My new stereo

[Beau M]

sorry for spelling errors

Well, here is my system. When I started out buying equipment, I had a few goals in mind. I wanted something classy, that did not look out of place in a Mercedes. Something simple, in both appearance and maintainance. While I wanted some bass, I did not want a ground pounder like my last system. It had to sound GOOD, not just loud. Access to the spare was a must, as was use of the fold down rear seats. I think I acheived my goals, and I am very happy with how it sounds.

Here is the trunk, stock as can be.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000593.jpg

Starting to build a box. Here is the bottom.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000595.jpg

All foiled and taped up, ready for some glass.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000597.jpg

A couple layers of glass later.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000598.jpg

With the front on.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000601.jpg

Test fit. As you can see, I did not make it sit flush with the wall. I sacrificed some aesthetics to have more internal volume.
It turned out to be 1.9 cu ft before driver displacement, not too shabby.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000604.jpg

Stock speaker. Crap.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000605.jpg

[Beau M]

And, I found this speaker in the kick. I never noticed it before, mabey for a phone or something?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000606.jpg

Here is the 5.25 inch mid from an MB Quart reference component set. I epoxied the ring that cam with the speakers to the stock spacer, it actually worked out very well.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000608.jpg

Here is the little tweeter mount I made. Uses the vent screws, nothing new.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000609.jpg

Passenger tweet.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000610.jpg

Wires.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000611.jpg

SO MANY DAMN WIRES!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000612.jpg

Here you can see my new Alpine deck and the bass knob for my amp (by the seat). The amp is a Memphis Belle, and it kicks ass.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000615.jpg

Then my camera crapped out on me, so we skip to the finnished pics. Here is the sub, a MB Quart PWD304 12 inch wired to 2 ohms. It looks and sounds fantastic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000616.jpg

Over here is the x-overs for the front. I used a piece of particle board behind the pannel for stiffness. And, I like to see the wires, but thats just me.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000618.jpg

The 'Belle is mounted upside down to a carpeted board suspended from the rear deck. You have to crouch down to see it. The sub tucks nicely in the corner. As you can see, I have full use of the fold down rear seats.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000619.jpg

And, I can still get to the spare, with the stock trunk pannel still in place.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/beau_m/IM000620.jpg

Just a side note, I have el-cheapo pioneer 4 inch co-axes in the rear doors, I normally have the rear turned so far down anyway. So, what do you think? I know its no show instal, but thats not what I was after. And, it sounds AMAZING, and can set off a car alarm or two :)

-Beau

[alboogiee]

very nice work! high five man! you're the guy that had the "done up" mustang right? i like the set up and write up very much. very simple, classy.

[audiophile]

nice:D

[trymonlam]

awesome! rarely i don't like speakers taking up the trunk space, but yours looks in place and practical.... nicely executed, my friend. subtle yet moving.

[IamJanuar]

Really good job man!
How does the sub sound? enough bass?
You have any rattling problem from the back on low Hz?
Do you have to move the sub before you get to the batteries and spares?

I had been wanting a set up just like that.
When I spoke to my local store here, they insisted that the whole left wall had to be redone to make the enclosure for the sub.

[Beau M]

No need to move anything to get to the battery/spare, you can see in the last pic that the stock floor pad just lifts up, just like stock. Also, I left the stock carpet pannel in place on the left side, behind the box. The box is actually BIGGER than the sub asks for, 1.9 cu ft is pretty good for sealed. I have run the numbers and I could port it if I wanted. IF you were to make one and space was the main concern, Im sure you could get 1 cu ft and have the face of the box flush with the carpet, nitice how mine sticks out about 1.5 inches all around. Oh, I forgot to say, the sub box is bolted to the floor.
As far as bass goes... there is plenty. For one 12 with 600 watts RMS it bumps great. Easily be heard down the block if I wanted. But, this sub is more of a SQ driver, and boy does it sound good. I do have a few rattles, but that is to be expected with a new install. This afternoon Im going rattle hunting, hopefully have them all elimintaed. I only notice one so far, som where in the rear deck, but nothing rattles forward of the rear seat as far as I can tell. But thats not for trying, at full tilt the sub is shaking your kidneys and tickling your arm hair.

[Pablo7]

nice work.
1 little thing.
i would relocate the amplifier. in that position it is very hard for it to disipate the heat. may cause overheating.
good luck!

[Nitrous911]

Nice setup. How does it sound? Any ratttling at all? What is next for your car, audio wise?

[martattack]

Looks nice! Where did you get that grille for the subwoofer? I need a couple for mine and I like the looks of that one.

Also as Pablo said, be careful with the way you ahve your amplifier mounted. They typically are not designed to dissipate heat upside-down like that.