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      04-20-2023, 01:27 AM   #1
Skeeuk
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UK F30 active Subwoofer install help

Hi,

I have a pre amp subwoofer that I want to install using the stock head unit. I have seen video of splicing into speaker wires in the boot/trunk (left compartment) but the UK model doesn't have the speaker wires here..

https://youtu.be/lbSnl8CTOH4

I just want to splice into speaker wires with a line out converter and from there plug into sub?

Where is the easiest place to splice into I can't find any bunch of speaker wire in the boot/trunk or is it just a case of splicing into wires that come out of headunit at the front and running things to the back from there?

Is there any simple way of doing this. It's the standard UK f30 audio set up I have not the HK!!

Thanks
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      04-20-2023, 07:26 AM   #2
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Spice into the wires on one of the underseat woofers. You don't have wires in the trunk because the base system doesn't have an amp in the trunk.
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      04-28-2023, 04:31 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Spice into the wires on one of the underseat woofers. You don't have wires in the trunk because the base system doesn't have an amp in the trunk.
There's no underseat woofers on mine. Will I be able to splice into wires back of head unit?
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      04-28-2023, 09:05 PM   #4
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Look again. If you don't have underseat woofers it's the first instance of that I've ever heard of.
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      05-07-2023, 02:08 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Billfitz View Post
Look again. If you don't have underseat woofers it's the first instance of that I've ever heard of.
It doesn't come standard over here
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      05-07-2023, 03:18 AM   #6
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It should. My previous 2014 F30 was as base spec as it could get - it had literally 0 extras fitted - and that still had the two under seat subwoofers in it.
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      05-07-2023, 06:31 AM   #7
andrew.webber
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeeuk View Post
It doesn't come standard over here
Maybe someone has removed yours as all base audio F30's in the UK from 2012 always have them under the seat as standard

HTH
Andrew
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      05-07-2023, 07:08 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew.webber View Post
Maybe someone has removed yours as all base audio F30's in the UK from 2012 always have them under the seat as standard

HTH
Andrew
Any way I can check as I'd know just by the sound of the system. Atm it's just an ok car stereo sound
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      05-07-2023, 07:43 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeeuk View Post
Any way I can check as I'd know just by the sound of the system.
Not likely. The low frequencies produced by the underseat woofers are not directionally locatable. The bass will always seem to be coming from the door speakers, as the midrange is where your directional cues come from. That's what allows the woofers to be placed under the seats.
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      05-07-2023, 08:26 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeeuk View Post
Any way I can check as I'd know just by the sound of the system. Atm it's just an ok car stereo sound
I am 100% confident that they will be there, but other than undoing the 4 seat mounting bolts and lifting the grill underneath, I do not know of any way.

I guess if you can get hold of wiring diagrams to see the wire colors, you could lift the trim by the door as the cabling is bound to be routed that way

HTH
Andrew
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      05-07-2023, 10:27 AM   #11
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Either way, the wiring from the front speaker terminals on the head unit goes to the subwoofers under the seats and then another wire from each subwoofer goes to the relevant speaker in the door. It could be better to tap into the wiring by the subwoofer as it’s a shorter run then, but it has the disadvantage of having to unbolt the seats to get to it.

On my previous base F30 I did splice my line level converter into the front speaker wiring behind the head unit and had no problems. I only added a subwoofer in the boot with that setup. It worked just fine so just splice the wires wherever is best for you.
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      05-07-2023, 02:39 PM   #12
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I got all the wiring done 👍🏼 spliced into the front speaker wires and run the 2 phonos to the boot. but.......

Sub sounded very vibrationy and wasn't pleasant to listen to. When I tested the sub in my house using a 12v adapter it was same sound. So il have to buy another but I've kept all wiring in place ready to attach.

Cheers for help
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      05-07-2023, 02:42 PM   #13
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I am 100% confident that they will be there, but other than undoing the 4 seat mounting bolts and lifting the grill underneath, I do not know of any way.
Quote:
Originally Posted by andrew.webber View Post
I guess if you can get hold of wiring diagrams to see the wire colors, you could lift the trim by the door as the cabling is bound to be routed that way

HTH
Andrew
Is it this one? If it is I can't tell if it's working or not. Il look into it tomorrow
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      05-07-2023, 03:09 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skeeuk View Post
I am 100% confident that they will be there, but other than undoing the 4 seat mounting bolts and lifting the grill underneath, I do not know of any way.

Is it this one? If it is I can't tell if it's working or not. Il look into it tomorrow
Yes, that's the one
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