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My attempt at assembling a car stereo build to compete in IASCA's Sound Quality Challenge competition, in their novice class.
The components of the build have been selected and most of it was previously installed. So I am having to re-install the components with the new purpose and goals.
The parts:
Alpine iLX-207 7-INCH AUDIO/VIDEO RECEIVER
Metra DP3021B Bezel
Straightwire wiring
Helix DSP.2 Processor
Mystery Amplifier - can't decide between Arc Audio and Mosconi
AudioFrog GB10 Audiophile Tweeter
Nemez111 German Twitter pods
Stereo Integrity TM65 mkII midrange
Metra 82-3013 Speaker Adapter
JL Audio 10" subwoofers
Subthump Partition subwoofer box
Sound Deadener CLD, CCF, and MLV
Dashmat 7834-1002
SDS CLD only requires 25% coverage to be effective.
You don't have to cover every sq. in. with dynamat.
Let the pictures begin.
Dashmat installed
CLD installed
Audiofrog installed
Butyl rubber rope.
Last edited by TheProsecutor; Jan 24, 2018 at 06:29 PM.
Sub'd. Any chance you took dB readings before you started deadening? I bought 60 SDS tiles myself, 9 sheets of KnuKoncepts Kolossus, and 36 sq ft of HMF to do mine. I'm wrapping my box this weekend and will probably start gutting the car next weekend. And have you had it on the road yet??? Any noticeable difference...rephrase, HOW noticeable if a difference?
Last edited by Pb82 Ronin; Apr 13, 2018 at 09:11 AM.
I have measured the car at three different speeds without the damping. I need to remeasure it. I started with 60 tiles. Then I added 10 more, 7 underneath the headliner and 2 behind rear, unused speakers, and split one in half underneath the rear window.
I went with 40 sq ft. of MLV to start. I added 16 sq ft. more in the back, as you see. I could use another 1' x 6' section under the passenger seat.
But the noise level reduction is very noticeable. The doors are heavy and solid.
Where I do notice noise is from thru the glass in the doors but I can't remedy that. Also through the rear wheel arches, I could try melamine foam back there.
I can comment some on the sound deadening. I gutted my interior to do my audio system in my car and covered the entire interior with Soundskinz. Went through almost 8 rolls of the stuff. The difference is incredible. The cabin noise going down the highway at 70 mph (esp on concrete) was so loud you had to use a raised voice to talk to a passenger and it was difficult to talk on the cell phone. After the deadening and this included the roof, door panels, trunk lid, you name it, it got covered, the difference was incredible. Not even the same car. It is soooooo much quieter going down the highway and I feel completely worth the extra 70 lbs of weight added.
OP, any updates? I'm curious about the DSP. Been wondering if I need one...beginning to think I do. How helpful has it been? Also, got any install pics of it?
The DSP made it sound worse to begin with, but once I got it tuned in, it sound so much better. I used mono pink noise, REW, and a calibrated microphone. I got the crossovers set, time alignment corrected, gains set, then the equalization.
The time alignment thing is killing me. I can totally tell mine if off, but everyone that gets in the car thinks it sounds fine. Even shops...it sucks.
Morel Maximo 6.5 components in the doors (C6) with Focal ISC-130s (Integration series) coaxials 5.25 in the rear location.
I have NO DSP. Just the Pioneer AVC8100. All speakers are "HPF on." Fronts are crossed at 63 Hz to 18db slope. Rears are 200 Hz dropped 12 db slope. Sub is "LPF on" 63 Hz sloped at -12 db (so signs off by 100 Hz) Sub is a single JL 10W7 on 500W. Other speakers are on a JL 300/4 channel (both Slash series amps).
Last edited by Pb82 Ronin; May 15, 2018 at 08:24 PM.
The 18db slope put you out of phase by 90 degrees. The 12db slope puts you out of phase by 180 degrees at the crossover point. Where as a 24db slope is in phase at the crossover point. So that is the first issue.
Here is a link with some good reading. Slope do add, so if you can have a 12 db setting on your radio and on your amp, at the same frequency, then you will have a 24db slope and no change in phase.
IASCA SQC competition novice class build
Nice.
