the basics remain the same irrespective of the application... that is CAR vs HomeTheater vs Music listening setup at home. first is the source and the uncompressed information it carries that can be converted and amplified to be played back in a system. Then comes the conversion (in this days mostly digital) of the source signal into analog signal that can be amplified. Then comes the EQ/Config/or-what-ever you call it that allows to achieve optimal listening experience by calibrating/configuring the system depending on the area/dimensions/placement/distance/or-many-other-parameters where the system is installed/hosted. ones' taste drives it all... that is how crazy one becomes to get the most value and satisfication from what they have :)

you are so right man. i also wonder the same but haven't really know of any consumer grade setup that comes with such a self-service type calibrator. :(

I am using a Marantz AV8802A processor at home and it does a phenomenal job at learning and automatically applying the corrections needed for my HT.

I never had any sound deadening material applied when i was using the OEMAudio+... never thought about it, and yet it sounded so good when i was playing hi-res via an external DAC via AUX in my 2019.

but this time, I spent two days in just applying the Noico mats in the door panels etc ... just so i have no regrets later. one thing for sure is that the doors (when I knock on them lol) sound solid. the quality of the door metal feels like my old 99-LTD 3rd Gen - Solid :). most car audio installers online recommended putting the mats around the speakers at least and also put Fast-rings so that no sound can escape from the speakers.... so I did that.

will know how good it it once everything is done.

Nor sure where you could mount that. Only thing that comes to mind is the center console? Depending if you have a 4wd. If you don't, next to the gear selector there is a ton of room. A vertical mount?

on a different note, why wouldn't you rather go dsp route? Helix sells modules you can add to HI-res aux in to the dsp.2 and dsp.3. Think minidsp takes an aux/toslink and spdif. They can both integrate with the factory system as well

thx. mine is an OffRoad edition so unfortunately the centre bank is full if thats what you meant by putting vertical mount where the 4Hi-4Lo shifter is. Also thought about putting everything in the trunk but that is too much wires running (power cables as well as the speaker to/from the HU area). so i think i am stuck with the centre compartment.... which would not be a bad idea... at least i can easily operate if i need to.

Maybe an amp rack from Taco Tunes. I bought it to mount my amps and HAM but haven't used it yet.

https://tacotunes.com/wp-content/upl...Amp-Rack-2.jpg

Taco Tunes also makes a 12" sub box but it's double the airspace you need. Maybe take some away with poly fill.

https://tacotunes.com/wp-content/upl...-side-view.jpg

Im not sure of your system configuration, but if you are using passive crossovers with the mid and tweeter then you wont be able to properly align and EQ the drivers separately. This is only possible with an all active setup. Meaning each speaker has its own channel on the amp. Using passive crossovers severely limits actual tuning ability.

great point and thanks for the input.

i am going with what Sony recommends from a components and connections point of view. Will be using passive cross overs however willing to draw two new wires just for the tweeters (killing the cross over module if its not optimal) to make a straight active connection. in comparison to the attached diagram, i will have identical setup for the front and the rear though. it will take me some trial-error to get everything optimally tuned. thx

Input Connections - Sony XM-GS4 Operating Instructions Manual [Page 6] | ManualsLib

Parts list....

(01) Sony RSX-GS9 Hi-Res Media Receiver Retail $2000 x Qty 1

(02) Sony XM-GS100 Sub Amp Retail $329 x Qty 1

(03) Sony XM-GS4 4 Ch Amp Retail $329 x Qty 1

(04) Sony XS-GS1621C Front and Hatch Spkr Retail $350 x Qty 2

(05) Sony XS-GS1621 Middle Spkr Retail $279 x Qty 1

(06) Sony XS-GSW121D Subwoofer Retail $169 x Qty 1

(07) For 2020, Metra 70-1765 to connect Amplified speakers back to Factory Speaker Harness

(08) For 2020, Metra 71-1765 to connect to Factory HU Speaker Out to Sony RSX-GS9

(09) any type of 12inch Subwoofer enclosure you like

(10) wires fuses etc etc

(11) other sound dead Ning material was f your choice. I used Noico 80mil for all doors

(12) Roadkill Fast rings for all speakers

(13) Metra 72-8104 Qty 6 for connecting speakers

(14) Scosche SAT6 Speakers mounting brackets Qty 2 sets

(15) Metra 82-8147 Speakers mounting brackets Qty 1 set

(16) Toyota Factory Dash tweeter adapter (eBay) For 2010+ Toyota 4Runner Tweeter Dash/Front Speaker Harness Adapter Cable (Pair) | eBay

(17) ….I may have missed some small parts so I will list in the subsequent posts.

and some more pics... 2

some more pics 3

some more pics 4

have some more pics but tired of converting them into smaller size.. lol

will try to answer any questions.

thee series of posts are covering the install only....

i will post separately on the sound quality review... first impression is just wow.... far better than my expectations.

its done. uploaded some pics for reference. will post back on the quality review after playing around with some source files (varying sound quality).

I have all the gear needed for doing a proper REW tuning so it will take me a day to tune it all

REW - Room EQ Wizard Room Acoustics Software

So uhhh, yeah, your project is a little beyond what I have in mind for upgrading my stock system next year but if you work at a car audio shop in Toronto I'd appreciate a PM on where that is as I'd rather employ someone like yourself to be peeling back my interior with this kind of expertise & familiarity than some dude who is rocking a Civic out back with the entire hatch crafted out in subs, plexiglass and LED. Not that it doesn't take skill to do that either but I'm sure you understand what I mean. Cheers...

i wish i had knew of a good shop near by that would take care of this properly but I don't; however checkout Audio Heaven, I did hear good reviews about them - speak to Jeff. they did tint on three of my 4Runners. anyways, I do architecture for living and this car thing and HTs are just hobbies.