Aftermarket amplifier tie in

Supra Bird · Aug 21, 2020

Has anyone added an aftermarket amp and sub to round out the low end bass? If so where did you snag the signal and power on from? Was planning on adding a JL VX600/1i amp paired to a 10WS6v3-D4 to the system to go along with a full Bavsound replacement for all 12 speakers. I've found great videos for the Bavsound drop ins but nothing about where the best place to get signal for an aftermarket amp/sub. Any help is appreciated.

Cruzinbill · Aug 23, 2020

I'll be doing a writeup hopefully soon on how I chose to go about it. I'll be using a MOST to Toslink adapter and connecting that to my amp. I have not actually connected it yet as I have been a bit busy with things, but hopefully this week I will be able to confirm if it will work for sure.

If you are just trying to do a cheap and simple sub though, you should be able to just grab signal to one of the factory "subs" with an LOC or if that amp has a decent one built into it then you could use the Hi level in.

Supra Bird · Aug 23, 2020

Thanks for the reply. Super curious how your MOST to toslink goes. Have read there can be issues and you have to be careful when messing with the MOSTBUS though so was not certain I wanted to mess with that without knowing 100% what I was doing. Definitely want to see your write-up when you do it and what hardware you went with. Will be putting all of my stuff in during Sept when the BavSound drop ins come off of backorder.

Are you doing replacing the entire system with a multi-channel amp or just adding a sub for better low end?

tadda · Aug 26, 2020

Supra Bird said:
Has anyone added an aftermarket amp and sub to round out the low end bass? If so where did you snag the signal and power on from? Was planning on adding a JL VX600/1i amp paired to a 10WS6v3-D4 to the system to go along with a full Bavsound replacement for all 12 speakers. I've found great videos for the Bavsound drop ins but nothing about where the best place to get signal for an aftermarket amp/sub. Any help is appreciated.

If your looking for a location to tap into one of the high level sub outputs the best place would be near the HK Amplifier speaker output wire bundle shown in the pic below...Within the wire bundle the left sub channel twisted pair is violet / green and right sub channel twisted pair is blue / white and are easily recognizable because they are also noticeably larger gauge wires than the others...You can also run power / ground from the battery which is in close proximity to the amp as well...

You'll tap into one of those subwoofer channel wires and run it to a LOC to convert to proper signal level to either an external sub amp input or a powered subwoofer...

Here is a thread I posted which might be helpful....

Supra Audio Amp, ASD Amp, and System Diagram

I also see your considering Bavsound 12 speaker replacement...I have not personally evaluated their mids and tweeters but I have evaluated their Ghostsubs...You might want to read my review below before considering them...

Bavsound Ghostsub Review: I really wanted to like them...

Spoiler alert...The OE Harmon Kardon Subs in the Supra sound much better than the Bavsound Ghostsubs....Particularly after this mod is done below....

How to Improve OE Sub Bass Quality and Eliminate Vibrations

Supra Bird · Aug 27, 2020

tadda said:
If your looking for a location to tap into one of the high level sub outputs the best place would be near the HK Amplifier speaker output wire bundle shown in the pic below...Within the wire bundle the left sub channel twisted pair is violet / green and right sub channel twisted pair is blue / white and are easily recognizable because they are also noticeably larger gauge wires than the others...You can also run power / ground from the battery which is in close proximity to the amp as well...

You'll tap into one of those subwoofer channel wires and run it to a LOC to convert to proper signal level to either an external sub amp input or a powered subwoofer...

Here is a thread I posted which might be helpful....

Supra Audio Amp, ASD Amp, and System Diagram

I also see your considering Bavsound 12 speaker replacement...I have not personally evaluated their mids and tweeters but I have evaluated their Ghostsubs...You might want to read my review below before considering them...

Bavsound Ghostsub Review: I really wanted to like them...

Spoiler alert...The OE Harmon Kardon Subs in the Supra sound much better than the Bavsound Ghostsubs....Particularly after this mod is done below....

