It took me four years to finally get around to doing this install! I've wanted more bass in the smart system even though it had the underseat sub, that's sub-par on so many levels!
Butch and I decided to go ahead and install the Infinity Basslink in the trunk of the smart. The price was very reasonable as compared to the under dash models which cost way more than $250! The Basslink is 200 watt RMS and was on Crutchfield for $199 with a $30 wiring harness included with free shipping. I also bought the $30 3 year extended warranty because people have complained that these subs burn out quickly and recommend the extended warranty.
Here are a couple of pictures now! We need to add one more quick disconnect to the system and then I'll put up more pictures and videos! I've been driving around with it for a day now tuning it and maxing out the potential and I'm extremely impressed!
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to smartcar111 For This Useful Post:
Looking good!!! What did you do with the underseat woofer? I hope the purists out there don't ask "why not two subs" or "you better more that thing to the other side--You're throwing off the balance of the car".
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to kheran For This Useful Post:
You are correct! It's actually one active subwoofer on top and a passive subwoofer/radiator on the bottom. This will help incorporate the benefits of a sealed enclosure with the benefits of a ported box!
Arg! I wasn't actually kidding about 2 subs hurting sound quality... you might see how you like it with the stock one unplugged...
Quote:
Originally Posted by smartcar111
You are correct! It's actually one active subwoofer on top and a passive subwoofer/radiator on the bottom. This will help incorporate the benefits of a sealed enclosure with the benefits of a ported box!
Your explanation of how it works isn't quite enough, and the Infinity site seems a bit sparse on details...
I did see a reference on their site to a high-pass filter being used to prevent over-excursion below the resonant frequency of the porting (indicating that there is some porting of some sort).
Arg! I wasn't actually kidding about 2 subs hurting sound quality... you might see how you like it with the stock one unplugged...
Maybe, but from my listening experience, it doesn't distort any audio. If anything, it vibrates the seat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by deepblueQ
Your explanation of how it works isn't quite enough, and the Infinity site seems a bit sparse on details...
This quote was from the site. Does this help in the explanation? There is no port. The box is sealed but it's not a traditional sealed box. On the underside of the active subwoofer, there is a passive subwoofer just like the active one but with no power. This is designed to help radiate more of the subwoofer without the need for a port which requires a larger box to achieve the same sound level and intensity. Because it has a passive subwoofer, it has the benefits of a ported box and a sealed box at the same time!
Quote:
BassLink consists of a 10-inch subwoofer, 10-inch passive radiator and a 200-watt Class D amplifier housed in a rigid polymer enclosure, all carefully engineered to work together as a unique, integrated system. The extremely versatile BassLink accepts both speaker- and line-level inputs, and it provides an internal low-pass filter, proprietary signal processing and abundant amplification.
The Following User Says Thank You to smartcar111 For This Useful Post:
A speaker enclosure using a passive radiator usually contains an "active driver" (or main driver), and a passive radiator(also known as a "drone cone"). The active driver is a regular driver, and the passive is typically the same or similar, but without a voice coil and magnet assembly. It is only a suspended cone, not attached to a voice coil or electrical circuit. The passive radiator usually has some means to adjust its mass, thereby allowing the speaker designer to change the box tuning. Internal air pressure produced by movements of the active driver cone moves the passive radiator cone as well.
Passive radiators are used instead of a reflex port for much the same reasons—to tune the small volume and driver for better low frequency performance. Especially in situations in which a port would be inconveniently sized (usually too long for practical box configurations). They are also used to eliminate port turbulence and reduce motion compression caused by high velocity airflow in small ports (especially small diameter ones). Passive radiators are tuned by mass variations (Mmp), changing the way their compliance interacts with motion of the air in the box. The weight of the cone of the passive radiator should be approximately equivalent to the mass of the air that would have filled the port which might have been used for that design. Passive radiators do not behave exactly as do (more or less) equivalent bass-reflex designs in that they cause a notch in system frequency response at the PR's free air resonant frequency; this causes a steeper roll-off below the system's tuned frequency Fb, and poorer transient response. Due to the lack of vent turbulence and vent pipe resonances, many prefer the sound of PRs to reflex ports. PR speakers, however, are more complex to design and likely to be more expensive as compared to standard reflex enclosures.
The frequency response of a passive radiator will be similar to that of a ported cabinet, with two exceptions. The system low frequency roll-off in a passive radiator design will be slightly steeper, and will have a notch (dip) in frequency response due to the Vas (compliance, or stiffness of the speaker cone) of the passive radiator. The goal in designing a passive radiator is to adjust the tuning so that this notch is below audible levels.
Looks great SM111. Probably sounds awesome. I am happy with my sub. Small cab, 4 speakers and a sub really makes music sound great. Here is mine, post 10.
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
2008 Smart Fortwo Cabriolet
Bonnie Blue
Gizmo
Putt Putt
Shirley
Brabus
1927 Ford Model T
698CC
Trike
Today
Linear Mode
