Kenwood KSC-SW10 Install
 

This is in response to this thread about an alternative enclosed powered sub similar to the Infinity Basslink.

An overview of the two suggests that the Basslink will give more "bump," but the Kenwood is far more "convenient." In respect to that, the Kenwood is meant to fill in the missing base and not rock your socks off. SO, this is for anyone looking to add a little extra to their exsisting system, both simply and cost effecitvely--depending how far you want to go with this.

I guess I'm a little eger to spend money so I've already picked one of these up and will be putting it in this weekend. Attached are my "blueprints" on the frame. This is designed to fit into the dip in our trunks that has been refered to as "useless."

My total costs:

Subwoofer: $150
Sound liner (simlar to Dynamatt): $50 <--probably overkill for this, but whatever.
Wood: $30 (Pine)
Bolts and hinges: $10

Thoughts? Updates to come on the weekend.

Yea, the dynamatt is an overkill but the design of the frame looks solid. i think we are alone in this project. my idea was to make the sub as flush as humanly possible... where how i read your blueprint it seems your design would raise it quite a bit.

cant wait to see how this turns out...

do you plan on replacing the 6'9's like was sugested?

My mesurments on there arn't exact, more just rough estimates from quickly taking a tapemeasure in there. The sub might sit a little bit higher, but the frame will sit completely flush. I ended up using 3/4" thick wood.

I dyna'd the trunk tonight, and let it be known that I will never do that again unless for pay. My gosh, that stuff was a pain. Wiring went well, I just need to hookup to the battery. Managed to not screw up my system. *phew*

I won't be swapping out the 6x9's, not right now anyway. I'm content with the stock BOSS speakers right now, just thought it could use a little more base.

I should have her set up tomorrow and I'll let you know what kind of sound it'll do.

check out where I used to put it.
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-interior-audio-electronics-24/anyone-used-sub-like-174830/

^ Thats an interesting place to put it. I assume you have the base system though and not the BOSE one since the amp is right there, unless you relocated it? To me though, it dosen't seem like it would do its job suspended like that.

Anyway, I finished my wiring today and built the frame. That was a lot of trial-and-error to get the size right. I still didn't have it quite right but when I cover it in carpet that I have yet to get I'll add some padding to fill it out some more to make it flush.

First tests (5 some minutes worth of playing around) tells me that setting it way in the back like this inhibits its effect a little. It definatly booms, more than stock, but sitting in the driver's seat I didn't seem to feel it much. However, it wasn't bolted down when I was trying it out, so maybe that will help it. We'll see.

I'm just waiting for the epoxy to dry before I can finish this up. I'll post pics tomorrow.

Nop, used to be base system until I pulled everything out and replaced with after market.

My two hour highway drive today let me test the system out in driving conditions. Attached are pictures of how I put it together and the "finished" product.

I'll do a mini-review for everyone.
The installation I don't think could be any easier. The system includes 19' of wire for each strand (power, remote, L speaker, R speaker) and uses bullet connectors for everything. All you need to do is tap the front speakers at the AMP in the back, run the remote to the cigarette lighter, and the power to the fuse box under the hood. There are several 12v terminals you can tap. Then ground it. Done.

Wires to tap:
Left Front +: Red/Blue
Left Front -: Light Green/Red
Right Front +: Blue/White
Right Front -: Yellow/Green

I find the look of this subwoofer to be very elegant and matches the RX-8's style, right down to the red LED power light. If nothing else, this system LOOKS good and I'd be willing to bet you'd get a few "ooos" when people look at it for the first time.

Now for the noise, the part that really matters. When you stand by it, or by the rear of the car, you can defiantly hear it and it will do some nice vibrating on its own. It's actually very deceiving. Up close you know it's bumping, but it dies out quite rapidly as you move away from it. That's not to say you can't hear it though. This subwoofer fills in the bass almost too perfectly. If you've been living with the BOSE system for a while and then listen to this you will notice the difference, however, someone who hasn't probably won't think your ride has anything boosting the sound.

My verdict: for the cost, its probably a pretty good fill-in subwoofer for us. Small, elegant, and has some good capabilities. If I were to do this again, I'd probably opt for setting it up on its side (it includes 90 degree brackets) and up against the rear seats. Or just go with the Basslink.

Appearance: 9
Sound: 5

Installation: Easysauce
Project: Success!

Overall: 7

Double post time! Some tips and extras for if you actually wanted to do this or similar.

#1. When I made the top part of the frame, I found the best way to make it fit all-round was to go over it with a Dremol to angle the bottom edges. This allowed it to fill up all the top edges and removed all the blockages so it could sink down real snug like.

#2. Since you're ripping out all the interior lining, now is a good time to replace all those crappy push-snaps with some nice screw ones. I got mine from my local dealership free of charge. These are MUCH easier to work with.

#3 & 4. I made the frame sit completely flush and added the hinges so I could still get at the jack and tow-hooks.

bravo...

sounds like a good buy and it looks great... i can see how you might reconsider the location for the sake of sound but what you did is exactly how i envisioned it would look and that more then makes up for the slight difference in sound.