The Runner is getting new TUNES!!

[Dirt4dinner]

I consider myself the KING of good deals, and I think I might have outdone myself this time!

A story before getting to the story: A few months ago I met a lady through work, that is an executive for Diamond Audio/ Cerwin-Vega. She told me when I met her, that if I ever wanted a deal on their products to let her know. I didn't think much of it at the time....now fast forward about 4 months to last week.

I was cruising off to work in rush hour, and a GREAT song came on (I can't recall which one), and I went to crank my tunes, and it sounds like CRAP! I have a fairly new, nice JVC stereo with HD-Radio...and it's a bummer when I can't turn it up loud without distortion. So I came home and told my wife for my birthday I wanted a subwoofer to get more bass.

I went down to a car audio store and told the guy I just wanted clean bass and that was it. He recommended a Diamond Audio 10" sub and an amp....total price was about $400 out the door. I almost crapped...that was out of my budget, but the name Diamond Audio rang a bell!

I went home and decided to email the lady that I had met. SHE HOOKED ME UP BIG TIME! I got a 10" sub, 500W amp, and new front door speakers for less than half of the quoted price at the car audio store.

I won't mention price, but it was basically buying wholesale direct from Diamond.

So here is the stash. I picked up the sealed "downfiring" box at a local store, and it's pretty cool....it can't tip over when wheeling and it protects the sub from my dog and gear that's in the back. It's going in the 4Runner on Friday, and I can't wait!!!

 

[Sloan]

haven't really heard much about diamond? do they make some good stuff? looks good though. are you going to install them yourself?

 

[Dirt4dinner]

I am going to step out on a limb here, and risk being torn up by car audio guys. I am under the impression that Diamond is one of the nicest brands on the market...I have heard that from a few different guys. There stuff isn't available at your major chain places, it's only sold through higher end car audio shops. With that said, the quality looks perfect in my opinion, and the retail prices are indicating they think pretty highly of their products.

I don't have a clue how to install it, however I have buddy who used to do car stereo competitions when he was younger. He is going to do the install for me. He even has all the necessary wires and what not ready to go. He picked out the products that I bought. I don't know enough to about this stuff to have a clue as to what I wanted. I just knew I wanted to be able to turn the volume WAY up without distortion. He assures me this setup will accomplish that. I will get some photos of the install.

 

[Bigrupp]

Looks nice

Looks like a decent set up. Should definitely give you a little more bump. I don't know anything about Diamond though. Let us know what you think when you get it all put in.

 

[Ron Helmuth]

drool drool

I can't wait to see how this turns out.

I had never seen a down firing enclosure like that. Like you, my subwoofer needs protection from the frisky dog in back, and that looks to be a good solution.

Way to go-you got some nice friends!

 

[Fo_SheeZy]

Your audio is going to be pretty pimp! Although I've never heard of Diamond, you'll have to tell me how they sound!

 

[KU_MechE]

I've heard nothing but great reviews on Diamond. Good choice.

 

[XJeepguy]

Damn !! What are the dimensions of that box ? It looks huge . I notice a lot of people are nervous about thier pets and stuff flying around thier subs in the back . Am I the only one who points thier subs into the back seat ?

 

[Wombatsaw]

Diamond is a good company. Im sure you'll be happy with the system and a great deal to. Im amazed at how much the audio shops mark up the speakers and amps. I've always been able to hook up with Rockford for the about 1/3 of the cost. Helps there HQ is in Tempe.

 

[Dirt4dinner]

Diamond Audio is in Chandler. I live in Mesa...so Arizona has a few audio companies. MTX is down on baseline in South Phoenix too.

The box is one cubic foot. It's not huge...but it's not small. I don't consider it to be abnormal for a single 10" sub. I will scoot it off to one side, and I will make sure that I can take it out when I need the space back.

I am doing the install tomorrow, I will bring the camera and get some photos.

 

[ruinit3]

Damn !! What are the dimensions of that box ? It looks huge . I notice a lot of people are nervous about thier pets and stuff flying around thier subs in the back . Am I the only one who points thier subs into the back seat ?

When I had my Celica, I put the back seats down and had my subs facing forward. Worked out pretty well. It's preference and you get a little different sound.

In my runner, my subs face back and I have grills over my two 12's. I'm getting a dog soon but won't be too worried about him flying around back there.

 

[Dirt4dinner]

Alright it's all done. It took about 4 hours to get it all buttoned up. I am VERY happy with the way it turned out. The system sounds phenomenal! I wasn't going for heart stopping bass, I wanted super crisp, very loud sound with ZERO distortion...and I got it. You can turn this thing up until your ears hurt and it sounds crystal clear. The bass will rattle everything in the car, and in the houses next door if I crank it up too. So it's all there in abundance.

The install was super easy to be honest. The door speakers mounted right up into the factory spot, the amp fit like a glove under the seat, and we were able to leave all of the adjustments right there easy to access from the left side of the driver seat when the door is open. I used a Rockford Fosgate 8guage Amp Installation Kit, and it was very nicely put together. That kit made this a breeze. Here are the photos.

Here it is at the height of disassembled.

Getting the door speakers put in.

We had to prop up one corner of the amp because of the contour of the floor. We cut a small piece of wood and screwed it down to the floor, then screwed the amp to it. Kind of ghetto...but you can't see it and it was the perfect height.

Amp mounted.

Wiring was tricky. We disconnected all the factory wires to the door speakers, and ran the new front doors through the amp and didn't do anything with the back doors. So there are no active speakers in the back doors.

Driver door done.

With the seat back in.

You can hardly see the amp when the seat is slide back.

The box.

The sub.

 

[rollingthunder]

yeah Diamond is good stuff so you hooked up your amp tri-way two channels bridged for the sub and the other two channels for your front door speakers? and no rear door speakers I bet it does sound loud and clear all with one amp...

 

[Dirt4dinner]

That's exactly how we did it. I haven't sat in the back seat yet and listened to it....but it sure sounds good from my throne behind the wheel (and that's all that matters)