Rare Mod for AZ....an Audio Project!

[B7A4Sport]

EDIT: OK, I just realized the final pics of the install were stuffed down in the middle of the 2nd page, where people prolly didn't even see them, so now they're here:

The mounted Sirius player:




The bass gain knob, installed in a small pocket that exists under the steering wheel:


Here is a zoomed-out view, and if the steering wheel were a clock, look around 4-oclock and see the small black/shadowed line; that's the spot where the knob is:



Now, the amp install - so clean!:

(with the right seat section folded forward)



And finally, just some general trunk pics to show the space that's still left:



In this one, it gives the perfect angle to see how far the box extends; it goes to about the RIGHT-HAND edge of the plastic vent:




Thanks for the PM's and stuff guys, happy to help anyone who wants to integrate an aftermarket sub w/ their stock head unit....cuz "I got people."

[ecks618]

I was just discussing this with a friend of mine who has a B6 A4. We both noticed that there really isn't any audio projects for A4 and were planning on doing something similar to what your doing.

Im interested as to how this turns out..Post pics of the progress.

[R1NSE]

i am interested in adding a sub to my stock system. Let me know how it goes.

[Quattro]

hmmm a 10" w7 in the side compartment?? From my little understanding of w7's they require a large space to have optimal results. The box requirements for the 10" are prob bigger than the side compartment....I could be wrong and more than likely am but just trying to point that out.

I would love to see the end result, so I can get rid of my 13" w7 and have a "stealth box"

=D

[B7A4Sport]

You know your stuff Quattro - that is very correct. In reality, the size of this sub is such that no amount of air is "too much" when working within the scale of a car/trunk.

One of the reasons this install is gonna be so pricey is because I've gutted out that whole side of the trunk there. I know what you're thinking; there's a plastic compartment that doesn't appear to have much space behind it. Yea...that's all gone, and there's plenty of air back there! For anyone who doesn't know what this beast-of-a-sub looks like...here's some eye candy:



I've dropped in to see their progress, and the first stage of the box install was to gut that plastic piece out and line the underlying metal with 2 layers of Dynamat. The box itself is a fiberglass mould, and is fitted EXACTLY to the form of the area behind the back-left wheel well. In the end, it will stick up a bit more, but I will essentially be losing a negligible amount of space, especially when you compare that with what I used to have in the high-output (HO) box from JL:

[joec500]

What shop is doing your install, I live in the city as well, would love to check it out in person when you get it done! I would probably go for a lower end woofer.

[nadroj81]

you may feel it is the best equipment but it is not. They make subs that boom.

[B7A4Sport]

What shop is doing your install, I live in the city as well, would love to check it out in person when you get it done! I would probably go for a lower end woofer.

It's a spot called Rolling Thunder in San Rafael, CA up in Marin. I first went there in high school with my car at the time, and you couldn't wish for a better shop overall, from the quality to the customer treatment.

In going back now, it has been a good 6-7 years since then, and it definitely is a different shop now; the aftermarket car audio business has really taken a dive with how hard it is to change out a head unit and all that. I wasn't that pleased at first to be honest, because I felt like they were trying to steer me towards merely the most expensive option for the install. In fact, for a day or two I was of the mind I wasn't even going to do this and recommend them. However, they really made up for a couple customer-service mistakes they made, especially after I gave them the go-ahead on the custom install option.

I'd be happy to show you in-person, especially at one of the up-coming meets. For now, I'll post some good pics so everyone can get an idea.

you may feel it is the best equipment but it is not. They make subs that boom.

And for you, is this an attempt at a coherent thought? If by saying "they make subs that boom," you mean they make subs that rock your fuckin' skull, then I agree with you! Perhaps maybe suggest what you feel is best, and we'll see.....but if your response begins with a K and ends with an -icker, I'm gonna kick YOU.

[M Style S]

I have 2 12 inch pioneer premiers sitting in my garage waiting to be installed...But im only going to put one of them in my car and sell the other.

[Curt941]

I think what he was saying is yeah, they make subs that have alot of thump, but the sound quality might not be as good.

And there was a pretty good audi thread, i'll dig it up. A guy had a custom harness made for his stock headunit and was able to get a nice clean output signal that he could send to his amps, if I find it i'll post it. It was a great read.

[B7A4Sport]

I think what he was saying is yeah, they make subs that have alot of thump, but the sound quality might not be as good.

