Powered Subwoofer: So many questions!

[BWepps]

Hey Smarter than the average Bear Peeps,

I got a smokin' deal on a powered subwoofer by Blaupunkt: Amazon.com: Blaupunkt GTHS131 GTHS131 Super-Flat 200-Watt-Max Active Subwoofer : Electronics

It's big (15" x 11" x 3") and hefty. Came with Crossover control & super basic wiring harness.
My questions are:

• What else from a power/wiring perspective do I need to purchase?
• Best location for such a best? I'd like to mount it on the rear cargo area wall on the driver's side. Should I reinforce the plastic behind it?
• I've also done the Forscan mod for the rear speakers. Would you connect the sub to both rears or the front kickers?

Thanks a ton. I know lots of you have done this. I'm looking for your expertise.

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[Billnchristy]

Looks like it does not have high level inputs so you will need a converter.

 

[BWepps]

Looks like it does not have high level inputs so you will need a converter.

It does have the High Input which also comes with a small wiring harness.

 

[Billnchristy]

Oh there it is! I missed it when I was looking. If your rears are running full range then yeah you can tap off them.

I'd do 10ga wire from the battery to the sub. Fuse it within 18" of battery. Can ground in the back on a nice, bare metal spot.

I would bet that mounting it to the trim piece is going to make it a rattletrap.

 

[Bird Dog Off Road]

Curious how it turns out. Keep us updated!

 

[EKOBX]

Hey Smarter than the average Bear Peeps,

I got a smokin' deal on a powered subwoofer by Blaupunkt: Amazon.com: Blaupunkt GTHS131 GTHS131 Super-Flat 200-Watt-Max Active Subwoofer : Electronics

It's big (15" x 11" x 3") and hefty. Came with Crossover control & super basic wiring harness.
My questions are:

• What else from a power/wiring perspective do I need to purchase?
• Best location for such a best? I'd like to mount it on the rear cargo area wall on the driver's side. Should I reinforce the plastic behind it?
• I've also done the Forscan mod for the rear speakers. Would you connect the sub to both rears or the front kickers?

Thanks a ton. I know lots of you have done this. I'm looking for your expertise.

You will get some rattle if you attach it to the driver side plastic without reinforcement and you turn the bass up higher. I rarely get the rattle because I’m not cranking the bass up that high in most cases. However, I was just thinking today that I may open up the trim and see if I can put some insulation or support there to eliminate the rattle.

 

[JFelty]

I would figure out how to hang it on the tailgate. I like having the floor space vs the few inches I loose by hanging it on the door. I removed the OEM rattle box and sub and placed the Kicker 500.1 there.

 

[rtazz17]

Mine is powered on and connected to front kick panel speakers. Simple installation

 

[BWepps]

Mine is powered on and connected to front kick panel speakers. Simple installation

I'd love to see a pic!

Did you run the Red Power cable to the battery or tap into the fuse box in the driver side footwell?

 

[rtazz17]

I'd love to see a pic!

Did you run the Red Power cable to the battery or tap into the fuse box in the driver side footwell?

I ran it to the battery to have clean power. Mine just sits up against rear seats,15 inch subwoofer.

 

[BWepps]

Hi Folks,

Looking for advice on where you all put your negative ground. I have the subwoofer in the cargo area and will be mounting it on the driver's side. I used a seatbelt bolt but am getting almost NO Sound from the powered sub. From what I understand it could be related to not having bare metal for the negative ground to connect to? Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks!

 

[Dadsquatch]

Hi Folks,

Looking for advice on where you all put your negative ground. I have the subwoofer in the cargo area and will be mounting it on the driver's side. I used a seatbelt bolt but am getting almost NO Sound from the powered sub. From what I understand it could be related to not having bare metal for the negative ground to connect to? Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks!

I have my powered sub mounted under my rear seat (4-door), so I have my ground cable attached to one of the rear seat leg bolts. I don't have a pic, but if you look you'll see all 4 legs, each with a plastic cover that unclips (with some force) to expose the bolt. Then just remove the bolt, attach your ground, and reinstall the bolt & plastic cover.

 

[BWepps]

I have my powered sub mounted under my rear seat (4-door), so I have my ground cable attached to one of the rear seat leg bolts. I don't have a pic, but if you look you'll see all 4 legs, each with a plastic cover that unclips (with some force) to expose the bolt. Then just remove the bolt, attach your ground, and reinstall the bolt & plastic cover.

Thank you @Dadsquatch !

 

[rtazz17]

Hi Folks,

Looking for advice on where you all put your negative ground. I have the subwoofer in the cargo area and will be mounting it on the driver's side. I used a seatbelt bolt but am getting almost NO Sound from the powered sub. From what I understand it could be related to not having bare metal for the negative ground to connect to? Has anyone experienced this?

Thanks!

there is a nice big grounding nut just inside the plastic casing in the rear cargo area. Left side. You want to keep that grounding cable as short as possible. I tend to believe you have another issue. Never have had just a little sound coming from bad ground. Static,yes. Did you connect to front kick panel speakers? Thats where you should be connecting,not rear speakers. Rears are under powered. Forscan mod does hardly anything to rears.

 

[BWepps]

there is a nice big grounding nut just inside the plastic casing in the rear cargo area. Left side. You want to keep that grounding cable as short as possible. I tend to believe you have another issue. Never have had just a little sound coming from bad ground. Static,yes. Did you connect to front kick panel speakers? Thats where you should be connecting,not rear speakers. Rears are under powered. Forscan mod does hardly anything to rears.

Thanks @rtazz17 ,

I did connect them to the front kickers. The "ground" I used originally is a painted surface, and I'm hoping that's the issue.

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