JBL BassPro Hub installation and review
A subwoofer that fits in the spare tire
Our vehicle electronics buyer, Peter, has been in the car audio business for decades. And he was very unsatisfied with the stereo system in his 2012 Mazda 5 — it just didn’t have any bass. Then he found out about the JBL BassPro Hub.
No space for bass
One of the big challenges was that there wasn't enough space for a subwoofer in his minivan with the third row seat. He had tried under-seat woofers and free-standing boxes — they all sacrificed too much storage space, or didn't provide enough bass to fill the vehicle. So when he heard about this solution from JBL, it seemed great because he thought it might allow him to get the bass he wanted without sacrificing what little space he had.
"Then, when our JBL rep first played the BassPro Hub for me, I literally said, 'I love it! Can we take it out right now and see if it fits in my car?' We took it out, dry-fit it in my vehicle, and it fit. Soon, I installed my own. The performance is amazing, it really is. It adds that lower couple of octaves that were missing. Most full-range speakers don't play accurately below sixty hertz, so now I get to hear those notes."
Even though the BassPro Hub is under 15" in diameter, you'll still want to measure your spare to see if it'll fit.
A smart design
What we love about the BassPro Hub is the design. Its 11" subwoofer is built super-tough, and the 200-watt class-D amplifier is specially designed to complement the sub. Peter has an aftermarket stereo, so he hooked it up with patch cables connected to the preamp inputs. But he could’ve used it with a factory stereo, too.
As with any powered sub installation, you run signal and power wires. After that, it’s pretty simple: it goes in the spare tire — just drops right inside the rim and secures with its included post and wingnut. It’s best with full-size spares, but can work with some smaller spares (like his), too. That's usually wasted space in most cars — JBL took advantage of that with this sub's design.
Peter also installed some Boom Mat on the exposed metal in the spare tire area. This sound-deadening material helps eliminate reverberations and any other unwanted noises the subwoofer might induce. The result is better sounding, more powerful bass from the subwoofer.
Clever remote control
To save space on the enclosure, JBL puts all the controls on a wired remote, which Peter put in the glove box. It lets him set the gain and crossover, and adjust the bass from his listening position." It’s smart. I like it a lot."
Questions or need more information?
The BassPro Hub is about 6-7/16" high and 14-1/4" wide. You'll have to measure the inside of your spare tire hub to see if the sub will fit or not. If you want to know more about the JBL Bass Pro Hub or other powered subwoofers, contact us by chat, phone, or email. Our friendly and knowledgeable advisors will be glad to help.
Reader comments (21 responses)
Please share your thoughts below.
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C. Alford from Huntsville, TX
Posted on 7/26/2019
How does this compare to the spare mounted sub that came in my 2017 Chevy Trax from the factory. It's the Bose upgraded infotainment system. Would love a little stronger hit and clear strong sound well into the deeper end of the sound spectrum. Thank you in advance.
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Andrew from Chicago
Posted on 7/22/2019
This article featuring a 2012 mazda 5, which is what we have, piqued my interest and contributed to my decision to give it a try, unfortunately the supplied m8 bolt to secure the sub and spare tire is a smaller diameter than the threads on the spare tire base. Why feature a car in the article that is not compatible?
Andrew, As with most car installation projects, there were fit issues with Peter's sub that he worked out.on 7/30/2019
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Jonathan Hadden from Cantonment
Posted on 7/18/2019
Will the JBL basspro hub fit inside of a 2010 Toyota corolla sport?
Jonathan, The BassPro Hub is 6.4" high and 14.2" wide. You'll have to measure your hub to see if the sub will fit it or not.on 7/19/2019
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Jason
Posted on 7/11/2019
Do you put the boot cover over the subwoofer or how is the actual testing done ? What happen if there is no spare tire installed, would the sound be different without a rim ? I've installed and can barely hear any differences with the level at Zero and at Maximum, and do not know what I can do to improve the sound. Failing, I would probably remove and install a under seat subwoofer.
Jason, The BassPro Hub uses the spare tire rim to focus the sound to project bass throughout the car. It sounds like that's not your application. Give us a call and an Advisor can help you get the right sub for your vehicle.on 7/12/2019
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Edward Ramirez from Mckinney, TX
Posted on 5/27/2019
Do you need to by a line-in adapter or is it built-in? Want to put it in my 2015 Jetta with full-size spare and trying to figure out the best way to connect it to the stock headunit.