And there was a pretty good audi thread, i'll dig it up. A guy had a custom harness made for his stock headunit and was able to get a nice clean output signal that he could send to his amps, if I find it i'll post it. It was a great read.

First off, real quick, was that me? lol. I just did a similar post, and have been actively trying to help out others who either want that harness, or adaptors to be able to direct-wire an iPod or other MP3 player to the stock head unit as well.

That was my point in my 1st description of JL - that W7 puts out THE most quality, clean, crisp, on-time and yet loud bass I've ever heard, period. I've heard a LOT of setups, from Eclipse, to Alpine, to Pioneer, and I even used to have Fosgate; the Eclipse is really the only system I've heard that compares on an overall loudness-while-still-quality level. If I don't give anything away, most people think it's 2 subwoofers until I show 'em its one little 10! It can pound and hold those low bass tones, as well as kick those rock drum-hits, and all the while you can throw on some house or techno and it'll keep up with any beat you throw at it.

Altho, JL is now going away from bigger-is-better, and making a new line of extremely slim and sleath speakers. Really, if this guy is trying to slam JL from a sound-quality standpoint, that's all I really need to hear..........

[bcramer]

Search for TJHUB. He did a very well done install using some real quality equipment. He also did it himself saving tons of money.

I feel bad for people who take their cars to shops to have them worked on for audio/video...it's really quite simple.

First off, real quick, was that me? lol. I just did a similar post, and have been actively trying to help out others who either want that harness, or adaptors to be able to direct-wire an iPod or other MP3 player to the stock head unit as well.

That was my point in my 1st description of JL - that W7 puts out THE most quality, clean, crisp, on-time and yet loud bass I've ever heard, period. I've heard a LOT of setups, from Eclipse, to Alpine, to Pioneer, and I even used to have Fosgate; the Eclipse is really the only system I've heard that compares on an overall loudness-while-still-quality level. If I don't give anything away, most people think it's 2 subwoofers until I show 'em its one little 10! It can pound and hold those low bass tones, as well as kick those rock drum-hits, and all the while you can throw on some house or techno and it'll keep up with any beat you throw at it.

Altho, JL is now going away from bigger-is-better, and making a new line of extremely slim and sleath speakers. Really, if this guy is trying to slam JL from a sound-quality standpoint, that's all I really need to hear..........

I hope that you realize there is so much more to a quality install than the components being used. As the old saying goes, 10% equipment 90% install. People can take less than great equipment, install and tune it correctly and you would be amazed at the results. The most expensive gear does not mean the best gear.

While JL makes some quality stuff, it is by no means the highest quality in any facet of car audio. Whether your're talking about SPL or SQ JL just doesn't make the cut.

[Quattro]

Making custom enclosures is not as very simple, the average person will more than likely not be able to make a mold, fiberglass it hell even build it to spec for the sub. Making a sub box that will give you the highest amount of output is difficult to make. JL Audio subs require specific dimensions for their boxes with sufficient mdf(wood) thickness for the boxes. W7 have a very high output a cheap box will break EASY, trust me I know.

I am curious to see how they are making the box in your car, I have removed my side panels and although there is space, I think the sub will stick out a lot, but still maintaining trunk space, which I think you are aiming for?

Make sure they dynamat the spare tire place and the panels behind where the umm trunk pops up from. Rattling occurs very frequently around those places.


good luck on your install and post pics when its done, I am egar to see the end results. My sub takes up most of my trunk, I wanted to make a side panel box just no way a 12" or 13" will fit properly and have the output that the sub is suppose to give. I figured a 10" would have the same results...

[GEkido]

I think what he was saying is yeah, they make subs that have alot of thump, but the sound quality might not be as good.

And there was a pretty good audi thread, i'll dig it up. A guy had a custom harness made for his stock headunit and was able to get a nice clean output signal that he could send to his amps, if I find it i'll post it. It was a great read.

I agree with you on the subs not having a good sound quality but that's because people just do the install without actually having something to tone down the power the amp puts out. I never really considered upgrading the sound a "true mod" (well maybe when I do the RNS-E and interior speakers) but since you started the thread, here are some pics of what I had done. Nothing really major, just a MTX10 being powered by a RFamp. I had the level control put in the glove box. here a some pics.

[B7A4Sport]

Making custom enclosures is not as very simple, the average person will more than likely not be able to make a mold, fiberglass it hell even build it to spec for the sub.

