zroadster.net

Well the storey goes I built myself a custom subwoofer for my Z3m last year to replace the frankly terrible Harmon unit.

After this I got quite a few requests on here for more units.
I decided to go with a high quality 6" subwoofer from Focal
(£85.00 retail on its own. If your are not familiar with Focal they are
one of the top hi end speaker manufacturers)
as the box volume would be spot on.
So after a few different designs I have a finished article.

The unit fits snug in the original subwoofer location. All that is
required is the removal of the original unit and brackets.
I would also recommend dynamatt for the surrounding areas due
to the increased output.

I have tested this unit on a Genesis Mini Block and it absolutely sings.
Tight fast and punchy with great output for its size.
I would rate this unit around 150w rms 4ohm.

NB
The standard harmon amp will not run this unit to a satisfactory level.

The price is £150.00 collected from Essex or I can post in the UK for £10.00. I will make to order which due to work will take 3-4 weeks depending on demand.

The sub will transform the sound system in your zed and will outperform the roadster sounds units costing 4 times as much !!

Thanks Glen

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae33 ... C01543.jpg

Glen,

Great news - the only thing that bothers me is my car doesnt have the standard subwoofer instead it has a cubby hole. Does this fit in the cubby hole as well?

It should do as the internal shape should be the same. Post a couple of pics of the area and i will confirm mate.

Very tempting although I think it would rattle the perspex windbreaker I have a bit :/

Hi dooby,

Great job, the unit looks really good.

If I could make a suggestion without being cheeky, using a router and round over bit on the top piece would transform the look and more suit the countours of the car, this would also make your unit look more OEM.



I hope you do not take this as critisism and more of a suggestion as you have done a good job

^^ that's a very good idea

I'll get some photos of the storage compartment later

Ardchyle wrote:Hi dooby,

Great job, the unit looks really good.

If I could make a suggestion without being cheeky, using a router and round over bit on the top piece would transform the look and more suit the countours of the car, this would also make your unit look more OEM.



I hope you do not take this as critisism and more of a suggestion as you have done a good job

I did round it slightly, but more of a curve could be added no problem.

The rounded edges would finish it off to a T. I've got the same setup a s Shanty will these pics be sufficient?

Its the same shape by the looks of things so you would just need to remove the box area. With the original sub removed from my car im just left with a bare metal frame inside and it sits snug on the top surround.

Can you give us details on the supplied Focal Sub?

I work for a high end hi fi company and sell Focal domestic loudspeakers I run there utopia range in my M.
The woofer I decided to use is a 6wse which performs sub bass duty in the £1800.00 826W Le's

Have a read of this for some more info The W cone drive units.

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio- ... 639/review

Hope this is of help

Ah I see, i cant seem to find any info on a 6WSE on the focal website though? Sorry for all the questions i'm just trying to find everything i can about it before i order

Its a new custom made drive unit for that specific speaker.
I spoke to the Focal rep who i know very well and asked him to recommend
a driver for the job in hand. Basically its one down from the Utopia range in there driver line up.

If you scroll down this link there is the specs for the standard 6w.
The unit I am using is the new improved version with more excursion and higher power output. It will drop down to around 35htz -3db which is great for a 6" drive unit

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthre ... 1&page=120

PM'd

All Pm's replyed

You're going to be a busy man

are you going to keep the line running.......as i may well be interested in one in the future?

garythefish wrote:You're going to be a busy man

Your not wrong mate. Had quite alot of interest.

swamper wrote:are you going to keep the line running.......as i may well be interested in one in the future?

Hi, yes it will always be possilbe to make you one in the future.

Updated... Edges made to look like original cover as requested.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae33 ... C01538.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae33 ... C01543.jpg

Absolutely spot on I'll take one....Pm'd

Piccies





Being fitted Thursday

They look Superb

Ardchyle wrote:They look Superb

Thankyou, Im going to be building a batch of 6 over the next few
weeks while the saw is out and then just get the speakers per order.

These look so much better with the rounded edges, are they still being wrapped in vinyl or just painted black?

I was interested in buying just the box and using my curent lid/sub build but I'm not considering the whole unit!

Someone get up some fitted pics!

Its cover'd in a faux leather type cloth. . You would ruin your
current lid trying to fix it to the bottom of the box as you would need to
screw/pin them together. Just using pva is not sufficent.

Thanks, defo interested... I'd love to see some fitted photos and any comments from buyers on overall performance??

Im sure Gary will post some pics up/comment.
I Changed his whole system yesterday and it was a
huge improvement in Sound Quality over the original kit.

Its not an out and out boomer. I design'd it to blend in
and disapear with the rest of the system which it does very well.

Very pleased with mine, upgraded the fronts using Focal 130 Midrange and Focal Tweeters fitted to the top of the dash pad near the corner screen vents.

I will probably fit an Amp to run the fronts as the Amp in my Headunit isn't man enough to give the best from the Focals although they are a major improvement on the originals.

Vast difference between the superb sound quality on Original CD's against own recorded MP3's, like night and day

I'll take some pics in the morning to show the Sub in place.

Glen has done a fantastic job on the Subwoofer, professional quality build and I wouldn't hesitate in recommending his work, First Class

Sounds good - thanks for the feedback Gary!

You didn't have this fitted at Gaydon did you? If so I must've been blind to have missed it!

Do you experience any vibrations from the subwoofer? I was concerned it might rattle all the surrounding trim...!

Thanks, Chris

It was fitted yesterday.

No rattles what so ever, the opening had Dynamat stategically placed.

Ah ok, so you lined the compartment with dynamat prior to slotting in the unit! Makes sense...

Dooby - will you be at Ultimate BMW next month?

Unfortunatly wont be there as work stops play

ShantyBeaters custom sub with a jl 6w3 ..
Nearly finished just got to solder it up, fit the unit and test.

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae33 ... C01590.jpg

Pic of Shantys sub

Cheers Gary

That looks a first rate job. Looks like your going to be a very busy chap.

Glen, looks fantastic!!!

Glad you like

Very nice,

Think I'll be looking for one of these soon. Anyone got any pics of it installed?

Tris.

I'll get you some next week! and welcome by the way

Won't be long until I can see (and hear) it in the flesh I guess!

An update from me: I finally got the Sub installed along with the rest of my install. The sound is brilliant!

I dynamatted the compartment and I get no rattling even with the sub turned up to a high level.

It also really looks the part!:



I cant recommend Glen (Dooby) enough, he was extremely helpful throughout and the level of workmanship which went into making my enclosure is really fantastic.

For more pics check out my progress thread:

http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 423#257423

Dam that looks good!

Better start saving the pennies so I can get one

Im building another one at the moment.

PM sent

All Pm's replyed . . .

Did anyone fit one o these to a car with the storage box and not one that came with the original factory fit subwoofer? If so, what did you do? Any photos?

I embarked on my install last night and discovered it may be more trouble that it's worth for me.

Thakns

Si.

SiWilson, I too have the storage box in the centre and am interested, did you buy on in the end? How did it go if you did?

JAV11S

I bought it, but have shelved the idea for now as it is far from straightforward.

In addition to cutting the storage box insert, you need to remove the lid hinges. to do this you need to remove the roll hoops. then you need to clear some space in the front by removing the locking mechanism for the smaller storage bin.

not sure if i will continue the project or not at this point. Seems a lot of modification for what maybe a small gain over my Alpine all-in-one sub behind the seat. We'll see.....