Get more output from our Bose subs!
- Thread starter toy4x
- Start date
now you know what, I think I might have to pick up an epicenter just so I can figure out the install for jordan ahead of time & see what's involved to wire this up since I stuck my foot in my mouth here with this once again 
...
one issue with the epicenter is it needs to be fed a full range signal for it to really do it's thing, not an X-overed sub signal, so it'll need to be tapped into either the front or rear outputs... unless the X-over is in the sub itself... gotta find out if the signal to the sub is full range or crossover'd before the sub box...
if I get one I think I want to get the epic-160. it's the same as the epicenter, but adds an spl meter display & mic & has the adjustments on the face in the front rather than on the box in the rear... the spl meter is not very useful with the stock system at all really, but will come in handy if/when the audio system is replaced...
...one issue with the epicenter is it needs to be fed a full range signal for it to really do it's thing, not an X-overed sub signal, so it'll need to be tapped into either the front or rear outputs... unless the X-over is in the sub itself... gotta find out if the signal to the sub is full range or crossover'd before the sub box...
if I get one I think I want to get the epic-160. it's the same as the epicenter, but adds an spl meter display & mic & has the adjustments on the face in the front rather than on the box in the rear... the spl meter is not very useful with the stock system at all really, but will come in handy if/when the audio system is replaced...
Bose systems usually go:
Headunit signal to fullrange amp. The fullrange amp then crosses over the signal sending the low freq to the sub amp. The two input rca's ( the skinny black and white wires at the bose sub) are already low frequency only. The front bose amp tends to do all the equ'ing for the system.
In order to hook up the Epicenter to the FX:
-power wire run from battery with fuse(forget fuse size)
-ground wire
-remote wire can be tapped into.
-and you will have to tap the fullrange signals going into the fullrange amp. Problem with this is that it is VERY easy to induce noise when dealing with these inputs. They are also not high level inputs but low level. Tap splits the input signal..one set goes into the Bose amp, the other set goes into the Epicntr. I dont know if you could use a LOC for this..but it might be possible.
I guess you can get the tap after the amp, but those signals have already been eq'd by the Bose amp. They wont sound as good as tapping before the amp.
Then the output rca's from the Epicntr would then tap into the skinny black and white wires at the Bose sub. Run the bass knob somewhere practical and easily reached at the dash.
Headunit signal to fullrange amp. The fullrange amp then crosses over the signal sending the low freq to the sub amp. The two input rca's ( the skinny black and white wires at the bose sub) are already low frequency only. The front bose amp tends to do all the equ'ing for the system.
In order to hook up the Epicenter to the FX:
-power wire run from battery with fuse(forget fuse size)
-ground wire
-remote wire can be tapped into.
-and you will have to tap the fullrange signals going into the fullrange amp. Problem with this is that it is VERY easy to induce noise when dealing with these inputs. They are also not high level inputs but low level. Tap splits the input signal..one set goes into the Bose amp, the other set goes into the Epicntr. I dont know if you could use a LOC for this..but it might be possible.
I guess you can get the tap after the amp, but those signals have already been eq'd by the Bose amp. They wont sound as good as tapping before the amp.
Then the output rca's from the Epicntr would then tap into the skinny black and white wires at the Bose sub. Run the bass knob somewhere practical and easily reached at the dash.
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Audiocontrol Epicenter Hook-up:
*Edited*Colors from HU to amp are now correct
Not sure about this, but since the bose sub is a mono configuration...you might only have cut into say the left + -....run 1 rca into the epicenter, and 1 rca into the sub....instead of both heads....have to think about this some more.
*Edited*Colors from HU to amp are now correct
Not sure about this, but since the bose sub is a mono configuration...you might only have cut into say the left + -....run 1 rca into the epicenter, and 1 rca into the sub....instead of both heads....have to think about this some more.
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I think there are 2 small subs in there, don't know if each are on there own channel, could be, even if it's mono.
I have the manual, I'll check it out but it should be straight foward. the epicenter does not need a fused power wire from the battery, it probably draws a few amps, 3 maybe, doubt even 5, should be able to power it from the back, probably piggybacked off of the amp power lead. I think it will be all connections in the hatch, then just snaking a telephone wire up to the front to plug the knob in, shouldn't be too bad of an installation, just a matter of fitting the box somewhere back there & soldering a few wires I think...
