[markols]

I have seen (and commented) on many of posts about upgrading the stereo in the 2023 Sportage. Instead of hopping around different threads that ultimately end to my same solution/opinion, I figured I would start a separate thread. This was my solution and possibly could be to the liking of others.

I have the 2023 Hybrid EX with the non HK stereo. I have not heard the HK stereo in person, but from the comments I think it doesn't have much more to offer than the non HK, being that everyone posts about the lack of bass from the sub. Since I did not have a sub, I went with a Cerwin Vega powered spare tire subwoofer.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FY9BPVR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This alone is enough to get the stereo where I think 80-90 percent of Sportage owners will be satisfied with the sound quality. If you have a PHEV, there are powered subs that fit under-seat and that may be your best solution. For me I did not want to take up ANY interior space, so this sub it out of sight mounted on top of the spare tire, and it pounds enough that I am plenty satisfied. You won't hear me coming down the block, but inside I will have a smile on my face.

I don't usually listen to rap, but I found some bass heavy songs on Apple music and played one when I recorded this clip. I had the EQ centered flat, and turned the volume up to around 50. I could go more but that is about where I am satisfied. I played this on Apple music via wireless carplay. I should point out that I did replace all the other speakers with quality ones, and added a 400 watt amp and two equalizers under the center console for the front and rear doors/dash tweeters/center channel. I actually could have been happy with just the factory setup and the powered sub, but I used to compete in car stereo competitions many moons ago, and still have a bit of the bug I guess.

I hope this answers a lot of questions as to what it could sound like, and helps others where it can!

 

[hot v turbo]

Any installation tips? Where did you pick up the 12v and the tap into the radio?

I have the same vehicle coming in 3 months

 

[SoCal949]

I mean, I can't tell what the bass sounds like from the video.

I'm not sure the issue is the subwoofer in the premium system, but a lack of customization settings specific to bass. I feel like if I could just specifically increase the sub volume the system would be fine - but that's just a guess. When I turn up the system past 50 and play a bass heavy song, it sounds pretty good. However, I still can't tell how much of the bass is from the front speakers. When I turn it up that loud it actually hurts my ears though - a feeling I've never had in past systems with great bass. My feelings on how it sounds and what is needed changes day to day on this, but the bass is lacking either way.

 

[Brandong8man]

I mean, I can't tell what the bass sounds like from the video.

I'm not sure the issue is the subwoofer in the premium system, but a lack of customization settings specific to bass. I feel like if I could just specifically increase the sub volume the system would be fine - but that's just a guess. When I turn up the system past 50 and play a bass heavy song, it sounds pretty good. However, I still can't tell how much of the bass is from the front speakers. When I turn it up that loud it actually hurts my ears though - a feeling I've never had in past systems with great bass. My feelings on how it sounds and what is needed changes day to day on this, but the bass is lacking either way.

If you use headphones/earbuds you’ll definitely be able to tell the difference in base. Audio system videos never sound right if you watch them just on the phone or your TV

 

[Briguy65]

Heh, I have a klipsch sub/sat set hooked up to my computer and yes, that bass sounded very good. Can you show us what it looks like installed? Just curious as to how much space it takes in the middle of the spare.

 

[markols]

 

[markols]

Any installation tips? Where did you pick up the 12v and the tap into the radio?

I have the same vehicle coming in 3 months

Once I did the sub I was going to stop there, but like I said I kept going. So if you are amplifying the door speakers you'll need to remove the dash display. A trim panel behind it, four phillips screws and some wiring connections to remove. Then the radio is behind the display opening and has four more screws to remove it. You will have to cut the wiring in the harness and splice in for the amp. I ran them through a LOC (line out convertor) so I could use RCA's into my amp. I didn't take a lot of pictures since I didn't think I would be discussing it much. But the forward wing panel the next to the gas pedal pulls off, grab where the carpet meets the bottom of the panel at the seam and pull towards you, two clips. It is a small space in there, but I was able to get all I needed to fit. If you have a factory amp under the passenger seat, the options and access is much easier, no need to remove the display. As I stated in my original post, I ran a 8 gage wire from the sub to the 12v terminal under the hood. When I added the additional stereo equipment I cut the 8 gage under the dash and installed a power distribution block. So 12v is just above and behind the OBD connector, and I have three taps for additional products. I also added my dash cam power to that block.

 

[markols]

Heh, I have a klipsch sub/sat set hooked up to my computer and yes, that bass sounded very good. Can you show us what it looks like installed? Just curious as to how much space it takes in the middle of the spare.

I was going to suggest to use a desktop pc or headphones in my original post, I forgot. When I watch the clip on my phone I cannot tell there is much bass. To hear the frequency I hear in the car you have to have speakers that can produce that same low frequency.

 

[hot v turbo]

Thanks markols. Going to give it a shot

 

[Briguy65]

That CV sub looks like it fits pretty well! Great job! I don't have a Sportage just yet, still hoping to get one at MSRP. The sub sounds pretty good considering it's under a cover. But I hear bass is not directional so it can be hidden quite a bit and still sound decent. Also, yes, my Klipsch speakers are allegedly THX rated so the sub goes down pretty far which allowed me to hear how nice your audio recording sounded.

 

[markols]

** Something important I forgot to mention in the original post. When choosing your power wire for this powered subwoofer, or for any car stereo amplifier, make sure to buy OFC copper wire. (oxygen free copper)

** Do not use CCA wire (copper clad aluminum)

Many of the reviews you may read that say an amplifier failed prematurely can be attributed to this. CCA is just aluminum wire with some copper coating on it. It isn't as good a conductor and raises the current as well as the temperatures of the stereo equipment.

