SQ audio build \ lessons learned

15909 Views 95 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Nightmistx22, Aug 23, 2017

Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · Apr 12, 2017 (Edited)

After reading through all the posts for the SQ how to and v2, I am looking at doing a similar build in my 2012 cruze.

First I would like to thank XtremeRevolution for putting those threads together. I feel like I have learned more about audio reproduction in the past week than I have in the past 20 years.

The point of this thread is two fold. First to discuss my build plan and get tips and suggestions while being on a fairly tight budget. Second to get and document any lessons learned from those that have installed a similar build in their cars.

My Build plan:

Tweeters: Vifa ( now peerless )

Woofers: Silver Flute

Sub: JBL P1022 (because I already own it)

Amps:
JBL GT5-A604 60Wx4 @4ohm (own)
Power Acoustik BAMF2000/1d 600Wx1 @4ohm (own)

miniDSP

Deadening:
CLD,CCF,MLV from sounddeadeningshowdown

Reactions: 1

61 - 80 of 96 Posts

JerryGash

· #61 · May 17, 2017

Nightmistx22 said:
Unfortunately I was not able to do anything this past weekend. However, my SDS shipment should be coming in tomorrow .

I have been debating for a little while on whether or not I want to put together a How-To thread for the install itself. I have seen a few members start a thread for this type of build but they seem to not follow through with posting the entire install.

You should definitely do a "how-to thread"! That way I can just copy your build and know what I'm getting myself into. Lol

Planning on ordering one of XR's big 3 upgrade kits? I want to but I've already spent this week's budget on weathertech floor liners.

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Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #62 · May 17, 2017

Jerry,

I am still debating on that getting that big 3 kit. I am leaning towards yes but I need to recalculate my budget to see if I can or not.

I'll put together that how-to as I do my install. This weekend I hope to get most of the install done so that all I will be left is the baffles and woofers.

Reactions: 1

Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #63 · May 18, 2017

Just called Madisound... They are saying the 6.5" silver flute woofers wont be in for another 2 weeks ( aka Early June). *sigh*.....

JerryGash

· #64 · May 18, 2017

Nightmistx22 said:
Just called Madisound... They are saying the 6.5" silver flute woofers wont be in for another 2 weeks ( aka Early June). *sigh*.....

Guess that gives me plenty of time to get everything else done. I've been driving the Cruze back and forth to work over the last couple of days. It just floors me how bad the factory pioneer system sounds. It's like the opposite of enjoyable. I can't wait to get a decent sounding system in there but it looks like it's gonna be at least 2 more weeks. Lol

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Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #65 · May 18, 2017

I have the base 4 speaker system. sometimes when listening to XM it sounds pretty decent..... sometimes... but most of the time it just sounds dull and lifeless. I need to crank it to more than 1/2 volume to get any semblance of life out of the sound.

JerryGash

· #66 · May 20, 2017

Just out of curiosity where are are you planning on mounting your minidsp stuff? Are planning on putting it up front or in the rear near the amps? How are you planning on powering it?

Are you planning on powering the pac LOC in order to utilize the remote turn on wire? If so, how are you powering that?

The reason I ask is I'm wanting to try and not cut into the factory wiring so I can easily revert everything back to stock when needed.

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Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #67 · May 20, 2017

I am planning on mounting the miniDSP on the rear deck with the amps. This way I only need to run 2 rca cables from the front to the back.

Power for the miniDSP, I am planing on running a fused wire from the distro block to the miniDC.

I'm still not sure which route I'm going to go with for the remote wire. I'll have to take a closer look at the PAC LOC and see whats going on with that.

JerryGash

· #68 · May 20, 2017

Nightmistx22 said:
I am planning on mounting the miniDSP on the rear deck with the amps. This way I only need to run 2 rca cables from the front to the back.

Power for the miniDSP, I am planing on running a fused wire from the distro block to the miniDC.

I'm still not sure which route I'm going to go with for the remote wire. I'll have to take a closer look at the PAC LOC and see whats going on with that.

That was my thinking as well. Not only would it take less RCA's it will much easier to hide in the rear with the amps opposed to trying to find room up front. Plus, it would be simple to just run a wire from the distro block like you mentioned.

Let me know what you find with the pac loc. Being I have the upgraded pioneer system I am tempted to not use it all all and just t-tap into the factory wiring already ran to the amp. That way I don't need RCA's or remote power ran all the way from the front.

I found the pinout for the amp on here so it should be possible.

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Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #69 · May 20, 2017

That and if I wanted to tweak something on the DSP I dont have to tear up or modify my dash to get to it.

Do you know if the wires from the radio to the amp are line level or rca? Im thinking line level which means your still going to need a LOC to connect to the miniDSP. I would deff use the remote wire from the pioneer amp as it should already be back there.

Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #70 · May 31, 2017

Product Text Font Auto part Audio equipment

*sigh*......

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XtremeRevolution

· #71 · May 31, 2017

Send them an e-mail and get another estimate on when they should arrive.

JerryGash

· #72 · May 31, 2017

Nightmistx22 said:
View attachment 231674

*sigh*......

Yeah that sucks. Kinda figured that was going to happen.

