2019 GT Pre-wired for subwoofers?

[antonini311]

Hi,

I have a 2019 Stinger GT. I see it has the compartments for subs under the seats. Are those pre-wired, or do you have to get 8" subs and have a shop wire the whole car for them?

I have a stand-alone 10" sub w/built-in amp and can put that in the trunk and wire it. But if the car is already pre-wired maybe buying two new subs is the better option. Although I'm sure they would need amps too.

Thanks

 

[MerlintheMad]

I'm mystified. The GT comes with subs under the front seats already.

 

[antonini311]

Well, there you go. I thought only the GT1 and GT2 had them. Maybe they are there and I just haven't noticed them. Or they just don't provide a lot of punch. I thought you had to go to the 15-speaker Harmon Kardon to get them, which isn't available on the GT (only GT1 or GT2).

 

[MerlintheMad]

Well, there you go. I thought only the GT1 and GT2 had them. Maybe they are there and I just haven't noticed them. Or they just don't provide a lot of punch. I thought you had to go to the 15-speaker Harmon Kardon to get them, which isn't available on the GT (only GT1 or GT2).

That's what I thought, too, when reading the promo book during the winter of '18. And it wasn't until I had joined in the discussions here on sound system difference in the different Stinger trims, that I finally learned that the GT has the same two subs under the front seats that the HK system has.

You can test that the subs are putting out. There was talk that doubted that their subs were working. I wondered too. The bass was good. But the doors were vibrating. And I wondered if the subs were active; I sure couldn't tell by feeling the floor or the subs for that matter. I got a YouTube bass testing video going on my wife's cellphone and laid a dollar bill on each sub, and sure enough it vibrated vigorously enough to vibrate off the sub. The floor soaks up the vibration; and in fact the floor is the sounding board for the bass. But that dollar bill test really works.

 

[me&stinger]

This thread might help...

Subs in the 9 speaker system same as the ones in the 15 speaker system?

 

[antonini311]

Thanks for the input. I'll test to see if anything is coming out under my seats. I have read a lot of conflicting info. So a test is the best way to get to the bottom of it. But it sure doesn't feel/sound like there are active subs.

 

[MerlintheMad]

This thread might help...

Subs in the 9 speaker system same as the ones in the 15 speaker system?

Did you read any of that? It's an unmitigated DISASTER! After three months of life, that thread simply quit without answering a thing: the question remained: does the base GT have subwoofers under the front seats or not. The last post said not: but it does.

 

[me&stinger]

Did you read any of that? It's an unmitigated DISASTER! After three months of life, that thread simply quit without answering a thing: the question remained: does the base GT have subwoofers under the front seats or not. The last post said not: but it does.

Yeah, I read it.

Maybe I should edit "This thread might help..." to "This thread might (not) help..."

 

[MerlintheMad]

Thanks for the input. I'll test to see if anything is coming out under my seats. I have read a lot of conflicting info. So a test is the best way to get to the bottom of it. But it sure doesn't feel/sound like there are active subs.

They're there. Despite Kia's own web site giving out false information, insinuating that the under-seat subs are part of the HK system (and specifically saying "three speakers in each front door" - wrong!), the subs are there. And, imho, they work really well.

 

[MerlintheMad]

This thread might help...

Subs in the 9 speaker system same as the ones in the 15 speaker system?

The original subwoofer thread GT sound system (linked to in that one; and that one is linked to from the original!) is more informative.

 

[me&stinger]

The original subwoofer thread GT sound system (linked to in that one; and that one is linked to from the original!) is more informative.

Thanks!

I didn't have anything of value to add to the thread but I posted nonetheless.

 

[antonini311]

They're there. Despite Kia's own web site giving out false information, insinuating that the under-seat subs are part of the HK system (and specifically saying "three speakers in each front door" - wrong!), the subs are there. And, imho, they work really well.

