Amp Position

[brandon7 0]

Hi I am currently in the process of updating the sound system in my 205.

I am thinking about running a two channel amp for a set of components at the front and having an underseat subwoofer as well.

 

My car is quite practical and I use the boot alo so dont want any risk of the amp getting knocked or wet. So i was thinking under the seats but there is a possibility of assangers having wet feet etc.

Where is the best mount position for amp/underseat style sub? Or do people tend to build enclosure?

 

Also any advise on wiring routes would be good as im replacing the cable. I intent to use the orignal mountings for the speakers. My parcel shelf comes in and out with my surf board so dont want a stealth shelf.

Cheers

Mark

[johnnyboy666 195 1 Cars]

I've put an amp in the little hole to the right of the steering wheel before, it was a pretty small amp tho, but theres quite a bit of space in there. I have also seen them in the passenger footwell, in the glove box, or screwed to the back of the rear seats. Obviously the smaller the amp is, the easier it is to sneak it in somewhere (just remember they can get hot!) I usually run all the wiring under carpets or trim wherever possible, theres nothing worse than accidentally ripping all your cabling out by mistake because youve left it hanging all over the place!

 

As for underseat subs, I was contemplating this a while ago, and there is a thread on here somewhere about it. Just remember there is very limited space under the seats so make sure you factor that in when you choose one. I seem to recall the likes of kenwood and pioneer do some pretty compact ones.

 

hope that helps

[GSXR_J 0]

Ive just done mine and stuck the amp in the rear nearside quater behind the panel, works well and is hidden away which is nice! Give it a try and see if you can get it to fit, with regards to the wiring there is a large rubber grommit nearside behind the glovebox which comes out near the battery for the power cable. You should really run the RCA's and remote lead seperately to avoid interference. Try running it down the drivers side and across under the carpet. You'll probably find it easiest to remove all the seats and carpet too! Good luck!

[jeremy 70]

Firstly I have used an Alpine SWD1600, and it was brilliant, but this was in a Discovery. I will check to see if it will fit under a 205 seat for you some time today. As for amp position I made a simple but effective MDF board covered in accoustic cloth mounted to the passenger side rear wheel arch. As I made it to fit tightly it did not need to be screwed in and never moved, and could be removed by one simply tug. Ran the car with two alpine amps on it and never had a problem.

[jeremy 70]

Just checked, it is too high by about 1/2 an inch. You could always raise the height of the seat. If you were worried about the height of your driving position then you could always mount it under the passengers side.

[GLPoomobile 958]

I'm not sure that would be a viable idea Jezza. If you raised the seat you'd probably find that you wouldn't be able to tilt the seat forward to get in the back. Remember the seat goes up as it tips forward, and there's not much room between the head restraint and the roof when you do this.

 

I have at times wondered if you could mount an amp under the roof. If you've got a non sunroof model there should be enough space up there, although you'd maybe need to cut a hole in the roof lining to let the amp partially poke through (depends how thick it is) and to allow airflow. Even if you have a sunroof it'd probably work if you remove the internal sun-shade. Just not sure how you'd fix it up there.

 

As GSXR-J said, the rear quarters have a lot of free space, but I'd be concerned about moisture. You'd need to make sure that you were 100% sealed against leaks from the rear windows and so on.

[brandon7 0]

Thanks for everyones replies. Lack of space is somthing we have to deal with and then taking up what free space there is left makes matters worse when using the car day to day.

 

GSXR_J have you got a picture of the panel where you mounted your sub behind? Is it the lasrge panel where the rear arm rests are and where the rear speaker access is?

 

 

Still wondering if somone has used an underseat sub yet...

Cheers

Mark

[engine killer 6]

I had it mounted the most tradition way but it ate up a lot of room.

 

 

 

but lastly I found them too heavy and the car wa laready too noisy, so they are all gone now. :lol:

[brandon7 0]

I had it mounted the most tradition way but it ate up a lot of room.

 

 

 

but lastly I found them too heavy and the car wa laready too noisy, so they are all gone now. :lol:

 

Very nice above! but I can think ahead and know thats not what im after! Mine is a practical car and gets used daily as well as trips down the beach on weekends.

 

I have nearly all the money together now and ill post up pictures of my installation when i get underway. Its going to be the most cost effective, subtle and best souding system I can get hold of!

 

PLan is

Dynamat on Doors, Footwells and Boot Floor

Qualityset Component set for front in origonal place with crossovers and tweekers behind heater vents on each side (2 channel Amp mounted in glove box or under glove box on a brakcet)

Set of standard replacments for rear (Running off head unit amp)

Kenwood underseat 8" Active subwoofer

Kenwood 4x50 w head unit

Replacement cable run under carpets on dynamat fitting

 

Looking to spend 350 - 450 (max Total)

 

Ill let you know how I get on! Cheers

[Daxed 7]

See my post on this thread regarding my attempt with an underseat sub.

 

http://forum.205gtid...1

 

Sub now lives in the boot, nice and small footpring and is well armoured so the shopping doesn' trash it.

Edited May 19, 2011 by Daxed

[brandon7 0]

See my post on this thread regarding my attempt with an underseat sub.

 

http://forum.205gtid...1

 

Sub now lives in the boot, nice and small footpring and is well armoured so the shopping doesn' trash it.

 

Cool thanks for that info. Pretty much answers my question. going to have to relocate the sub if I want to use one.

Do you have pictures of your Active sub in its enclosure in the boot. Would be interested to see if you don't mind sharing.

 

My plan now is still to buy everything apart from the sub and wire it all up and leave the Phono cable in place in the boot so if I come up with an idea i can connect it up.

 

Thanks again for reply!

[Daxed 7]

 

 

Just rested in position prior to fixing as I wanted to see how practical it was to live with and how it sounded.

 

All fine though so will now solidly mount in the position shown. All the controls, fuses and connections etc are on the end of the sub that you can't see, so are accessed by lifting the rear seat bottum up from inside the car.

 

Don't forget that there is probably a premium applied to this model to sell as an underseat item, as that doesn't work in the 205 it's worth checking what dedicated boot units might suit you.

[engine killer 6]

 

 

Just rested in position prior to fixing as I wanted to see how practical it was to live with and how it sounded.

 

All fine though so will now solidly mount in the position shown. All the controls, fuses and connections etc are on the end of the sub that you can't see, so are accessed by lifting the rear seat bottum up from inside the car.

 

Don't forget that there is probably a premium applied to this model to sell as an underseat item, as that doesn't work in the 205 it's worth checking what dedicated boot units might suit you.

 

Will you consider mounting it on the wheel well/arch or the back of rear seat? In that case you don't have to place your shopping on top of the sub then.

[Daxed 7]

Yeah cheers EK, will have a look at those options before fixing.