Hey Bcramer, last time I checked I didn't have a mold of an A4's rear trunk section in my garage......and for the record, on my last car I DID do all of the install work myself with the same equipment going in to this project. Forgive me if I'm not to as eager to take my tool-lacking, fairly unexperienced hands to an A4's beautiful interior..........but don't sit here acting like anyone who considers getting stereo upgrades should also install 'em themselves, or like you know me and why I'm having a shop do it.....

I perhaps got ahead of myself when I said JL is the best hands-down; I guess I assumed people would hold that to regular-market audio equipment. Sure, when you start talking about competition-level, there are higher output choices, but when it comes to classy, powerful, consumer-level bass, JL takes the cake for me. It's an opinion, we can both have our own.

[Sanjman]

Search for TJHUB. He did a very well done install using some real quality equipment. He also did it himself saving tons of money.

I feel bad for people who take their cars to shops to have them worked on for audio/video...it's really quite simple.



I hope that you realize there is so much more to a quality install than the components being used. As the old saying goes, 10% equipment 90% install. People can take less than great equipment, install and tune it correctly and you would be amazed at the results. The most expensive gear does not mean the best gear.

While JL makes some quality stuff, it is by no means the highest quality in any facet of car audio. Whether your're talking about SPL or SQ JL just doesn't make the cut.

i think the subject of this thread is more about subs than midrange/tweeters

[bcramer]

Hey Bcramer, last time I checked I didn't have a fiberglass mold press in my garage......and for the record, on my last car I DID do all of the install work myself with the same equipment going in to this project. Forgive me if I'm not to as eager to take my tool-lacking, fairly unexperienced hands to an A4's beautiful interior..........but don't sit here acting like anyone who considers getting stereo upgrades should also install 'em themselves.....

Since when does anyone need a fiberglass mold press to make a custom enlcosure. Most people do it the old fashioned way, with MDF and laying the figerglass themselves.

That's good that you did the install yourself on your last car! You saved a bunch of money and most likely did a better job than most shops would do.

Also, I think that anyone with any sort of DIY spirit and a willingness to learn should do the car audio/video work themselves. As long as you heed the warnings that people give you and don't do anything you're not sure about you will be fine and learn a lot about your car.

i think the subject of this thread is more about subs than midrange/tweeters

He installed one of the DIYMA Reference 12s in a custom fiberglass enclosure in the exact spot the OP is having his installed.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ighlight=tjhub Scroll down and you will see pictures of his build.

[Quattro]

why did you quote me and address someone else? aiming that towards me??


I also think that car audio/video is not difficult, but not many people have the tools nor the belief in themselves to do such work. If you had an old school car, that would be easier, but a newer car not so much...thats what I think atleast

[channad]

I remember the old system in my Integra...3 JL 12w-6s...rockford fosgate, 900 watts RMS in the trunk...yikes! False floor, fibergalss enclosures built into the spare tire well. Damn that was awesome! Definitely pay to have a custom box built.

[Curt941]

TJHub is the guy i was thinking about who did a SQ install in his A4.

[M Style S]

Im sure most of you know this but dynomatting helps out a lot on the quality of the bass.

[B7A4Sport]

Oh not at all Quattro, I posted your quote to back up my thoughts that not everyone has the ability nor the means to do this level of custom work. You've had my back on this thread, don't think I didn't notice

I think when everyone sees the pics, you'll all understand why I didn't attempt this DIY style. Just as an update, spoke again with the folks at the shop and they're gonna for sure be done today! The whistles go w00000000

[Quattro]

=D cant wait to see it

hell i know electrical and rather have my buddy who installs do it all =D

[B7A4Sport]

So, I was just provided with a great reason to back up bcramer's mentality about installs............

Shop just called and said they need the car ONE more night to finish the bass gain knob install and grounding wiring. Thus, pics obviously won't be up 'till tomorrow, but they'll FOR SURE be there. This will make 6 days total of the car being worked on, OYE; at least I know they're doing it right, though.

Sorry, all, you'll have to join in my anxiousness until then, hah!

[bcramer]

So, I was just provided with a great reason to back up bcramer's mentality about installs............

Shop just called and said they need the car ONE more night to finish the bass gain knob install and grounding wiring. Thus, pics obviously won't be up 'till tomorrow, but they'll FOR SURE be there. This will make 6 days total of the car being worked on, OYE; at least I know they're doing it right, though.

Sorry, all, you'll have to join in my anxiousness until then, hah!

Haha, even when I do my own installs my car is sometimes out of commission for a few days at a time. I'm hoping that when I get the A4 this summer that is doesn't provide me with a lot of issues when it comes to doing the audio upgrade.

