TV subwoofer transplant to car audio? - Team-BHP

Glass · 25th May 2008, 15:17

Gurus,
Let me accept this first

, so that the bricks that are thrown at me are tempered a bit.

I have a TV drumbeat system sub woofer, and it has no information written on it anywhere except the TV brand. For guys who had not seen something like this before, this is a bass booster box that was sitting on the top of my old 25" TV and creating a good deal of boom. It has two wires coming out of it, nothing more, nothing less - which used to be connected to a subwoofer output of the TV.

Now my question is - can I transplant this to a car audio system? I do not want to do it on my existing Santro, but am planning ahead for a car I will buying in soon. I am planning on a basic ICE with a decent HU, front components and rear coaxials to fit them all into a 12K. No amp or subwoofer for me now. I am wondering if I can use this box as a subwoofer in which case I will go for a HU with a subwoofer out built in. Or am I being stupid and the technologies are completely different between a TV and a car audio?

Experts, please advise.

DerAlte · 25th May 2008, 20:10

1. This box is a bass reflex woofer box made of plastic, and is not amplified (most likely the TV had a specific amp for it)
2. It is not designed for the car environment, but for a room environment, so you are likely to get only bhooom if you listen hard
3. You will not be able to drive it with the HU to any significant loudness level
a. putting this in parallel with one of the channels (there are only 2 wires) will increase the load on THAT channel, and cause distortion
b. car HU amps do not normally allow bridged operation, so you really can't span both the channels

In short, NOT! As for the new car, it will feel downright insulted, and may refuse to come home with you!!!

greenhorn · 25th May 2008, 20:37

I've actually seen an installer put in one of these for an under seat install . There was some jugaad involved, but the guy had just 4" coax , and nothing in the rear, I suppose it made sense

Sam Kapasi · 25th May 2008, 20:41

Glass, please don't do this nonsense, I beg you.

Glass · 25th May 2008, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

1. This box is a bass reflex woofer box made of plastic, and is not amplified (most likely the TV had a specific amp for it)
2. It is not designed for the car environment, but for a room environment, so you are likely to get only bhooom if you listen hard
3. You will not be able to drive it with the HU to any significant loudness level
a. putting this in parallel with one of the channels (there are only 2 wires) will increase the load on THAT channel, and cause distortion
b. car HU amps do not normally allow bridged operation, so you really can't span both the channels

In short, NOT! As for the new car, it will feel downright insulted, and may refuse to come home with you!!!

So you think it works with an amp? Sorry for not killing the idea yet! And if I understand correctly, a HU gives out a single set output for the sub (if at all)?

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

I've actually seen an installer put in one of these for an under seat install . There was some jugaad involved, but the guy had just 4" coax , and nothing in the rear, I suppose it made sense

So this is not an outright impossible idea.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Kapasi

Glass, please don't do this nonsense, I beg you.

Granted. But do let me deliberate the idea however for the knowledge you share and I gain.

Thanks all.

greenhorn · 25th May 2008, 21:25

nah, if you're going to get rear 6x9's , they'll put out more bass than this thingy

anupmathur · 25th May 2008, 22:09

Glass, assume you CAN use this box in the car. I can tell you how to do it.
But, before we get into that, what is called into question is the MOTIVE or the OBJECTIVE.
Do you want to enhance the sound quality in your car, or, for some reason not yet clear to us, are you planning a covert sabotage?

shiv · 25th May 2008, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

1. This box is a bass reflex woofer box made of plastic, and is not amplified (most likely the TV had a specific amp for it)
2. It is not designed for the car environment, but for a room environment, so you are likely to get only bhooom if you listen hard
3. You will not be able to drive it with the HU to any significant loudness level
a. putting this in parallel with one of the channels (there are only 2 wires) will increase the load on THAT channel, and cause distortion
b. car HU amps do not normally allow bridged operation, so you really can't span both the channels

In short, NOT! As for the new car, it will feel downright insulted, and may refuse to come home with you!!!

I agree with you......you can't insult a new car any worse...

Glass · 25th May 2008, 22:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

Glass, assume you CAN use this box in the car. I can tell you how to do it.
But, before we get into that, what is called into question is the MOTIVE or the OBJECTIVE.
Do you want to enhance the sound quality in your car, or, for some reason not yet clear to us, are you planning a covert sabotage?

No, just was exploring if I could use it as subwoofer to add in some bass without spending a packet

. Thanks.

anupmathur · 25th May 2008, 23:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glass

No, just was exploring if I could use it as subwoofer to add in some bass without spending a packet

. Thanks.

I would have actually guided you on how to best utilize this box had you not mentioned already what you plan to install. With that in place, this box is best left homeless.

