The subwoofer is a Kove Audio W12. It has a carbon cone that produces just the right musical detail and the F3 of 60Hz in conjunction with the vehicle transfer function makes a good match for the target design. That is to say, it was good enough for Mick Fleetwood's highly discriminating ears. The sub is loaded into a 1.25 cubic foot sealed enclosure made of MDF; it's sealed all around the trunk to make sure that no sound waves escape to the rear trunk area, producing cancellation. Butterworth alignment was chosen for optimal transient response. As Tony explains it, if you aim a sub to the rear of the trunk you produce a loading effect that results in a deeper and louder bass response. Mick wanted to keep as much trunk space as possible so Tony decided to aim the sub forward; that explains why the amps were installed to the back of the enclosure. The only problem with the sub setup is that it will pull the front stage to the rear. In order to compensate they fine-tuned the crossover down to 80Hz and adjusted the phase to create tight bass up front. "Also, the ratio of dimensions of the cabin and listening position, the passenger side midrange phase was inverted in relation to the driver side. It gave us the extra needed punch," Tony says. So much for psychic acoustics.The video and, as mentioned, the nav system is factory. So is the security for the car, but the sound is anything but OEM. Hey, if it's good enough for a guy whose band has sold over 70 million copies and toured the world over, performing for millions of fans, then you know the sound on this vehicle is where it should be. This BMW may not be like some of the competition cars featured in this issue in terms of how elaborate or complex it is, but it is just as finely tuned. So Mick, ever take Stevie Nicks out for a spin to check out the SQ?
An Interview with Mick Fleetwood
Big thanks to Mick for graciously giving up his time and sharing his opinions on the music industry, sound quality and car audio. -Ben OhCA&E: About four years ago Fleetwood Mac released The Dance. So what's next for the band?
MF: This October we're releasing a greatest hits package and then in March or April of next year we'll be releasing a studio album. Fleetwood Mac will be out also next year touring for it.
CA&E: We understand that Christine McVie will not be a part of the tour.
MF: Right, she's not part of the next album and tour.
CA&E: How did that work out?
MF: She had enough of touring and she just didn't enjoy travelling - it's hard work out there, and we're not teen-agers anymore. And she made the decision that, as much as she likes making music in the studio - we can't do that and not have her on the road. So she decided that she would just retire. But the other original members, Stevie, Lindsey, John and myself, will be going forward. And we've made what we believe is a very exciting new piece of studio work.