Adding Sub and Amp
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
Adding Sub and Amp
Has anybody here added a subwoofer and amp to the factory head unit setup? A shop that I spoke with said w140s are very tightly sealed to prevent external noise from coming in. He told me that perhaps getting 2 12" subs in the trunk could do it. Does anybody have any recommendations on how to do this? I am not looking to have alot of bass. Just want to improve the system a little. My concern is that the bass won't get into the passenger compartment from the trunk - I don't want to blast the sub b/c I don't wanna wake up the neighbors either. Thanks so much.
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
W221
Hello,
Maybe I'm off base but I've had a '95 w140 and I have a '97 w140 coupe and the factory speakers in the rear shelf are exposed on the back side into the trunk. Effectively turning the trunk into the speaker box. Even if they weren't the 140 doesn't have any special separation between that rear shelf and the trunk. It's really just covered for cosmetics in the trunk and minimal sound issues, feel around with your hand it's nothing special.
The other thing you have to remember is the length of a bass wave, you're going to feel that in the cabin no problem.
I'd personally make sure the installer, not the salesman looks at the car. Also make sure they know what they're doing with your factory amp. If they still don't get it I'd be on my way to another shop. It's a very well built car but nothing two subs are going to have a problem with.
Matthew
Maybe I'm off base but I've had a '95 w140 and I have a '97 w140 coupe and the factory speakers in the rear shelf are exposed on the back side into the trunk. Effectively turning the trunk into the speaker box. Even if they weren't the 140 doesn't have any special separation between that rear shelf and the trunk. It's really just covered for cosmetics in the trunk and minimal sound issues, feel around with your hand it's nothing special.
The other thing you have to remember is the length of a bass wave, you're going to feel that in the cabin no problem.
I'd personally make sure the installer, not the salesman looks at the car. Also make sure they know what they're doing with your factory amp. If they still don't get it I'd be on my way to another shop. It's a very well built car but nothing two subs are going to have a problem with.
Matthew
Last edited by MJM; Mar 16, 2005 at 12:23 AM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
adding sub and amp
I've been researching the same question of adding a sub to the factory head unit for the past two weeks. I have a coupe like MJM and it has a bose system in it which effectively turns the bass down as you turn the volume up to keep distortion to a minimum. You can counter act it by adding a remote bass control level if the amp has an input for it which is what one stereo shop offered to hook up for me. Out of 5 shops I visited 4 suggested to replace the entire system but it ultimately depends on how much bass you desire. I previously leased an infiniti also with a Bose system and I installed a sub and amp and a front component set with amp off of the factory head unit and it made a big improvement so yes it can be done with the correct level line convertor connected to the correct speaker output leads. 
