[SprinterX]

I've managed to convince the wifey to upgrade the Audiophile (lol) stereophonic system in her 07 Limited. Many times she has needed assistance with directions to get where she was going and I'm pissed about not being able to play burnt CDs without fear of jamming up or self destructing the stock HU. My recent profit share bonus should give us a nice Christmas present.

The wife and I are not into the BOOM-BOOM trend of dual 15" subs with 2500W mono amps thumping our ear drums deaf. Guess we're just old, ha ha. We prefer a nice, crisp sound stage presentation with a good sub to round out the lower freqs. I do want it to play loud though, the wife not so much. With much help from resident audio guru "fourthmeal" we have come up with a list of components that should fit the bill.

Here's the project plan.

Replace the front speakers with 6 ½" components. Power them off 2 channels of a 4 channel aftermarket amplifier. Retain the stock rear speakers and power them from the new HU. There overall sound level will be reduced to help the front sound stage presentation. The sub will be replaced with a much better piece and power will come from the bridged remaining channels of that new amp. I will use its stock enclosure but plan to improve it structurally with fiberglass perhaps. Much sound deadening will be accomplished in the doors, tailgate and floors.

Here's the component list I've ordered to date.

AVIC-X910BT In-Dash Navigation AV Receiver with DVD Playback and Built-In Bluetooth
Precision Power PPI 356CS 6.5 speakers
Tang Band 8" Sub
MB Quart DSC4125

Probably won't get into the install process till after Christmas as thing are always pretty hectic this time of year. I'll be sure to document the process and get as many pics as possible. If anyone has any further suggestions, pass them along.

 

[andjayik]

u will like the avic!!

 

[fourthmeal]

Heck ya, this system will work perfectly.

Those PPI components are starting to gather a major following, even running them passive they have a lot of adjustment potential.

A few things to note as you work:

You should install the crossovers in the trunk, or perhaps under the other seat. They are huge, and they need to be accessed for tuning, so no mounting in the doors. This means you need to run an additional speaker wire set through the door, OR run all new wire through. I use 16ga 4 conductor in-wall rated wire, Liberty brand if I recall. But to a large extent wire is wire, provided it is true quality copper. Going through the Molex connector will suck for you. It sucks for everyone. Typically the smartest thing to do is get a set of pry picks so you can reach the Molex tabs and release the connector properly. Walmart sells picks made by Stanley, which work fine.

Anyway, take the Molex and drill or hot-burn a hole through it where there are no existing terminals to disrupt. Usually I like to go on the outside edge, where the molex connector lock gets CLOSE but not quite touching the wire coming through the hole I make. Seeing is believing, you'll see posts about it all over the place (search molex car audio install)

The tweeters should fit nicely either in the door at the sill panel, or you might want to consider the A-pillar if there is enough room behind. There is no right or wrong, but if you wanted to shoot for close-to-perfection, you could take the measurement provided by your doors and try to match the distance up with your tweeters. In other words, mechanical or physical time alignment. Often we have to do this electronically, because there are only so many places a tweeter can exist!

If the amp ends up too big for the under-seat plan, we can devise a full false-floor build similar to my #3 and #4 system builds. That would hold your crossovers and your big amp. Hell you could later build a bigger sub setup in a false floor configuration if you ever wanted to as well. It just takes plywood or MDF, a saw, and some creative thinking.

 

[SprinterX]

Thanx for the continued input fourthmeal. I wouldn't have been able to sort out the component and build details without you.

I have a set of those type picks already and I'll definately research the Molex connectors. I did take some measurements to see if that 4125 amp will/should fit (sideways mind you) under the passenger seat. I was wondering about placement of the crossovers, thinking behind the glovebox would work but under the drivers seat will provide great tuning access as well as close proximity to the amp. As mentioned in one of our PMs I was concerned about the air vent below the passenger seat but I can fab up an extension to carry that over and past the amp itself.

The audiophile system in our Escape has seperate tweeters already in a door mounted enclosure at the forward lower corner of the window glass. I planned on simply replacing stock for aftermarket. According to the PPI and Tang Band specs I'll be over powering them with this amp but from other research I've read they require and respond very well to BIG, CLEAN power. At 125 watts rms per channel I shouldn't have to dial the volume knob much to get the desired results.

Parts are on route now and all that's left to order is a nice amp install kit and sort out the sound deadening requirements.

 

[SprinterX]

u will like the avic!!

Looking forward to it. It comes highly recommended from many people.

 

[andjayik]

Where did u buy the sub from and the components?

 

[fourthmeal]

Where did u buy the sub from and the components?

He ordered the comps from Sonicelectronix (don't know if he did it off eBay's link or not), and the sub is from Parts Express.

 

[SprinterX]

Where did u buy the sub from and the components?

Fourthmeal gave me the link for the sub and I chased the others myself.

