The twentieth modification, 800w Sony Xplod Subwoofer

Gotta love bass!

And it's about time I had some in this motor!

When fitting I.C.E. in a car, I'd usually invest in a decent amp, a decent set of 12" subs in a bandpass box, oxygen free speaker cables, gold plated connectors everywhere, 1" thick power cables, you get the picture.

However, due to having so many car stereos nicked in the past by thieving chav scum, I'm still relucatant to change the (rather pants to be honest) head unit in the Cruiser (hence the recent iPod mod, etc). Along with that, I'm also fed up of having zero boot space because of the subs so I've taken a completely different route on the PT audio this time round.

Introducing the 800w Sony Xplod Active Subwoofer:



Being in the Sony Xplod range this box features the usual pentagon-shaped subwoofer, built in crossovers, high and low level inputs, a phase change switch and a remote volume/level control for it which you can put on the dash somewhere:



As mentioned earlier, normally I'd drill through the bulk head to run power from the battery, I'd strip half the interior of a car to run the cabling and so on. This time I took the easy way out. As the OEM head unit in the Cruiser doesn't have low level (RCA) outputs, I had to use the high level (speaker) connections into the amp. Also, the amp is fitted with a 20 amp fuse which quite handily, matches the fuse rating of the power socket in the boot. Perfect.

Fitting was quite straight forward. Remove the trim panels on the D posts to reveal the speakers in the back. Remove the speakers and tap into the wiring for them, running the wiring under the rear boot trim and into the toolbox area, right behind the power socket which is also where I picked up the live and earth from. The power socket comes on when the ignition comes on so I simply joined the amps "remote" wire to the same live so when the ignition comes on, so does the amp:







The end result leaves me with just one wire to unplug from the a subwoofer when I need to use the Cruiser in van-mode, leaving just the multiplug in the boot area:



Obviously this unit is a lot smaller than the usual two 12" subs I'd have in a boot (yet this box takes up a third of the boot area) so I wasn't quite sure what to expect in terms of bass. This is also the first active unit I've ever owned. However, I thought that as the boot of the Cruiser is actually "inside" the car (my usual type of car has a separate boot therefore blocking a lot of the bass), it should still kick.

Well, I'm pleased to say, it kicks. Hard. It's nice to have the music on a low volume yet still feel the bass, rather than hearing it. Turn the head unit up and it kicks hard enough to make the door mirrors unusable (due to them vibrating so much) and it also plays havoc with your teeth after a while.

Perfect.


Modifications to date: Parrot CK3100 Bluetooth Hands Free Phone Kit, Debadged Tailgate, 'Semi-Stealth TomTom' Satellite Navigation, Chrome Wheels, Chrome Belt Line, Chrome Indicator Bulbs (Front), Chrome Fuel Door, Clear Side Repeaters, Chrome Indicator Bulbs (Sides), Altezza Rear Lights, Chrome Indicator Bulbs (Rear), Chrome Door Handle Recess Trims, Stealth iPod FM Transmitter, Mopar Front Fog Lights, 8 Ball Gear Knob, Port Holes, 8 Ball Door Lock Pins, 8 Ball Cigarette Lighter, 3rd Brake Light Decal.