Chuyler1's new audio install log.
- Thread starter chuyler1
- Start date
If I were going all-show I would get a piece of plexy cut. But I need a practical cover that won't get scratched when I toss groceries and luggage in the back. I'll prolly make a folding piece out of 1/2" mdf to sit on top. That way I can quickly remove it and toss it in the back seat for shows.
nice work with the amp rack, it came out really nicely.New items arrived at my doorstep this afternoon!
A Precision Power FRX-456 crossover. This is quite possibly the most robust stand-alone active crossover I have seen. I researched for over a week trying to find a cheaper alternative that would serve my purposes but I kept coming back to this. I ended up paying $110+shipping from eBay. I got screwed by one of those second-chance offer things (I should have only paid $90) but I wanted it now and there weren't any other auctions except for buy-it-now for $160.
Anyway, the crossover is capable of 6 pairs of outputs. Subwoofer, Front high/mid/low, and rear high/low. I won't be using rear speakers so that opens up some options for me. Specifically, I can use the front 3-band PEQ of my head unit for mids and highs and the rear 3-band PEQ for lows and sub.
It will compliment the DPH7500z processor nicely. THey are roughly the same size.
I also picked up 3 sets of 4-ch RCAs from KnuKonceptz. I contemplated building my own but when I saw the price of these was going to be cheaper I decided to save myself some work. I hope they don't introduce any noise into my system. One will go from the processor to the crossover. One will go from the crossover to the A5. and one will go from the crossover to the A8. Perfect!
On to other news, I also finished the subwoofer baffle build up. I'm starting to get excited about this. I can see the end! ...but I'm not looking forward to fiberglassing. It is my least favorite part, especially when I have to work inside the car.
A Precision Power FRX-456 crossover. This is quite possibly the most robust stand-alone active crossover I have seen. I researched for over a week trying to find a cheaper alternative that would serve my purposes but I kept coming back to this. I ended up paying $110+shipping from eBay. I got screwed by one of those second-chance offer things (I should have only paid $90) but I wanted it now and there weren't any other auctions except for buy-it-now for $160.
Anyway, the crossover is capable of 6 pairs of outputs. Subwoofer, Front high/mid/low, and rear high/low. I won't be using rear speakers so that opens up some options for me. Specifically, I can use the front 3-band PEQ of my head unit for mids and highs and the rear 3-band PEQ for lows and sub.
It will compliment the DPH7500z processor nicely. THey are roughly the same size.
I also picked up 3 sets of 4-ch RCAs from KnuKonceptz. I contemplated building my own but when I saw the price of these was going to be cheaper I decided to save myself some work. I hope they don't introduce any noise into my system. One will go from the processor to the crossover. One will go from the crossover to the A5. and one will go from the crossover to the A8. Perfect!
On to other news, I also finished the subwoofer baffle build up. I'm starting to get excited about this. I can see the end! ...but I'm not looking forward to fiberglassing. It is my least favorite part, especially when I have to work inside the car.
Another update. I had a sunny day on Sunday and I managed to get started on the fiberglassing. Everything went smoothly. I only ****** up one batch with a little too much hardener and I lost about 4oz of resin when it heated up to quickly.
Masking off the bottom of the tire well (two layers to be safe)
Masking the box to the tire well. I didn't bother to make a perfect fit so I used tape to fill in the gaps.
After the first layer (pretty thin)
After a few more layers (getting thicker)
The underside after I removed most of the tape.
Masking off the bottom of the tire well (two layers to be safe)
Masking the box to the tire well. I didn't bother to make a perfect fit so I used tape to fill in the gaps.
After the first layer (pretty thin)
After a few more layers (getting thicker)
The underside after I removed most of the tape.
The box looks small but it should be just under .3cuft per subwoofer. I plan to cross the subs over real low (40-60Hz) and throw 500w at them (that's alot for only 8"s). I think they'll pound out some sub 40Hz notes real strong.
Instead of adding more layers of FG I think I'm going to add some Fiberglass-reinforced-bondo instead. That will add more weight to it and hopefully reduce resonances.
Instead of adding more layers of FG I think I'm going to add some Fiberglass-reinforced-bondo instead. That will add more weight to it and hopefully reduce resonances.
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- '06 MX-5 Miata
Wow- can't wait to see the finished product. Looks awesome so far!
I've done two sets of FG kickpanels, and two basic FG sub boxes before. This is the largest project I have tackled. I'm worried about the gaps around the crossover. It doesn't look right to me but I'm not sure if I am nit-picking. There was no way to flush-mount it due to its shape so I figured I would cut the hole identical to the processor and hope for the best.
I'm also not sure how the subwoofer trim panel is going to be mounted. I bought some of those speaker-grill fasteners from PE but I don't think they will work very well with a 1/4" board. As you can see I have some holes drilled where I could fasten it with top-mount screws...but do I want screws showing on such a nice install? I don't know. I've been pondering it for a while
I'm also not sure how the subwoofer trim panel is going to be mounted. I bought some of those speaker-grill fasteners from PE but I don't think they will work very well with a 1/4" board. As you can see I have some holes drilled where I could fasten it with top-mount screws...but do I want screws showing on such a nice install? I don't know. I've been pondering it for a while
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- 92 & 16 Meyatas
chris, you concerned about heat at all? oh and it looks awesome man! i'm going to have you design mine for me, and give me a pointer or two!!
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- 03 Mazda PR5
wow that is going to be amazing, i can't wait to see some finished pictures of it! good luck with the rest
The DLS amps run remarkably cool. After an hour trip at moderatly loud listening levels the amp's heat sink was still 'touchable'. I can't say the same for my MTX amps which got so hot you could fry an egg on them.
However, I will take the necessary precautions and create a cover for the entire piece that incorporates some sort of metal mesh material. This is obviously necessary for the subs to fire through anyway. I did this once before for a friend by using a cheap piece of outdoor grill material I found at home depot for like $10-15. I cut it to size and set it in a piece of MDF, covered it with grill cloth and it looked fabulous.
However, I will take the necessary precautions and create a cover for the entire piece that incorporates some sort of metal mesh material. This is obviously necessary for the subs to fire through anyway. I did this once before for a friend by using a cheap piece of outdoor grill material I found at home depot for like $10-15. I cut it to size and set it in a piece of MDF, covered it with grill cloth and it looked fabulous.
