JBL System Upgrade on 2007 Touring

Thought I'd give a quick overview of an install I've been doing the last few days....

Front speakers: Infinity 6010cs Component series, using Infinity crossover (included).
(Center: Disconnected the speaker; Rear: As is, since it will not be used)
JBL output processing:
Signal summing: JL Cleansweep SSI unit - used in 2-way mode with 'front high to front high', 'rear to rear high', 'front low to front low'
EQ: JL Audio Cleansweep DSP - auto EQ calibration setup using provided pink-noise CD (will compensate for a lot of the poor frequency response from JBL amp)
Amp: Alpine MRP 450, 4 channel
Sub: Infinity Basslink 10", Powered
Connectivity: VAIS ipod controllor

What I thought folk might find interesting is that I did listen to the ugrades as I put them in: Here is how I saw things improve:

- I would rate the original system 2 or 3 out of 10 at best - and it actually hurts the ears if played loud at all (NOTE: My 'reference' is a domestic system with Rega Ela speakers, Naim Nait amp and Arcam Alpha 9 CD player that I rate at 9/10)

- I first replaced the JBL tweeters with the Infinity Ref 6010cs component set - 1011T I think - that gave one of the most marked improvements: Just changing the tweeters gets it to 5/10 maybe. Even using the built-in elctronic cross-over in the amp. It was now system I could listen to for half an hour without switching it off in disgust!

- Changing the JBL woofers (the JBL's are actually metal or metal-look cones - much nicer looking than the JBL speakers I have seen on photos of 2004/05 models) to the Infinity's really made only a small but still noticable difference: 5.5/10 maybe. Sharper kick to the bass, but no better ability low, low down. This is where I was beginning to wonder whether it was a classic case of garbage-in, garbage-out (Note: I did try wiring the front speakers to the rear JBL amp output and used the supplied Infinity crossover with the speakers, but I discovered that the sound was not better and also the Nav and Bluetooth signal went to the rear - unlike the 2005 models where I believe the speaker wire was interrupted outside the amp - so I swapped it back to front amp to front speakers. Note2: The external appearance of the amp and the connector in my 2007 is different to the ones seen in some of the guides here - from 2005 models perhaps - the speakers and power connector are split into two smaller ones)

- I then tried the Kenwood KSC-SW1 amp-sub combo to put in the little hatch above the spare tire - now don't get me wrong, I don't need much bass to be happy, but this thing was bl**dy terrible: It did provide a some waffly bass, but in my opinion it just adds the to general aural confusion... took that out and threw it as far as I could (anybody want to buy a Kenwood Sub? - as new condition). I was hoping for about 6/10, but I was actually stuck on 5.5/10 or even 5/10 with the kenwood at this point - NOT GOOD.

- I then concluded it WAS a case of garbage-in, garbage-out. The ideal would be to rip out the OEM system, head-unit etc etc and start again, but I actually like the way the nav and bluetooth are controlled with the audio, plus it's a new car, plus I'd just paid for a nice VAIS ipod controllor to go with the existing head-unit... Soooo I plumped down some more serious green for the JL audio SSI cleansweep signal summing unit to take the JBL speaker signals and even out the levels, then the resulting RCA out of that was fed into a JL audio cleansweep DSP to try and flatten out that shocking frequency bias the JBL amp adds, after that it is a straight front and rear RCA to an Alpine MRP 450 4-channel amp with a pass through to an Infinity 10" Basslink powered sub. After a LOT of blood, sweat and nearly-tears, I had all the JL audio processing units and amp stowed away under the rear hatch, with only the infinity sub above ground.

Where am I now? I would say it is about 7, maybe 7.5 with a little tuning... The bass is now satisfying and overcomes road noise and the JL audio processing has brought the front speakers mid-range and tweeters to life in a way I wouldn't have believed. I suspect the limitations of the OEM head-unit will show themsleves on more complex pieces of music, but overall this is a very listenable system. Round of applause to JL audio then. The best thing is that the bluetooth, nav and front/rear fade all still work perfectly - in fact the nav and BT sound better than ever! Overall this is pretty much where I was aiming at getting to when I started, only I've ended up spending a great deal more wonga than planned. Hmmph. Nothing new there then.

- The VAIS appears to work brilliantly first time - sound is actually better than the old 3.5mm aux jack I was using and now I get to control it plus see titles, song, artist etc too. I am using it in MP3 mode. I am guessing there isn't a 'software' hack to enable me to see details whilst the car is moving?

Will add a bit more description of the system sound quality soon...

Does anybody have any tips for how to tune a system similar to this? For starters I'm thinking I may need to turn down the front tweets a little since they are providing a little more volume than the mid-range. The infinty crossovers allow a 3dp drop - has anybody tried that?

 

OK, so I thought the system sounded great, but the tweeters were just a touch too loud, so I just dug out the crossover for the infinity 6010cs's at the front and connected the tweeter cable to the -3db option: Definetly sounding sweeter as a result - though the real test is on the highway of course.

 

Well, your note reminded me to take a picture or two, so I did just that (click thumbnails):

Hatch closed: Hatch open:

No images of the front speakers obviously since it is all stealth and looks original. As you can tell, I need to do a little tidying up of the power and speaker cables. Oh, and ignore the two wires leading off between the rear seats: They are temporary - from the two remotes for the Cleansweep DSP and Sub so I can do fine tuning of the system on the road with significant background noise (not me driving of course!) - they will eventually be stowed in the hatch with everything else once I've extracted the best sound I can.

For anyone interested, I found that knocking 3dB off the tweeters made a lot of difference: The system really sings now and can be listened to at high volume without irritation. I raise the system score close to 7.5/10 just for that. I may get slightly higher since I haven't got round to doing more than basic tuning of the amp and sub... we'll see. Thanks for the interest (hope I haven't bored you!).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(hpajlp @ Nov 29 2006, 05:17 PM) [snapback]355392[/snapback]</div>

Ah! Good questions:

1. I disconnected the center speaker - in fact this is the first thing I did, and I think it improved things slightly on the original system. It has remained disconnected since.

2. The sub lifts away with the hatch cover (the sub is attached by screws). The amp and processors are all screwed down to an MDF board which also pulls out to get at the spare tire. Plently of cable length means I can put it where I like. By the way, the sub is located in the rear corner of the trunk because a corner position reinforces and somewhat naturally amplifies the bass. I may eventually fibre-glass-enclosure a sub in the corner above the battery one day... but I'm not sure a smaller sub would be better (anyone know?)

3. I don't mind, but don't tell my wife! I spent about $400 on the summing and processing (a decent deal I think), $200 on the amp, $300 on the sub, $200 on front speakers, $300 on the VAIS and $50 on power and speaker cables, so that's about $1450. Not cheap, but then you get what you pay for IMHO - I suppose if I'd taken my time and ordered online I could've saved a good few hundred on speakers, amp, sub et al, maybe around $1000 total, $700 without the VAIS?

4. I did the install myself. Took me a good three sessions or 2-3 hours each. I've done installs before, keep learning as I go...

Hope that helps.