Solved: How to fix the blown subwoofer sound with windows open

[virtualmacho]

Gotta print your own foam, with an EMIRA logo embedded in it !

 

[hellograeme74]

I drove about 500 miles today and had the stereo playing at about 50% volume listening to all kinds of music. I had such a smile on my face with the windows down doing 80 mph on the interstate with clean and proper bass. What an amazing difference! It really made the trip so much better that I could listen with the windows up or down and still have decent sound quality. Hard to believe that it left the factory with those stupid rubber flaps right next to the subwoofer.

Excellent - I know what I am doing at the weekend. Great post @NicolasB - so many will be pleased to have a solution for this.

Just annoying that this fix has to come from the community, and not directly from Lotus. Very curious what is different on the 2026 cars - but very glad @jaycityatl doesn't have the issue.

Farewell annoying flaps...

 

[meenboli]

Gotta print your own foam, with an EMIRA logo embedded in it !

Well, amongst my many toys, I do have a laser cutter.

Last time I tried cutting foam, after checking all was safe, I wandered off to do something else.
Somebody in my factory then pointed out the strange orange glow coming from our 'tech' room...

But watch this space...

 

[Glowtus]

OK, I just performed this surgery, and I can confirm that it works. Subwoofer no longer sounds like its blown while driving with the windows open. That said, be aware that you will get slightly more road noise in your car. Also, the subwoofer itself isnt exactly amazing, so this makes it waaaaaay better, but by no means does it sound like a high end system.

 

[Ralph2025]

Mine sounds blown regardless if the windows opened or closed and the rear passenger doesn't work at all

 

[HampshireEmira]

Also removed the flaps on mine and replaced with foam. Problem solved 100%

 

[hellograeme74]

Mine sounds blown regardless if the windows opened or closed and the rear passenger doesn't work at all

Someone I know had to have the speaker replaced in the centre of the dashboard.

 

[Orchardbike]

Someone I know had to have the speaker replaced in the centre of the dashboard.

I had to have the centre dashboard speaker replaced. It was damaged by the dealer. It buzzed continuously. I don’t think this is the same issue though.

 

[hellograeme74]

Ok, so i've just performed the surgery too. OMG, it is amazing to have a proper sound system in the car. WHAT A DIFFERENCE!

Took me two hours.
Was able to do it from the inside of the car.
Reach in and prise the clips with your fingers and it pops inward to the wheel arch.
While holding on to it of course (though I think if it did fall in, wouldn't be far and you'd just grab it).
Tilt it to get it out.
Rip off the dumb flaps and perform the foam surgery.
I used scissors, foam, super glue and a needle / thread.
Not that I think it needs it, i used some thread to give it some extra support (it is after all the air release for when you shut the the doors).
Tested door shutting when i put it back in - seems solid.
Tested the audio on a drive with the windows cracked at various levels - what a difference.
Just a shame Lotus doesn't have a fix for this. I'd hope some dealers might do it, if they see this thread.

Graeme

. .

 

[FInWin]

Hello, for anyone that has completed this mod, do you have any advice on how to get the quarter panel removed easily. I got the two yellow grommets to release, but the actual quarter panel is wedged in pretty tight, even using plastic pry tools, I cannot get it to come out.

Any advice/tips would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

 

[NicolasB]

Hello, for anyone that has completed this mod, do you have any advice on how to get the quarter panel removed easily. I got the two yellow grommets to release, but the actual quarter panel is wedged in pretty tight, even using plastic pry tools, I cannot get it to come out.

Any advice/tips would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Just pull hard, those 3 tabs on the back are just wedged in

 

[FInWin]

I'll give it a shot, thank you.

 

[hellograeme74]

I'll give it a shot, thank you.

Yes, pull hard, angling out from the bottom. As Nicolas said, it’s wedged in there. When I put it back, I insert the top first.

 

[hellograeme74]

I had to have the centre dashboard speaker replaced. It was damaged by the dealer. It buzzed continuously. I don’t think this is the same issue though.

Yeah, different issue I’d say. Windows closed issue does point to a failed speaker.

 

[MiamiBlue]

Does this show the part from the outside?

 

[Glowtus]

View attachment 82384Does this show the part from the outside?

Yes, that is the part.

 

[hellograeme74]

Yep, there it is.

 

[NicolasB]

Yep, there it is.

View attachment 82386

That's an interesting picture. It almost looks like there's something similar just to the right, which would be directly behind the subwoofer.

 

[hellograeme74]

That's an interesting picture. It almost looks like there's something similar just to the right, which would be directly behind the subwoofer.

Yeah, that is exactly what I thought too.

 

[Ralph2025]

Does anyone have a link to the foam they've purchased?