I have the manual, I'll check it out but it should be straight foward. the epicenter does not need a fused power wire from the battery, it probably draws a few amps, 3 maybe, doubt even 5, should be able to power it from the back, probably piggybacked off of the amp power lead. I think it will be all connections in the hatch, then just snaking a telephone wire up to the front to plug the knob in, shouldn't be too bad of an installation, just a matter of fitting the box somewhere back there & soldering a few wires I think...
I looked up the manual for epicenter... 1 amp draw
This is not that hard to install...but time consuming. Especially if you are not that familiar with stereo equipment
The purpose of this thread was to get better output from the BOSE subwoofer. If you go with the epicenter or by building this circuit.
This is not that hard to install...but time consuming. Especially if you are not that familiar with stereo equipment
The purpose of this thread was to get better output from the BOSE subwoofer. If you go with the epicenter or by building this circuit.
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didn't mean to jack your thread with the epicenter, just thought it would be a better alternative to the circiut you pointed out & didn't know if you were even aware of it. I can remove the epicenter stuff from this thread & move it into it's own thread if you want, probably have to set up a different thread for the epicenter install eventually anyway to not just continue crappping all over yours if you want to keep it seperate
- Car
- 09 FX50
didn't mean to jack your thread with the epicenter, just thought it would be a better alternative to the circiut you pointed out & didn't know if you were even aware of it. I can remove the epicenter stuff from this thread & move it into it's own thread if you want, probably have to set up a different thread for the epicenter install eventually anyway to not just continue crappping all over yours if you want to keep it seperate
I'll start the new thread.
gchristopher9
Member
i bet you could make that 70 dollar job for about 20 bucks
- Car
- 09 FX50
or splurge and buy the legit thing
really theres nothing wrong with a project or building something, I do it all the time with lots of stuff, if you can put something togeather for a few bucks that has a nice affect on the enjoyabilty of your fx then I say 100% go for it, nothing wrong with that...
on the other hand, I try not to reinvent the wheel if I don't have to. if somethings readily availble, & would be superior to what I would build anyway & it was very affordable, then I would probably choose that route, but it's never bad to build something yourself, building is good
on the other hand, I try not to reinvent the wheel if I don't have to. if somethings readily availble, & would be superior to what I would build anyway & it was very affordable, then I would probably choose that route, but it's never bad to build something yourself, building is good
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didn't mean to jack your thread with the epicenter, just thought it would be a better alternative to the circiut you pointed out & didn't know if you were even aware of it. I can remove the epicenter stuff from this thread & move it into it's own thread if you want, probably have to set up a different thread for the epicenter install eventually anyway to not just continue crappping all over yours if you want to keep it seperate
No problem...Turbo, you didn't thread jack at all. You just gave another example of getting more out of your subwoofer. I didn't even think of the Epicenter till you mentioned it. But, this circuit is worth a try, especially if its saves everyone money. And like I said, it will almost do the same thing. It just frustrates me that you wont even consider doing this, every answer so far is "Epicenter".
What the epicenter does is, it produce gain at certain low frequencies for the amplifier. The so called boost is really just gain for the amp. Same thing with this circuit. It produces a 4v gain at certain frequencies, it's not much, but it is there. Epicenter is adjustable upto a 10v gain. I'm sure some of you have had amplifiers that have had seperate adjustable bass knobs. Most amps boost gain at 40hz, this is the same thing the Epicenter does....but it does do it a bit better, and if I remember it is adjustable.
I know our Bose systems do not hit. I'm trying to give examples of how to get more out of our stock sub amp and subs. Whether it being with the Epicenter for $140+, or trying to build a circuit board for $20, or cboard with eq for approx $30. There is a way, and we do not have to invest in a big boxes and lose space. This is all this was about.
If you want to get crazy and keep everything stock...invest in a Rockford Fosgate 3sixty.2 or 3sixty.1 This piece is WAY better than the Epicenter, and adjusts ALL of your speakers, not just your subs. You need a bluetooth PDA to adjust the 153 bands of equalization. But this costs from $400-$700. Some people do not care about price, they just want the best...well here you go.
