Custom Z3 Focal Subwoofers
Custom Z3 Focal Subwoofers
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
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
Last edited by dooby on Tue 17 Aug, 2010 15:09, edited 2 times in total.
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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?
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?
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Suggestion
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
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
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^^ that's a very good idea
I'll get some photos of the storage compartment later
I'll get some photos of the storage compartment later
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Re: Suggestion
I did round it slightly, but more of a curve could be added no problem.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
The rounded edges would finish it off to a T. I've got the same setup a s Shanty will these pics be sufficient?
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Can you give us details on the supplied Focal Sub?
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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
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
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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
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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
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
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Subwoofer
PM'd
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You're going to be a busy man
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae33 ... C01538.jpg
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae33 ... C01543.jpg
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Absolutely spot on I'll take one....Pm'd
Progress Thread:http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 32&t=36117
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Piccies
Being fitted Thursday
Being fitted Thursday
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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
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
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
It was fitted yesterday.
No rattles what so ever, the opening had Dynamat stategically placed.
No rattles what so ever, the opening had Dynamat stategically placed.
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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
Nearly finished just got to solder it up, fit the unit and test.
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae33 ... C01590.jpg
That looks a first rate job. Looks like your going to be a very busy chap.
If you like gaming with mature minded players visit our retirement home http://www.oap-clan.co.uk/
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Glen, looks fantastic!!!
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I'll get you some next week! and welcome by the way
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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
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
Progress Thread:http://www.zroadster.net/forum/viewtopi ... 32&t=36117
Previous - S54 M Roadster, S50 M Roadster, Ibiza Cupra IHI 340bhp, Ibiza Cupra K04 270bhp, 6n2 Polo GTi
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.....
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.....