How to Improve OE Sub Bass Quality and Eliminate Vibrations

Thanks for the reply Tadda. I had found your mod to the rear sub deck previously and was planning on implementing it when I swapped over to the Bavsound speakers while I have everything apart. I too am also disappointed in the low end sound response in the Supra and general loudness overall. In regards to the GhostSubs, do you think its just a function of not enough power coming from the factory amp? I.e. I wonder if it would be improved if Bavsound gets a version of its Revenant amp ready for the Supra. Thats sorta what I am hoping for. It surprises me to hear that they wouldn't be improved on the factory amp but if the amp isn't sending enough power that could cause it. Based on your statement about weight being similar is also concerning. My plan was to use the 8"s more for mid bass through the equalizer and then use the DSP on the JL amp to create the low end for my 10ws6.

tadda · Aug 27, 2020

Supra Bird said:
Thanks for the reply Tadda. I had found your mod to the rear sub deck previously and was planning on implementing it when I swapped over to the Bavsound speakers while I have everything apart. I too am also disappointed in the low end sound response in the Supra and general loudness overall. In regards to the GhostSubs, do you think its just a function of not enough power coming from the factory amp? I.e. I wonder if it would be improved if Bavsound gets a version of its Revenant amp ready for the Supra. Thats sorta what I am hoping for. It surprises me to hear that they wouldn't be improved on the factory amp but if the amp isn't sending enough power that could cause it. Based on your statement about weight being similar is also concerning. My plan was to use the 8"s more for mid bass through the equalizer and then use the DSP on the JL amp to create the low end for my 10ws6.

I'm not convinced that the problem with the Bavsound ghostsub was due to being underpowered given the results of the response curve independently measured by an audio engineer on the BMW forum....In addition, also consider that diminished lower bass response is a common complaint amongst those that have installed and reviewed the Bavsound ghostsubs even in the BMW underseat application which i've been closely following on the BMW forums...

Also, Bavsounds Revenant Amp for the Supra is not going to be available until mid next year at best...I got the impression after speaking with them it's not high on their priority list....

I think once you implement the changes to the OE sub enclosure you might change your point of view regarding the quality of the Harmon Kardon OE subs in the Supra...

I too agree and believe the best setup would be to designate the OE subs as midbass using 100~120hz crossovers and simply install another 10" externally powered subwoofer to operate below 100hz...

I've been in discussion and trying to convince OEMaudio+, which is getting ready to release their subwoofer along with 7channel / 645 watt DSP plug and play amp (which I'm fairly certain is sourced / developed through Audison) , not to delete the OE HK rear woofer from their setup and treat them as midbass....Their current plans are to delete the 2 OE HK rear woofers and only use their sub which I personally think is a mistake....

OEMaudio+ for Supra

MaherSupra · Aug 27, 2020

Supra Bird said:
Has anyone added an aftermarket amp and sub to round out the low end bass? If so where did you snag the signal and power on from? Was planning on adding a JL VX600/1i amp paired to a 10WS6v3-D4 to the system to go along with a full Bavsound replacement for all 12 speakers. I've found great videos for the Bavsound drop ins but nothing about where the best place to get signal for an aftermarket amp/sub. Any help is appreciated.

I got so tired of the very bad audio system that I actually replaced the entire system with JL audio speakers/Subwoofer plus their awesome amplifier
JL Audio VX1000/5i
two 10TW3-D8
Two C5-400cm
Two DRC-205
Two C5-075ct
and Stinger Roadkill sound damping material

tadda · Aug 27, 2020

Here are a few more details which might be helpful....

OE Harmon Amplifier Connections:

Supra Audio System Diagram:

digicidal · Aug 27, 2020

tadda said:
I too agree and believe the best setup would be to designate the OE subs as midbass using 100~120hz crossovers and simply install another 10" externally powered subwoofer to operate below 100hz...

I've been in discussion and trying to convince OEMaudio+, which is getting ready to release their subwoofer along with 7channel / 645 watt DSP plug and play amp (which I'm fairly certain is sourced / developed through Audison) , not to delete the OE HK rear woofer from their setup and treat them as midbass....Their current plans are to delete the 2 OE HK rear woofers and only use their sub which I personally think is a mistake....

OEMaudio+ for Supra

I couldn't agree more. While being able to be authoritative below 80Hz is important (though arguably less critical for music than movie soundtracks)... much of what we perceive as bass is decently above that level. The midbass range is super important for almost every genre other than electronic (or stuff with a pipe-organ if that floats yer boat). In addition to holding the fundamentals for human speech (comedians, news, sports casts, etc.) - there's a ton of instruments hanging out in that area. If the nearly useless FR "chart" is indicative of the final result... that's not really a house curve that I'm interested in hearing. More like changing one problem for a different one.

