Allroad with Nexus 7 and JL 6-Channel Amp Build

[LakeTahoeQuattr]

This thread was originated here.

I have decided that I am going to install a nexus 7 in place of the stock deck unit and run the speakers from the JL 6-Channel Amp. This would be easier than some of the builds I have seen where they use a radio replacement module. My car does not have Bose, nor steering wheel controls so I do not need a module to make any of that work. I am new to the car audio install scene, however I think that this is the best way to get the best sound, and have future ability to upgrade the speakers.

Also, am I able to replace the door speakers and keep the door tweeters? What would be a good replacement for the door tweeters? Do I need anything further to interface between the nexus 7(stereo output) and the jl amp such as a crossover or something? As mentioned in the C5 forum, with a non bose system, does the stock deck unit power the front speakers, and trunk amp powers rear four speakers and sub?

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance, sorry for all the noob questions.

[vlangs]

sub'd I'd be looking for the Steering Wheel controls on mine!

[MooseWhip]

I have a similar set up in my b5 sedan. I have the tablet>ground loop isolator>3.5mm to rca>RCA's into amp. I get good sound quality for the components I have (not staticy) ATM I only have it ran into my sub's (still working on the speakers as I have Bose and get interference, so I think I'm just going to replace the stock with aftermarket speakers and wire and be done with it)
But when I do hook up the speakers from the factory radio connector all 4 door speakers and both tweeters work
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk 2

[naiku]

Do I need anything further to interface between the nexus 7(stereo output) and the jl amp such as a crossover or something?

Does your JL amp have onboard crossover settings? If so then you don't need anything special between the Nexus 7 and the amp. You can just run a 3.5mm to RCA from the Nexus to the amp. I would recommend looking into a USB DAC though, I run one and along with the improvement in sound, it means only having to run a single cable up to where the Nexus sits.

sub'd I'd be looking for the Steering Wheel controls on mine!

Look into the Joycon EXR. I have one and it works perfectly with my B7 A4 steering wheel controls, I need to tweak it some for more advanced function (specifically voice control) but basic functions work fine. Play/pause, mute, volume up/down, track fwd/back.

Good luck OP, looking forward to how your progress. I have had the Nexus in my A4 for a few months now and love it.

[LakeTahoeQuattr]

I have this amp: JL 6-Channel Amp . It does have crossover settings for LPF and HPF. It has 6 input channels. Should I should just split the two rca outputs from the nexus into these 6 with some sort of splitter?

Naiku, your Nexus install was one of the diy that provoked my inspiration to start this project, it looks awesome. Im glad it worked out nicely for you. What did you use to dim the console at night, etc?

I am going to be using this double din face plate found made by Enfig

[naiku]

I have this amp: JL 6-Channel Amp . It does have crossover settings for LPF and HPF. It has 6 input channels. Should I should just split the two rca outputs from the nexus into these 6 with some sort of splitter?

No need to split the RCA outputs from the Nexus, just set the amp input mode to 2 channel. You will still get 6 channels of output from it, the amp will split the signal itself.

What did you use to dim the console at night, etc?

Nothing, I can't remember the brightness level I have by default, but in the display settings is an option to sleep (its worded kind of funny, because the Nexus, nor screen actually go to sleep). I have mine set to "sleep" after 30 seconds which dims the screen, it's perfectly readable during the day and not over bearing bright at night either. As soon as I touch the screen, the brightness increases. I suspect it does not actually go to sleep, because I have the option set to never turn off the screen checked under developer options. If I remember to later tonight, I will take a picture with it on in the dark from inside and outside the car to give you an idea of how bright it is.

I also have a matte screen protector and a mostly black background, so that may help cut down on any brightness as well.

[LakeTahoeQuattr]

Ok awsome. So I saw after reading the manual that I can put it in two channel mode to split the stereo. Dumb question. So I have another question. I thought for a while that I needed a 6 channel amp because I had 6 speakers in my allroad. Do you know, do I just have the 4 door speakers (Not including HP tweeters) plus the sub = 5 speakers?

A six channel amp would then work perfectly because I can bride channel 5 & 6 to an aftermarket sub. Is the same way you did your setup?

Also, I did read thru your build thread last night. Using a MS8, that gives you fader/balance/ eq control control? With my planned method, I will not get any balance or fader control. Do you know of any UBS-DACs that have this ability or any ROMS that I can do this with?

[naiku]

Ok awsome. So I saw after reading the manual that I can put it in two channel mode to split the stereo. Dumb question. So I have another question. I thought for a while that I needed a 6 channel amp because I had 6 speakers in my allroad. Do you know, do I just have the 4 door speakers (Not including HP tweeters) plus the sub = 5 speakers?

A six channel amp would then work perfectly because I can bride channel 5 & 6 to an aftermarket sub. Is the same way you did your setup?