Edward, The JBL BassPro Hub has speaker-level inputs that can handle signals as strong as 10 volts or 25 watts, so you will be fine using the factory wiring to get input signal.on 5/28/2019
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EJ Navarro from Blaine, Wa
Posted on 3/13/2019
I currently have a Bose bass unit in my spare tire as part of my Bose car stereo. Can I upgrade to this and splice the wires that connect to the Bose unit or do I have run new wires?
EJ, You can daisy-chain your new sub's input wiring and remote turn-on lead to the factory sub's wiring. But you will need to run new power and ground wires for your new sub.on 3/14/2019
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James Behuniak Jr from Beverly Hills
Posted on 3/4/2019
When is this product set to be released?
James, The JBL BassPro Hub subwoofers are on order from Harman, but their arrival time at Crutchfield is presently unknown. If you want to be kept up-to-date on their status, click the "Email me when available" link displayed above the price on the product page.on 3/5/2019
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Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
Posted on 2/25/2019
Jared, I'll pass your suggestion along to the Art Designer who illustrated the article. If you want a view of the BassPro Hub installed, check out the product page. The sixth and seventh photos in the carousel show what you're looking for.
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bob from brandon
Posted on 2/23/2019
Is the sub Made in China?
Bob, I really don't know where JBL makes their BassPro Hub, but it's a cool product no matter where it was built.on 2/25/2019
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Jared from Edmonds
Posted on 2/21/2019
Not to crtisize your work cuz I appreciate the article, but could you add a shot of the finished install from a better angle. Your last image looks like it protrudes above the install point significantly.
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Andy from Berkeley
Posted on 2/16/2019
Sounds like a winner. Any idea if it fits in a '99 Honda Accord LX?
Andy, You'll have to measure that for yourself. The BassPro Hub is 14-3/16 inches in diameter and 6-7/16 inches high or deep.on 2/18/2019
John Akibs from Richardson,TX 75081
Posted on 5/16/2020
Will it fit a 2009 Mazda3?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 5/19/2020
Jason Hill from High Springs
Posted on 5/11/2020
I bought this and am happy with it. You will most likely have some install adjustments to make. It is not plug and play but still fairly easy to install with basic install knowledge. I had to flip spare over, relocate jack tool and use the supplied threaded screw so I could use their wingnuts. I placed a folded towel between sub and spare tire as both are made of metal and it will rattle without something in between. Sounds good for the price and no one knows it's there.
Eric Penn from Detroit
Posted on 2/28/2020
what gauge speaker wire and which splice tap do you recommend to connect this to a 2018 Ford Fiesta ST speaker-level outputs
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 2/29/2020
EDDY REYES from downey
Posted on 2/15/2020
hi, i tapped into the RR and RL and i get no sound from the sub. green light at the sub and my remote lights up, RL and RR speakers sound.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 2/18/2020
Michael
Posted on 12/10/2019
Nice! Thank you very much for info. One last question. If I connect the BassPro Hub to RL and RR speakers, can I still use the speakers? Or will I have stop feeding signal to the speakers and only feed the BassPro Hub? I ask because I don´t want to lose the audio from the rear speakers.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 12/10/2019
Michael
Posted on 12/2/2019
Will I need to connect the blue remote wire if I am going to use the speaker level input? Some amps do not require the blue remote wire to be connected when using the speaker level input. Because they turn on and off automatically when high level input signal is detected. Will the BassPro Hub work like that?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 12/4/2019
Steven Crenshaw from Apple Valley
Posted on 8/23/2019
I understand the overall height is 6.4 inches, but there is an inner circle area. What is the diameter of that circle and how far does it protrude? It looks like it could be about an inch protruding.
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 8/26/2019
Yongs from East london (RSA)
Posted on 8/20/2019
Would this fit 2015 golf 7 tsi?
Buck Pomerantz from Crutchfield
on 8/22/2019
RISHI from Jakarta
Posted on 8/8/2019
I hear music like progressive house an techno which need good amount of good deep and loud base can it be sufficient. I use a subaru forester 2012 with 3 way system thanks
Chris from Ottawa
Posted on 7/27/2019
Will this fit in a 2013 GMC Terrain?