Supr@Freak23 · Sep 5, 2020

tadda said:
If your looking for a location to tap into one of the high level sub outputs the best place would be near the HK Amplifier speaker output wire bundle shown in the pic below...Within the wire bundle the left sub channel twisted pair is violet / green and right sub channel twisted pair is blue / white and are easily recognizable because they are also noticeably larger gauge wires than the others...You can also run power / ground from the battery which is in close proximity to the amp as well...

You'll tap into one of those subwoofer channel wires and run it to a LOC to convert to proper signal level to either an external sub amp input or a powered subwoofer...

Here is a thread I posted which might be helpful....

Supra Audio Amp, ASD Amp, and System Diagram

I also see your considering Bavsound 12 speaker replacement...I have not personally evaluated their mids and tweeters but I have evaluated their Ghostsubs...You might want to read my review below before considering them...

Bavsound Ghostsub Review: I really wanted to like them...

Spoiler alert...The OE Harmon Kardon Subs in the Supra sound much better than the Bavsound Ghostsubs....Particularly after this mod is done below....

How to Improve OE Sub Bass Quality and Eliminate Vibrations

Wich ones are the positive and negative cables on the rear subs? How do you identify these?

Cruzinbill · Sep 7, 2020

tadda said:
I'm not convinced that the problem with the Bavsound ghostsub was due to being underpowered given the results of the response curve independently measured by an audio engineer on the BMW forum....In addition, also consider that diminished lower bass response is a common complaint amongst those that have installed and reviewed the Bavsound ghostsubs even in the BMW underseat application which i've been closely following on the BMW forums...

Also, Bavsounds Revenant Amp for the Supra is not going to be available until mid next year at best...I got the impression after speaking with them it's not high on their priority list....

I think once you implement the changes to the OE sub enclosure you might change your point of view regarding the quality of the Harmon Kardon OE subs in the Supra...

I too agree and believe the best setup would be to designate the OE subs as midbass using 100~120hz crossovers and simply install another 10" externally powered subwoofer to operate below 100hz...

I've been in discussion and trying to convince OEMaudio+, which is getting ready to release their subwoofer along with 7channel / 645 watt DSP plug and play amp (which I'm fairly certain is sourced / developed through Audison) , not to delete the OE HK rear woofer from their setup and treat them as midbass....Their current plans are to delete the 2 OE HK rear woofers and only use their sub which I personally think is a mistake....

OEMaudio+ for Supra

That is my plan as well, I will be changing them from trying to perform both sub and midbass duty to simply being midbass.

Rocksandblues · Oct 5, 2020

Anyone have any luck? I have a powered box left over from a past car and am looking for at least temp setting in the cargo area

Cruzinbill · Oct 16, 2020

Rocksandblues said:
Anyone have any luck? I have a powered box left over from a past car and am looking for at least temp setting in the cargo area

Mobridge does work with the car. I temporarily installed it to make check and see. However some of the items for my build are still backordered so I have things back to stock for now.

Of course if you are only wanting to add a sub added then the traditional Hi-Low approach is still much cheaper.

Jason In2details · Nov 4, 2020

Need much more mid-bass up front. I feel like if I turned the subs behind me into pure midbass running 75-300hz it would pull the sound back? A 4 inch in the door would be lucky to go below 250hz?
I got a spare set of door panels, From an outside view i can work a set of 6.6 into the space no problem. What I have to deal with is how deep and I think a door rod comes into that area when door is closed? Then I can get a new amp for a 2 way set in doors. What Im thinking is total removal of the factory sub box and turn that into my amp rack and then place a sub or 2 with new amp somewhere in trunk area.
What do you guys think?

Cruzinbill · Nov 4, 2020

Jason In2details said:
Need much more mid-bass up front. I feel like if I turned the subs behind me into pure midbass running 75-300hz it would pull the sound back? A 4 inch in the door would be lucky to go below 250hz?
I got a spare set of door panels, From an outside view i can work a set of 6.6 into the space no problem. What I have to deal with is how deep and I think a door rod comes into that area when door is closed? Then I can get a new amp for a 2 way set in doors. What Im thinking is total removal of the factory sub box and turn that into my amp rack and then place a sub or 2 with new amp somewhere in trunk area.
What do you guys think?

I agree that it would pull the sound back. That's why for my setup I am using a DSP to time align all of the drivers and remedy that issue.

Aftermarket amplifier tie in

Supra Bird

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Cruzinbill

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Supra Bird

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tadda

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Supra Bird

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tadda

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MaherSupra

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tadda

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digicidal

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Supr@Freak23

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Cruzinbill

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Cruzinbill

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Jason In2details

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