 

[markols]

This is where the clips are located in the console wing panel

 

[Justdigit]

Very nice!! What equipment did you use?? Which amp and speakers??
I am also planning to upgrade the stereo asap. The HK system is a Joke if you ask me.
All the gear is getting dust atm..... Two till three weeks until I receive the Sportage.

Beging the glasspanel there is a little box right (I have seen on a YouTube video) are there ISO connectors on it??

And did you just amp the speakers or do you have a DSP??
The thing is..... You say on a certain moment you have more bass.... These Kia/Hyundai systems. Are heavily Eq'ed to hide the crappy cheapo speakers.

TThat's why you "need" to de-eq the system with a dsp.
If you are interested, here some more info. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNFMTi2XdK_fK_lnzTMXVAH0PXpBnDgga
Look at the Hyundai Video's. There are English subtitles

 

[markols]

Very nice!! What equipment did you use?? Which amp and speakers??
I am also planning to upgrade the stereo asap. The HK system is a Joke if you ask me.
All the gear is getting dust atm..... Two till three weeks until I receive the Sportage.

Beging the glasspanel there is a little box right (I have seen on a YouTube video) are there ISO connectors on it??

And did you just amp the speakers or do you have a DSP??
The thing is..... You say on a certain moment you have more bass.... These Kia/Hyundai systems. Are heavily Eq'ed to hide the crappy cheapo speakers.

TThat's why you "need" to de-eq the system with a dsp.
If you are interested, here some more info. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNFMTi2XdK_fK_lnzTMXVAH0PXpBnDgga
Look at the Hyundai Video's. There are English subtitles

I went with Audiofrog speakers for the front. I got GB60 in doors, GB40 in center channel and GB10 for tweeters. You can probably get them from Crutchfield, but in the Netherlands there are many good speakers to choose from as well. A Rockford Fosgate T400X4AD amplifier, and two Clarion EQS755 equalizers for front and rear. I am not using a DSP but that may change down the line. I am building some passive 3rd order filters for the tweeters and front door speakers, (currently have only bass blockers) and for the center channel, 3rd order bandpass filters. The rear doors are Polk DB 651 coaxial for rear fill, the sub has its own amp and running all out but has a remote to control gain, boost, phase and crossover point. Once the passive crossovers are done, I will see if my craving for better sound will require a DSP.

I am not sure what you mean by the "little box", but if you are referring to the back of the dash display/head unit, there are ISO connectors on the back that you depress a release button and remove the connector.

 

[ultravegas2009]

Just bought my wife the 2023 X-Pro Prestige and first thing she wanted was more bass and this post is perfect thank you! I just want to know if anyone has added this sub to the HK system via the factory HK subwoofer in the back and how that process went? I was in the car audio scene and used to sell and install systems back in the late 90's and have only messed around with a small system a couple times here and there since... so I'm not new to installing but just not up to date with how things work together in these newer vehicles... TIA

 

[Justdigit]

Thanks for the detailed information. I have already bought some stuff.
1 Mosconi Pico 4/8dsp
1 mosconi pico amp for tweeters.
Audiosystem 2x10" active sub in spare wheel.
Sound deadning front and rear. And spare wheel place.

Focal Flax coaxials speakers in the back.
Focal Flax two way in the front.

And now the big question if the two way Focal Flax fits in the front doors According to Crutchfield it's not deep enough. But it's only 4mm... I am hoping there is some room to place the driver more to the grill.
Focal... Also has a flat Serie in flax... But you are suffering some low end.

Counting the days to start.

 

[SoCal949]

I have the PHEV and have no spare tire area (and no spare tire). I am hoping somebody will post another option for better base performance for a PHEV model. I don't want to do major surgery as some of you guys, but am hopeful another subwoofer to replace the factory one might be good enough, but have no clue if that could be sufficient or possible. Even replacing the amp would make me nervous in this car.

 

[Chris23]

I'm planning on using this subwoofer, Amazon.com

these wires from crutchfield, EFX PA8BX Wiring Kit

to connect the power to my kicker amplifier, https://www.amazon.com/Kicker-46CXA4001-CXA4001-400-Watt-Class-Subwoofer/dp/B084DJGDMW/ref=sr_1_5?crid=1SFWDB9TJZ58&keywords=amplifiers+for+subwoofers&qid=1679188071&refinements=p_89:Kicker|Rockford+Fosgate&rnid=2528832011&s=electronics&sprefix=amplifiers+for+subwoofer,aps,114&sr=1-5

and tap into the speaker wires from the right-side rear using posi taps and an LOC, https://www.amazon.com/Kicker-46KISLOC2-Stereo-Line-OutputConverter/dp/B07VKFSLKN/ref=asc_df_B07VKFSLKN/tag=hyprod20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366299682438&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6659175121174949529&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9022943&hvtargid=pla-823113157572&ps

also using a kicker bass control, Amazon.com.

I want to make sure I'm doing everything right, so could anyone fact check that I'm using the right amp and if it would be drawing too much power from my battery, maybe provide me with a more detailed guide on how to disassemble the panels correctly, and/or let me know of the more difficult steps to doing this?
Thank you so much to whomever reads this.

 

[Chris23]

Also, would this void the warranty? So far, im reading "no" unless it is proven that an aftermarket product or modification has caused a problem.

 

[Koreanadian]

Just bought my wife the 2023 X-Pro Prestige and first thing she wanted was more bass and this post is perfect thank you! I just want to know if anyone has added this sub to the HK system via the factory HK subwoofer in the back and how that process went? I was in the car audio scene and used to sell and install systems back in the late 90's and have only messed around with a small system a couple times here and there since... so I'm not new to installing but just not up to date with how things work together in these newer vehicles... TIA

That's how you know that she's a keeper