[Kemmish]

I'm about to purchase a pair of under seat subs and after hours of searching I've narrowed it down to 2 models. But can't decide on which one

Earthquake SWS-8X or Focal IFBMW-SUB V2

Earthquakes have higher RMS ---- Focal have a better sensitivity

Focal specs:

Max. power: 180W
RMS. power: 90W
Sensitivity (2.83V/1m): 90.5dB (58Hz) Frequency response: 38Hz – 200Hz

Earthquake specs:

Fs: 20-300Hz
Max Power: 300W
RMS Power: 150W
Impedance: 4Ω
Sensitivity: 86.7dB

Which will give the better (louder) bass?

At the moment I'm 60/40 towards earthquakes.

Would like other members input please as you all know better than me.

[Ali-E90]

Don't know about the focals, but the earthquakes will act more like subs, offering a bit deeper bass but at the expense of mid-bass that won't perform too well.

[Fundguy1]

I think earthquakes if you want them as your primary sub. Focal if you want mid bass and have a sub in the trunk.

[Kemmish]

Thanks for the replies.

Earthquakes it is as I need all the space in the boot.

[Searcher]

Ken,

You are in the same situation as I am in...I just had a DSP installed, Earthquake subs and a stand alone amp for the subs through musicarnw. They make a kit they can ship you where it is completely turn key. The car sounds fantastic no matter what type of music I listen too. The car is loud, clear, precise, great low and mid bass. Hope this helps

[DJWabbles]

I haven't heard the earthquakes however here are members in here that like them.

I have the Focal IFBMW-SUB V2, coming from Helix speakers and subs. The focal do have great midbass and sub but not low end.

I can say it gets pretty loud and you feel the bass on your backside. This is true reflection comparing from my old Helix sub. You could hear the bass but not feel.

Focal go very deep and strong punchy midbass. Puts a smile in my each time I hear it. Tells me I made the right choice how ever only put focal sub as I had gone for focal tweeters and mid range.

Think eithere one you go for you will be more than happy.

My uncle has F12 and has harman kardon. Bass is good but when he hears mine it puts a big smile on his face. Focal or earthquake you will enjoy. Loud crisp and clean.

Hope it helps.

[Kemmish]

Thanks for all the replies

Going to get earthquakes this week.

[triax37]

Why don't folks get one Earthquake and one Focal? Wouldn't that provide some mid and some low?

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by triax37

Why don't folks get one Earthquake and one Focal? Wouldn't that provide some mid and some low?

No. Unless you were using crossovers to split the bass signal, they would be replicating the same frequencies but differently and there would be conflicts between the sounds and it would be unbalanced. Also, though the earthquake go deeper, not substantially. You'd need a real dedicated sub to produce the real lows, paired with the focal or similar to do the mid bass to do it correctly. Bass isn't directional. Mid Bass generally is. The earthquakes alone are an economical and space saving way to get a little deeper bass than the focals alone. The focals paired with a dedicated sub would give you the best bass solution and could be run at higher frequencies to make up for the lack of the lower mods the 4"s can't or would strain to reproduce. So if saving money or space is required, the earthquakes are a good solution. It these aren't a factor, the focals paired with one or two quality 10" or 12" subs are the way to go.

[Searcher]

My amplified Earthquake subs do very well with lows...No it won't shake your hair, but you can feel them moving a TON of air from beneath the seat...

Try listening to a song called Hoodie by Hey Violet and see how the Earthquakes perform and I am sure you will be pleasantly surprised...

[BMW3DK]

can only agree - the SWS is good at moving air. Compare them 1:1 against a pair of HK versus Gladen and in terms of PUNCH the SWS is a clear winner.

As the daughter of my friend said "it tickels in my butt"...

// Chris

[racermp]

i have earthquakes and mbquart 500 amp. awesome setup especially with the windows down, it shakes quite a bit. been reliable for a year now and i play them loud most of the time

[egoneyer]

Had anybody already the chance for a straight comparison?
I' struggling with the same decision and would be hankfull for any help.

Thanks and merry Crhistmas

[msq123]

Hi, I am looking at these 2 subs for my F10 with 676 hifi and will appreciate some advise re amping needs.
I upgraded front door speakers to Focal K2 100 and have already bought a JL audio XD 400/4 V2 which I found in a very good deal (not installed yet). Now, I am looking to drive Focal K2s and one of these 2 subs through the new amp. Leaving the OEM amp for rear and centre.

