stickygreen

I am actually very pleased with my stock Bose system, now that is has a different head unit (Nak), but would like to get just a little bit more bass out of it if possible without too much hassle. Couple questions:

1. Are the OEM Bose rear deck subwoofers self-amplified, or are they connected to a central amplifier?

2. If self-amplified, shouldn't it be easy to connect two more Bose 6.5" subwoofers in the rear deck cutouts by simply tapping for a signal?

3. If not self-amplified, anybody know the power/resistance specs for the Bose subs? I can't imagine they take very much power...

Reason I'm looking at this route is that I do not want to give up any trunk space, nor do I want to spend $1000+ on a custom-fit box with sub & amp that will likely overpower the Bose...

Any inputs are welcome...even those that suggest that this is a stupid idea, but please explain why...

ohlord

and build a small 8inch decware deathbox sub.
You only need one sub and factory rears,just don't hack it.
Won't even cost you anywhere near a grand and your stomach will feel the punch.

EdzBenz

If I remember correctly, there are two more speaker cut-outs in your rear deck. The ports are the exact size as your current Bose subs that are installed. I just purchased two extra Bose subs to install in the cut-outs once I get around to it. I'll probably have the wiring done professionally for this because I don't want to risk damaging anything.
What Nakamichi unit did you buy?

Vertigo RT

Id like to add a Nakmichi self powered 10" sub. The signal to those speakers in the rear deck is only lows?

stickygreen

Exactly what is a decware deathbox sub?

Currently have the cheaper CD300 cd/mp3 player installed, but prefer the non-mp3 CD400 in my BMW. Will likely swap the two head units because the cd400 matches the MB interior lighting better, while the CD300 matches the BMW better. Only complaint abourt the CD300 is there is no track memory when playing MP3 files. If you turn off the stereo in the middle of the song, it will restart the song upon turning the unit back on.

But either one sound MUCH better than the stock HU that came in the Benz.

Please post when you get around to it, as this is the route I'd prefer to go.

Vertigo RT

Im only using the Nakamichi sub in my benz (hopefuly). THough I have a CD700 II in my Volvo

ohlord

of speakerdom
you can get the plans and modify the size.Bass like you would not believe.
SPL levels off the charts.
Plus his wife is Beautiful

http://decware.com/
read his white papers on auto sound systems.
What www.danielsternlighting.com is to lighting,Steve is to sound

stickygreen

Would be a good idea if I were to upgrade the whole system, but so much bass will likely overpower the stock BOSE speakers. Might have to look into one of those once my 635csi is ready for a system...

MR888

I got a 12" sub in a enclosed box and it sounds great.. a bit loud though if youre not a young fella

ohlord

is adjusted to be a complement to the super high tweeters and the mid and high ranges.It won't compete in volume unless you like it to.
Real bass is directionally undetectable.Wave length is much longer than the enclosure(your car)
High and mids and high highs you hear,bass(good bass,low low down bass should be felt not heard)
http://www.decware.com/dbqa.htm
I get a kick out of the final review on that page.I had to do the same thing in my MGB racer.Since it is also a road licensed car,I built the box as a removable item.
400 watt mono amp rated at 2 ohms and with the top down the sound is kickin.At 58 I enjoy fine sound quality and can't stand the rattle you hear from most cars with thumpin subs.The db lets you feel the music.And a single
mono amp for the bass only like a pioneer 400/1 allows volume of the bass to be balanced to the main amp.

Tip.When you get done with the bass,install a set of tweeters on the front pillars at ear level and reverse phase them.You will smile every time you turn on the system.I bought a set of 1.5 inch tweets at magnolia high fi and they come in little orbs that allow you to aim the sound right at the best spot in the drivers seat.

tris1969

thought i'd pick this thread up just in case anybody else in contemplating adding a subwoofer to the factory bose system....
per ohlord's suggestion, i surfed over to decware's site and downloaded plans for a deathbox. i went with the 10" version, built it in a weekend.
now, because i have been a professional audio dude of the live concert sound sort, i have a solid understanding of how to integrate this box with the bose system. the bose system, in my opinion, has received a lot of unfair criticism because 1) H/U lack aux outs 2) low-level signal...bose aims for efficiency rather than monster power ratings..i have never been a fan of bose home speakers (801's, 901's, etc), and i feel that they are coasting on a reputation earned in the 60's, and marketing finesse.
however, in my considered opinion, bose did a fine job tuning the system for the w210. it simply lacks low end.
after downloading the wiring plot (schematic) i was able to quickly find the speaker leads going from the amp to the rear deck speakers, and simply tapped into those to feed a line-level converter/noise filter. the bose system puts out about 600 mv...my orion amplifier (300watts rms @ 4ohms bridged mono) can use a signal as low as 200mv..however, i thought it wise to insulate output of the bose amp from any deviations in impedance or feedback, etc. anyway...
the DEATHBOX KICKS ***! with a home-made remote gain control in the center console, the bass is adjustable and therefore it is easy to match level with the bose speakers. just for kicks, i plan to find some burl walnut veneer to make it look factory...
the best part of all this is that the subwoofer system is self-contained; it can be removed without a trace of its ever having been there....
thanks, ohlord, for putting me on decware's trail. that box did the magic.

tris1969

by the way,
if anyone would like help with a subwoofer install, PM me.
i'll be glad to help.

ohlord

You might think of posting this on the diy section of www.benzworld.org w210 section if you jot down what you used to tie it in and if you post pictures.
That deathbox at 10inches will kill most 2 12 inch set ups and go gut low.
Thanks for gettin it done.

tris1969

will do. unfortunately, i didn't take photos of the install. however, it will be simple enough to explain with the aid of existing posts re: rear seat removal, console removal, wiring plot, etc.
this should save many a w210 owner from spending too much $$$, and, more importantly, prevent unnecessary and irreversible damage to OE wiring because of an over-zealous, under-educated car audio salesman!
stay tuned for "ADDING SUBWOOFER TO FACTORY BOSE SYSTEM D.I.Y"

BSR Music

what color are the wires from the amp to stock sub? I have a kicker box just waiting to tap into the bose stock system.