Replacement for Wagon McIntosh Sub?

[tom_kauf]

I've found tons of threads on replacing the Sedan McIntosh Sub (with Polk or Kicker Subs), but can anyone help by telling me what aftermarket sub would fit in a Wagon?

I like the McIntosh setup, just not the lack of bass. I've just done the McIntosh Amp Gain mod, and it's better - but still average. I want to keep everything stock, just swap the sub.

I can't tell if there's less room in a Wagon coz of the space between the outer skin, or if the sedan guys have less coz of the boot lid mechanism.

[30rbullet]

Theoretically its exactly the same.

I am in the same dilemma.
Autobahn suggest there order in "polk" sub as the best option.

Being only an 8" sub your options are not only limited by unusual size ordering but also stock amp power supply.

[tom_kauf]

Ok, cool. So I've read people choosing either Polk MM840 or DB840. But some run spacers to make them fit on the parcel shelf. We'll see if Wagon owners have to as well....

Basically they're the same size (16mm difference is depth). But importantly, the sensitivity difference is HUGE. DB840 is 85 dB, MM840 is 90 dB.
Since -3db is half, ALL things being equal, a speaker with say 90db per watt at 1 meter will be twice as loud as one that is only 87db. Or, require half the power for the same volume. So 5dB difference is big. That's important coz apparently the McIntosh Amp does not put out a lot of power. Some subs just need more power than the stock amp can supply, to drive it properly.

One guy on here installed a Kicker, because the sensitivity was even better (chanham). But I can't find any Kickers on their current website that are more than 0.3dB higher (most are worse).

[30rbullet]

Fusion also do one apparently thats plug n play.

[tom_kauf]

Fusion also do one apparently thats plug n play.

Cool, I'll have a look. Wiring in the stock connector won't be a problem, since I do soldering and electronic stuff regularly for work. But less work having to make something fit is always better .

[tom_kauf]

Look slike I'll need spacers whichever model I get. Most are 10-11cm mounting depth. And I have max 7.5-8cm in the wagon boot mounting position.
Oh well, the Sedan guys had to do the same. I'll see what size spacer I need once the sub I order has arrived.

[Monkey]

For anyone considering the Polk MM840, I just got mine brand new from Elite Electronics, delivered for $164 (delivery was free and received in 1 day).
They are doing a $15 discount promotion at the moment. I think normal price at most stores is around $190-200. Looking forward to pairing this with my 460w RMS Kicker monoblock!

[chanham]

I swapped mine for a kickerb( see my profile) and after living with it for a while I can say it's a awesome upgrade. Bass is a LOT more powerful and it does not sound underpowered at all. Not sure why other haven't looked into other subs than the Polk but the kicker is a really really good option! Wasn't happy with all this talk about the Polk sounding underpowered so I kept digging until I found a better option (in my opinion). Mine was 140 new from america off eBay.

Highly recommend setup!

[tom_kauf]

Good to hear! Well in theory, a sub with lower sensitivity than the Polk (like the Kicker) will sound even more underpowered than the Polk. So that's good that the kicker still sounds really good. One day I might get the chance to hear the difference between the two with a stock Amp setup. Until then, it's hard to compare.

[SHIZNT]

I wonder how one of these would go, Focal make top notch audio gear.

[tom_kauf]

That looks good. And would definitely fit. Hopefully the sensitivity is good enough (unless an aftermarket amp is used anyway).

After wanting to keep it stock looking, I've changed my mind again. I've gone the whole hog and ordered a 10" sub and WickedCAS boot enclosure made for the Liberty wagon. It looks almost stock and fills the area behind the wheel arch. I'll have to use an amp, but I'll run it from the speaker level outputs of the McIntosh, like some people have done to keep the rest of the system stock. As long as it's a balanced input and 4ohm, it works. It's $$s but it'll be worth it in the end.

[kiahatsiu]

What do you guys think of the 8" one?? http://www.kicker.com/CompRT

[Mosti]

Thinking about getting the MB Quartz RLP204. Anyone got one or heard anything about them?

[tom_kauf]

Sorry guys, I still follow this thread but don't have any experience with those. But maybe someone else does