ex-quattro PETE

Thanks guys. And yes, please post pics if you can.

Here is another 8" powered sub option:
Kicker 11HS8 Hideaway? compact powered subwoofer: 150 watts and an 8" sub at Crutchfield.com

ex-quattro PETE

Did you end up disconnecting the stock subwoofer, or is it still running in parallel with your 8" powered sub?

Also, what are your settings on the SO sub? Crossover point, gain, etc.? I'm guessing the factory system has an internal crossover so it only sends low frequencies to the sub, so there may not be much need for the crossover on the SO sub, but it can probably be used for better tweaking. You typically don't want bass above 80-100 Hz to be reproduced by a sub as it becomes localized and draws too much attention to itself.

I'm also wondering how much power the stock amp sends to the sub speaker and whether that would be enough to drive an 8" non-powered sub in a dedicated enclosure. Anyone tried it? My guess it would not be very clean/powerful.

BTW, the Q5 that we have on order has the standard (non-B&O) system, which has even weaker amps...

Also, I asked crutchfield how this Alpine 8" powered sub compares to the SO sub. They said they can't really tell as the Alpine was just recently introduced and they have not tested it. They also said that the Kicker 8" powered sub sounded similar to the SO sub. Sounds like the SO sub is a good bang for the buck, especially that Crutchfield throws in an amp wiring kit with it ($30 value), so you should have everything you need for the install. I think that Kicker includes its own wiring kit with their powered sub. If you get the Alpine, you will have to buy the wiring kit.