The system's single subwoofer, Kove Audio's world record-holding Armageddon Z124, is located in the trunk inside a bandpass enclosure built from 3/4-inch medium density fiberboard. The enclosure is ported through the armrest in the rear seat. Branco decided on this configuration in order to eliminate rattling within the trunk and to better the coupling of the sub information into the cabin. Getting the enclosure just right proved to be one of the more difficult challenges of the project. Branco explains, "The first enclosure we built was a bit larger and tuned at 64 Hz to provide deeper bass extension. However, trunk space had to be conserved. After careful listening, it was decided that the type of music Everlast listens to has quick drum material (more like in live performance) and so a new, smaller enclosure was built and tuned at 70 Hz."
An amplifier rack is mounted inside the trunk underneath the rear deck shelf, and its shelf slides out to reveal two Kove Audio ZX amps. Branco went with the ZX amplifiers because they produce full power at 4 ohms; and they are less demanding than most other amps on the Beemer's electrical system. The amp rack has a wood grain finish that matches the grain of the subwoofer box as well as the wood grain of the rest of the car's interior. A Kove Audio ZX1000 amplifier powers the sub, and the system's other amp, a Kove Audio ZX504, runs the mids and highs of the front and rear stage.
Sound damping material from Global Sound International (GSI) is used inside the trunk and other strategic points of the interior to reduce vibrations. GSI speaker cables, interconnects, and distribution block were also used by Zamudio and the team at Soundwaves.
The BMW's completed system is simple yet highly effective. Everlast agrees. "I like to listen to new tracks and new artists on this system because the sound is sometimes more accurate than in the recording studio."
That's high praise from an artist that has been around the block more than a few times.