Stealth Audio System Upgrade
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Kenwood KAC - M1824BT Bluetooth Equiped AMP Unboxing
Items included in amplifier package
amplifier compared to iPhone 6 Plus
Back of box with details and specs
The Kenwood KAC - M1824BT Bluetooth amp was delivered today.
When I opened the box I was shocked at how small this thing is, barely bigger than my iPhone 6 Plus with the Otterbox Defender case. 
This opens up a ton of possibilities for mounting it. Originally I was going to mount it in the hatch area but now I'm considering putting it behind the passenger seat. I attached some pictures for comparison and also included the back of the box for those interested in the specs.
I'm still waiting on ordering the rest of the stuff but I spoke to Dennis at Double D Mods today who made some recommendations for changes to some of the items I had chosen. Most notable is the addition of a powered sub to replace/fill in some of the low end I would lose by going to components in the doors. Once I finalize the parts list I'll place an order with Dennis and wait for them to arrive.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,027
Likes: 170
From: oregon
kind of an odd component match. the JLs are a fairly flat mildy warm mid and the infinities are usually bright. have you actually listened to these two together to see if you like the sound?
sometimes it works, the morel tempo and JL c2 or c3 blend pretty well with different sounds., but i'd certainly want to experiment first
what are the plans for hiding the sub?
sometimes it works, the morel tempo and JL c2 or c3 blend pretty well with different sounds., but i'd certainly want to experiment first
what are the plans for hiding the sub?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Project was put on hold for a little bit but will be resuming very soon. I can't drive around all summer with no music 
Speaker selection are still open to suggestions as I haven't purchased those yet. Sub will be the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD and either be mounted in the hatch or behind the seat.
Speaker selection are still open to suggestions as I haven't purchased those yet. Sub will be the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD and either be mounted in the hatch or behind the seat.
Last edited by GTJim; Jun 11, 2015 at 07:12 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,076
Likes: 985
From: Orwigsburg Pa
Project was put on hold for a little bit but will be resuming very soon. I can't drive around all summer with no music
Speaker selection are still open to suggestions as I haven't purchased those yet. Sub will be the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD and either be mounted in the hatch or behind the seat.
Speaker selection are still open to suggestions as I haven't purchased those yet. Sub will be the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD and either be mounted in the hatch or behind the seat.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 37
From: South Central PA
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Project was put on hold for a little bit but will be resuming very soon. I can't drive around all summer with no music
Speaker selection are still open to suggestions as I haven't purchased those yet. Sub will be the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD and either be mounted in the hatch or behind the seat.
Speaker selection are still open to suggestions as I haven't purchased those yet. Sub will be the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD and either be mounted in the hatch or behind the seat.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,027
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Project was put on hold for a little bit but will be resuming very soon. I can't drive around all summer with no music
Speaker selection are still open to suggestions as I haven't purchased those yet. Sub will be the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD and either be mounted in the hatch or behind the seat.
Speaker selection are still open to suggestions as I haven't purchased those yet. Sub will be the Sound Ordnance B-8PTD and either be mounted in the hatch or behind the seat.
generally speaking JL is a fairly warm sounding mid/tweet. morel has more impact and a bit more in your face top end, still very good though especially on the high end. morels high end is world class
imagine dynamics is also worth a look as some of their sets are pretty neutral
sub box suggestions from manufactures are also often off and it's not uncommon to see a QTC of .850 or greater in the specs. theoretical ideal is a qtc of .707 which means something like a JL10w1v2 which specs at .625cu/ft sealed is going to have a much better and smoother low end extension in .85-.90cuft stuffed. some car interiors produce more cabin gain than others and the c5 is pretty decent overall. do err on the larger side for the sub box with whatever you choose.
