Had a client come in that was concerned about his stock sound system (amplified Focal speakers....if you call that stock)(owner didn't know that Focals were installed).
He's a true audiophile at heart....so Hybrid Audio Technologies is the first speaker that popped into my head. Wasn't sure about what model to go with, since it's a convertible; but the owner didn't want to install a subwoofer, so Clarus was the choice; they have a lower range of frequencies that they can play...so we squeezed the more amount of mid-bass out of them as we could.
Owner had pre-selected an amazing deck, the Alpine CDA-117....truely an audiophiles headunit of choice.....more audio tweaking options that most need.....just enough for this project.
The doors got a 3 layer sound deadening system (inner door skin, middle door skin, and inside door panel) to help the mid bass out as well as block some road noise.
All of this was pushed by the Arc Audio KS Mini, 2 channel amp....perfect size to fit under the seat where most other amps wouldn't dream of fitting.
The Vanagon is back...ready to step it up in the sound department.
Removing the old, cracked 4" speakers, and putting in some 5 1/4" Memphis Audio Power Reference Component speakers.....cutting the existing door panel to put the woofer in and placing the tweeter in the stock speaker location.
I offset the tweeter inside the existing 'grill' because the speaker, from stock, is partially blocked by the dash...so this way the driver gets a clean, unblocked path from the tweeter to his ear.
Doors also got a good layer of sound deadening to help with the road noise.
Vanagon sounded MUCH better than before....next is a newer deck with hidden iPod controls and better subwoofer settings.
After a few hours I finished the trunk and trunk lid...which completed the sound deadening (minus the inside of the door panels, once I get the subs going).
So I figured since I was stuck in the trunk, I might as well wire up a thin LED strip to replace the cargo light in the trunk......thing is BRIGHT, that and the dome light, all reflecting off the sound deadener was a pretty cool sight.
Cheers!!
Didn't have alot of time tonight, but i got everything else stripped off the car and now she's ready to be stripped of her old, faded tint and have some new 15% put on....then back to sound deadening.
Cheers
During the downtime of waiting for USPS to ultimately fail, I pulled Project Memphry into the shop and put it on a diet.
Completely stripped the interior and started sound deadening what I think is going to rattle....which will be pretty much everything seeing as how there will be over 2500 watts in this bad boy. Doors are done and now that I finally got the roof scrapped off (never doing that again) I can start on the roof and move to the back decklid and rear doors. Once I get everything deadened, I'll get the tint taken care of, since it will be easier with the door panels removed. Also, since the cieling was out, I decided to try out the roof lighting with the new LEDs.....one was gnarly bright...but we'll do two, since that's what we do...till next time
Cheers
Finished up the front passengers door with even more sound deadening.....so that means, for now...I'm finally done with this stuff! Woot Woot!
Also, pulled the dash, cause I know the owner is getting a little antsy over there in Dirka Land to see his dash removed.....so there....removed! Good thing, I can now steal up to 3 babies and hide them in this dash!! There is a BUNCH of room behind that Rockford radio!
Had a bit of time to work on the Evo tonight.
Finished up the rear for now. Put some deadening on the rear wheel well. It's covered by the seat, so it muffles the sound, but you can tell it's a weak spot when you're driving without the rear seats; so I put just enough to quite down the wheels.
Started on the drivers door as well.
Pulled the panel and all the stock sound deadening and water proofer off.
Lined the inside (outside) door panel, ran some 12 ga speaker wire through the stock loom (always a joy), made a few ABS panels to cover the big openings, then covered everything with sound deadening again. It's a loooooong process, but someone's gotta do it...and in the end, it will sound amazing in there!!
Finished up the rear door installs today.
Got the speakers mounted, secured and sound deadened/sealed. Vented properly through the door card so no sound waves are lost.
Everything fits as if nothing was done...and it looks that way too....except when you knock on the outside door panel...then you can tell something was done....SOLID!
Finished up the sound deadening on the rear doors
Ran new speaker wire in through the boots and made them look like they were supposed to be there.
Fabricated some new 1" speaker spacers out of wood.
After cutting them, I pre-drilled holes for mounting the speakers as well as the spacers to the doors. Now they are in a resin bath overnight, so they become stronger and won't crack over time.
Another long night...well not too long, but another long time spent applying sound deadener.
Got the trunk and trunk lid 100% complete. Disassembled the rear seat and deck cover (for yes, you guessed it, more deadener).
Started on the rear doors, as these will be the easiest part of the build.
Deadening the doors and installing the speakers...nothing special with the rears!
Took everything apart, removed stock water lining and 'sound deadener' (if you can call it that).
Rockford Fosgate stock systems have actually impressed me so far. The woofers are never in a 'hidden box' they are out in the open, with plenty of air space (never said they sounded good) and the speaker materials were just like any other after market product....looked like they would last!
Got the inside of the outside sheet metal all done, now making an ABS plug/cap to fill the giant hole, then on to making this thing rattle proof and basically turning it into a subwoofer box on a hinge. That way Kip will get really good midbass out of the rear speakers.
Cheers
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