Subwoofer in the rear deck of BMW E36 sedan?

[Bluum]

Hi, I have a space problem in my trunk, but I want/need a subwoofer for mye sound system.

I have been recomended a bandpass enclosure, but I don't have room for one of those huge boxes. I can fit a regular, ported box, but I would prefer a sealed box.

Anyway, the trunk in these BMW sedans are quite damped, so the bass doesn't get any good I've heard. So I thought of a layout I really find practical. And that is with the subwoofer (12/10") mounted in the rear deck with a sealed box under it.

Like on this drawing:

View attachment 26504355

Wil that work?

I have people sying that that won't work at all, some say it might work and someone say it'll work slightly. But I cant see why it shouldn't work.

I mean, regular speakers mounted that way work just fine, and if large enough, the produce some bass.

Does anyone have an idea if it might work?

Click to read more...

 

[slconde 10+ year member]

id say go with shallow subs then. i heard the pioneer shallows and was quite impressed. more of a tighter bass but they sounded very good for what they were

 

[SPY 5,000+ posts]

I would suggest going with an IB set up, it will give you some good bass, great SQ and won't take up much room at all.

 

[Bluum]

The thing is that the BMW sedan trunks are very soundproof, and you loose about 10dB of the volume. So shallow element or isobaric mounting won't be much different from any other type of sub.

What I need is a way to get the sound into the coupe, where I sit, or else I need it to play really loud. If it is exactly 10dB loss, then I need to have subwoofers that play 115dB If I want the volume to be 105dB in my seat; and that means that I have to use more power, and maybee more subwoofers, which costs money. Money I don't have or want to spend if not necessary.

Isn't there anybody out there who can say anything about mounting a subwoofer in the rear deck?

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

The thing is that the BMW sedan trunks are very soundproof, and you loose about 10dB of the volume. So shallow element or isobaric mounting won't be much different from any other type of sub.What I need is a way to get the sound into the coupe, where I sit, or else I need it to play really loud. If it is exactly 10dB loss, then I need to have subwoofers that play 115dB If I want the volume to be 105dB in my seat; and that means that I have to use more power, and maybee more subwoofers, which costs money. Money I don't have or want to spend if not necessary.

Isn't there anybody out there who can say anything about mounting a subwoofer in the rear deck?

Sucks.. doesn't it.. Best setup I've found so far is Port to the side and subs up...

 

[riddla 10+ year member]

Sucks.. doesn't it.. Best setup I've found so far is Port to the side and subs up...

I'll try & shed some light for you matey. Listen up. Yes it is hard to get bass into the cabin. I'll suggest a few things. Remove 6x9's if you have them. Also its best to remove the rear shelf & carpet it after to cover up the holes. Will look good if you do it properly & allow bass in much mor freely. Trust me. Also removes all that dam rattling from the shelf

Ok. I can tell you that although it can be difficult to get decent bass in here, its not impossible. Have a look at my set up below that I recently built. I can tell you that this set up sounds serious. The bass is seriously deep & when I get a bigger & better amp, it will be worse. The bass pounds you hard in the chest as it is and people turn there heads from far so I know its travelling LOL

Hope this helps

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=302897&highlight=bmw

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

Yeah I know, I love your setup //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif and you've got an awesome car.

Soo.. You completely removed the rear deck?? I'm not fallowing exactly..

 

[riddla 10+ year member]

Yeah I know, I love your setup //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif and you've got an awesome car.

Soo.. You completely removed the rear deck?? I'm not fallowing exactly..

Yeah thanks for the comment. With regards to removing the rear shelf, I have not done it as yet but know some1 that did and it does make a difference. The shelf in position just creates nasty rattling and vibrations. when taken out, the bass just travels through freely as there are about 6 holes underneath the shelf & the bass is as smooth as anything. I will be taking mine out within the next cpl of weeks or sooner, maybe this w/kend actually. If ur pushing alot of power in the beema e36, press down or pulll the shelf up and the vibrations disappear of course until u let go, do you get my drift. My box is tuned very low and when the shelf is removed, it will sound a whole lot better especially when I upgrade my hifonics amp to the 2407 model, 2600w RMS even tho abit overated as they say, the big 3 and a optima battery. WOO HOOO, CANT WAIT LOL

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

I have an E30, so it is different, but I do notice the rear deck rattling, and it's completely annoying.

What are you thinking of as a replacement for the rear deck?

 

[riddla 10+ year member]

I will just be covering it nice n neat in acoustic cloth. I will show you when I've done it,

 

[miker 5,000+ posts]

I will just be covering it nice n neat in acoustic cloth. I will show you when I've done it,

That would be great if you made a log or something //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif I'm interested in doing this.

 

[riddla 10+ year member]

That would be great if you made a log or something //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif I'm interested in doing this.

Will do

 

[Bluum]

Well, I gave up this project already

I'll just buy another car; a Civic perhaps ...

 

[riddla 10+ year member]

I have now removed the rear deck / shelf and core blimey. What a very noticeable difference. Pics to follow shortly.

Miker. PM SENT