if you have any local audio stores go in and listen/barter, always better to keep your money in your own community
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Ok this project is back on but has taken a new focus. I'll be doing a budget stealth audio build and trying to keep the total cost under $600.00. To lower costs I've changed my speaker selection to Kicker 40CS674 for both the doors and rear. I'll also be adding a Sound Ordnance B-8PTD powered sub a little later on. So far I've spent $170.00 for the Kenwood Amp, $160.00 for the speakers, and the sub costs $150.00. I still need speaker wire, shrink tube and the speaker plates for the doors. I think I can do it but it's going to be close!!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 37
From: South Central PA
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Ok this project is back on but has taken a new focus. I'll be doing a budget stealth audio build and trying to keep the total cost under $600.00. To lower costs I've changed my speaker selection to Kicker 40CS674 for both the doors and rear. I'll also be adding a Sound Ordnance B-8PTD powered sub a little later on. So far I've spent $170.00 for the Kenwood Amp, $160.00 for the speakers, and the sub costs $150.00. I still need speaker wire, shrink tube and the speaker plates for the doors. I think I can do it but it's going to be close!!!
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2015
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Just a thought here but I would recommend not using the 1/0 wire. I have used Stinger wire for years and for what you are running it would be way overkill even with a sub especially since powered units are pretty low power and also because hiding 1/0 wire is a huge pain and would be even worse in a vette. Stinger makes very high quality wire and I think you would be much happier running it and have the same output with an 8 or 4 gauge setup. Just a thought. Good luck with the build!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Just a thought here but I would recommend not using the 1/0 wire. I have used Stinger wire for years and for what you are running it would be way overkill even with a sub especially since powered units are pretty low power and also because hiding 1/0 wire is a huge pain and would be even worse in a vette. Stinger makes very high quality wire and I think you would be much happier running it and have the same output with an 8 or 4 gauge setup. Just a thought. Good luck with the build!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
Speakers and adaptor plates have been ordered. Cost was $160.00 for the speakers and $30.00 for the adaptor plates. Figures include shipping. Speakers will be here by the 18th and the plates hopefully shortly after. Would like to get started on this project by next weekend weather permitting.
One thing I'm reconsidering is the location of the amp. It's so small I'd love to be able to mount it where the factory head unit was behind the block off plate. I'm sure it would fit but I'm just concerned about air flow to keep the amp cool.
One thing I'm reconsidering is the location of the amp. It's so small I'd love to be able to mount it where the factory head unit was behind the block off plate. I'm sure it would fit but I'm just concerned about air flow to keep the amp cool.
Last edited by GTJim; Aug 16, 2015 at 02:38 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 37
From: South Central PA
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Awesome! If you can, please take pictures. I'm going to do a similar install this fall/winter and it'd be nice to see how things go for you.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,027
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Ok this project is back on but has taken a new focus. I'll be doing a budget stealth audio build and trying to keep the total cost under $600.00. To lower costs I've changed my speaker selection to Kicker 40CS674 for both the doors and rear. I'll also be adding a Sound Ordnance B-8PTD powered sub a little later on. So far I've spent $170.00 for the Kenwood Amp, $160.00 for the speakers, and the sub costs $150.00. I still need speaker wire, shrink tube and the speaker plates for the doors. I think I can do it but it's going to be close!!!
at that price range if we're talking big brands the alpine type s is a good deal more accurate imo. and that's coming from a guy who doesn't even like alpine for the most part
the amp you can stick almost anywhere. those digital amps really don't run all that warm nothing like a typical class a/b
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 26
From: Delaware
did you listen to these first? that's a very harsh in your face mid/tweet
at that price range if we're talking big brands the alpine type s is a good deal more accurate imo. and that's coming from a guy who doesn't even like alpine for the most part
the amp you can stick almost anywhere. those digital amps really don't run all that warm nothing like a typical class a/b
at that price range if we're talking big brands the alpine type s is a good deal more accurate imo. and that's coming from a guy who doesn't even like alpine for the most part
the amp you can stick almost anywhere. those digital amps really don't run all that warm nothing like a typical class a/b
Edit: mounting plates should be here tomorrow. Speaker wire and the rest of the stuff needed for the install will be purchased locally.