Finished my Audio install. [Archive]

Operator

09-10-2010, 11:56 AM

Well I'm finally finished with my Audio install. Some of the pics I may have posted before, I'm not sure.

Optima Red Top for my battery and a Stinger digital fuse holder:
http://img697.imageshack.us/img697/6915/imgp3191.jpg

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/7849/imgp3193p.jpg

HU: JVC NX-7000bt While I'd prefer a more OEM look, the options this HU gives me, more than makes up for it.
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9020/imgp3003.jpg

USB routed under armrest along with a Monster Aux cable. I have the option to run a video in, along with an Iphone interface cable.
http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5243/imgp2998k.jpg

Rear before I put the enclosure in:
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/6764/imgp2327m.jpg

http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/5504/imgp2317.jpg

Enclosure installed:
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/525/imgp3184.jpg

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/5153/imgp3196.jpg

Rear digital distribution block and 12disc changer:
http://img835.imageshack.us/img835/7439/imgp3195.jpg

Amps: JL 1000/1 and JL 450/4
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/7353/dscf0599o.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7195/dscf0600in.jpg

I went with these for my interconnects:
http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6426/dscf1511n.jpg

Door speakers:
Initially I ran Elemental Designs 6500's up front. But I foolishly damaged the set while trying to tweak the system.
http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/860/dscf0597h.jpg

Now I run Rainbow SLC 265.25 NG components
http://img265.imageshack.us/img265/705/img1994h.jpg

In the rear I have cDT EF-61's
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/4089/dscf0601s.jpg

Subwoofer:
I decided to downsize from a 12" to a 10". Image Dynamics IDMAX 10"
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/863/img0673np.jpg

All in all I'm pleased with the sound quality, and the all the options I got with the HU, though like I said, I'd prefer a more OEM look......

Dubwars

09-10-2010, 11:58 AM

Great looking install. Next time, wash your car before you post! :)

Latin Audi

09-10-2010, 11:59 AM

Sick set up!

naiku

09-10-2010, 12:00 PM

Very nice :-D

Operator

09-10-2010, 12:02 PM

Great looking install. Next time, wash your car before you post! :)

Will do.
I took some of these pics after my trip up Pikes Peak: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/379531-Pikes-Peak-Cruise-G2G-%28Labor-Day%29 And I ate ALOT of dust on the way up and down!!!

bmc333

09-10-2010, 12:08 PM

Good job on the install - go big or go home!

Operator

09-13-2010, 01:56 PM

Although I said I was finished, I was looking for input on removing the stock sub. The sub has long since gone unused, I just never thought to uninstall it. From a few threads I've seen, alot of people recommended removing it. Well before I go through the process of uninstalling everything, I wanted to get feedback on how noticibale the difference is before I go through all that work. Thanks for any input!

Homer

09-13-2010, 03:46 PM

The felt insert behind the cig lighter is upside down. (Where the aux in cord comes out)

Quattro

09-14-2010, 01:35 AM

Operator

09-14-2010, 07:15 AM

looks like a very nice install! I have been thinking about where to mount my amps lately and trying to redo my sound system locations.

I removed my stock sub, you dont need it with the system you are running now.

Thanks! And yeh, it's been disconnected since even before I installed my sub, I just set up my rears to fill in the low end. But someone mentioned that removing the sub actually improved the performance of their sub since their was now a route for air to flow into the trunk. Did you take yours out as soon as you did you install.

And mounting your amps where I did, does free up a good deal of space (and you can keep your spare too), if that's something you're looking for.

Operator

07-26-2011, 08:24 AM

swoardrider

07-26-2011, 10:31 AM

I was hoping you would buy them and give me your review [:D]
I only have 50 Zapco watts going to them, and I can tell they are begging for more. That's why I'd love to hear your feedback on their SQ with 150 watts running thru them.
I have no complaints at all, and I really encourage these in Audis, as their small size makes installation a breeze (no custom spacers required).

At some point in the future, I may ditch the passive crossovers and run them actively thru my current DC360.4 amp, and buy a dedicated sub amp. Or stay with the passives and replace the 360.4 with a DC1000.4. It all depends on your review, so get to spending!

Operator

07-27-2011, 11:33 AM

As often happens, I could have got a pair last year at a good discount, but I didn' go for it, now most prices seem to be retail which = too expensive for me. Do you run rear fill?

swoardrider

07-28-2011, 01:30 AM

As often happens, I could have got a pair last year at a good discount, but I didn' go for it, now most prices seem to be retail which = too expensive for me. Do you run rear fill?