I'm sure there are more products out there to add to our FX's. Like a cheap circuit board that will work, or very expensive pieces like the RF 3sixty that just kills.
I drew up a diagram to show how to install the Epicenter, I've given 3 examples of how to get better performance out of your subs, and I completely agreed with Turbo saying the Epicenter is a very good piece. OK I'm done, until I get the board built, installed, and post my results.
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haha, didn't mean to frustrate you by not considering this circuit, but I just wouldn't personally. if I'm going to go through the hassle of adding a module to improve the bass then I'm going to use the best thing available to me, I've had epicenters in just about all my system cars too so I guess I'm partial to them also
now it frustrates me when you keep saying that it's almost the same thing when that is not even remotely close to the case... the epicenter does not just boost bass at a certain frequency, it creates bass where there was none before & enhances the bass that is there too... it is very adjustable, it includes a subsonic filter that does wonders in relieving stress & lowering the chances of distortion & damaging a sub & even makes the amp much more efficient, it does so much more. it creates bass in a way that just an amp with a boost at a certain freq can not. it is a bass restoration processor, not a bump at 40 hz...
the fosgate 360 is a whole other story, & it has it's place in factory integration too, but even it does not replace or take the place of, nor do what the epicenter does, an epicenter can be used in conjuction with the 360 though...
the 360 is also far from the best. again, it has it's place but it's not even close to the best...
now it frustrates me when you keep saying that it's almost the same thing when that is not even remotely close to the case... the epicenter does not just boost bass at a certain frequency, it creates bass where there was none before & enhances the bass that is there too... it is very adjustable, it includes a subsonic filter that does wonders in relieving stress & lowering the chances of distortion & damaging a sub & even makes the amp much more efficient, it does so much more. it creates bass in a way that just an amp with a boost at a certain freq can not. it is a bass restoration processor, not a bump at 40 hz...
the fosgate 360 is a whole other story, & it has it's place in factory integration too, but even it does not replace or take the place of, nor do what the epicenter does, an epicenter can be used in conjuction with the 360 though...
the 360 is also far from the best. again, it has it's place but it's not even close to the best...
- Car
- 09 FX50
i started a new thread to document my install and stuff
///4762
yeah...
should be in on monday, so we'll see how it goes!
and p.s. John, the guy in my town said he's never installed one haha so i guess it's something I'll either have to figure out with him, or have you play around with? I don';t know haha
///4762
yeah...
should be in on monday, so we'll see how it goes!
and p.s. John, the guy in my town said he's never installed one haha so i guess it's something I'll either have to figure out with him, or have you play around with? I don';t know haha
just want to add that the circuit that was originally shown here does have merit, & may very well be good enough for some. it should offer an improvement to the stock system & is a worthwhile project for those that want to pursue an option like that, especially the second circuit. really didn't mean to discredit it completely. it also, aside from being cheaper $$ wise, will be easier to install. the epicenter may require an aditional x-over too, as it does not include one built in from what I remember, shouldn't be a big deal either though...
I have an epi in an old system car I have laying in my back yard, may just rip that one out for testing, but it's a really old vintage one so it does not have the adjustments of the newer ones... last I'll add here about the epicenter
I have an epi in an old system car I have laying in my back yard, may just rip that one out for testing, but it's a really old vintage one so it does not have the adjustments of the newer ones... last I'll add here about the epicenter
- Car
- 09 FX50
just want to add that the circuit that was originally shown here does have merit, & may very well be good enough for some. it should offer an improvement to the stock system & is a worthwhile project for those that want to pursue an option like that, especially the second circuit. really didn't mean to discredit it completely. it also, aside from being cheaper $$ wise, will be easier to install. the epicenter may require an aditional x-over too, as it does not include one built in from what I remember, shouldn't be a big deal either though...
I have an epi in an old system car I have laying in my back yard, may just rip that one out for testing, but it's a really old vintage one so it does not have the adjustments of the newer ones... last I'll add here about the epicenter
take it to my thread :-P haha
No problem,
We can just meet over at Bert's and make a day of it. But I do come expensive.....carne asada and beer. lol
P
Psiclne
Guest
What time what day......is there enough parking on that street?