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Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #73 · May 31, 2017 (Edited)

Just got off the phone with Madisound. They said the Silver Flute Woofers just left china and should be available around the 13th of June. They will email me when they do come in.

XtremeRevolution

· #74 · May 31, 2017

Nightmistx22 said:
Just got off the phone with Madisound. They said the Silver Flute Woofers just left china and should be available around the 13 of June. They will email me when they do come in.

Good, at least they're in transit. Not much longer now.

JerryGash

· #75 · May 31, 2017

Nightmistx22 said:
Just got off the phone with Madisound. They said the Silver Flute Woofers just left china and should be available around the 13th of June. They will email me when they do come in.

Sweet!

Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #76 · Jun 16, 2017

Silver Flute UPDATE:

Email from Madisound this morning says they are expecting them in on Wed 21 June. Hope to have them in my car about 2 weeks after that.

In other news:

I am giving XR's dual 18" IB sub setup some serious consideration. Soo much cone area for so little trunk space loss.
That or one of billseast fiberglass boxes with a good sq sub.
I listen to just about everything so i'm not sure if the IB is a good all around solution or more tailored to pre 1990s stuff.

Also, I think I will get the PAC installed, run my power and ground wires and mount my amps / mini dsp this weekend.

JerryGash

· #77 · Jun 16, 2017

Nightmistx22 said:
Silver Flute UPDATE:

Email from Madisound this morning says they are expecting them in on Wed 21 June. Hope to have them in my car about 2 weeks after that.

In other news:

I am giving XR's dual 18" IB sub setup some serious consideration. Soo much cone area for so little trunk space loss.
That or one of billseast fiberglass boxes with a good sq sub.
I listen to just about everything so i'm not sure if the IB is a good all around solution or more tailored to pre 1990s stuff.

Also, I think I will get the PAC installed, run my power and ground wires and mount my amps / mini dsp this weekend.

Great news on the Silver Flutes!

Pre 1990's stuff? Lol

My knowledge on this subject is fairly limited but here's my take on it.

While I don't think an IB setup is the most ideal subwoofer configuration for EDM or dubstuff, I don't really see how you can go wrong. I choose this configuration because I wanted to be able to hear actual music coming from the subwoofers and not audio that has been "colored" by a box or port.

The other reason is space savings, my wife will still be able to fill the trunk with groceries even with "King Kong" hiding behind the rear seats.

Correct me if I'm wrong here but an IB setup isn't really much different than using a sealed but somewhat leaky enclosure which is the trunk. Your basically isolating the front waves from the back waves to avoid cancellation issues.

If you truly want sound quality and not just something that is rattling the crap out of your trunk then this seems like a very good solution.

I'll let you know my impressions in a couple weeks.

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Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #78 · Jun 22, 2017

Emailed Madisound for an update on the Silver Flutes. No reply as of yet. Also, no update on the website either.

Began running my amp power and ground wires, installed the PAC gm44 and ran my RCAs and remote wires, as well as mocking up how to mount my amps and miniDSP on the rear deck. That darn bar in the center really complicates things. The plan is to use some 3/4" MDF cut into 2" x8" strips that will go into the rear deck and hang low enough so when I mount the amp to the MDF that center bar will run right over the amp without any clearance issues.

JerryGash

· #79 · Jun 22, 2017

Nightmistx22 said:
Emailed Madisound for an update on the Silver Flutes. No reply as of yet. Also, no update on the website either.

Began running my amp power and ground wires, installed the PAC gm44 and ran my RCAs and remote wires, as well as mocking up how to mount my amps and miniDSP on the rear deck. That darn bar in the center really complicates things. The plan is to use some 3/4" MDF cut into 2" x8" strips that will go into the rear deck and hang low enough so when I mount the amp to the MDF that center bar will run right over the amp without any clearance issues.

Awesome! Your farther than me. Mind if I ask how you wired your PAC LOC? Just wondering if you wired the power and ground or just plugged it in unpowered. I don't want to "splice" into any factory wiring so I may just leave mine unpowered and just use an "add a circuit" device as the remote power for the amplifiers.

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Nightmistx22

Discussion Starter · #80 · Jun 23, 2017 (Edited)

JerryGash said:
Awesome! Your farther than me. Mind if I ask how you wired your PAC LOC? Just wondering if you wired the power and ground or just plugged it in unpowered. I don't want to "splice" into any factory wiring so I may just leave mine unpowered and just use an "add a circuit" device as the remote power for the amplifiers.

I did it just how you are planning. Just plugged the PAC in and used an add a circuit for the remote wire. I have the main body of the LOC sitting in a hole under the right center air vent and the rca wires run nicely through a hole across the passenger side just above the glove box. It is a tight fit squeezing that PAC LOC into a place where it can do its job and be able to button everything back up.

Last night I made one of my biggest mistakes with my sub amp. Once I got it mounted and got everything connected whet to test it out and got nothing... Long story short... I connected the power and ground wires backwards... luckily the only thing to hurt was the internal fuses on the amp and once I got everything sorted it works very well.

Need to thank XR for the idea of using the front to rear fade for sub vol control. One less wire to run through the car.

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