Correct, you have 4 speakers and the sub, and then the 4 tweeters. If you are getting new component speakers, then you can just use the crossovers that come with them to handle the tweeters. Which means your 6 channel amp will work nicely. I run 2 amplifiers, a 4 channel and a mono amp. I also use the MS8's internal amp.

Using a MS8, that gives you fader/balance/ eq control control? With my planned method, I will not get any balance or fader control. Do you know of any UBS-DACs that have this ability or any ROMS that I can do this with?

Yes the MS8 gives me those options, but I have never used them. But that is because when setting up the MS8 it uses a microphone and time correction etc to set the sound up. I don't know of anything off the top of my head that would give you the fader option, but the ROM I use has some EQ app available (I have never used it, no need) and I am sure you can get something to handle balance. I doubt you could find anything for a fade though, but you could use the gain setting on your amp for a pseudo fader. Just set channels 3+4 at a lower gain than 1+2, assuming you would have 3+4 as the rear speakers.

[LakeTahoeQuattr]

Ok great, thats what I concluded as well. So on your build you mentioned that we needed this:


I do not have any radio buttons on my steering wheel, and really no reason for my car to connect so I do not need this correct? My plan was to rip out all the speaker wires and run them in a new path directly to the 6CH amp in the rear. 2 wires should already be in the amp in the rear I just need to run the wires from the front doors to the rear. Like I mentioned, I am just going to get a $35 volume remote that plugs into the JL amp.

Your running a sub with a separate amp. For my setup, will ~150-200 watts from channels 5&6 be enough for a mid grade 8" woofer?

[naiku]

Correct, you have no real need for that harness, as long as you can easily find a switchable 12v source from somewhere to provide power to the Nexus (I can't recommend the DCDC-USB enough, it made it very simple to run USB hub and power the Nexus via OTG cable).

As long as you don't want insane bass, I think 150-200 to a decent 8" woofer should be OK. I used to run 300W to a 10" and it was plenty for me.

[kegobeer]

I can't recommend the DCDC-USB enough, it made it very simple to run USB hub and power the Nexus via OTG cable.

I've had one laying around in my garage for over 2 years now, it works great for powering Atom powered motherboards, too. There are a lot of great automotive power supplies out there for a host of different car computer applications. I had a custom car computer + touchscreen in my 99 Grand Marquis - it was a lot of fun putting everything together and being the only guy around with a full fledged computer instead of a standard head unit, lol.

I have a soon-to-be-put-aside Nexus 7, and an A4 in desperate need of a sound system upgrade - I think I'll follow your lead and use it instead of plunking down a few hundred bucks on a good head unit.

[naiku]

I've had one laying around in my garage for over 2 years now, it works great for powering Atom powered motherboards, too. There are a lot of great automotive power supplies out there for a host of different car computer applications. I had a custom car computer + touchscreen in my 99 Grand Marquis - it was a lot of fun putting everything together and being the only guy around with a full fledged computer instead of a standard head unit, lol.

I have a soon-to-be-put-aside Nexus 7, and an A4 in desperate need of a sound system upgrade - I think I'll follow your lead and use it instead of plunking down a few hundred bucks on a good head unit.

It's a really cool thing to have in the car, I thought about a carputer but went with the Nexus in the end. The Nexus is great, and if something catastrophic goes wrong with it, its a pretty cheap replacement. Make sure you post pics of your install, I am still trying to figure out a better way to mount mine securely, and make it easily removable.

[LakeTahoeQuattr]

I want the nexus mostly because I want the torque app for my boost gauge. I dont want to put one of those boost gauges in my vents like everyone else. Plus I am an electrical engineer so this stuff is fun.

I am going to replace all the door speakers with some 6.5" ones plus a mild sub I think there will be plenty of bass.

[kegobeer]

I want the nexus mostly because I want the torque app for my boost gauge. I dont want to put one of those boost gauges in my vents like everyone else. Plus I am an electrical engineer so this stuff is fun.

I am going to replace all the door speakers with some 6.5" ones plus a mild sub I think there will be plenty of bass.

I'm going with Rockford Fosgate 6.5 inch components for the doors, and a Pioneer 8 in shallow free air sub that will replace the stock sub. I have a free air sub in my Grand Marquis, and it sounds good enough for me, so that's why I decided on another one for the Audi. The only thing I haven't decided on is the amp.

[kegobeer]

It's a really cool thing to have in the car, I thought about a carputer but went with the Nexus in the end. The Nexus is great, and if something catastrophic goes wrong with it, its a pretty cheap replacement. Make sure you post pics of your install, I am still trying to figure out a better way to mount mine securely, and make it easily removable.

Once I start I'll be taking pics along the way to document it. I think my build thread is still up at mp3car.com for my last install, if you want to take a look at it. Same username - kegobeer.

