How to install a bose subwoofer in a spare tire

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Bose subwoofer for spare

Many car owners want to install a Bose subwoofer in their spare tire. Some people think that the implementation of this process is practically impossible, although they are mistaken in many ways. After all, installing a subwoofer in a spare tire is not only beautiful and convenient, but also practical. This is the right decision, thanks to which you can save a lot of space in the trunk. Although there is one drawback to this - there will no longer be a spare wheel. But a Bose subwoofer in the spare tire will provide a real opportunity for hidden installation.

Why do they do this?

Subwoofer for Bose spare tire

Typically, installing a subwoofer in a spare tire is done when there is not enough space in the trunk. Although some choose this option to make the speaker system sound even louder. This process consists of only a few steps and does not take a long period of time. For training, you can try to make the simplest installation option. If it is successful, then you can try to mount the subwoofer in another way, using more complex scenarios.

How to properly connect a subwoofer

Power wiring
After purchase is one of the most important issues. The sound that the speaker system will produce depends on the quality of installation. Sometimes the user may be intimidated by the number of inputs and wires. In practice, the installation and connection procedure is not so complicated. Enough:

prepare the installation site. Remove the casing where the wires will be hidden, clean the screws from paint and materials, which will allow them to be installed in place;
remove the terminals from the battery. All work with electronics should be carried out with the power turned off in the car, which will avoid an accident;
power wiring. As a rule, this is the thickest cable in the speaker set. It has a fuse that must be connected to the positive terminal of the battery. When laying, avoid kinks and twisting of the wiring.
connecting the remote wire. This cable is responsible for turning on the subwoofer. It connects to the standard radio installed in the car, to a wire with a similar sound;
connecting the signal wire. Such a wire extends to the sound source if it has a separate line output for the subwoofer. If it is not there, the connection is made using a high-level input, which is usually included in the kit.

It is worth considering that the complexity of the connection depends on the configuration and design features.

The peculiarities of the perception of music at different frequencies are clearly manifested in closed spaces, which include your own car. If you can install multi-component acoustics of a decent volume at home, then in the car you have to sacrifice free space or install a subwoofer after special preparation of the interior.

Fortunately, it is possible to occupy the trunk with a massive system with its normal configuration without a noticeable “spread” of volume and power in different directions. Giving advice on acoustic equipment is difficult. Everyone has their own preferences. But the models presented in the rating can take their rightful place in the car.

Two installation options

Passive subwoofer

Installing a subwoofer in the spare tire can occur in two main ways. Each of them has its pros and cons. The first option is simple, the second is more complex. Which one is right for you, choose for yourself. One way or another, in both cases the following tools and materials may be useful:

Plywood. Instead, you can use any other easily cut material. The main thing is that it is quite strong, otherwise it may break while driving;
Epoxy resin, which is used to connect all parts;
Masking tape;
Hardener;
Gloves.

Passive subwoofer for car

Note: These are necessary to protect your hands from resin and glue. If they are not used, there is a possibility of tissue damage.

Electric jigsaw. If you don’t have one at hand, you can use a mechanical one. The main thing is that they feel comfortable working;
Scissors for cutting fabric;
Glue (PVA is possible) for securing the fabric.

Option one

As noted earlier, this option is simpler, so it consists of only a few steps:

Carefully remove the spare tire from the trunk so as not to damage it. Using soapy water, thoroughly wash the disc. It should be cleaned until it begins to shine;
Using masking tape and scissors, tape the disc so that its bottom is smooth. Wrap everything in foil;
Apply epoxy resin pre-mixed with fiberglass. Now you need to wait until everything is completely set.

Note: for a faster effect, you can use a special hardener.

Cut two circles from thick plywood. Their diameter must fully correspond to the dimensions of the fiberglass bowl;
Use a jigsaw to cut three holes for the speakers. In this case, one of them should be slightly larger than the others. It is advisable that the speaker sits freely in it. Insert the speaker into the designated hole;
Fasten both elements using resin. Leave it like this until it dries completely.

Passive subwoofers

Note: Before gluing, you must pull the wires out so that you can connect the speakers to the speaker system and amplifier.

Apply a layer of primer, sand, paint with dark varnish or cover with carpet.

Option two

In this case, the scale of work is larger. To install a subwoofer in a spare tire in this way, you must:

In this case, in addition to masking tape, the spare tire should be filled with dense material from the inside. This is necessary to make it easier to remove the box;
The remaining hole must be filled with fiberglass;
You need to carefully apply epoxy glue on top. This must be done so that the fiberglass is not damaged.

Bass player Bose

Note: it is advisable to drop a little hardener into the glue to speed up the hardening process.

Wrap the ends of the fiberglass onto the plywood;
Fasten so that it turns out to be one whole;
Remove the existing structure in the trunk;
Add several layers of fiberglass to the outside. The best option is 5-6. In this case, the plywood should remain sandwiched between the fiberglass;
The entire structure must be finished with carpet to give it a beautiful appearance.

Connecting a Bose subwoofer

Car audio studio Elektrosila

Let's say you purchased a cabinet subwoofer and now you don't know how to install it correctly. If you have a hatchback, SUV, minivan or other single-volume vehicle, there is nothing easier, place it with the speaker backwards, like here:

In most machines, this installation gives excellent results. If you pay attention, the back wall of most cabinet subwoofers is beveled at the same angle as the back of the rear seat. All this is for a reason. However, there are cases when with such a standard installation you still get delayed, unclear bass. The interiors of all cars are individual, therefore it is impossible to calculate the propagation of low-frequency sound waves; you have to select the location of the subwoofer experimentally. Here is a picture from the instructions for Hertz Energy subwoofers, it shows various options for placing the subwoofer in the trunk:

What to do if you have a sedan? In most regular sedans (not premium ones), you can install a box sub in the same way as in a hatchback. The low-frequency wave will easily find its way out of the trunk.

If you have a premium car and do not tolerate compromises, point the subwoofer speaker towards the ski hatch. It is better to buy a subwoofer speaker to install in the case and make a box for it so that it fits the size of the trunk. You can use a free air subwoofer. Such speakers are designed for installation without a housing in the so-called “endless screen”, in our case in the partition between the trunk and the passenger compartment. Keep in mind that this partition must be well secured and as airtight as possible. It will look something like this:

Of course, free air subwoofers are often placed in the rear parcel shelf of sedans. Everything is exactly the same as with installation in the armrest, only we categorically do not recommend installing the subwoofer in a shelf together with full-range speakers, for example, 6x9 “ovals”. There will be no normal sound!

What to do if there is no room for a subwoofer but you want bass? Recently, most car audio manufacturers have been producing super-compact subwoofers for installation under the seat. Typically these are models with a built-in amplifier. The disadvantage of such subwoofers is their low power and not very high sound pressure, but they cope with their task quite well. Here is an example of how we installed a Focal IBus 2.1 flat subwoofer under the seat of a Toyota Land Cruiser:

This subwoofer provides noticeable bass even in a rather large Land Cruiser and provides good bass support to the standard speakers.

Hertz has released two passive flat-panel subwoofer models (read our review). They are larger in size than under-seat subwoofers, but also have decent power and sound pressure. You can easily put them in the trunk as in the first option above and get great sound without losing trunk space!

If you want to preserve the useful volume of the trunk, then another installation option is suitable for you - making a “stealth” type case , i.e. "invisible". Such enclosures are labor-intensive to manufacture and require a professional approach, but the result is worth it - you will get high-quality bass and space in the trunk will not be compromised. Here are examples of stealth hulls we have manufactured:

Happy installation!

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