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      07-19-2014, 06:11 PM   #1
themishmosh
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Added subwoofer to HK audio

I listen to a lot of bass heavy music and usually need to add a subwoofer to my cars. When I got my X1 a few weeks ago, I was not impressed with the system at all--but especially disappointed with the lack of low bass. I had a 10" subwoofer and amp from my previous car so that is what I reused.

Got myself a Technic LC2i harness ($145 shipped) which includes the Audio Control LC2i LOC. The harness is plug-n-play. The benefit of this harness is that you do not have to tap individually into your stock wires. It can easily be removable. Technic sells a cheaper harness with LOC but he says that with the X1, the HK Logic7 system has 40V peak which over the long run will burn out the LOC of the cheaper model. The Audio Control LC2i can handle that.



After removing the panels (two plastic retainers and the torx bolt tie-down on each side), all you have to do is remove the harness to the HK amp and put the Technic LC2i harness in. The Audio Control LC2i is an active LOC so you will need to supply it with remote turn-on line, 12V, ground. I hooked the 12V from the battery with an inline 1A fuse. There is a grounding bolt near the HK amp, so I used that. The remote line is the hard part...

REMOTE Turn-on: not easy. Technic recommends PIN 13 from the iDrive unit, ie. center console. I did not want to get into the front console so I read about a power line for the antenna unit that travels behind the passenger side rear side back seat cushion (to the side of the fold down seat back). Unfortunately, the thin black wire that was mentioned in other threads is NOT the right one on our cars--I could not get a 12V signal with the radio on. Plan B: tapped into the rear cigarette lighter which is a green/yellow wire that passes through the same area.



Unfortunately, this means the subwoofer will only turn on when the engine is on. If anyone knows of a better remote turn on without having to remove the center console, let me know!

POWER: I simply put a spade terminal under the bolt that tightens the main battery clamp. NOT one of the other branched terminals because they may be monitored. There are plenty of nuts around that can serve as ground, so keep the ground line short.



Adding the subwoofer makes the HK system sound much fuller and really fills in the missing bottom end. Recommended.

Last edited by themishmosh; 07-21-2014 at 10:35 AM..
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      07-23-2014, 12:22 AM   #2
finbar
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On the Technic LC2i harness, is there a blue wire with a white stripe?
This may be the amp turn on wire.
Verify in field.
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      07-24-2014, 05:58 PM   #3
themishmosh
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finbar View Post
On the Technic LC2i harness, is there a blue wire with a white stripe?
This may be the amp turn on wire.
Verify in field.
Too hard to check without removing panelling. Technic comments on the forum suggests there is a fiber optic turn-on of this amp. He suggested I use Pin 13 of the iDrive.


In other news: Got my non-runflat set of tires so I needed to put my spare tire in the boot. My old subwoofer would not fit without the seat down so I ordered the JL Audio 10" PowerWedgeCS110LG-TW3. A very low profile subwoofer. I was pleasantly surprised by the bass I get with this subwoofer given the small form factor. Recommended!

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      02-07-2015, 08:18 AM   #4
odieman23
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Garage List
More info and pics

Please, I will like to see more pics of your DIY installation and specs of the amp and the speaker...
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      02-10-2015, 06:42 AM   #5
themishmosh
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There is a lot to choose out there but here's what I am using:



Alpine MRP-M500

RMS Power Ratings
Per channel into 4 Ohms: (@ 14.4V Ƈ%THD+N, 20Hz - 200Hz) 300W x 1
Per channel into 2 Ohms: (@ 14.4V Ƈ%THD+N, 20Hz - 200Hz) 500W x 1
Sound Tuning
Crossover: 50Hz-200Hz, -24dB/oct. (Low-Pass)
EQ (Equalizer): Bass EQ (Fixed Frequency): 50Hz 0 to +12dB
Subsonic Filter: 15Hz (Fixed), -24dB/oct.
Foot Print (WxHxD) in: 10-5/8'' x 2-23/64'' x 9-33/64''


JL Audio CS110LG-TW3

sealed enclosure with one 10" TW3 subwoofer
5/8" medium density fiberboard construction covered with black carpet
steel-mesh grille
2-ohm total impedance
power handling: 100-400 watts RMS
frequency response: 24-200 Hz
sensitivity: 82 dB
21"W x 14-1/4"H x 4-7/8"D (6-1/4" with grille)
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      03-08-2015, 04:20 PM   #6
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Going to sell my 12" Kicker L7 lol I feel its too big now from my previous car, kicks so perfect barely ever turned the bass dial up from low
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      03-09-2015, 04:29 PM   #7
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I added sub to the HiFi system after I did the BSW upgrade. I used the same alpine amp as themishmosh. I mounted it the amp under the cover in the hatch and have a JL 12w0 with a larger than desired enclosure. Sounds great with the BSW upgrade. I did not use the premade harness but got the wiring diagram from the dealer and soldered in and added my own LOC. I tapped into the aux power for remote. I am ok with the sub being off when the car isnt running.
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