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Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Sun Aug 22, 2010 8:45 pm
by davekmoore
Just had one of these fitted along with an Alpine bluetooth head unit. Gotta tell ya just how good this now sounds. I reckon the subwoofer represents the main improvement as, in itself, it makes bass happen that I've never heard before except at live gigs. It also seems to allow the other speakers to give better mid range and treble, presumably because they're no longer confused by having to do the bottom end as well. Frankly, I'm hearing 25% more stuff going on in music that I've been listening to for decades.

bendigoautosound did a great job. As the unit is a single DIN this also allowed room for the boost gauge to go under it thus giving me back the use of the right hand air vent where the gauge was previously fitted. They moved the gauge and made up a plate that will later house another couple of gauges. They also did some other wiring improvements while they were at it including sorting my dreadful attempt at fitting the Nautilus horn.

The only thing I'd have changed is that they fitted the sub on top of the carpet behind where a passenger seat would be (if I had one). This sorta stood out like a sore thumb as a "rip my roof and steal me" invitation so I've already modified that.

So I recommend them and the Focal sub - as long as you don't need to carry passengers over about 5ft 8ins.

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:35 pm
by Benny
A good sub is worth its weight in gold, if you like to listen to modern music.

But why did you mount it in the passenger compartment?
All it does is take up a lot of valuable space and won't sound as good as it would mounted in the boot in a small box, as the entire boot will act as a bass box.
There is an open tube between the boot and the passenger compartment either side of the fuel tank, and this will fed in the bass really well.
If you have a good installer, he can make you up a nice little box for it that will fit in one corner of the boot and is easily removeable.

If you think the Focal sub sounds good, you should have a listen to their splits.
Absolutely fantastic, and worth every penny.

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:58 pm
by davekmoore
Benny wrote:A good sub is worth its weight in gold, if you like to listen to modern music.

But why did you mount it in the passenger compartment?
All it does is take up a lot of valuable space and won't sound as good as it would mounted in the boot in a small box, as the entire boot will act as a bass box.
There is an open tube between the boot and the passenger compartment either side of the fuel tank, and this will fed in the bass really well.
If you have a good installer, he can make you up a nice little box for it that will fit in one corner of the boot and is easily removeable.

If you think the Focal sub sounds good, you should have a listen to their splits.
Absolutely fantastic, and worth every penny.


Hi Benny. Boot space is more important for me than passenger seat space, since I need to keep my sales kit and belongings safe in the boot, and don't have a passenger seat fitted for 95% of the time.

After a few days I'm already finding that I need to have the remote volume fitted so I can wind down the bass for certain types of music (I'm at an age where yes, I do listen to some "modern" music but it tends to be a big mixture of types).

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 6:26 pm
by goo
Hey
Did you check these out?
http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/subwoofers.html#bus25
have been wondering how they sound (understand there they are a compromise solution...) but given the constraints of working with the mx5 cabin space, they might have been an option?

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Thu Aug 26, 2010 7:35 pm
by davekmoore
goo wrote:Hey
Did you check these out?
http://www.focalaustralia.com.au/subwoofers.html#bus25
have been wondering how they sound (understand there they are a compromise solution...) but given the constraints of working with the mx5 cabin space, they might have been an option?


Yes, it's the 8" version of the underseat one. It's fitted behind where the passenger seat would be though as it wouldn't fit under an MX5 seat and I don't have a passenger seat anyway.

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 4:19 pm
by Bazmx5
Hi, has anyone actually installed this particular focal unit (BUS25) under their MX5 passenger seat? I have a 2008 PRHT model and I hardly have any space in there, I can afford to lift the seat by the perhaps 3-4 Centimeters, what would be the best way of fitting that subwoofer in the cabin?

Cheers.

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:11 am
by Kikuchi
My mates got one of these in his boot. Sounds really good for what it is and at the price.
I'll be looking at getting 1 or 2 of these behind the seats.
I can fit them behind the seat cause my gf and I are pretty short (about 162cm or 5'4") and she's the only one I drive often enough. Anyone else who sits in my car can be squashed, oh well =p

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 2:07 am
by Sean
I had a similar one installed behind the drivers seat in my NA.
Added a little bit of what was missing bass wise and was easily removed for track work.

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 1:56 pm
by 015CAR
I have one in the NA... returning it to stock to sell it, and would be conviced to part ways with it for the right money if you want one...
Very good solution for the space we have available...

Re: Focal powered subwoofer

Posted: Fri Mar 16, 2012 10:32 pm
by bear2230
There is 10" one of these for sale on MEA if anyone is interested. $250.00
http://www.mobileelectronics.com.au/for ... msearch__1
Forget sticking it in the cabin. Mount it in the boot and make use of the great enclosure.

Richard.