Glass · 25th May 2008, 23:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by anupmathur

I would have actually guided you on how to best utilize this box had you not mentioned already what you plan to install. With that in place, this box is best left homeless.

I would be glad to know your suggestion. I have not frozen on anything yet. Thanks.

DerAlte · 26th May 2008, 00:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

... and nothing in the rear, I suppose it made sense

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenhorn

nah, if you're going to get rear 6x9's ...

Make up your mind, Shreeman Hari Seengh!

@glass, you could actually use it (no matter whether it sounds good or bad): you need one of the small dinky amplifiers that the auto drivers use during elections (battery operated; lots of them available in Karnataka since they are redundant after the recent elections), connect the HU pre-amp output to it to feed the HU signal, and connect the boom-box to it.

[Disclaimer: You are not allowed to blame TBHP and its members if your car jumps into Hussainsagar Lake singing "Buddham sharanam gachchhami" after that]

iraghava · 26th May 2008, 01:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Make up your mind, Shreeman Hari Seengh!

Tch Tch Tch....Uncleji your hindi is going to the dogs!

The correct translation would be "Haraa Seeengh"!!

HotChillyPepper · 26th May 2008, 03:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Glass

No, just was exploring if I could use it as subwoofer to add in some bass without spending a packet

. Thanks.

Before doing anything just open up the box and see the driver inside. If you do that I am damn sure you will throw it as far as you can. And you will just love your fake Pioneer/ Sony coaxials than heaven.

greenhorn · 26th May 2008, 05:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAlte

Make up your mind, Shreeman Hari Seengh!

Sirji, the installer who was putting the TV sub in was using it since there werent any rear 6x9's in the car, all it had were 4 inch coax in front

since Glass is getting 6x9's anyway,I said there would be no need for them.

25th May 2008, 15:17	#1 (permalink)
Glass BHPian Join Date: May 2008 Location: MegaBHPian* at Hyderabad Posts: 175	TV subwoofer transplant to car audio? Gurus, Let me accept this first , so that the bricks that are thrown at me are tempered a bit. I have a TV drumbeat system sub woofer, and it has no information written on it anywhere except the TV brand. For guys who had not seen something like this before, this is a bass booster box that was sitting on the top of my old 25" TV and creating a good deal of boom. It has two wires coming out of it, nothing more, nothing less - which used to be connected to a subwoofer output of the TV. Now my question is - can I transplant this to a car audio system? I do not want to do it on my existing Santro, but am planning ahead for a car I will buying in soon. I am planning on a basic ICE with a decent HU, front components and rear coaxials to fit them all into a 12K. No amp or subwoofer for me now. I am wondering if I can use this box as a subwoofer in which case I will go for a HU with a subwoofer out built in. Or am I being stupid and the technologies are completely different between a TV and a car audio? Experts, please advise. Attached Images

25th May 2008, 20:10	#2 (permalink)
DerAlte Team-BHP Support Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,915	1. This box is a bass reflex woofer box made of plastic, and is not amplified (most likely the TV had a specific amp for it) 2. It is not designed for the car environment, but for a room environment, so you are likely to get only bhooom if you listen hard 3. You will not be able to drive it with the HU to any significant loudness level a. putting this in parallel with one of the channels (there are only 2 wires) will increase the load on THAT channel, and cause distortion b. car HU amps do not normally allow bridged operation, so you really can't span both the channels In short, NOT! As for the new car, it will feel downright insulted, and may refuse to come home with you!!! __________________ Never believe it cannot be done - it's only that you haven't found out how!!!

25th May 2008, 20:37	#3 (permalink)
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 1,622 View My Garage	I've actually seen an installer put in one of these for an under seat install . There was some jugaad involved, but the guy had just 4" coax , and nothing in the rear, I suppose it made sense __________________ 2007 Indica DLG My next Truck will be a Safari!

25th May 2008, 20:41	#4 (permalink)
Sam Kapasi Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bombay (but watch this space) Posts: 7,211 View My Garage	Glass, please don't do this nonsense, I beg you. __________________ Live the YetiLife®

25th May 2008, 21:25	#6 (permalink)
greenhorn Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 1,622 View My Garage	nah, if you're going to get rear 6x9's , they'll put out more bass than this thingy __________________ 2007 Indica DLG My next Truck will be a Safari!

25th May 2008, 22:09	#7 (permalink)
anupmathur Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,500	Glass, assume you CAN use this box in the car. I can tell you how to do it. But, before we get into that, what is called into question is the MOTIVE or the OBJECTIVE. Do you want to enhance the sound quality in your car, or, for some reason not yet clear to us, are you planning a covert sabotage?

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