Original HU + Aftermarket Active Sub, worth the hassle?

[skc000]

Hi there. Iīve got the original crappy HU but replacing it with an aftermarket unit IS NOT AN OPTION. My car didnīt come with the original subwoofer, but at least the wiring in the booth is present.

I wonder whether I will get a real improvement doing the following:

1) Install an aftermarket small shallow active subwoofer in the booth using the existing wiring
2) replace front speakers with some nice DLS components I took from my previous car (so basically free)

Has anyone done somethings similar? Results?

I assume that being the sub active, I can use the HU fader control to give more power to the DLS front speakers. I also assume the original sub wiring will provide the full bass range (opposed to using the speakerīs line which might be filtered).

Opinions please....

cheers
Philip

[tez]

Hi I've got the factory sub in my Dsport + and it wasn't bassy enough for me so I've just fitted my 12" vibe active sub I had left over from my 207. I've wired it into the factory wiring for the fitted sub and it works a treat so far not had a problem.

[pat40]

Hi I've got the factory sub in my Dsport + and it wasn't bassy enough for me so I've just fitted my 12" vibe active sub I had left over from my 207. I've wired it into the factory wiring for the fitted sub and it works a treat so far not had a problem.

Any chance you could give some instructions as to how you did it? Would love to do this to mine!

[Rickzayne]

I replaced the stereo so I could fit the sub... easiest way.

[skc000]

thank you guys I'll get an active sub and give it a try with the factory HU.

[tez]

pat i'll sort something out when i get time and the weather books up.

[pat40]

Cheers tez

[ZACK]

Tez Where You Based Mate,

No Audio Company Will Touch It For Me They Reckon I'll Be Back Later On To "Bite Them In The Arse"

[tez]

I'm up in west yorkshire Zack near junction 24 of m62. Yeah they can be funny has they want you to buy new head unit etc, but I ran my vibe off my standard headunit without one single issue for 4 years in my peugeot 207's.

[Clarky]

thank you guys I'll get an active sub and give it a try with the factory HU.

There is no RCA output from the HU.....look up how to guides on installing subs.

[tez]

You don't need RCA output if you know what your doing Clarky you can 1) get a active sub that runs off High inputs and tap into your speaker channels at the back of the stereo and run speaker wire to the High inputs. 2) get a a RCA convertor and do the same, tap into the speaker channels then run RCA cables from the convertor nothing hard about it.

[Clarky]

Yeh but wont this void your warranty tapping into wires !!.

[tez]

well I had warranty work carried out on both my 207's with the sub in, changing the head unit will void your warranty. Like anything you do to your cars it will only void your warranty if they can link what you've done down to the problem IE they can't void your warranty on a faulty gearbox for wiring in a sub.

[Clarky]

Installing an aftermarket head unit improves sound quality from your original speakers (no need to change in my opinion)...By installing an aftermarket headunit this also allows you to run an amp + subs.

NO SPLICING of wires all conections are adaptor plugs and can easily removed without messing with anything.

[tez]

Yeah I know, done it for other 20 years since i started driving. I've always messed with my car's and you pick stuff up or find ways of doing stuff just by trying different things.
I NEVER SPLICED ONE WIRE in my 207's to fit my vibe sub and amp and once it was removed you couldn't tell that one had been fitted even if you pulled the stereo out .
I've fitted it into my DS3 without splicing any wire's or even running a big power cable to the battery, it's running off the lead that runs to the built in sub and amp.
The way I've done it won't be to everyone's liking but it works and i've never had a problem and it gives you that extra bit of bass, if your after massive wattage and that pure sound quality than changing the head unit is the only way to go, my sub is only 1600 watts, i've done all the head changing and multi amp set ups in past and i'm getting to old for that now lol just a little bit of extra bass with a simple active sub does me.