Bose or not Bose??

[Ventolin]

Adrian,

So you're adding Kenwood electronics with JL Audio speakers and rear subs (nice!)? Not sure I would choose Kenwood, but I hope it all sounds good! I think Becker have pretty "MB" look-alike head units and sound good too.

I'm not sure you can fit 4 8" subs in the rear shelf, it looks like you might be able to do 2x8" and 2x6" though as the holes in the rear shelf are different sizes. You might also consider re-enforcing the rear shelf also as it vibrates somewhat with all those sub-sonics. Also, consider a 2 Channel amp for stereo subs or a 4 channel amp if you want to have some mid-bass also. You could always bridge the channels if you wanted later.

Have you thought about digital crossovers? Pioneer do a nice DSP unit.

Also, how about using the sunglass compartment (where the trip computer may go) for a centre speaker location? On the plus side it seems to be a very good location audio wise, but would perhaps have an aesthetic impact?

Good luck with the build!

Regards

[Haku]

Ventolin - less than 20hz is inaudible to the human ear - so that's quite a frequency to be pumping through a sound system!

Adrian - very keen to see your set-up once you have it installed - sounds like it will be quite amazing!

[_Adrian_]

Originally Posted by Ventolin

Adrian,

So you're adding Kenwood electronics with JL Audio speakers and rear subs (nice!)? Not sure I would choose Kenwood, but I hope it all sounds good! I think Becker have pretty "MB" look-alike head units and sound good too.

I'm not sure you can fit 4 8" subs in the rear shelf, it looks like you might be able to do 2x8" and 2x6" though as the holes in the rear shelf are different sizes. You might also consider re-enforcing the rear shelf also as it vibrates somewhat with all those sub-sonics. Also, consider a 2 Channel amp for stereo subs or a 4 channel amp if you want to have some mid-bass also. You could always bridge the channels if you wanted later.

Have you thought about digital crossovers? Pioneer do a nice DSP unit.

Also, how about using the sunglass compartment (where the trip computer may go) for a centre speaker location? On the plus side it seems to be a very good location audio wise, but would perhaps have an aesthetic impact?

Good luck with the build!

Regards

Hi there ..
I have owned a lot of kenwood products and their eXcelon product line is a pure gold mine when it comes to in car entertainment. It may look out of place, but i don't mind giving up that idea for functionality since it supports dual zone entertainment, this way the kids can watch their own stuff in the back without even interupt my nav or my radio listening...
Heres a link to Cruthfield's site since they have more in depth info rather than the manufacturer that only has a short specs checklist...
Kenwood KVT-819DVD DVD receiver at Crutchfield.com

As far as the crossover the eXcelon amps have them built in as well as they are audiophile grade amplifiers and include a tuning disk and have a very nice and powerfull digital crossover/DSP right into the amplifier
here's a link to the user manual...
http://inform3.kenwoodusa.com/manuals%5CKAC-X4R.pdf

So it seems you have tried to fit larger drivers into the rear parcel shelf what are the major limiting factors ???
i have yet to see the W140 chassy parcel shelf without any interior pieces on it. the way i was going to do it was by MDF rings that i would have been completely fiberglassed on top the the shelf reinforced with 3 or 3 layers of fabric and then a couple of layers underneath for even more strength yet not building too much thickness on top. The idea of building a custom MDF and fiberglass box did go through t my head, but I'm not sure how much room there is to play with knowing that the gas tank is behind the rear seats.
Again.. these are just thoughts from what used to be an installers helper back in high school :P

UPDATE:
I got a call from my buddy and the amps are back ordered and don't know an exact ETA on them so i scratched my head a little bit and went back and did some research and got 2 Zapco Reference DC Amps comming instead of the eXcelon's
DC Reference series
I have 2 x 1000.4 amps comming in the next 2 days

[_Adrian_]

Does Anyone have a pic of the rear parcel parcel shelf with the speakers expsosed ??

[Ventolin]

Hi, here are some pics taken with my camera phone, sorry for the quality.

The original Loudspeaker - not so nice, but sound was OK.
IMAGE_00076.jpg

The Bare Metal itself
IMAGE_00088.jpg

IMAGE_00089.jpg

IMAGE_00090.jpg

IMAGE_00091.jpg

You will need to loosen the rear seat, remove the two end side panels (which is kinda hard) and remove the rear parcel shelf lining so you can get to the rear shelf.

Speakers install from the top with some careful maneouvring. You will need to make a mdf / birch ply baffle (for those doing this for the first time like I did!) for the speakers to sit on - the baffle also helps the speakers fit. Some slight adaptation to the rear parcel shelf may be required especially to allow the speaker diaphram to travel without hitting the parcel shelf.

As you are working very close to the rear windscreen, air becomes somewhat of an issue - make sure you leave the doors and boot open or you'll soon start sweating like a pig! A 90 degree ratchet screwdriver will come in handy as it's pretty hard to screw things down with the windscreen in the way.

There is plenty of room directly underneath the speakers, you could make an enclosure for them, but I choose to leave mine infinte baffle (boot for the enclosure). My amp also sits vertically next to the petrol tank behind the boot lining.

I still haven't finished putting all my sound damping material in (damplifier sheets) and I still haven't figured out how to best re-enforce the metal to stop it flexing when the speakers do their thing.

Hope that helps!

Regards

[_Adrian_]

Hmmm...
looks like plan B then...
been doing some more researching and will skip the JL's all together and go with Elemental Designs.
Fronts : Elemental Designs
Rears : Elemental Designs
Front and Rear Amp : DC Reference series>DC1000.4

The Second Set of woofers wont be used and will leave the space open as i will be doing a single 13" sub in the left corner of the trunk.
Sub :Elemental Designs
Sub Amp : DC Reference series>DC1100.1

Total cost for speakers including the Sub is $1830 and another $1600 for the 2 Zapco Amps.
Headunit and with all the bells and whistles was almost $2000 ( whole sale pricing trough the shop i used to work at when i was in HS )

[Ventolin]

I tried a box in the boot also, but didn't like the results too much - too much boom for not enough SPL and time delay was too long. I also needed the boot space, so the 4x6" subs were the best solution for me.

I still think time alignment is needed to get it really nice though. I'm sure there's some way to put those 6" subs in the front also - would be nice bass units.

Good luck with your project, your budget is certainly healthy! Hope you enjoy the results

Regards

[_Adrian_]

Originally Posted by Ventolin

I tried a box in the boot also, but didn't like the results too much - too much boom for not enough SPL and time delay was too long. I also needed the boot space, so the 4x6" subs were the best solution for me.

I still think time alignment is needed to get it really nice though. I'm sure there's some way to put those 6" subs in the front also - would be nice bass units.

Good luck with your project, your budget is certainly healthy! Hope you enjoy the results

Regards

Thanks,
The Zapco amps have an electronic DSP built into their DC Series that takes care of all that
Now that the whole system is mapped out all i need is a car...
but may have found a Lorinser locally that will be looking at latter on tommorow