Overview of system

The PLV-7 Subwoofer System's LAT subwoofer array consists of six 7-inch cones that provide the same bass punch as a pair of 12" subs. Alpine houses the array in a super-efficient Ultra Reflex enclosure, and matches the subs up to a highly efficient 500-watt digital amplifier. The result? Clean, pounding bass from an enclosure that takes up 30% less space than a dual 12" box.

Car Audio and Electronics review: http://www.alpine-usa.com/images/pro...s/PLV7_rev.pdf

Install

Step1.
I began be adding a little eDead sound deadening material. Had extra so I thought why not tighten things up a bit. The deck lid is covered though not shown here, and so is the back of the trunk.



Step 2.
Astral came over to lend a gracious hand and knowledge for the wiring. We routed the 4GA power by means of a drilled out hole on the passenger side firewall. Other connections made by splicing into BOSE amp wires following instructions from threads here. The red wire you see below is actually part of my custom grounding setup.



Step 3.
Connected all wires for testing and it rocked! Buttoned everything back up, cut a 1.5" slice into carpet to run wire into sub box and done. It's one heavy box that's for sure. Fitment is perfect inside the trunk depression with 1.5" clearance all around. Pic below is actually the test fit. Had to remove trunk latch just so it could fit.





Thanks again Astral!

 

Was glad to help.. how does it sound now?

Need to play with x-over a bit I bet.

We tapped into the line outs from the head unit, before the Bose amp.

 

Yea, I've been playing with the adjustments. Sounds great!

 

Added the remote gain control **** and placed it just within reach in front of the driver seat belt latch.

 

Interesting box. I'd like to hear how it sounds in person.

 

Sounds just as they say, like two 12" subs. It's wild to watch as well when all the cones move in sync.

 

ok i read the review and everything i could find on the box and i have a couple questions.

1. does it ever leave you wanting more?

2. the dimensions say its 13.2 x 13.3 can it fit in the space directly behind the seats with the vent facing the trunk opening?

3. does it have a full bottom end i.e. 20-30hz?

4. would you say it sounds like 2 12" JL's or 2 12" pyle drivers?

thanks

rick

 

1. Not in the least bit. It's very powerful to the point I have to turn the gain down or it way overpowers the rest of the system. It perfectly compliments the BOSE system IMO. Other guys I know who have had Infinity BassLink and such were amazed. You seriously can't let the size fool you.

2. Too much stuff that's below the rear deck get in the way.

3. Oh hell yea.

4. Don't have those to compare it to. Though i have done quite a few installs in my life, but I'm not a true audiophile by any means. It certainly pumps and shakes the entire car if you want it to.

Simply put, you have to hear it in person.

 

 

am i correct that there is no way the spare tire kit would fit?

Had mine in the garage at home since I bought the car. Then last week I got a bolt with a washer in the middle of the tread on my front tire. Since then the spare is back in the trunk.

I do want to do a sub at some point. But I often use all four seats and the trunk usually has my laptop bag and other things in it. I'm considering Pioneers new sub design, and here JL has something similarly thin. Sorry if I'm stealing this thread, not my intention.

 

I'm not positive, but I too have both the spare tire kit and inflation pack. Looks like it could, but getting it out might be a pain and the fact you have to put your other tire somewhere. I have roadside coverage and the inflation kit in the car, as well as aftermarket wheels that are way bigger than stock, so the spare was taken out.

Alpine makes a smaller unit called the PLT-5 that would give ya more space.

 

Relocated sub box. I could not believe it actually fits.

 

told ya......i know you like to see the subs move but you should really face the port at the trunk opening

 

The port is on the top near the back and has clearance to vent. The sound is tight.

 

Ok, so based on this thread, my PLT-5 jsut arrived. I was trying to save weight(not really...), money and trunk space. I have the spare tire kit, but would have dithced it if necessary. My test fit leaves the tire kit in, puts the Box in the cubby hole,a dn leaves room for a set of golf clubs to sit on top. I'll install it on saturday and post my thoughts. I have had plenty of stereo's from single 10's with 150 watt punch to dual 12 RF DVC's with an Orion HCCA... I'm sure it will be closer to the lower end there...
Seems liek install should be easy as pie too. I believe i have both 8g and 4g cables laying around, I'm trying to dcide if I should go with overkill or just right, probably 8g(250w, not 500). Does the 4g fit easily or is it kind of a pain. BTW, no remote wire when tapping from infront of the Bose right?