Stock Bose speakers, set at a medium volume. I'm debating whether to try replacing them, or just keep more of a front stage (current set up), and put the money towards a larger amp. All of this is low priority on the car's mod list tho.

Operator

07-28-2011, 06:55 AM

Stock Bose speakers, set at a medium volume. I'm debating whether to try replacing them, or just keep more of a front stage (current set up), and put the money towards a larger amp. All of this is low priority on the car's mod list tho.

What's at the top of your list? I know you're a track guy!

THECOUNT

07-28-2011, 08:40 AM

Looking for some reviews of DLS comps. I know swoardrider enjoys his. Possibly looking to swap out my Rainbows, thanks for any input. The set I've been looking at: http://www.dls.se/en/car/prod.html?produkt=en_581

http://www.dls.se/prodimg/7838-1_prod_large.jpg

Absolutly incredable!!!! I have used rainbows for a few cars & they will not dispoint. I would recomend making sure you have a nice 4 channel amp with clean power. You can not go wrong with them.

Operator

07-28-2011, 09:27 AM

Yeh, my Rainbow SLC 265.25's have been great from the moment I installed them, but I just wanted a speaker with a tad more rms capability. And I'll continue to use my JL 450/4 for my mids/highs.

swoardrider

07-28-2011, 06:33 PM

New rotors for my Alcons, and fabbing up brake cooling ducts so that they don't crack again!

Operator

08-26-2011, 10:03 AM

ridin

08-27-2011, 06:02 AM

Nice, clean install! I used to run an IDMAX 12"....very good SQ sub (in a sealed box). And +1 for eD & CDT...used to be my combination back in the day (eD subs/sub-amp, CDT comps).

matt94gt

08-27-2011, 10:32 PM

great products you used, and clean install...way to go.

swoardrider

09-06-2011, 07:12 PM

-swoardrider

Have you run into any issues with your amps overheating? I know at one point you have your amp mounted under your deck like I have mine. And the other day I noticed my 4 channel cutting out on me. To be fair, it was a hot day and the car had been in the sun from 9am-6pm. But once I had the chance to pull over and feel my amps, the 450/4 was well hotter than the 1000/1, that and like I said it cut out a couple times. To my knowledge, it's the 1st and only time it's happened. Also one of my rears blew (haven't had time to troubleshoot it). This is the longest I've kept an amp, but I'm not sure if these are signs it's on it's last legs...................

Only a couple of times on 90 degree + days and hours of straight play. My Zapco has a fan, so it can handle quite a bit of heat. The JL amps in my Land Rover have never shut down, ever. And the 4 channel runs pretty hot on long drives. Over time, you may be shortening the life of the JL amps. Upside is not the best method for them, or any non fan amp, as the heat rises, it goes through the circuit boards, essentially "cooking" everything on the circuit board. The 450/4 is a class A/B amp, so it makes sense that it runs a lot hotter than the class D 1000/1.

Operator

09-06-2011, 08:37 PM

I also push my mids more than my low-end (I've long since grown out of my BASS days). But yeh, I knew initially that mounting them upside down, wasn't the best idea, but went with it anyway. It may be time to alter the set-up a bit. And I'm glad I kept my Elemental Designs 6500's as they will probably go in the rear now that I'm down one cDT.

Operator

01-23-2012, 12:58 AM

DLS UP6i's
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1322/1003618s.jpg

Finally decided to get them. Not sure what to do with the rear fill yet.

DDamian1

01-23-2012, 01:23 AM

that must sound awesome.....sweet job.....

JonF

01-23-2012, 04:32 AM

Nice clean install!

wildcat333

01-23-2012, 04:36 AM

no satellite radio???
:(

Khaotic

01-23-2012, 06:16 AM

Finally decided to get them. Not sure what to do with the rear fill yet.

Guess it comes down to taste, but with a good comp up front I find rear fill to "muddy" the sound stage.. Concider removing?

audinate

01-23-2012, 06:37 AM

diffidently not the cleanest install, but i do want to hear how much that thing bumps

Operator

01-23-2012, 08:21 AM

no satellite radio???
:(

Yep I've had Sirus since the initial install.

