New Stereo

[BFLAN]

So I kept the stock HU, prob change later down the road.

Used an Audiocontrol Lx7 (under driver's seat) to get the signal from factory HU. Going to an Alpine PDX5 (under passenger seat). That is powering Focal 6.5 components in front, 6.5 Focal coaxs in the rear doors, and a 12" Fosgate P3 in rear. Box is fiberglass covered in vinyl.

I think it came out good, wish the box was a little shallower, but it had to come out that far to make room for the magnet of the sub.

Sounds great!!!

 

[BFLAN]

Looks good. When are you going to get that thing dirty and go offroading?

Ha!!!!!

I know right. Been up to Kelly Flats, and 7 mile. That is it so far. We need to get together and do something!

 

[4ShoreRunner]

That looks awesome!! How do you like that amp? I was just about to pull the trigger on that exact model.

Awesome fiberglass skills too, I am designing a similar set-up for the cargo area, but to hold the amp...this will be my first attempt at fiberglass

 

[I AM SAM]

Looking good!

 

[4Funnr]

Looks awesome!

Did you stick the component tweeters up top in the dash or in the door next to the component woofers?

 

[ougrad1]

That looks awesome!! How do you like that amp? I was just about to pull the trigger on that exact model.

Awesome fiberglass skills too, I am designing a similar set-up for the cargo area, but to hold the amp...this will be my first attempt at fiberglass

I use to have that amp since I was looking for a class D for smaller footprint and to save some money since it was so much cheaper than the JL HD. That said, it was honestly the worst amp I've ever owned. If you like clarity and good bass, that is not the amp to get. It's birth sheet will state some 400+ watts for the sub channel but it was weak compared to the JL HD900 that I ended up biting the bullet to buy the HD...awesome, awesome amp. JL just came out with some cheaper 'X' line that are class D amps and a little smaller than the HD and even those seem to be better.

If you can somehow return your purchase and buy even a used JL, you will not be disappointing unless you're not a SQ guy and more of a SPL. Even then, I was not impressed. FYI, the rest of my equipment is in my sig...honestly, just trying to help and not trying to degrade your choice...good luck with your setup.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

I use to have that amp since I was looking for a class D for smaller footprint and to save some money since it was so much cheaper than the JL HD. That said, it was honestly the worst amp I've ever owned. If you like clarity and good bass, that is not the amp to get. It's birth sheet will state some 400+ watts for the sub channel but it was weak compared to the JL HD900 that I ended up biting the bullet to buy the HD...awesome, awesome amp. JL just came out with some cheaper 'X' line that are class D amps and a little smaller than the HD and even those seem to be better.

If you can somehow return your purchase and buy even a used JL, you will not be disappointing unless you're not a SQ guy and more of a SPL. Even then, I was not impressed. FYI, the rest of my equipment is in my sig...honestly, just trying to help and not trying to degrade your choice...good luck with your setup.

Thanks for the input!! I haven't purchased it yet...I appreciate you saving me the time/money. I have to admit the smaller footprint was a major factor, but I don't want to sacrifice clarity. I'm not a huge, huge audiophile - I def couldn't afford the Focal stuff, but I was really disappointed coming from my past vehicle to this, and my Element only had the factory "upgraded" stereo.

--BFLAN I'm still interested to hear how you feel about the Alpine

 

[4Funnr]

Also, did your components have a separate crossover unit? If so, where did you mount those?

 

[BFLAN]

That looks awesome!! How do you like that amp? I was just about to pull the trigger on that exact model.

Awesome fiberglass skills too, I am designing a similar set-up for the cargo area, but to hold the amp...this will be my first attempt at fiberglass

Love the amp so far. Everyone I have ever talked to loves these things. Sounds great.

 

[BFLAN]

Looks awesome!

Did you stick the component tweeters up top in the dash or in the door next to the component woofers?

Dash, in the stock location.