Sub http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=264-833

Amp http://www.vminnovations.com/product_1231/MB_QUART_DSC4125_1000W_4_Channel_Amplifier.html
This was the absolute cheapest I found this New, not refurbished one for. Many on http://www.diymobileaudio.com strongly recommend this amp for it's great sound and underrated power. I was actually leaning towards the lesser powered 480 model but found this 4125 model for cheaper.

AVIC http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_19739_Pioneer+AVIC-X910BT.html

PPI 356CS http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_17121_Precision+Power+PPI+356CS.html
Again, very positive reviews from the audio community.

 

[fourthmeal]

There are a couple great wiring companies. One of the cheapest options that is amazing is this:
http://cgi.ebay.com/PHOENIX-GOLD-PF2K4- ... 5ad4ce296b
You'll need an extra set of RCA's though.

Another solid choice:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tsunami-AMP850BL-4- ... 439b819a09

This kit is a little overkill with a distribution block, but the other included goodies make this a killer deal. You'll need 4ch RCA's though:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BLOWOUT-NEW-Rockfor ... 414b1a3302

Another good deal, again you need to buy 4ch RCA's:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Tsunami-AMP850BL-4- ... 518ea31956

This has some extra stuff you won't need either, but it has 4 RCA's, and great wire:
http://cgi.ebay.com/LIGHTNING-AUDIO-4-G ... 4cec32e104

now you can also go to Darvex.com, and Knukonceptz.com. For Knu, I like Kolossus Flex wire.

Thanx for the continued input fourthmeal. I wouldn't have been able to sort out the component and build details without you.

I have a set of those type picks already and I'll definately research the Molex connectors. I did take some measurements to see if that 4125 amp will/should fit (sideways mind you) under the passenger seat. I was wondering about placement of the crossovers, thinking behind the glovebox would work but under the drivers seat will provide great tuning access as well as close proximity to the amp. As mentioned in one of our PMs I was concerned about the air vent below the passenger seat but I can fab up an extension to carry that over and past the amp itself.

The audiophile system in our Escape has seperate tweeters already in a door mounted enclosure at the forward lower corner of the window glass. I planned on simply replacing stock for aftermarket. According to the PPI and Tang Band specs I'll be over powering them with this amp but from other research I've read they require and respond very well to BIG, CLEAN power. At 125 watts rms per channel I shouldn't have to dial the volume knob much to get the desired results.

Parts are on route now and all that's left to order is a nice amp install kit and sort out the sound deadening requirements.

 

[kkreit01]

Sounds like a great plan. Keep us posted. For wiring, I used Knu, and it has been fine thus far. It's not top notch, but the price is right.

 

[SprinterX]

Been researching these RCAs, but there's so much hype I'm not sure where to draw the line on what's good enough quailty for this application. I'd think it's very important to ensure proper shielding from interference but what does that take and at what dollar value?

From http://www.knukonceptz.com/productMaste ... A%20Cables do the Klarity Kables do the job or is there a noticeable difference in interference where you need to step up to the Karma SS in order to get satisfactory results?

 

[fourthmeal]

Avoid the hype, basic stuff does fine. I use the cheaper Knu stuff because the expensive ones fall apart over time. The cheap ones are molded plastic, they don't fall apart.

Wire is wire to a great extent. If you are curious, take a look at Zed audio's website and read his info and tech data about his findings. I tend to follow his lead on things like this, considering he's designed some of the best amps I've ever heard.

 

[bobes75]

So that 8" sub you bought will fit in the factory sub location (depth wise)? Does anyone know if the stock location is the same size for a 2006 XLT? I'd like to replace the 8" but wasn't sure about mounting depth.

 

[Billyk]

The factory subwoofer location has a four inch depth.

 

[SprinterX]

So that 8" sub you bought will fit in the factory sub location (depth wise)? Does anyone know if the stock location is the same size for a 2006 XLT? I'd like to replace the 8" but wasn't sure about mounting depth.

I certainly hope so but I haven't picked it up yet. Should have all the parts together next week. I bought it from fourthmeals recommendations. I'm sure it'll fit otherwise he wouldn't have recommended it.

 

[bobes75]

Sounds good. Looking forward to hearing about (maybe seeing ;-)) the results. Good luck.

 

[SprinterX]

I finally picked up all the pieces from my daughters house south of the border. Here they are waiting to get wrapped up for Christmas.
Won't get the install going till early in the new year. :yahoo:

Still finalizing what all I need for sound deadening materials. Stay tuned.

 

[scott6003]

looks nice.

I also have the 910x. It is an excellent gps.

 

[kkreit01]

:drool:

Very nice!

I hope to get my amp in before the X-mas trip.

 

[fourthmeal]

I'd test everything before you wrap it...if possible. nothing worse than opening up a DOA and not having enough time to return it!