pAge oNe: intro
pAge tWo: sound system design
pAge tHreE: pics of it all
pAge fOur: ramblings and rants
pAge fiVe: *******updates*********

I started with this car in January of 2003. I bought it stock, fully loaded and in mint condition inside and out. Stock system was the ultra shady Inifinity II system. Due to the fact that each speaker has it's own amplifier with 22ga wire running for signal, the audio system had to be all or nothing.

Source
I replaced a Blaupunkt Hamburg with an Alpine 7874. I have owned over eight Alpine head units in the past and have always been pleased. This Alpine does provide a stronger signal than the Blau and matches my interior cosmetics better, but I do miss the features of the Blau. At any rate, the parametric bass and treble EQ is handy, as well as an Auxillary input for Sirius.

Equalization
AudioControl is probably best known for their great equalizers and crossovers, and the EQL is one of the reasons why. AudioControl pretty much wrote the book on "EQ-ing" your sound system, and the EQL works wonders with any 2-channel audio system � even factory headunits! The EQL is a 2-channel, 13-band, dual-bandwidth equalizer with level matching circuitry to allow for either speaker-level or line-level inputs. The EQL also features a high voltage PWM power supply for increased headroom and noise rejection, and a built-in Programmable Frequency Match (PFM) subsonic filter to protect your speakers and avoid wasted amplifier power. Made in the USA. I just love the flexibility this eq provides. This eq is installed on the drivers side of the trunk, on the wheel well. It is hidden by the sub enclosure, which keeps it protected.

Front Stage
For soundstage, the factory locations are just above the occupants knees and in the dash. Stock was a 5 1/4" in the door and 1" in the dash. This set up had a very nice image from 2kHz and up. I have tried a couple of combinations and I am very happy. Both front doors recieved a sheet of Dynamat and Monster 16-2 UL rated wire in place of the factory wire. I chose jacketed wire for added protection in the doors.

Speaker selection was probably the toughest decision. I work for a med-high end home/car retailer (no, not a shady chain store), so employee accomidation opened new doors. However, a secondary purpose for this system was as advertisement of our product. And I wanted to show a system that was sane and affordable for an average customer. You know, show them what can be done for less than a grand, while keeping SQ a priority. Although I prefer component sets for the increased quality in speakers as well as the obvious gains with 12 or 18dB/octave x-overs, I went with coaxials for the stealth factor as well as price point. I did choose Rockford Fosgate's HPC coaxials in the rear for the step up in materials as well as a swivel tweeter. They were put in the front too, but i have since swapped them for the step-down Rockford FRC coaxials. The main reason for this was the HPC's were too deep and I wasn't happy with my shim options. And, oddly, the FRC's sound much smoother! I also installed FRC 3.5"
in the dash locations. I have designed custom crossovers for the front drivers from modifying MB Quart crossovers I picked up on Ebay. I am still experimenting with different crossover options. The image is very nice! Overall i'm really pleased (as of 04/01/05). however, i always want more. the midbass has been improved since i started running the speakers off the xtant amp. it's really defined, and I can hear the bass strings being plucked when I jam to Rage Against the Machine or Primus.

Wire Wire Wire
I have always been a fan of running my signal cables down the middle of the car. My arguement is that most cars have wires down both sides of the car, controlling power seats, aux lighting, and all trunk mounted electronics. So the only place left in the car that is free of noise was the middle. So an afternoon was spend gutting the interior of the car. All seats, lower trim, and carpet were removed. I had planned on adding Dynamat to the floorboards, but check this, there was over 3/4" of sound deadening with 1/8" hard mat already there! So two sets of Rockford Stealth RCA's, a Monster solid core sub cable, RG-45 for the Rockford remote punch bass controller, Data cable for the Sirius satellite radio, and Monster 16-4 UL wire for the rear speakers, were all ran down the middle, fastened with duct tape and free of kinks. Down the drivers side was Rocford braided 4ga, remote wire and ignition and battery wires for the Sirius satellite reciever. A Rockford RP1732 dual amp install kit was utilized as well as Rockford battery clamps and a .5 Farad cap. All chassis grounds were upgraded for each of the compents (including the CD70).

Rear Stage
I cannot understand why so many kids think that 6x9's are a good speaker. Besides the fact that a eliptical speaker sounds completely different than a circular cone, 6x9's are outfitted with crappy drivers (mid and tweeter), 6dB/octave x-overs, (now, i know some manufacturers have $350+ 6x9's which may sound a bit better, but for that price, buy a component set). People don't seem to understand what tonal balance means. Yhey may have more bass, but that's why you have subs. besides, what good is bass if the rest sounds like crap? And from my experience, most people think loud means distorted. In place of the factory speakers, I placed 6.5" Rockford HPC coaxials. But one of the cones started to distort from the sound pressure from the Vega. So I replaced them with Rockford HPC 5.25" and built a wooden cover for the bottom of the rear deck. But I still follow the front stage-rear fill crowd. you know who you are. This is why the xtant offers a passive rear out with the installation of a attenuation module. I have attenuated the rear speakers by 6dB to give me the desired soundstage.

Amplification
I have just replcaed the Rockford 451S with an xtant 403A which runs the mids and highs on the front 2 channels and the sub on the rear mono channel. this utilizes 24 db/octave crosovers, and the clean amplification xtant can deliver. Originally I ran the speakers off the head unit, but who was I kidding. This is the first active head unit i've had in five years. I forgot why I always ran external amps! Duh!

Keeping It Even
A single Cerwin Vega VEGA124 subwoofer was chosen to reproduce what the coaxials couldn't. The VEGA series subs are clean, accurate and powerful. I replaced this with three MTX 10" thunders. I chose this option over the VEGA for a couple reasons.
1. I wanted more punch from a kick-drum.
2. I wanted an overall smoother sound. Ported enclosures, while louder at certain frequencies, aren't as musical or even.
3. I wanted an enclosure that would "fit" better in the trunk.

Coast-to-Coast Tunes
My favorite addition was the Sirius satellite radio system by Jensen (I know, Jensen, but hey, it's just as good as any other reciever, it has a larger display and it was free to me through accomidation). Since the Alpine 7874 does not have satellite radio controls, the auxillary input was utilized. I am a big fan of Trance, House, Rock and Metal. Sirius has 3 nonstop rave, house and dance stations. Octane is the best rock station in the US and Hardatak is a nice metal station. There are some pimp jazz and classical stations for those relaxing days too. Because of the vinyl top, the Terk antenna had to be mounted on the trunk lid.

***UPDATE****
after a long listening period and comparing it too XM on Delphi, I believe that Sirius sounds cleaner. But I also think that a higher quality reciever makes the difference.

Where I stand now
Whew, when i was starting this i knew where it would end up. i told myself that THIS time it would be different. nope. There is always room for more. I'm liking the sound, it really is plenty loud and super clean. We'll see. I have many other audio set-ups that could have investments in time too.