Bang and Olufsen (B&O) Subwoofer / Amplifier Add-On DIY
 

This isn't a very detailed DIY. But, it does show some crucial pictures and, in my opinion most importantly, tells you the wires to be looking for.

Here's links to the products I used. You can use any subwoofer you choose. However, I highly recommend the JL Audio Microsub I list here. It is a great match and very small. The amp is also more than ideal because it pretty much snaps in to the factory location. No additional items were used to secure it and I feel it is very well retained.

Subwoofer
Amplifier
Power Cable
Fuse Holder
Line Out Converter
RCA Cable
Ring Terminals
Spade Terminals

With regards to the terminals, power wire, and other miscellaneous items: Just go to those categories and pick whatever has free shipping and the best price at that time. Stay away from cheap wire, though. It is usually thick jacketing and does not have the high strand counts of something nicer. The Kicker stuff I used is extremely flexible and very easy to run along the factory wiring.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4...2_12_19_40.jpg

Start by removing everything in the trunk, trim wise and carpet wise. The trim is removed very easily compared to previous models. Start by flipping up the tie-down hooks. Underneath is two Torx 25 (T25) bolts for each of them. Remove the bolts and the entire hook assembly comes out. Now, remove the trunk mat by unclipping the floor mat style hooks at the front. Just grab them from underneath and lift straight up. Remove the spare tire, the tool cover, and the tools. These just pull out after removing the hand tightened retainer at the top of the assembly. You will need to remove the bracket above the battery. So, you might as well do it now. It's a few 13mm hex head bolts and it will remove when tilted to the rear.

The side trim is the toughest part to remove back here. Remember to pull the trim as close to the clips as possible. If you have a panel puller, it helps. Remove from the back first. Once the back is undone, fold the seats down to remove the front part from inside the car. Just look at everything before you start pulling and you shouldn't mess anything up.

Here is a pic of the clips:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l...2_12_19_40.jpg

If you break one, it won't be the clip that breaks. It will be the plastic used to hold the clip to the carpet. In a worse-case scenario, you can glue these back together with hot glue or an adhesive of your choice. Otherwise, it's a whole new carpet piece. ($$$) Like I said, go slowly and carefully.

Once you're done removing items. The first place we tackled is the remote turn on lead. We didn't find any in the audio harness. So, we went to the fuse box on the other side. The entire red row of fuses is switched +12V. So, it's the perfect place to tap. The guy that did this with me only solders and heat shrinks, no wire taps. Learn to solder on something else outside the car, first, though. It's cramped.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d...2_12_19_40.jpg

The wire you're after is black with a purple trace. Use a razor or sharp blade to cut the insulation and pull it back. Do not cut through the wire. Now, using a pick or sharp object, open a hole in the wiring to splice in your +12V wire. Add that in and solder it up. Now, wrap it up with quality electrical tape. Run that across to the other side of the trunk.

A note about running wires. Always run them along factory wires and zip tie them on, even if it seems out of the way. If you go in for service and they have to remove the wiring, they will be careful doing it as it may mess up other items. If it's just laying there, they'll rip it out and cause you a headache later.

Now, on to the amp itself.

Here is the left side of the trunk area with everything removed.
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-B...2_12_19_40.jpg

There are four fasteners to undo. All are 10mm hex head. Two are on the bottom of the bracket holding the top amp. The other two are in back of the top amp. Be careful not to drop these two in the back, it's a tight spot. Once removed, the amp assembly tilts out. Just leave it connected for now.

Let's wire in the LOC. The wires we're after are White and Yellow (positive) and Blue and Yellow (negative). These can be cut directly, no splicing. Once cut, solder in the leads to your LOC. If you have a two channel LOC like the one I picture, twist both positive leads together and both negative leads. This will make it a mono signal.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7...2_12_19_40.jpg

Now, place your amp in the space between the two factory amps. It almost snaps in there. It's PERFECT, isn't it? You're welcome. Use some double sided foam tape or strong velcro to secure the LOC to the top of the amp. You can now begin your power wiring.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3...2_12_19_40.jpg

Before running your positive wire to the battery, tape up the other end of it. If it catches ground, that's a short around the battery, big no no. Use a ring terminal to attach to the factory battery post. There is a nut available to do this.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R...2_12_19_40.jpg

Again, run your wiring along factory paths. The fuse holder sits perfectly right here.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-J...2_12_19_40.jpg

Above and to the right of the factory amp rack is a factory ground nut. Use this and a ring terminal for your ground. Cut your wires to length, attach spade terminals and plug them into your amp. Now you can put the fuse in the fuse holder and complete the circuit.

