OCNORB’s Audio Build

[jayr1959]

I have been replacing the factory audio in my vehicles since the 70’s. In the first week of ownership I replaced the dummy amp and sub with the Focus amp and a Kicker sub and replaced all the speakers with Kickers. It was an improvement but ultimately not what I wanted long term. Winter was here and without a garage replacing everything would need to wait for Spring. In late December I saw that Infotainment had the 8” to 12” display upgrade so ordered it. I installed it in February I did not care that it was in the 20’s and my fingers were frozen. In the Spring I ordered kit 11 (I think) from Plugnplay the Musway 4/100 and an 8” Kicker Sub and wiring. I stuck the amp in the cubby beside the factory sub enclosure. This setup had better overall sound but lacked the bass that I like. I did more research and talked to Crutchfield and decided on Audio control DSP and an amp for the sub. The amp was on backorder and I did not receive it until October. I completed the build yesterday installing the PODs for the pillars.

I am fine tuning the DSP it’s the first time I have used one and it’s a bit of a learning curve. I lost audio for navigation prompts and phone calls. I ran new wiring to the tweeters only and had mounted them in the dash. The only way I could get the signal back was to put the GS42 in the dash and use separate PODs for the tweeters. I am sure I can fix it somehow in the DSP but for now overall I am very pleased with the sound quality.

AudioControl D-6.1200
AudioControl ACM 1.300
MTIAccoustics Amp mounting board
Audiofrog GS10 Custom Pillar PODS (Etsy seller LMdesigns01)
Audiofrog GS42 Dash Corners
Audiofrog GS62 Kick Panels**
Audiofrog GS62 Rear PODS
Stinger/AudioControl 12” Tailgate Sub

** NOTE: Critchfield’s site says that they do not fit in the kick panels. They do but you need to use the bracket that comes with the speakers and not the Metra bracket. You need to use large washers on the factory bolts because the holes are larger on the bracket. I mounted the speakers using the smaller screws that come with the speakers.

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[Area51BS]

Nice write up. Confused about loosing nav and phone audio. That sounds more like a reboot of phone/radio issue.

 

[jayr1959]

Nice write up. Confused about loosing nav and phone audio. That sounds more like a reboot of phone/radio issue.

Thank you. I tried reboot, removed the negative battery cable. Checked for iPhone for updates. I tried both work and personal iPhones. I thought it may have been related to IOS 18. My work phone is still on IOS 17. Crutchfield tech support worked with me for about 4 hours trying various DSP settings. I was thinking it has to do with the way the dash/kick panels are wired from the factory.

 

[Area51BS]

Kick panel and dash should be in parallel. OEM dash speakers just get a capacitor to block some bass, but otherwise same signal goes to both. I don’t recall which speakers reproduce phone calls or MAV off the top of my head. Perhaps it’s only fronts and your DSP was setup to receive signal from rear and that’s what all channels are fed from. Just a thought. As my Helix DSP allows you to select whatever input channel and that becomes the input for any/or every output.

 

[FreddieLee]

You installed full range drivers in the dash, kickpanels, rear pods, plus tweeters?

Don't know if Crutchfield steered you in that direction, but...

Following the GS10 tweeters, you should have had GS40 midrange drivers in the dash, GS60 midbass drivers in the kickpanels, and GS62's in the pods. You have a 6-channel processor that should be wired active, and powering that entire front stage. Otherwise, what's the point?

 

[jayr1959]

You installed full range drivers in the dash, kickpanels, rear pods, plus tweeters?

Don't know if Crutchfield steered you in that direction, but...

Following the GS10 tweeters, you should have had GS40 midrange drivers in the dash, GS60 midbass drivers in the kickpanels, and GS62's in the pods. You have a 6-channel processor that should be wired active, and powering that entire front stage. Otherwise, what's the point?

On purpose due to hearing loss.

 

[FreddieLee]

Sorry to hear that.

Not sure if you're hearing loss is equal in both ears, what percentage of hearing you have lost, or the cause, but I would really encourage you to find and demo a system locally with a tuned, active 3-way system. Even with hearing loss, It will likely be far more dynamic than you can handle.

On my system, at volume level 25, I have to be outside the vehicle. Crystal clear, perfectly centered and extremely dynamic, but borderline deafening, and that's primarily only from a set of 3.5" midrange drivers, and a set of tweeters.

The result of that many (amplified) coaxial drivers is a very cluttered soundstage from frequencies overlapping each other. My ears would be in a perpetual state of searching for where the sound is coming from, which is what your ears do naturally. Sounds fatiguing...

Instead of loud, which could potentially cause more issues, your system could be centered and very dynamic, and you already have the amplification and DSP processing to accomplish that.

AudioControl's DSP is fairly easy to understand and use. Having access to the electrical signal is good, but you need an acoustic RTA to do any real tuning.

 

[Scleary1212]

Looks good, but be careful not to get caught in the rain with your top off otherwise those amps are fried.

 

[Y2KFirehawk]

Thank you. I tried reboot, removed the negative battery cable. Checked for iPhone for updates. I tried both work and personal iPhones. I thought it may have been related to IOS 18. My work phone is still on IOS 17. Crutchfield tech support worked with me for about 4 hours trying various DSP settings. I was thinking it has to do with the way the dash/kick panels are wired from the factory.

My understanding is that if you remove the factory amp which drives the dash center speaker, then you lose nav speaking and voice call functionality that stems from it.

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