 

I know this is off topic but, altspace, what kind of lowering springs do you have on your car? it looks tight

 

I tapped the remote line into the BOSE amp.

I have Tein S-Techs, but my sig is all photoshop.

 

I think it'd be slick to build a facade covering the top and sides of that box - for a flush-mount look. I have one, I could draw a template for you, if you like, so you can reproduce (would just need to cut the center to fit your box.

Lemme know.

(the facade I use looks like this: https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/audio-system-out-car-100231/ )

 

Just a bit more to add to this thread...

It is far less work to bring power down the driver's side then passengers. There are nice holes predrilled and grommets you can slide into. I used some individual wire above left of the main wire bundle.

The remote line is completely superfluous when using hi-level(spkr) inputs, at least on the PLT-5.

The trunk on this car is so small, and hard to get into. I am glad this was a pretty simple install.

This unit, the size of a briefcase is quite a marvel. I don't know about 2 10's but it's lightyears beyond any other self powered unit I've ever seen. Pound for pound, watt for watt this system BUMPS. I would say it compares favorably with say a 10w6 with a 250w JL mono amp. Not that I have heard that particular system in an 8, but it's a fairly common setup. The Bose speakers distort before the sub does at max gain and max remote volume.

It was funny, it had been a couple of years since I installed anything, and I re-made some rookie mistakes. I got it working, so I tucked the wires away and it wasn't working. I knew I had it connected correctly, as it worked initially. So I determined it must have been my taps into the Bose, my ground or power. Redid them all. Worked for a second, then failed. Picked another new ground, and pulled out a drill mounted wire wheel for the batter termnal oxidation, nothing. I was at a friend's house(more, better tools) so I drove home to get a spare older Alpine amp I had at home. I start the engine, and the system fires up... I was afraid to flood it, so I hadn;t started it much, and was running from my battery. It was enough power for the Bose, but not the Alpine. Funny, that cost me over an hour, but hey, at least I'm certain I have a good ground, good connections to Bose and an unimpeded path to the battery terminal.
I pulled out the spare tire mount kit bracket, and looked "inside" of it to connect between brass on brass bolt that connects directly to unibody. Should be plenty good for 250w, and whatever amperage that draws??? 40a at the battery, but I foget what the unit has for fuses, (2 20's, 2 30's??).

Completely recommendable, especially for the 8. Small on size, lightish on weight, big on sound, and minimally invasive on the car. My freind may be biying a PLV-7 now for his 530xi lease... Perfect for a lease.

I wish factory head units would just start coming with 3 4v pre-outs at the back of the head unit and 12g speaker wire in the doors... Oh and standard speaker sizes(9's??? ).

I thought this would be the perfect complement to the Bose, and now the mids and highs are left wanting, a speaker upgrade all around may be in order. What has anyone replaced their 9" front speakers with successfully? 6x8? Dynaudio 7"s? 3 way comps? Comps would be too much for the Bose power, so then I gotta add more amps... pass. FWIW, someone else should put the Dynaudio 3 ways with an 8", a 3" and a 1". I wonder if you could get the woofer in place of the 9, the mid instad of the bose "tweeter" and put the 1? in the sail panel?

 

I have replaced the front speaker setup with a quality 2-way component set. (aftermarket amp) And now I have thought about making a custom 2-way component set using a full range 8" or something....kinda wanna hook it up to my existing crossover and see what she sounds like....

 

Thanks for the additional info Rev. I knew routing wire on driver side would be easier, but I did not want all of the power wire crossing over the engine. It's very stealth looking other than the fuse block.

 

Ahh... the good ol' bandpass enclosure. Nice, sounds descent even when the subs distort, watch your gains and you should be fine. Congrats!

 

Well...Alpine calls it the "Ultra Reflex enclosure". Heh. Dual chamber (sealed, vented)

 

I am looking into the PLV-7 for my setup and was wondering if it would be worth getting this for replacing my current sub setup which is 2 Infinity Kappa Perfect 10d VQ's and Infinity 1211a amp. I need a little more space in the trunk and the PLV-7 seems to be able to help out there. I just want to know would I be losing much or gaining?

Also, I mainly listen to heavy metal, hardcore, punk, hard rock, and classical. rarely listen to rap. would this be a good investment?

 

Since I don't know what your trunk looks like I can't anything about space. In terms of music quality, well it's always a biased opinion. You simply have to hear it for yourself.