Operator

01-23-2012, 08:26 AM

diffidently not the cleanest install, but i do want to hear how much that thing bumps

While it may not be the "cleanest" ever. When the distro compartment is closed (98% of the time) all you can see in the trunk is the sub. People don't notice the amps until I show them where they are.

naiku

01-23-2012, 09:47 AM

diffidently not the cleanest install, but i do want to hear how much that thing bumps

Can you please let us know what you would have done differently?

In my opinion you are not going to get a much cleaner install than that. The wires from the amps are pretty much hidden when the seats are up (heck, you can barely even see the amps at all), the distro block is entirely out of view. The head unit is about as good as it will get, simply because of the way the A4 dash is, there is no other way around it. About the only thing that could be changed is the fuse holder near the battery, and there is not many places there that you could mount it. Yes, the sub enclosure takes up the trunk, but it looks good, and is better than having a box sitting off to one corner.

If you think this is not a clean install, I would hate to see what you think of mine!! spaghetti mess of wiring (which I do need to clean up) and an unfinished sub box in the same location as Operator has his distro block.

Operator

03-01-2012, 11:56 AM

Well, some may say it's overkill, but for the deal I was able to find I couldn't pass up on upgrading my rearfill.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh163/Knighton5/ImageShack%20Pics/1003626l.jpg

cDT ES-6's. Yes, I know most audiophiles, go without rearfill, and the ones that do use it, don't spend to much on it. But when you can pick up top of the line cDT mids for "Wal-Mart" prices, it's hard to pass up.

Install of the DLS's and cDT's will probably be next weekend. And once it warms up, I plan to throw down some sound deadener.

naiku

03-01-2012, 12:28 PM

Nice! Where did you find those?

Have you looked behind the foam behind the front door cards? I picked up some CLD tiles from SDS, and am trying to figure out how many holes are in the sheet metal that I need to seal up. I have looked through a bunch of threads at DIYMA, but can't find any pictures of the door behind the foam sheet. While I can get my door card off pretty quickly now, I would prefer to have all my materials ready first. Planning to make a trip to Lowes tomorrow and pick up anything else I may need.

Hoping to get my doors deadened and sealed up some tomorrow/Saturday.

Operator

03-01-2012, 12:35 PM

In the past, I never really bothered to look around in there. But now I plan to use some spray on deadner, along with my OLD roll of edead. I may look into the spray insulation that's used to seal cracks, just need to do some more research.

naiku

03-01-2012, 12:37 PM

In the past, I never really bothered to look around in there.

Same here, I must have had the cards off a half dozen times, and never once looked behind the foam. I even had them off last week, knowing that I would be looking into sound deadening, but still never looked behind it.

Khaotic

03-01-2012, 09:50 PM

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5185/5671117923_c93086274f_b.jpg

From this A4 build;
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/build-logs-project-install-gallery/103773-2007-audi-a4-build-getting-out-control.html

DRAKLORE

03-01-2012, 11:16 PM

I'm no Sound guy at all but it looks pretty good and I'm sure sounds better than my OEM setup lol

Only
Thing really bothering me is that blue fuse holder in the bay... I feel like I need to kill it

naiku

03-02-2012, 05:14 AM

From this A4 build;
http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/build-logs-project-install-gallery/103773-2007-audi-a4-build-getting-out-control.html

Thanks for the pic, I read your thread at DIYMA but don't remember seeing that picture. I can't tell for sure, but other than the 2 large holes, is there another one down towards the bottom of the door? I get almost no mid-bass from my front speakers, and am hoping sealing the door up will improve it.

Khaotic

03-02-2012, 07:07 AM

Thanks for the pic, I read your thread at DIYMA but don't remember seeing that picture. I can't tell for sure, but other than the 2 large holes, is there another one down towards the bottom of the door? I get almost no mid-bass from my front speakers, and am hoping sealing the door up will improve it.

Found this one aswell from earthtodan's thread he made here on AZ which shows the door much better

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/Ludemandan/mobile%20audio/Dolphin%20SQ/Door17.jpg

M1k3

03-02-2012, 08:59 AM

Can I play?

