Subwoofer Swap Audi A4 B^

[Legend88]

Sorry for posting this question twice, thought it may be more appropriate here.


A4 Avant 2.5 TDI Sport
I've just swapped to a Pioneer head unit from the OE Concert 2. That's given some improvement but also exposed the speakers, particularly the subwoofer. I don't want to go down the rabbit hole of 'building a system' but I am looking at some simple upgrades to speakers. Thinking of the sub, it currently has the rear amplified system where the rear speakers and sub are fed from a factory amplifier.

My question: Is there any merit in swapping the current subwoofer in the boot sidewall for the equivalent BOSE subwoofer as these are available inexpensively both with and without their matching OE enclosure?

- I'm not sure what the impedence of the BOSE sub is, I guess it's different from the standard one.
- Will the current OE rear amplifier power the BOSE sub?
- Is the BOSE sub the same diameter as the standard one

- But mainly, would there be any meaningful gain?


Any experience or thought will be very welcome.

[Fast4esT]

I don't think the Bose subwoofer is gonna give any noticeable improvement. you could try a different brand 6-6.5" sub and install it into the factory housing but you are still limited to the low power from the amp. id say easiest thing to do to get more bass is to get a powered sub or base tube or spare wheel sub. you can tp into the wiring at the amp for signal, and source and just need to run a power cable to the battery up front

[Legend88]

Thanks for your response. If I'm honest in the back of my head I was probably thinking exactly as you have suggested.

As I can get the factory BOSE subwoofer complete with it's enclosure for about £25 ($30) here on ebay it may be worth the punt just to see what happens. Apparently the BOSE sub is 2 Ohm compared to the non BOSE 4 Ohm so it might just drive the standard non BOSE amp harder to give more power. It may also kill it of course! However I can get a replacement amp for about £20 too.

As I said, I don't want to start 'Building a system' really just wanted to keep the installation 'fairly' stock. Not looking for more volume or a bass overloaded sound but more definition.