 

[BFLAN]

I use to have that amp since I was looking for a class D for smaller footprint and to save some money since it was so much cheaper than the JL HD. That said, it was honestly the worst amp I've ever owned. If you like clarity and good bass, that is not the amp to get. It's birth sheet will state some 400+ watts for the sub channel but it was weak compared to the JL HD900 that I ended up biting the bullet to buy the HD...awesome, awesome amp. JL just came out with some cheaper 'X' line that are class D amps and a little smaller than the HD and even those seem to be better.

If you can somehow return your purchase and buy even a used JL, you will not be disappointing unless you're not a SQ guy and more of a SPL. Even then, I was not impressed. FYI, the rest of my equipment is in my sig...honestly, just trying to help and not trying to degrade your choice...good luck with your setup.

I hear ya no worries. Weird though cause you are the 1st negative comment I have heard about Alpine PDX amps. Everyone runs them here and loves them. Maybe you just got a bad one?

No doubt the JL HD is also a good amp, but everyone I talked to recomended the Alpine.

 

[BFLAN]

Also, did your components have a separate crossover unit? If so, where did you mount those?

Yes they did, put them in the front doors by the front speakers.

 

[philo]

Yes they did, put them in the front doors by the front speakers.

What was the original audio system you started with (HU and speakers?)

 

[BFLAN]

What was the original audio system you started with (HU and speakers?)

Stock, no upgrades, no JBL.

 

[4ShoreRunner]

BFLAN,

What did you do with the air ducts under the driver/passenger seats?

I ended up going with a Rockford Fosgate amp bc it was on sale but am nervous mounting it under there with the heater on during the winter months. I don't want to overheat it, will that be an issue?

 

[BFLAN]

BFLAN,

What did you do with the air ducts under the driver/passenger seats?

I ended up going with a Rockford Fosgate amp bc it was on sale but am nervous mounting it under there with the heater on during the winter months. I don't want to overheat it, will that be an issue?

I hear ya. I have not done anything yet. Going to try and just move ducts over amp, so they are sitting on top and will blow air above and out. Not sure if that will work either in the end. Not to worried about it right now, until it starts getting colder. I will post a thread when I figure something out. Or if you figure it out sooner, I will copy you !

 

[ougrad1]

I hear ya no worries. Weird though cause you are the 1st negative comment I have heard about Alpine PDX amps. Everyone runs them here and loves them. Maybe you just got a bad one?

No doubt the JL HD is also a good amp, but everyone I talked to recomended the Alpine.

That's funny you mentioned that but I actually took the original back because I was sure I got a bad amp but no, that amp just does a poor job of SQ. I also need to clarify, I had last year's version of the PDX5 and not the new one that came out this past spring. I would not be surprised if Alpine addressed some of the original PDX5's shortcomings.

Those PDX5 were highly recommended for me too as they were the cheapest class D, small footprint solution out there. I was told, "you can't hear the difference in the noise floor issue of the PDX5 so don't worry." Wrong! If you are able to compare the two amps at a store like car toys, you will hear a definitive difference.

If you guys end up wanting to do some research on any amps, go to diymobileaudio.com and search on 'PDX5' and it will return all you need to know about those amps too...my example is from personal experience.

Either way, sound is subjective and if it sounds good to you, that's all that matters. I'm happy you're happy with your choice that's what's most important. You're definitely right in upgrading your sound s the stock is crap.

 

[baller315gam]

BFLAN,

I'm looking to do something very similar, adding a shallow 10" sub and amp. Would you have any interest in fabbing one of these vinyl-covered boxes, same size/color/location as what you've made yourself. Never done fiberglass before, not looking to try as it would end up like this :redbrick: I'd obv pay for materials, shipping, labor. PM me if you are at all interested!

 

[BFLAN]

Hey Baller,

I actually did not build the box. I had a shop here do it because they only charged me like $200! There is no way that I could have built it for that much. Plus like you know, fiberglass is no fun!

 

[mag10]

box

$200 is a great deal BFLAN!

Did you have to cut into the rear panel or did the box design fit up in the panel w/out deconstructing anything; ie: the divider/middle plastic molding in the far right rear corner (if that makes sense)?

Though it sticks out a little as you noted, it still looks really clean and is exactly what I'm after. Much cheaper than a "JL Stealth" box.