I'm excited to see your install and the work that the shop does.

You'll have to update us on how the w7 integrates with your front stage and rear fill if you use it.

[Sharkfin]

subscribed...cant wait to see it either! i really want to upgrade my system as well

[Lunar50]

JL equipment is solid. The amps are strong and provide plenty of power. That is all an amp needs to do. If the power supply is stable and the amp isn't straining then it's all good. The subs are rock solid and move plenty of air, no issue there. Speakers are always an argument. People just like different sounds and buy into the press about high end equipment. Theoretically better and actually hearing a difference are two different things.

Why do you say this "For the audio signal, it is always recommended that you merely tap in to the wiring for the stock sub, rather than either splicing it or re-running to get the signal directly from the head unit to the amp" ?

[B7A4Sport]

Why do you say this "For the audio signal, it is always recommended that you merely tap in to the wiring for the stock sub, rather than either splicing it or re-running to get the signal directly from the head unit to the amp" ?

My research has shown me that doing either option besides tapping off the wiring results in problems with the audio signal quality. Apparently, there's some component of the system's signal output that gets screwed up when you clip/sever the wiring to the stock subwoofer and try to use it for an aftermarket speaker.

I've also heard nightmare stories about going all the way up to the head-unit for the signal, but it seems some people are also able to do this successfully. My research was confirmed when I dropped the car off, and one of the workers brought up the very same method of tapping the wiring without my having to say anything. If it were up to me, the stock sub would be gone to give me a nice air passage to the cabin. They've done B7 A4's before though, so I have confidence in their judgement.

[Lunar50]

So are they catching the high level signals at the sub and feeding your sub amp?

[B7A4Sport]

So are they catching the high level signals at the sub and feeding your sub amp?

If I'm understanding your terminology correctly, no they won't be catching any high-level signals if you mean "the highs" that are meant for the speakers/tweeters. They are capturing the signal after the stock cross-overs/other sound processors tune it for bass output.


If by high level signal you mean high output, as in strong, then yes this is the ideal way to get the most powerful signal SPECIFICALLY when keeping the rest of the system stock.

If you went and gutted the whole thing and took out the Symphony head unit, I'm sure these requirements go out the window.

Pics will come today!

[Zebman]

I tore my Scion apart, it was just like legos. I know my Audi won't be anything like it, but I am excited to do it myself nonetheless. Audio won't be for a year or two though.

[Quattro]

you didnt remove your stock sub? I am sure the shop will remove it. I removed mine the same week i got the car haha

[Kid Red]

Just to chime in with my two cents (though not worth much) JL makes nice stuff, solid stuff, but because their stuff is so overpriced there are better options. I'm quite happy with my TC-Sounds sub(now audiopulse?) I'm going to install it into my new A4 and I'm hear searching for install tips. I have no idea the ideal location to run power. I assuming (hoping) that I can tap the stock rear amp for remote on and I have a David Navone LOC that I was going to use to tap from the rear OEM sub.

So if I tap the OEM sub and disconnect it I won't have input/sound? Or where is the ideal place (in the trunk ideally) to tap?

Does 4g power run along the door jams without issue? I hope the jams come off easily.

[Quattro]

kid red, I am running 0 gauge...pain in the ass running but works ok. I had 4 gauge no problem....

just be careful removing some of the side panels as the clips can break easy.

to tap, you can use the rear speakers for sub power...I didnt keep the stock amp....so I cant tell you if remote is there...I actually bypassed the stock amp to run my 2 other amps...

I wouldnt recommend running stock sub and aftermarket sub, you figure you will blow your stock sub and the bass would not sound the way you would want...but that is what I thought and removed the stock sub. Stock sub is decent for stock speakers not if you are going to run something better than stock. I say remove it!!!

[joec500]

would you mind sharing the approx cost and how long they kept your car for...Labor only...


thanks!

[B7A4Sport]

bump for my pics since I didnt see Joe's post

[4RingRook]

I really like it man! It's clean, and I like the protective grill. + for no real lost space. Makes me think about adding a sub again......

[cfujikawa]

room for a golf bag, a must looks nice and clean!

[B7A4Sport]

room for a golf bag, a must looks nice and clean!

Dude, how insane are the things we do for our game? lol


Thanks for the props so far guys! I'll get more pics soon for sure.

[Rotond0000]

hahaa space!? WHO NEEDS IT!


lol seriosuly i love your setup tho...the W7 is greattt!!!!

enjoy!