Alpha One amp or upgraded subs?

[Nothing]

I’m not gonna lie, I’m a cheap ass when it comes to audio stuff & I don’t want to swap 8-12 speakers out. I have consistently been unhappy with the HK system in this car.

Has anyone got experience with upgrading the amp in the car to get better sound (I feel no bass under my seat) VS getting upgraded subs on the stock speakers?

Other than the materials used to build them, do the upgraded subs play better with the low power you get outta the stock amp?

Thank you.

[Slow M3]

I have HK and upgraded my subs to the BAV sound subs and I can definitely say it was worth it for me. I was very skeptical but was pleasantly surprised by the difference.

Understand, the bass is not going to be louder. If that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t get that from 8” under seat subs. What you can expect is much tighter bass and it hits so much more solid than the stock HK subs, unbelievable clarity and no muddiness. I was told it should get better after the 12hr break in and I’m only on maybe 2hrs but I can feel the difference.

[Nothing]

Originally Posted by Slow M3

I have HK and upgraded my subs to the BAV sound subs and I can definitely say it was worth it for me. I was very skeptical but was pleasantly surprised by the difference.

Understand, the bass is not going to be louder. If that’s what you’re looking for, you won’t get that from 8” under seat subs. What you can expect is much tighter bass and it hits so much more solid than the stock HK subs, unbelievable clarity and no muddiness. I was told it should get better after the 12hr break in and I’m only on maybe 2hrs but I can feel the difference.

That’s good to know. Thanks for the information. 👍

[Yuille36]

Many years ago, I upgraded my HK sound system in my E63 AMG. I went all out with new Alpine amps, Audison Digital Sound processor, Focal speakers and JL Audio 10" sub.
And believe me when I tell you it was a game changer, it definitely wasn't cheap, but what a difference it made. So don't be afraid to go to the deep end of the pool. The pleasures in life are made to be enjoyed.

[NealfromNZ]

On a budget what about doing a 10 inch trunk sub and amp. Best bang for buck. Just look for a single channel amp that can take a 32 volt high level input and feed those from the underseat speakers. Technic pnp have a harness with a loc which piggy backs via the amp sprayer harness in the left of the trunk. Will fill in the low end that’s missing and give substantially more sub bass.

[Nothing]

Thanks for the advice guys 👍

[HoustonOilersFan]

Also had similar feelings around HK. Initially upgraded to BAV Sound. Ultimately, a sub was needed for my personal taste. Added 10” JL Audio and JL JD500/1 amp and was extremely pleased. Flipped to higher quality JL 12” two years later after blowing two separate lower level 10s in that timeframe. Couldn’t be happier, wifey not so much. Whatever setup you choose, buy the best quality for your budget and enjoy.

[jp2001]

Originally Posted by NealfromNZ

On a budget what about doing a 10 inch trunk sub and amp. Best bang for buck. Just look for a single channel amp that can take a 32 volt high level input and feed those from the underseat speakers. Technic pnp have a harness with a loc which piggy backs via the amp sprayer harness in the left of the trunk. Will fill in the low end that’s missing and give substantially more sub bass.

This extension board for high level inputs (link below) fits into my DSP amp, this would work for the f80 right? I wouldn’t need a LOC or anything else other than a wiring kit? Just adding a sub using the 5th channel of my amp. Keeping hk system stock

Anything else I should know when tapping into the signal from underseat subs ?

From the product: “the F4IN features 3.2 ÷ 32 VRMS to allow a perfect integration in advanced OEM systems with higher voltages.”

https://www.abt.com/Audison-F4IN-For.../p/195720.html

[NealfromNZ]

Originally Posted by jp2001

This extension board for high level inputs (link below) fits into my DSP amp, this would work for the f80 right? I wouldn’t need a LOC or anything else other than a wiring kit? Just adding a sub using the 5th channel of my amp. Keeping hk system stock

Anything else I should know when tapping into the signal from underseat subs ?

From the product: “the F4IN features 3.2 ÷ 32 VRMS to allow a perfect integration in advanced OEM systems with higher voltages.”

https://www.abt.com/Audison-F4IN-For.../p/195720.html

Yes that would work. The HK has quite high voltage on the underfloor subs needed due to its power level at 8 ohms. Looking like that audison board is effectively a loc so you won’t need one.

Just check the audison manual to make sure the amp will power up / down on this high level input card. Will save you having to run a amp on lead to the Audison.

Otherwise a terminal 30 point off the rear fuse box will give you a switched power source when the car is occupied. Probably something like fuse positions 124-129 can be used if empty. These tend to be used for NBT idrive accessories such as usb hub or telephone cradle power so one of those two should be free depending on build year of your car.

For a pnp harness to tap the underseat subs from the back of an HK amp then use this.
https://technicpnp.com/product/logic...sub-t-harness/