Thread: Buying a D4, what stereo is easiest to upgrade???

Originally Posted by lpj

A question for you audiofiles out there.

How easy is it to add a sub-woofer to the Harmon Kardon system that I have in my MY12 SE? I see there is provision for it under the divers seat. Is it a matter of plug and play?

While the sound of the HK is OK, its a real step down from the Mackintosh I have in my Subaru Liberty GT.

Just need a bit more doof doof

I have the same issue with the Meridian system in my MY14, good mid to high's, but muddy low's & it lacks that punch that a good 12" sub will deliver.

I already have an Alpine S type sub & enclosure with matching Alpine mono bloc amp, which I will get installed shortly. According to the audio guy who will do it, its pretty straight forward & Im hoping to retain the sub out control through the head unit, otherwise I will just set the gain on the sub amp. I accept the drawbacks of having an enclosure, but for me the sound gain is worth it.

tiddy

Originally Posted by jonesy63

Hi lpj,
The sub is in the lower tailgate. I suspect the easiest way to install one would be to tap into the speaker outs from the amplifier (in drivers side luggage space panel) and then run that into an additional amp and then run new speaker cable to the lower tailgate and new sub.

Here's a couple of photos of what the lower tailgate looks like in a D3:

That's great. Thanks for that.

That being said, what is the empty cage/rack under the front seat used for then?

Originally Posted by lpj

That being said, what is the empty cage/rack under the front seat used for then?

I thought that is where the amp went.

Ahh. I think your right. That makes sense

Originally Posted by garrycol

I thought that is where the amp went.

Almost - that is where the amp is located on the base model D4 stereo. The higher spec ones have the amp hidden under the plastic side panel in drivers side luggage space.

I must have cloth ears because I have the basic HK system with passive sub in my D3 SE and it leaves all other standard cars stereo systems in all other cars I've ever had for dead. My ears would bleed if it went any louder and it gets as loud as I can stand without any noticeable distortion. A powered sub would be nice But the passive is really very acceptable.

Originally Posted by jonesy63

I am about to install a Dynaudio 10" in my D4.

Is the 10" Dynaudio a drop in replacement? Really keen to get your impressions one its in. I've always been impressed with Dyn's. Have em at home. Brilliant.

Originally Posted by jonesy63

Almost - that is where the amp is located on the base model D4 stereo. The higher spec ones have the amp hidden under the plastic side panel in drivers side luggage space.

Do you mean under the passenger seat? After taking the back of my knuckle off on the weekend I found an empty bracket under the LH front seat of my (base model stereo) MY14. Was wondering what it was for, assumed one of the upgraded ICE packages. But it's definitely empty in mine, just a bunch of loose wiring plugs...