 6 or 8 inch subwoofer. This solution is for a modest amount of power and low frequency output and of course at a very reasonable price.

I shall get onto making a similar solution for the right hand side in due course, I do know of other Touring owners here in the UK to use as a test bed. The factory flip out trim pieces will be used and I have two options. one is to punch some holes in the back of the piece whilst retaining the external carpet material to 'allow' the air to move through. the other option is to cut out a hole and re-trim a 'grille' piece to fit into the hole as per say a home speaker.

Price wise, a completed box, with terminals would be around the £59 range, so 'currently' around $90 or so. Once I have the 'design' for both sides finalised, I'll be showcasing them on my forthcoming website. I will of course be able to send over to you guys in the USA and worldwide and can work out pricing to suit - as it'd be international.

Finally, I'd be working in conjunction with my supplier and as such these enclosures will be at a professional level of research and manufacture. They will not be units just knocked up at a back street garage!

Let me know what you guys think, and any suggestions are more than welcome!

Cheers! Dennis! West London UK!

[xpcgamer]

Thats something like I was thinking of doing.

[jdt10768]

That's very nice Dennis. I would be interested in replacing my stock Touring sub woofer. I can't even tell if it does anything. Sure doesn't create bass. I removed the sub once, and it weighs almost nothing.

[Ratbike1]

that's very nice dennis. I would be interested in replacing my stock touring sub woofer. I can't even tell if it does anything. Sure doesn't create bass. I removed the sub once, and it weighs almost nothing.

+100

[jase007]

Here you go:

Touring rear subwoofer setup(s)

*I've seen mad dog 20/20's setup in person ... it is nice.

[touring5]

Dennis sign me up for one, that is exactly what I'm looking for! I'm not sure you will need to add an opening for the side panel as the top is already vented (at least on my wagon). You don't so much hear the sub as you do feel it, so an opening in front of the speaker is not necessary, as long as there is space for the air to move... Keep us posted on when everything is ready.

[xpcgamer]

Jason Insaw that thread. I want to know more of Jo's setup. Was it just free aired behind the cover? Or did he mount a box?