[LakeTahoeQuattr]

That Pioneer 8" free air is perfect. Good call, that is the one I will get too. It is also 120w rms and well priced so perfect.

[kegobeer]

I'm looking at using one of these for the mount:

http://www.mo-co-so.com/2nd-Gen-Byby...yb-bbn-usb.htm



Pair that with a standard double din installation kit, then replace the bezel with a hard rubber back protector case that the Nexus snaps into, and I think it would do a pretty good job.



Since the case is designed to be used with a motherboard, it has connections on the back for power/audio/usb/etc, so hard lines can be run to connect to the back, the power supply can be mounted inside the case (along with a USB DAC), and that would make installation and removal very quick and easy.

[kegobeer]

That Pioneer 8" free air is perfect. Good call, that is the one I will get too. It is also 120w rms and well priced so perfect.

Yeah, it's hard to beat for $75 - and no modifications required, just remove the old one and replace with this one.

[V1nny]

I want the nexus mostly because I want the torque app for my boost gauge. I dont want to put one of those boost gauges in my vents like everyone else. Plus I am an electrical engineer so this stuff is fun.

I am going to replace all the door speakers with some 6.5" ones plus a mild sub I think there will be plenty of bass.

have question for you: How did you get Torque to display boost? Step by step if possible..
Best door speakers for C5:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-AA6.../dp/B001C3K7I4

[LakeTahoeQuattr]

have question for you: How did you get Torque to display boost? Step by step if possible..
Best door speakers for C5:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-AA6.../dp/B001C3K7I4

You need torque pro. I am pretty sure that it is the vacuum gauge. It reads vacuum and then switches to boost. Read here for some people that encountered issues with boost not showing.
Any specific reason you like these polks. Its cool they come with tweeter replacements.

[LakeTahoeQuattr]

But now come to read further, it seems that many people have trouble with this. I have not yet officially tried it in my vehicle. My 2.8 is N/A and I just assumed it would work. I will try later this week with my 2.7t.

[V1nny]

Thanks, I do have torque pro. Please make boost work, show correct values, and post how-to..

There several reasons to like these speakers. One of them, basket is polymer, and with neodymium magnet they are extremely light. Unfortunately in C5, speaker is mounted to fairly flimsy plastic door card (not to the actual metal door, like many other audi's), so anything with heavy magnet is not a good candidate. Another reason, is 94 dB efficiency (with equal power they play at list twice louder than most). And most importantly to me, they just sound great.

[naiku]

I want the nexus mostly because I want the torque app for my boost gauge. I dont want to put one of those boost gauges in my vents like everyone else. Plus I am an electrical engineer so this stuff is fun.

I run torque on mine, love it. I typically don't keep it on all the time though, as I think the app itself seems to prevent the Nexus from sleeping properly. I have not looked into it much though since I don't typically leave the dongle plugged in, and don't run torque all the time.

I'm looking at using one of these for the mount:

Make sure you measure the opening first with that, the Nexus is bigger than a typical double DIN. I am in contact with someone about potentially making a shell to hold the Nexus. It will be pretty generic and just hold the tablet itself, but paired with a plexi box behind it may work out well.

have question for you: How did you get Torque to display boost? Step by step if possible..
Best door speakers for C5:
http://www.amazon.com/Polk-Audio-AA6.../dp/B001C3K7I4

Boost works fine for me with Torque, I need to calibrate it though as it is not 100% accurate. Pretty sure all I did was set up my vehicle profile, plug in the BT adapter and it worked.

[V1nny]

I run torque on mine, love it. ..Boost works fine for me with Torque, I need to calibrate it though as it is not 100% accurate. Pretty sure all I did was set up my vehicle profile, plug in the BT adapter and it worked.

This sounds reassuring to know boost is working for you. I will never be able to figure it out..

[kegobeer]

Yeah, the Nexus isn't going inside the case, the snap in back plate will attach to the front, and the Nexus will be outside and pretty much flush with the bezel. The same thing I was talking about doing with the plexiglass case, just a commercial version pretty much.

[naiku]

This sounds reassuring to know boost is working for you. I will never be able to figure it out..

If I remember to look at it tonight/tomorrow I will see if I can figure out how I got mine working and get back to you.

Yeah, the Nexus isn't going inside the case, the snap in back plate will attach to the front, and the Nexus will be outside and pretty much flush with the bezel. The same thing I was talking about doing with the plexiglass case, just a commercial version pretty much.

Ah ok, that makes much more sense now.

[kegobeer]

I read a few reviews on the Bybyte case - seems pretty flimsy for something that costs $50. I'm just going to fab up a plexiglass box instead. Luckily I have a sheet in the garage I used on a previous amplifier rack, so this build won't cost much, lol. I just have to nail down the measurements of the stock double din Symphony radio so I don't make it too big.