300D lacking bass, hoping to fit a sub or something beside the fuel tank. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BoostnBenz · #1 12-27-2003, 10:39 PM

Hi all,
I've always liked the stereo in my 300D much better than stock system. It has excellent highs and mids but the lows are just pathetic. It has the stock size (4" front, 5.25" rear) Blaupunkt speakers as well as a Kenwood CD player and Jensen amplifier running the rear 5.25s. I bought a small PPI amp to install in back to drive whatever it is I end up getting. I actually bought a JL12w6 here already but I'd like to stick something in the space beside the fuel tank instead of taking up more floor space in the trunk. Is there any future in this idea? Has anyone tried this before? I might be able to squeeze a 6x9 in there, a 8" sub could clear but the enclosure probably wouldn't, they would point directly at the rear deck if stuck in that location. I'm not looking for hard hitting, stomach stirring bass or to have the car next to me feeling it, but I want to feel some. Any ideas or comments are appreciated.

Thanks,

#2 12-27-2003, 11:02 PM

Hi.

Try this link:
Good info on sub placement.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=671101&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

Louis.

BoostnBenz · #3 12-28-2003, 12:20 AM

Thanks mb123, I searched before and wasn't satisfied. I read every post in all of the threads that came up with that search and I only liked one idea, putting a free air or very small enclosure under the front seats. I wondered how much it took to get through the back seat, from the sounds of it a 6x9 back there probably wouldn't change a thing. It almost sounds as if anything short of a 12" is a waste of time unless the first aid box is pulled or trunk is allowed to vent into the cabin.

#4 12-28-2003, 12:35 PM

Hi Jeff.

With the fueltank behind the rearseat the
choices are somewhat limited.

But as you can see in the attached pictures
it is possible to have a nice system and keep
some trunk space.

The sub used in this system is a W7 from JL audio
and is a lot bigger than the W6 you have,so your
box should be alot smaller and if you hang the
box from the parcel shelf you can mount the
amps on either side and have lotsa room
left.
But you do need to remove the first aid kit so
the bass can enter the cabin.

Louis.

#5 12-28-2003, 12:36 PM

and another.

BoostnBenz · #6 12-28-2003, 12:49 PM

The fuel tank problem is even worse for me as I'm considering adding another tank for WVO. At that point I'd think it'd almost be hopeless to get good bass through those two fuel tanks, also my trunk would be so small it'd be a joke.

Very nice setup there mb123, looks very professional. I already built a box up for my w6 around the trunk but with the extra fuel tank.... When figuring the box volume do you have to subtract the speaker volume? I know some manufacturers actually specify this but it seems like most don't. The smallest enclosure I've seen a 8" sub could make use of is .45ft^3, at that size I'd think the sub volume would be relavent.

#7 12-28-2003, 02:11 PM

Jeff.

This is the JL audio website with the dimensions
for a correct box size.

http://www.jlaudio.com/subwoofers/12w6v2.html

Louis.

MTI · #8 12-28-2003, 05:41 PM

Infinity BassLink?

BoostnBenz · #9 12-28-2003, 11:03 PM

Since the spot under the front seats is only about 3.25" off the floor I don't think that'll work. I'm almost thinking I'll just build it up so that it is behind my seat. While that'll be annoying when somebody sits there it doesn't get used that often so it shouldn't be a problem. I don't want to cut the rear deck or remove the 1st aid box, if I have two tanks I can't put it in the trunk.

donbryce · #10 12-30-2003, 05:08 PM

Just a suggestion, but have you actually tried out a self-powered, enclosed sub unit in you trunk to hear what it sounds like? If not, try one before you go into all the work required to install custom subs, 'vent' the trunk, etc. I'm using a Kenwood wOOX in the trunk of my '85 380SE, and it sounds just great, thank you, with no fancy modifications at all. (do a search on my name, if you're interested, as I posted a 'how to' some time back, here). I also own a Basslink which sits in the trunk of my 1940 Pontiac streetrod. The trunk is pretty much sealed off from the passenger cabin with a 3/4" thick enclosure housing 2 more 10" subs, but that's another story. My point is that all this fussing over the fuel tank and the 'sealed' trunk is a misunderstanding of the technology here. Powered subs don't need to radiate directly into the cabin to be VERY effective, and often perform better facing rearward in a sealed trunk! Just my thoughts, though, and good luck with your system.

BoostnBenz · #11 12-30-2003, 06:17 PM

No I've never tried a self enclosed sub like that. I suppose I could loosen the first aid box and temporarily run wires through there but that would be for only one tank, chances are I'll add another 21gal fuel tank back there so that'll dampen it even more. Also between the two that is a foot and a half of trunk space lost. :-/

Just to see how nice it sounds I hooked up the system I bought and built up a while ago for this car and it sounds very nice but the egronomics of it still has to be worked out. I still don't have a solution for the location of it, it is just setting where the rear seat is supposed to with the amp on the floor which looks like crap. I wonder, does blaupunkt make good 6x9s, hmm... maybe I can try that instead.

donbryce · #12 01-01-2004, 04:14 PM

To test a self-powered sub, all you need to do is run wires from your rear shelf speakers into the high level inputs, and a power wire from the antenna. Whats WVO? ("I'm considering adding another tank for WVO").

BoostnBenz · #13 01-01-2004, 04:23 PM

Waste Veggie Oil, it is the "grease" they use to fry french fries in, also useful for us dieselers as good cheap fuel.

#14 01-05-2004, 05:47 PM

I've done two sub installs in 300-series cars. My '85 300D and '86 300SDL both have subs fitted underneath where the back shelf storage bins are.

I just finished the 300SDL, actually. I removed both bins and the hinged "doors", then took thin color-matched fabric and covered the holes with it. It looks fine and the subs mounted underneath pump plenty o'bass into the cabin. I'll take a few pix and post them. I used (2) 12" Infinity subs in their own single-sub enclosures, though 1 dual-sub enclosure would work fine, too. They are powered by two 350W RMS amps. It does the job

but you do lose trunk space. One sub would still work fine for a 300D and not take too much space away.

If this setup doesn't appeal then ...I don't know if it'll fit, but you can try adding a Bazooka powered tube sub placed upright under the FA kit hole. As you can tell, for best results you'll most likely have to remove the FA kit. I've thought about different ways to get bass inside the cabin but there's just no reasonable method without big modifications. The only feasable thing I've seen was mounting an 8" sub in the footwells behind the driver and passenger front seats. The sub was mounted via fiberglassing a new floor. While it looked cool, if you get rear passengers they could be uncomfortable with the elevated floor and also possibly damage the sub(unless you have a good covering over it). Food for thought................