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=768a574dcb&view=att&th=135d4576b1cfd58d&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1395347808255475712-1&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P-w0cSEQ1-Xat6qZfG5XNw2&sadet=1330707498556&sads=W2TXa6YOK97Cit-14OGc0J8Vps8&sadssc=1

https://mail-attachment.googleusercontent.com/attachment/?ui=2&ik=768a574dcb&view=att&th=135d457daace6126&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1395347833357336576-1&safe=1&zw&saduie=AG9B_P-w0cSEQ1-Xat6qZfG5XNw2&sadet=1330707538503&sads=xuvyGQOvjqNIEaYvGrZGUMs4yRM

edit: Will reface it when i get some time. But to my amazement I get regular compliments on it. I dunno, I think it kinda bad. But all i have to do is hear it so my money is going elsewhere for now. Stock in doors btw, I find Audi did a damn good job on our sound systems.

edit2: Audi; WHY U NO MAKE DARKER TAILS?! My last a4 had tinted tails, but the cops where i live have nothing to do but hassle ppl. so i got tickets. Decided against it on this car, but that decision may be overturned if i keep looking at those super bright sons of bitches

jsandor91

03-02-2012, 09:31 AM

Operator, is 4 or 0 gauge wire your running? And where the Hell did you get it through the firewall lol. [hail]
Very clean build by the way . Can't wait to work on mine [wrench]

naiku

03-02-2012, 09:53 AM

Operator, is 4 or 0 gauge wire your running? And where the Hell did you get it through the firewall lol. [hail]
Very clean build by the way . Can't wait to work on mine [wrench]

Not sure what Operator is using, but I used 4 gauge. Take off the grill where your cabin filter goes, and you should see a gromet just down there. Right beneath 2 metal looking lines, that comes right in behind the glove box.

jsandor91

03-02-2012, 05:41 PM

naiku do you think 0 gauge will fit?
my system will be ~1200 - 1500 watts rms so i went 0 gauge to be safe

Operator

03-02-2012, 06:23 PM

I have 0 gauge running from the digital fuse holder to the digital distro block. From there it's 4 gauge to the amps.

jsandor91

03-04-2012, 11:53 AM

where did you run your 0 gauge through the firewall?

putergod

03-04-2012, 05:41 PM

Over time, you may be shortening the life of the JL amps. Upside is not the best method for them, or any non fan amp, as the heat rises, it goes through the circuit boards, essentially "cooking" everything on the circuit board.
Have you ever looked at the inside of your amps? The circuit board is mounted upside down. Also, those JL amps have a side mounted heatsink that would radiate identically regardless of orientation (as long as the amp isn't vertical with the heatsink facing down). The only issue with that style of amp, with it mounted under the rear deck, has nothing to do with it being upside down, it actually has to do with the fact that the heat has nowhere to go, since there is a "roof" directly above the amps.

However, I had a pair of JL amps mounted exactly like that in a Saab... The 500/1 blew up. Shoddy quality (I made sure plenty of air was getting to them). I have since switched to Mmats, and ditched the chinese built crap, and have been ecstatic since.

naiku

03-05-2012, 05:39 AM

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y206/Ludemandan/mobile%20audio/Dolphin%20SQ/Door17.jpg

So, Friday I decided to go ahead and try to seal up those holes. The 2 smaller ones, and the one that is almost square shaped were easy enough. The top triangle looking one is a pain though, what the picture does not show, is that it also extends pretty much the width of the door. So, I cut out a piece of roof flashing to cover the majority of the hole, and then used aluminum tape to cover the thin piece that extends past the main hole. Happy with my work on the drivers door, I put the door card back on.....

... actually I did not. I tried to put the door card back on. That big triangular hole, the door handle sits somewhat inside of that. With it sealed the door card would not go back on. So, I ripped it off and am not sure how to seal that one yet. In my annoyance I forgot to hook up the passengers side door pull, so you can't open it from the inside. My doors have a more solid sounding "thud" when they close now, and the mid-bass is improved. I just need to figure out what to do with the giant hole.

Operator

03-14-2013, 08:30 PM

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8079/8309302912_b0df999510_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8502/8308249913_479ac30525_b.jpg

Yeh, I need to vacuum......

Re-did my trunk a few months ago. Saves a good amount of space, and I have another w/m tank cubbie.

midnight407

03-15-2013, 06:20 AM

The 500/1 blew up. Shoddy quality (I made sure plenty of air was getting to them). I have since switched to Mmats, and ditched the chinese built crap, and have been ecstatic since.

mmats ftw! built in Tampa, FL IIRC. I've heard the JLs, particularly the slash series, has come a long way since they first were introduced, though. nothing beats a 0.25ohm stable mmats though. ALL of the crackdealers back in orlando had mmats amps pushing like 4 juggernaut 15s in their box chevys. that was the preferred set up becuz pimpkar