Need Help With Replacing Factory Subwoofer in 2012 Si with Premium Audio.
- Thread starter squiggy
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there is a similar thread here
http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/replacing-rear-deck-subwoofer.6876/
http://9thcivic.com/forum/threads/replacing-rear-deck-subwoofer.6876/
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- #3
I read through that one. The Kicker mentioned actually wouldn't work due to depth. I think I found a solution, though. I went to some audio places on lunch.
Kicker CompVT Series makes an 8" free air sub that actually has a mounting depth that is just a hair shorter than stock.
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bad fishy
Well-Known Member
Just build a custom fiberglass box, install an amp and call it a day. I've never heard a free air sub that produced quality bass.
Box cost me about $200 in materials. Sub was $150ish and amp was $180ish.
Not a cheap route, but very rewarding and oh so stealth.
Box cost me about $200 in materials. Sub was $150ish and amp was $180ish.
Not a cheap route, but very rewarding and oh so stealth.
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I am not interested in going that route. I value my trunk space.
Anyway, I am simply interested in replacing the paper cones that somehow qualify as premium audio while I have everything torn apart.
bad fishy
Well-Known Member
I figured, just throwing it out there. It's a little pricey and required a lot of time.
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- #9
The time part I have down. I have half of my car torn apart already. I just want better quality speakers. Not concerned about thumping bass. The bad thing is that I didn't tear may car apart to even replace speakers, but now that I am at that point I figure I may as well at least replace the rear three.
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I just submitted my order on the Pioneer sub. I also got a Y cable RCA adapter. The secondary harness appears to have only one connection for the sub. At least I assume this is the harness for the sub since the main harness only has connection for the for main speakers.
What was funny was yesterday when I was getting the subs ,I heard this real faint bass, I asked the installer what it was and he said " it's the factory sub" we started laughing. It sounded like a JC Whitney motorcycle sub.what a joke,free air sucks.
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I never implied they were the greatest, but I am making the best of the situation I am in. It will still be a bit better than the lesser powered 6.5"'s on their own. I have no interest in putting a box in, but would at least like to upgrade the paper speakers.
CivicCanuck
Well-Known Member
There isn't much inherently wrong with paper cones. They are used all the time for professional audio applications, just ask JBL, Klipsch, Faital Pro, 18 Sound, Eminence, B&C, BMS, Meyer Sound, etc. Paper is well damped, it doesn't have any resonances or ugly break up modes like metal cones can in the upper midrange. When thick enough that it doesn't flex, and waterproofed it makes a good cone material.
Cloth accordion surrounds also don't get stiff in the winter like butyl rubber, and don't rot like the older poly ether foams used either. I have had light poly cones ( Infinity Kappa series ) fall apart after 2 years, and they weren't cheap.
A good 2 way speaker or component set would be a step up in performance though from a simple paper cone driver with a whizzer cone.
Cloth accordion surrounds also don't get stiff in the winter like butyl rubber, and don't rot like the older poly ether foams used either. I have had light poly cones ( Infinity Kappa series ) fall apart after 2 years, and they weren't cheap.
A good 2 way speaker or component set would be a step up in performance though from a simple paper cone driver with a whizzer cone.
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This is the kind of info I love to hear from people on this forum! Thank You! My knowledge of car audio is definitely limited, but I am also looking to fill in the gaps.
austin1636
Well-Known Member
idk what the difference from my 13' sedan to my 08 coupe i had but the bass is COMPLETELY different.
in my 8th i never upgraded the bass because it hit hard enough and was good
idk if its because i had a coupe and now have a sedan but the 9th just doesnt have any bass at all i feel like.........
makes me wonder if whoever owned my 8th before me upgraded the stock sub
in my 8th i never upgraded the bass because it hit hard enough and was good
idk if its because i had a coupe and now have a sedan but the 9th just doesnt have any bass at all i feel like.........
makes me wonder if whoever owned my 8th before me upgraded the stock sub
I've seen between the forums a few people that tried to upgrade the sub from the factory,and all I've seen is disappointed people that spent a lot of money for little gain.I think but may be wrong that JL audio makes a sub that will fit but I never heard anyone happy with the results.the bar for the trunk really straps you for fit so it really really limits you.I didn't mean to be an idiot with my story,I just realized during that moment how bad the factory sub really is,it's almost like there is nothing there.IMO it is going to be tough to realize good bass with any free air set-up. I wanted to go that route and I was told every time I would never like it.there was a guy getting his ford F 150 done by adding a 6 inch bazooka tube when I got my stuff installed Sunday,and I have to tell you he had practically zero bass before with his factory set up( which looked like an upgrade) so he put the bazooka under the right rear seat and it was for sure a better sound,not earth shattering but simply better.i didn't want a box but I just had to have the sound,I hated the factory speakers.i think any powered set-up will be better than a big money free air speaker any day.its almost like you have to have way to much power to get any kind of results.
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If I recall correctly, through all of my research, that JL does not have a shallow mount 8"...only a 13.5". Maybe you are thinking of the shallow mount 8" JBL, but that is not intended for free air use. I am willing to take a chance on $80. It will be worth it even if it is a modest upgrade in fidelity. I am not looking for big thumps, just good sound in general. It will, at the very least, provide better bass than the 6.5's. I am pairing it with some Polk 6501s speakers in the rear. Good reviews on the speakers in general, but a bit lacking on low end bass. Hopefully the sub replacement will rectify that.
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I have polk Dxi 650s in the door and rear,and the door has way more low end then the rear does that's for sure.there was a shallow mount that crutchfield was selling for a free air for awhile,but even the advisor told me it would be hardly noticeable even with an amp.i put dynomat in my door wells so it made it more low end responding along with the kinda sealed atmosphere.i love the polks,hey sound great,I had them first with the factory amp but they missed the range I wanted,after I added an amp,the really came to "life".the subs really closed the deal.id like to know how you like it after you get the free air sub as I would be curious since I didn't go that route.
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- #19
bobshur
This is fun. Similar conversations in different threads. I will definitely let everyone know how it sounds. I would love to replace the front speakers, but this project got real expensive quickly.
This is fun. Similar conversations in different threads. I will definitely let everyone know how it sounds. I would love to replace the front speakers, but this project got real expensive quickly.
I hear you on that one,what started out as a simple speaker replacement turned into a 1500 adventure! I though I'd be happy with the speakers only in the front and back but it just showed the flaws of the system, the lcq-1 really "opened it up" per say.but for now I'm done and happy. Yea this is a cool forum,I really like the people in here.