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sub connected to standard radio

Posted: Sun Sep 27, 2009 7:37 pm
by talbotvilla72
Is it possible to connect a sub to the update list radio ?

Anyone done this?

Re: sub connected to standard radio

Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:44 am
by longtallted
I think it explains on another thread that some amps (or subs with integrated amp) can take speaker level input but that the sound is not that great. You would most likely disconnect the rear door speakers and use that feed redirected to the sub. I'd be interested to hear what it's like and compare it to the sound from a head unit that's got a proper sub out.

I'm holding fire until I can afford a decent head unit and then do the sub, but I would want to keep the steering wheel audio controls which is a bit of extra to think about. As a test, I tried not using them on the drive to work and realised that I use them a lot, so I definitely want to keep them.

Re: sub connected to standard radio

Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:01 pm
by davelowe
talbotvilla72 wrote:Is it possible to connect a sub to the update list radio ?

Anyone done this?


Its possible in theory. As mentioned above, you could probably take a feed from each of the rear speakers, make yourself a simple circuit board to combine the stereo into mono using some resistors and op-amps to isolate everything and reduce the voltage from around 6Vac (assuming the existing speakers are 4ohm) to 0.775Vac peak to peak which is the normal input for a line in socket and then feed that into a standard sub amp and speaker box. Or instead a standard amp with your own band pass filter (more fun with op amps and a few capacitors and resistors!).

If you know a little about electronics it should be doable. I might even design a circuit myself although I have very little interest in all that banging noise!

Worth bearing in mind is that you won't get much in the way of audible deep bass as the interior of the car has small dimensions (people about 12 feet from the car will), but you will feel the results. Especially in the 20 - 80Hz range. I guess that's the point though. ;)

Re: sub connected to standard radio

Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 5:46 pm
by Boyblitz
I do used to do this with a line adapter from halfords. but they stopped selling them.

Looked like this: https://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/phonoca ... e=googleps but much cheaper. Then you just need to find the wire for the remote signal to the amp. Took me ages to figure out in the ford focus.

Brad