drop in q5 replacement sub?

[flyfishing]

I was looking in the trunk where sub is and it looks like the sub is just held in by screws and a plastic covering. I did a quick search and I think the sub is 6.5'' for the B&O system.

Anyone know of a direct sub drop in that would work? I am not looking for a ton better, just a little. I have JL Audios in my other cars and they work great. I did put some extra polyfill that I had and it did seem to make the default sub sound a little better.

[sQ5inSD]

Yes, the OE sub is a "standard" 6.5" basket in stamped steel - very common, likely a $5 driver from Asia. As you search around you'll see not many or any direct-fit drop in spare tire subs that at best result in some issues with the factory folding floor cover not resting flush. Most folks end up with a separate enclosure and the typical issues with integration. I have recently been using just the factory door woofers - took the OE sub out weeks ago while setting up for some RTA measurements. After fiddling with the DSP I was able to make the OE system sound as good or maybe bit better than with that poor little 6.5

One of the smaller JL loaded/powered options is likely your best overall solution unless you need to have an SPL/SQ type of system (Sound Quality - not that other Audi model that costs way too much ). I powered up a legitimate high-end sub on a solid 1kW amplifier and at one-third gain the output was too much for the OE woofers to keep up with. At some point in the process a high output sub, while trying to keep the response "balanced" will force the stock woofers into distortion unless they have additional high-pass filtering.

I tried some quick/dirty passive filters (simple series capacitors) and was able to reduce the distortion in the woofers but then that allowed the my big sub to go even louder so eventually (and prematurely) the B&O system just did not have enough RMS power to keep up. It's a shame because the ease of use of (with or without the desirable factory sub level control) the B&O is great and the SQ is is like a 7.5/10, in my humble opinion, if you can accept "medium" system volume (say in the 90-95dB range). I do not have a complete set of measurements to prove what my old but experienced ears are telling me but essentially the complete B&O system is really much like any other - it is a Wow for those who do not know any better but for some of us it just does not meet our expectations.

For just me that is really the frustrating part, the upgrades would be relatively simple and not expensive if the MMI/B&O system was like others that allow the main head unit to be swapped out for an aftermarket. There is the option to go outboard DSP but that ends up begin to much $ for me personally to justify.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Scott

[Martin425]

This is one option I have seen out there for an upgrade. While it is universal the limited reviews I have read are rather positive. I copy and pasted the specs below and the nice thing is When the speaker level inputs are used, the system can automatically turn on and off by sensing the voltage on the speaker's input. Note: The auto turn-on feature does not operate when the preamp level inputs are used.
Amplifier Power - 200W RMS (2 ohms)
Frequency Response - 30Hz – 150Hz
Fuse - 30A
Maximum Current Draw - 30A
Quiescent Current Draw - <1.2A
Crossover Frequency - 50Hz – 150Hz
Crossover Slope - 24dB/Octave
Bass Boost - 0 - 12dB Variable @ Fix 50 Hz
Line level input sensitivity - 0.2 V - 4V
Speaker level input sensitivity - 0.5V - 10V
Dimensions (D x H) - 14-3/16” x 6-1/2”(D360mm x H165mm)
https://www.jbl.com/car-subwoofers/J...oofers#start=1
BTW If anyone has experience with this unit what are your thoughts?

[flyfishing]

Thanks for the comments, but I am looking for a sub that just drops in and is screwed in.

There must be a replacement sub that fits in it??

[Pittdawg]

Yes, the OE sub is a "standard" 6.5" basket in stamped steel - very common, likely a $5 driver from Asia. As you search around you'll see not many or any direct-fit drop in spare tire subs that at best result in some issues with the factory folding floor cover not resting flush. Most folks end up with a separate enclosure and the typical issues with integration. I have recently been using just the factory door woofers - took the OE sub out weeks ago while setting up for some RTA measurements. After fiddling with the DSP I was able to make the OE system sound as good or maybe bit better than with that poor little 6.5

One of the smaller JL loaded/powered options is likely your best overall solution unless you need to have an SPL/SQ type of system (Sound Quality - not that other Audi model that costs way too much ). I powered up a legitimate high-end sub on a solid 1kW amplifier and at one-third gain the output was too much for the OE woofers to keep up with. At some point in the process a high output sub, while trying to keep the response "balanced" will force the stock woofers into distortion unless they have additional high-pass filtering.

I tried some quick/dirty passive filters (simple series capacitors) and was able to reduce the distortion in the woofers but then that allowed the my big sub to go even louder so eventually (and prematurely) the B&O system just did not have enough RMS power to keep up. It's a shame because the ease of use of (with or without the desirable factory sub level control) the B&O is great and the SQ is is like a 7.5/10, in my humble opinion, if you can accept "medium" system volume (say in the 90-95dB range). I do not have a complete set of measurements to prove what my old but experienced ears are telling me but essentially the complete B&O system is really much like any other - it is a Wow for those who do not know any better but for some of us it just does not meet our expectations.

For just me that is really the frustrating part, the upgrades would be relatively simple and not expensive if the MMI/B&O system was like others that allow the main head unit to be swapped out for an aftermarket. There is the option to go outboard DSP but that ends up begin to much $ for me personally to justify.

Hope this helps.

Cheers,
Scott

Thanks for confirming it's 6.5 inches wide. Do you know what the depth of the stock subwoofer is? That seems to be the issue people are running into; i.e. the 6.5 inch aftermarket subs slot into the existing spare width-wise but they are too deep for the floorboard to be closed flush. If we know the depth of the stock sub that would help the OP.

[sQ5inSD]

Thanks for confirming it's 6.5 inches wide. Do you know what the depth of the stock subwoofer is? That seems to be the issue people are running into; i.e. the 6.5 inch aftermarket subs slot into the existing spare width-wise but they are too deep for the floorboard to be closed flush. If we know the depth of the stock sub that would help the OP.

You are asking me what the depth of the stock subwoofer is - do you mean the 6.5" driver itself or the molded enclosure the driver is mounted in? BTW, the 6.5" driver is not really the constraint as you refer to it - again, the molded enclosure Height x Diameter is the issue.

For what it's worth - Height of OE sub enclosure: 140mm and Diameter: 425mm +/- (the enclosure is not uniform so this dimension is at your own risk).

Hope this helps!

[flyfishing]

I found this thread: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/q5-...759366/page10/

Shows some subs that can drop in with a spacer.

There's got to be one that just drops in.... I haven't read that thread fully to see if I missed a drop in sub.