The issue I have now is that SWS 8x are 150w RMS whereas the amp will give me 200w RMS when I bridge 2 channels for the sub at 4 ohms. Is that going to be an issue?
Whereas Focals at 90w will be only 180w at 4 ohms so within the power of my amp. But reading the reviews I believe that SWS are better if I don't have a sub in the boot which I won't be able to accommodate and they are a bit cheaper too compared to Focals.

So I need some advise which one will be better in my circumstance, if SWS won't be sufficiently powered then it won't make sense to go for those but if 200w could reasonably drive 300w subs then I would consider these else I will consider Focals. Thanks.

[david in germany]

As a person that ran a pair of the earthquakes I would love to give a warning to anyone that finds this thread down the road.
I am a bit of an audiophile but also like it a bit loud too in the car. The Earthquake SWS woofers are the worst subs I ever ran in my BMW. Do not run more than 75w rms on one of them at sub frequencies, you will blow them. For the money, look for a set of Logic 7 woofers and enjoy. They will take a solid 150w rms without any issues.

[msq123]

Originally Posted by david in germany

As a person that ran a pair of the earthquakes I would love to give a warning to anyone that finds this thread down the road.
I am a bit of an audiophile but also like it a bit loud too in the car. The Earthquake SWS woofers are the worst subs I ever ran in my BMW. Do not run more than 75w rms on one of them at sub frequencies, you will blow them. For the money, look for a set of Logic 7 woofers and enjoy. They will take a solid 150w rms without any issues.

This is very interesting. I have BMW 676 hifi system in my f10 M5 and I am pretty sure it is logic 7 and I was looking to upgrade the subs to either earthquakes or Focals but you seem very negative about the sws. To the extent that you rate stock subs over earthquakes.

What do you think is wrong with them? And if I were to run the stock subs via JL audio xd4000/4 V2 you reckon the subs can handle so much power, considering stock amp only provides about 40/45 w at the moment? JL audio when bridged will give me 200w @ 4ohms that's 100w per sub and I thought it would be too less for earthquakes but you say anything over 75 is too much. I am a bit confused considering it has rms rating of 150w.

Look forward to hear back. Cheers

[david in germany]

The logic 7 subs will sing with the JL amp. It truly (in my opinion) will be a downgrade to go with the SWS woofers in your setup. I ran a Fosgate PBR 300.2 on the sub stage in mine and killed one SWS on the 75w and had one smelling like an electrical fire (gains set properly with SMD DD-1) . 200hz and below. I replaced the one and adjusted the low pass to 85 and below, smoked yet another. I swapped them out for the logic 7 and never had another issue with any frequency. I have also run different Amps (JBL, other fosgate, ect exceeding 150w rms) and had no issues with the Logic 7 woofers. The only reason I am not running the logic 7 in my 335i is that I upgraded to the individual audio.

[kmmd]

This is a bit of an older thread, but the speakers and amp selections are interesting. I've always wondered why the Gladen speakers are mentioned infrequently.

I've changed everything in my e92 and got rid of Logic 7 while doing only a front stage set up. I'm using the 8-inch Gladen HG201 3-ohm underseat speakers powered by 2 channels of a Mosconi AS200.4. It's plenty of mid bass and allows me to keep my Focal P25F sub (in custom box) volume low.

[david in germany]

could it be the price or availability of the Gladen sets? I actually run the Gladen BMW 201 set in my e87. Great speakers too.

[kmmd]

Originally Posted by david in germany

could it be the price or availability of the Gladen sets? I actually run the Gladen BMW 201 set in my e87. Great speakers too.

I think you’re right about both pricing and availability. Here in the States, they’re not commonly stocked. I had to wait for two weeks after my shop ordered them. Pricing on the aerospace line are up there too. I guess if no one runs them, then no one hears how incredible they are, so no one orders them. I thought they’d be more popular in Europe though.

[david in germany]

Originally Posted by kmmd

I think you’re right about both pricing and availability. Here in the States, they’re not commonly stocked. I had to wait for two weeks after my shop ordered them. Pricing on the aerospace line are up there too. I guess if no one runs them, then no one hears how incredible they are, so no one orders them. I thought they’d be more popular in Europe though.

By the way, I love your A pillars. It is a challenge to get proper staging in any car. The best staging comes from (typically) the furthest distance from the listener. One of my favorite installs was in my 1993 Celica where I was able to improve the front stage with tweeters in the kick panels. Toyota had the tweeters in the mirror pods (who else does this? )but they are too close for proper tuning. I was able to also cut the needed power by about 50% for it to sound excellent.
Really old pic but you get the picture.