Yep. I tested it last night after work. They are definitely there, but as someone said in the other thread, the system really has to be at a volume level of at least 27 before you start to notice the subs. I still think I will probably have my other boxed sub/amp installed to fill in the lows. These subs under the seats still don't produce enough and there is a range missing, IMO. But glad to know they are working.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Yep. I tested it last night after work. They are definitely there, but as someone said in the other thread, the system really has to be at a volume level of at least 27 before you start to notice the subs. I still think I will probably have my other boxed sub/amp installed to fill in the lows. These subs under the seats still don't produce enough and there is a range missing, IMO. But glad to know they are working.

All I can respond with is, "Patience, Grasshopper."
My bass didn't sound impressive until I had been playing the speakers for a couple of months. My normal listening range is 8-10; occasionally less or somewhat more (if the volume of the piece is particularly quiet). Now, my "rolling soundroom" is my favorite venue for listening to my music; and the subs in my car pump out more than my Pioneer subwoofer in my livingroom.

 

[me&stinger]

Odd. I notice the subs at volume 3...And I have Bass set to -4 (or -3).

 

[antonini311]

Odd. I notice the subs at volume 3...And I have Bass set to -4 (or -3).

You have the bass set to -4? Isn't the scale 1-10? I'm confused what you mean? I hear the bass in the car at all levels (my usual volume level is 20-22. But I don't hear the added bass from the subs until around 27.

 

[me&stinger]

You have the bass set to -4? Isn't the scale 1-10? I'm confused what you mean? I hear the bass in the car at all levels (my usual volume level is 20-22. But I don't hear the added bass from the subs until around 27.

I rarely listen to volumes above 10.

On the EQ adjustment it goes negative. I have my Bass, Mid, and Treble settings all set to negatives. No kidding.

I find a better balance in audio performance when the settings are below 0. It doesn't matter which music genre I'm playing either.


*Suddenly realized maybe the settings are different? I have the GT1.

 

[antonini311]

I rarely listen to volumes above 10.

On the EQ adjustment it goes negative. I have my Bass, Mid, and Treble settings all set to negatives. No kidding.

I find a better balance in audio performance when the settings are below 0. It doesn't matter which music genre I'm playing either.


*Suddenly realized maybe the settings are different? I have the GT1.

Hmm. Maybe. The GT1 has the HK system, right? So that may be the difference. But I'm now questioning if I need to rebalance. Gonna play with it some after work.

 

[me&stinger]

Hmm. Maybe. The GT1 has the HK system, right? So that may be the difference. But I'm now questioning if I need to rebalance. Gonna play with it some after work.

Yeah, it's the HK system.

In the past I used to use all sorts of equipment to balance a sound in a car. It's too much effort for me to do these days. I just wing it by ear now. I know what I want so I try to get the settings as close as possible to where I'm ok. I've remarked my issues with the HK system and realize I won't ever be content if I pursue sound excellence. I'm getting to the point that if I can enjoy the music then it's good enough. If not, my only alternative is to revamp the system starting with isolation and reflections then working my way up to aftermarket speakers and hardware. I already have some of the speakers and amps just in case.

 

[antonini311]

Yeah, it's the HK system.

In the past I used to use all sorts of equipment to balance a sound in a car. It's too much effort for me to do these days. I just wing it by ear now. I know what I want so I try to get the settings as close as possible to where I'm ok. I've remarked my issues with the HK system and realize I won't ever be content if I pursue sound excellence. I'm getting to the point that if I can enjoy the music then it's good enough. If not, my only alternative is to revamp the system starting with isolation and reflections then working my way up to aftermarket speakers and hardware. I already have some of the speakers and amps just in case.

Yeah. I trust my ears. And I have my contained sub/amp system if I decide I want to install it. For me it just fills some holes that the lows in stock car systems can't always hit.

 

[me&stinger]

Yeah. I trust my ears. And I have my contained sub/amp system if I decide I want to install it. For me it just fills some holes that the lows in stock car systems can't always hit.

That's the great thing about aftermarket, you have much more options to get what you want. Your 10" will certainly add depth to your lows.