You're almost done. Run a short RCA cable (18" is perfect) from the LOC to the amp. Max the gains on the LOC and start low on the amp. You will need a short run of wire to get to the sub from your amp. Attach spade terminals and lock it into the amp. As you reassemble things, pull the speaker wire from under the left side carpet out into the tire area. Leave yourself enough to play with placement of the sub. Once you place the sub where you would like, you can set the gains and listen for clipping. Please note that the way this is wired, the sub only comes on with ignition on, not in accessory mode.

Here's the finished amp install:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-_...2_12_19_40.jpg

It looks very factory. I couldn't be happier.

Reassemble everything and place your sub in its final spot. It can be secured using the hook side of industrial velcro. If you have 1/2" staples and a gun, you can staple the velcro to the box. Don't use anything longer than 1/2", though, or you'll penetrate the sealed airspace. Place two 2" x 2" strips on the bottom and one long run across the top. It will grab the factory carpet very well.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d..._%25208_45.jpg

In my opinion, this amp and sub combo is a perfect match. I will be looking for a way to add a sub volume control to the factory B&O menu on the MMI. I would love to be able to turn it down on the bass heavy songs. But, otherwise, I couldn't be happier.

PM me with any questions and I hope this helps.

Thanks!

Awesome writeup espcially with the wiring. I had a shop do mine with a very similar setup as yours so i had no clue which wires went where on my install. Here's my setup

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W...%252520008.JPG

I am looking for a good subwoofer upgrade and came across this. simply looking to replicate a proven setup.

I have done the JL Audi "10 factory replacement mod, but the low end volume punch just isn't there.

this will be going into an S5, how do you like the bass? Any rattling or buzzing? Is there an 10" version of this jl audio box.

thanks

You really don't need a 10" version - this thing pounds if you want it to. It's all about that box tuning. If you drive the sub, you will eventually need to deaden the parcel shelf. It wasn't meant to handle the vibration.

Has anyone actually removed the driver from the B&O sub enclosure and installed a new one during one of these installs? (Obviously with a new amplifier).

So I am considering adding the JL 8" sub with an xd300/1, however the 10" JL factory replacement is already installed instead of the B&O sub but its not driven by an external amp. I am only planning to drive the 8".

Curious from a technical perspective would this cause any interference since I will be running two different sized subs in my setup? Or should I put back the original b&O sub.


Thanks

I've been researching this some more and found that many people are just replacing the 10" 8 ohm driver with a free air subwoofer and are pretty happy with the improvement. A good efficient model like this one which can be wired as 8 ohm and is rated for free air should work great.

About $110 at crutchfield, parts express, etc.

You flip it over so the magnet hangs into the trunk and then switch the polarity since it's now firing up instead of down. Sensitivity is 93dB, quite a bit better than the B&O which is reported to be 83-86dB. This sounds like a really easy way to extend the bottom end without the hassle of an amp for those who don't necessarily want it much louder.

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/St...60D4_large.jpg

True, I cam across free-flow subwoofer threads too. I did do the JL 10" install in my S5 its supposedly works ok as a free-flow which other users mentioned in a step-by-step installation Snapguide available online http://snapguide.com/guides/audi-a4a...oofer-upgrade/

Its definitely better than before a richer/fuller base feel. But at low - volume its seems the JL Audio 10W1v2-8 does not get enough power from the B&O amp and you barely get a base. On the other hand, when I crank it up its more than enough for me that even my door start rattling. I

Guess will need to add some insulation to them. Therefore, I want to get the 8" for the low end of the base

I looked up the JL speaker you mentioned and it's efficiency is 84.7dB @1W/1M and the pioneer speaker I linked to is 93dB @1W/1M so that should be perceived as slightly less than double the volume with the same power. I see a lot of threads using the woofer or others with similar efficiency saying "it sounds great, if only it was just a little bit louder" and I think the Pioneer product just might be the answer to that.

I'm putting it on my xmas list. :)

Definitely worth a try, it could very well be the better answer unfortunately its an trial and error thing. Perhaps connect the sub before installing to check if its up to your liking.

Keep us updated :D ,,, maybe this will be the perfect balance for a great subtle/inexpensive upgrade