Adding a subwoofer to my Peugeot Partner K9

  • Hi All,


    The past 2 weeks, I've been researching what options I have for adding a subwoofer or complete sound system to my Partner (van).

    This is what I came up with:

    1. Placement of the subwoofer(s)
      I discovered a lot of unused space underneath the floorboard of the loading space. I will be able to make 2 separate boxes for 2 subs.
    2. Retrieving the audio signal
      I found out this is the hardest part of my journey. After lots and lots of reading on different forums, I came up with this:
      First reprogram the audio part of the NAC headunit with the Arduino+CANShield (vlud) to option 2 (Standard hifi amp) instead of option 4 (Arkamys system) which will remove the equalizing etc.
      Normally the options for subwoofer, center, ... adjustment should be available in the menu of the NAC
      I've already bought an NAC extension cable from AliExpress for making my connections. (I don't want to modify the original cable loom).
      As my partner is a van, it only has the front door speakers. I hope the audio signal for the rear speaker will be fed through the NAC unit where I can go to my external amplifier (Hi-Level input).
      OR maybe the signal for subwoofer and/or center speaker become available..?
    3. When this works, I will replace the front door speakers as well, also powered with an external amplifier.

    Does anyone know if the NAC unit can deliver non-amplified audio signal ? Maybe on the 'subwoofer' or 'center' output pins ? I had this option in my BMW when I completely replaced the audio system. Then all amplifier outputs became low level audio signal.

    If anyone has more information/opinions about this subject, please discuss...

    When I start executing this project, I will post some pictures.

  • If you set the amplifier settings to "default", all 5 channels of the nac have high level outputs and one low level for subwoofer.


    Default amplifier setting:

    High level:

    FR, FL, RL, RR, Center,


    Low level:

    SW


    You can connect your Speakers directly to the nac but without "power" of course.


    For the subwoofer you need also an amplifier.



    With the arkamys or other settings, you only have 2 channels (FR + FL) with low level.

    The original peugeot amplifier then splits it to 6 channels.

    308 GTi (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

  • Thank you for this information.

    As I understand :


    The basic audiosystem is the build-in amplifier of the nac module (4 High levels, 1 low level SUB). DEFAULT

    Question: has the low-level sub output any LOWPAS filtering going on ?


    The mid-class audiosystems have an external amplifier (2 Low level outputs from the NAC to the amp) but the volume is still controlled by the NAC without CANBUS. STANDARD HIFI AMP & ARKAMSYS

    Question: Where is the external amp most likely located ?


    High end class audiosystems have also an external amplifier like the FOCAL. Here the outputs are low level but with a fixed amplitude (volume). The volume is controlled over CANBUS to the external amp ? MULTIPLEXING AMP


    I would like to understand the complete system before I make my decision of the whole build. Many options here...

  • Question: has the low-level sub output any LOWPAS filtering going on ?

    You mean from nac directly?

    As far as I could test it, no.

    I even can hear the voice without high pass filter, so there's no filtered output from nac.

    The only filters are the equalizer settings in the audio options.


    If you take the signals from the original external amplifier, then yes, the channels are filtered to reduce the power for the speakers to avoid clipping.

    Even front and rear speakers are filtered, especially, if you have no tweeter in the rear doors.



    Question: Where is the external amp most likely located ?

    Most likely in the trunk left or right behind the cladding.

    At least in the non van models.


    High end class audiosystems have also an external amplifier like the FOCAL. Here the outputs are low level but with a fixed amplitude (volume). The volume is controlled over CANBUS to the external amp ? MULTIPLEXING AMP

    Yes, that's right.

    The external amplifier get's a fixed low level signal from the two front channels from nac.

    All other channels from nac are deactivated.


    The nac send the commands like volume, balance, equalizer settings via canbus to the amplifier and the amplifier splits the 2 low level channels to more channels + subwoofer.


    Here:




    I would like to understand the complete system before I make my decision of the whole build. Many options here...

    Understandable, that's why you've come to the right place. 8)

    Very few people understand how the system works.

    But once you understand it, it's super easy.



    If you have the cheap speakers in the doors, also an speaker upgrade is definetely worth it.

    I use 2 amps for my setup.


    Eton Mini 150.4 for the doors and Eton Mini 300.2 for my sub and everything is working fine.

    Also the door speaker have much more power than the original amplifier from peugeot.

    Insulate is also recommended.

    308 GTi (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻

  • Hi,


    I've been busy with designing and making 2 subwoofer enclosures. I used all the space I could get and still be able to install/remove the subwoofer without removing the bed-floor:

    mittns.de/core/galerie/image/316/


    These subs (GRS 8SW-4HE-8) will be powered by a single channel Class-D amp ( Hertz HCP 1D).

    The original speaker setup of my car is a 2-way system (door speaker + tweeter) power by the NAC itself (no additional amplifier).

    mittns.de/core/galerie/image/319/


    I'm pretty satisfied with the sound, just the lack of bass annoys me.

    (Maybe in the future I will upgrade the door speakers, insulate and add a 2-channel amplifier like the Hertz HCP 2 ... Who knows xD )


    I have 2 options:


    Option 1: Connect the high-level output (preferably the rear channels, as they are not connected to any speakers --> less distortion) to the high impedance inputs of the Hertz amplifier.

    Option 2: Connector the low-level subwoofer output to one of the line-inputs of the Hertz amplifier.


    I'm going for option 2.


    Of course, I have a couple of questions:


    - I've changed the "fader" settings in the NAC, and now I can independently change the volume of each speaker (even the rear channels) but there is no additional "sub level". Is this a fixed volume, or does it just follow the main volume ?


    - My biggest concern is: where do I get a 12V ACC signal from (Remote) ? I don't want to rely on the amplifier's built-in auto-turn-on (works only with high-level inputs anyway). The NAC gets a constant 12V and is turned on by CANBUS I think. The only option I see is to populate the CD-Changer plug (pin27) in the Delphi plug (I got all the part numbers and I got an extension lead from AliExpress). Or is there an easier way ?


    Something off-topic: As soon as I turn on the key, it goes directly into "ECO-Mode" and shuts itself off. Even for the diagnostic with Vlud I needed the engine to run.. This is driving me nuts XDD .

Participate now!

Hey, it looks like you like this exchange, but you haven't created an account yet. With an account you can be informed about new answers, upload photos to our gallery, use our tools, thank others with a "Like" or help others yourself. Together we can help make this community something bigger.