Adding a subwoofer

[invictusmaneo]

Huge shoutout to all those who contributed photos and how-tos on this thread. It made this an efficient project. I’ve left many how tos and helpers on Lotustalk from my old Evora many years ago and appreciate the time that goes into them.


I wanted to share another option for some of you-Infinity bass link mini. It’s an 8x10 driver so a bit more piston area, long throw, compact enclosure. Harman puts out some decent products and I wanted something small to round out the bottom end, but to minimize the impact to the parcel shelf space since it’s not huge and the trunk is all but useless due to the heat for most things. This one does a perfect job (I’ve totally disconnected the factory driver) and can blend a bit higher into the mid bass than a 10” which is nice, which the factory crossover settings seem to be feeding to the stock driver. Won’t blow your ears out like a REL or something, but well placed and a huge improvement from stock. 12 pounds too. I used a bit of Velcro and automotive fabric to hide the harness.

 

[Thirdgen89gta]

I am really disappointed with the audio system in the Lotus. The fact that the upgraded KEF lacks tweeters is mind boggling. It has no stereo imaging because of that lack, and the bass muddy as can be and only gets worse the more you turn it up.

The Sony system in my Focus RS was better (and it wasn't a stellar system to begin with).

To be honest, at this price point, I want something like Burmeister, or Tesla Model S.

I will say the audio system in my MS Plaid is unbelievable. Best OEM audio system I've ever heard. Always perfectly clear, perfect imaging, and the bass is TIGHT, never muddy, no matter how much you turn it up. And it can get LOUD for a stock system. I think my phone recorded it upwards of 107dB at times. Loud enough that you NEVER turn it up, you're always backing it off a bit.

 

[Kaz]

I am really disappointed with the audio system in the Lotus. The fact that the upgraded KEF lacks tweeters is mind boggling. It has no stereo imaging because of that lack, and the bass muddy as can be and only gets worse the more you turn it up.

The Sony system in my Focus RS was better (and it wasn't a stellar system to begin with).

To be honest, at this price point, I want something like Burmeister, or Tesla Model S.

I will say the audio system in my MS Plaid is unbelievable. Best OEM audio system I've ever heard. Always perfectly clear, perfect imaging, and the bass is TIGHT, never muddy, no matter how much you turn it up. And it can get LOUD for a stock system. I think my phone recorded it upwards of 107dB at times. Loud enough that you NEVER turn it up, you're always backing it off a bit.

The system in my Plaid MX is same, just pretty incredible for a stock system with deep imaging and what sounds like a 10" sub (think it's 8) but yeah, the KEF system is a terrible joke. And I4 owners have to contend with the bass carrying the AMG engine/exhaust sounds too....so bad

 

[mikeee]

I added the Kicker Hideaway.

I’d almost forgotten what a difference it makes until I was given another Emira as a courtesy car for a couple of days.
The stock Kef is honestly embarrassing as a “premium” audio system, it has no bass whatsoever.
Adding a powered sub like the Kicker is the best £300 I’ve spent, makes a decent sound for relatively little expenditure!

 

[invictusmaneo]

I am really disappointed with the audio system in the Lotus. The fact that the upgraded KEF lacks tweeters is mind boggling. It has no stereo imaging because of that lack, and the bass muddy as can be and only gets worse the more you turn it up.

The Sony system in my Focus RS was better (and it wasn't a stellar system to begin with).

To be honest, at this price point, I want something like Burmeister, or Tesla Model S.

I will say the audio system in my MS Plaid is unbelievable. Best OEM audio system I've ever heard. Always perfectly clear, perfect imaging, and the bass is TIGHT, never muddy, no matter how much you turn it up. And it can get LOUD for a stock system. I think my phone recorded it upwards of 107dB at times. Loud enough that you NEVER turn it up, you're always backing it off a bit.

Updating for posterity, I would not recommend the

Huge shoutout to all those who contributed photos and how-tos on this thread. It made this an efficient project. I’ve left many how tos and helpers on Lotustalk from my old Evora many years ago and appreciate the time that goes into them.


I wanted to share another option for some of you-Infinity bass link mini. It’s an 8x10 driver so a bit more piston area, long throw, compact enclosure. Harman puts out some decent products and I wanted something small to round out the bottom end, but to minimize the impact to the parcel shelf space since it’s not huge and the trunk is all but useless due to the heat for most things. This one does a perfect job (I’ve totally disconnected the factory driver) and can blend a bit higher into the mid bass than a 10” which is nice, which the factory crossover settings seem to be feeding to the stock driver. Won’t blow your ears out like a REL or something, but well placed and a huge improvement from stock. 12 pounds too. I used a bit of Velcro and automotive fabric to hide the harness.

updating for posterity.

I would not recommend the basslink mini. While it has more volume in certain frequencies for sure, the cabin gain is rough with this enclosure and the frequency response worse than factory. You’re better off turning bass +1 for some more volume and a decently even response down to 40ish hz, where as this one peaks then tapers hard. I was hoping break in and some tuning would help; but after my initial impressions with only a few hours of listening, more time on it has me back to stock and planning to switch to a better tuned and custom setup in the next 6 months.

 

[Nova]

Updating for posterity, I would not recommend the

updating for posterity.

I would not recommend the basslink mini. While it has more volume in certain frequencies for sure, the cabin gain is rough with this enclosure and the frequency response worse than factory. You’re better off turning bass +1 for some more volume and a decently even response down to 40ish hz, where as this one peaks then tapers hard. I was hoping break in and some tuning would help; but after my initial impressions with only a few hours of listening, more time on it has me back to stock and planning to switch to a better tuned and custom setup in the next 6 months.

Makes sense. The bass link mini is only a 6x8 driver. I recommend a 10 inch driver for measurable improvements.

 

[bhavz]

Hi Everyone,

Firstly thanks to everyone here who has done the hard work, to make the install an easier process.

Does any one know what the make model of this connection is? Would like to make a harness for easy removal without damaging the main cables. To avoid any warranty issues.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[invictusmaneo]

Yup I feel you, usually piston size is the easier solve for displacement than anything else. My hope here was extra throw and a comparable piston size would net gains; it did. If you like reggaeton or dance primarily the basslink easily wins for volume without a struggle. The challenge is it’s an uphill battle in a tiny sealed enclosure vs a free air installation (plus whatever stock DSP the KEF system is doing to optimize for the stock driver) and it just didn’t go very low well at all, which as you’re right is often a driver issue. Free air offers some of the best low end extension but usually at the cost of volume/ power with the low suspension damping. My experience with these two certainly jives with that in the stock ins. My opinion, but I also think there is some decent amounts of DSP going on behind the scenes for the stock setup based on the peakiness I got, that seemed beyond cabin gain+enclosure tuning on the basslink. Nothing wrong with it, just need an aftermarket DSp and some tuning/monitoring to really flatten the response in anything plugged in after the OE sub. Another project for another day at this point.

I’ll note that overall the kef drivers due seem to benefit from some break in and +1 or 2 in the midrange. After 2500 miles mine really started to sound better.

 

[jjslat]

Edit: Now I'm seeing the Audison Prima APBX 10 AS2 which seems even better.

Has anyone tried the Pioneer options, ChatGPT told me they outperform the kicker, looks like there is a powered 10 and 12" option for around $3-400.

TS-WX1210A​

TS-WX1010A​