My Stereo Build...a bit modest.

[mister2d]

What's up everyone. I thought to share the build that I'm undergoing right now. As you know, the stock stereo is pretty gutless.

And old pic.

This will be my FIRST complete system install. In the past I've only added subwoofers and head unit. Nothing I can't handle though.

The gear:

Headunit - Pioneer DEH-80PRS

Speakers - JBL P660C
Audio Specifications
Frequency Response: 45Hz–23kHz
Sensitivity: (2.83V@1m) 94dB
Power Handling (Peak): 270W
Power Handling (RMS): 90W
Nominal Impedance: 2 ohms

Subwoofer - JL Audio CP110-W0v3 Ported BassWedge
Recommended amplifier power: 75 - 300W

Amp - NVX JAD900.5 (5 channel)
RMS Power Rating:
4 ohms: 70w x 4 + 210 x 1 chan.
2 ohms: 105w x 4 + 380 x 1 chan.
CEA-2006 Compliant

As you can probably see, I am going for an active setup. Glad I am because these crossovers are HUGE. I don't have to worry about a spot for those in my little car.

Day One
**Wired the leads for the power to the amp, and remote wire
**Wired remote bass control
**Shielded RCAs
**Re-run new 16 gauge speaker wire to tweeters and woofers.

What a day... a bit sore, but worth it. I can't wait to hear what this all amounts to. Here's a few pictures of my progress.

I bought the BassWedge instead of the JL MicroSub since it was out of stock locally. Once they get stock I will likely swap this one out for it.... but you never know. They say this sub is a monster as well!

 

[GeneralZod]

Some pics are not working. What I see looks great.

 

[mister2d]

Some pics are not working. What I see looks great.

Thanks. Hopefully the pics are fixed now.

 

[GeneralZod]

All works, looks awesome!

 

[mister2d]

Looks like I wasted a lot of time fitting these 6.5 inch speakers in the door. Even with the supplied adapter brackets it still left some open area around the speaker.

I don't know if I read it here that it is possible to remove the stock speakers from its housing. Anyway, I had the bright idea of removing the stock speaker and using the stock speaker housing for these 6.5" JBLs.

The result turned out good. All I had to do is use my heat gun around the edges a little bit and pry the stock speaker out. Then I had to cut four notches in the housing so that the speakers mount flush.

Stock Speaker

JBL Speaker

JBL Speaker mounted in stock housing

All mounted to front door

Using the stock housing creates a superior seal around the opening. Thanks to whoever mentioned it here...or I'll pat myself on the back for exploring it with my heat gun.

Everything is pretty much mounted and connected now. I'll post more pics after I clean the cable mess up a bit. It's ugly under the false floor. lol

Next up, tune the system to my car and enjoy.

 

[sonic007]

Yup thats what we do in my bay. Works wonders in some cars.

 

[mister2d]

Yup thats what we do in my bay. Works wonders in some cars.

Thanks. You were very helpful during my planning stages.

 

[sonic007]

Oh no problem. Glad it all worked out. Looks goood wish I could hear it. Lol

 

[boydnhere]

New Speaker wires to the Front Speakers?

The build looks really good and clean. I am in the middle of my whole new stereo install on my sonic right now. Were you able to run NEW speaker wire to the front door? If so, how did you route the wire? I got stuck with the front driver side door. The rear doors were really simple. But the different connector on the front does seem to not make it want to get the wire through the panel with the connector under the rubber boot. Any suggestions? The rear speakers are in mine and wired up and sounding good. I don't want to have to use the tiny factory wires in the front.

 

[mister2d]

The build looks really good and clean. I am in the middle of my whole new stereo install on my sonic right now. Were you able to run NEW speaker wire to the front door? If so, how did you route the wire? I got stuck with the front driver side door. The rear doors were really simple. But the different connector on the front does seem to not make it want to get the wire through the panel with the connector under the rubber boot. Any suggestions? The rear speakers are in mine and wired up and sounding good. I don't want to have to use the tiny factory wires in the front.

Yes I was able to run new speaker wire to the front door. It was a bit of a hack, but so far it's the best I can come up with.

I ran the wires through the rubber boot and then under the door surrounds. I notched the rubber surround so that the wires would seat well. I'll get you a pic sometime today.

If I knew where or how the stock speakers were wired maybe I would have used the existing wire. But something tells me there's a crossover somewhere.

 

[stoopid]

I did something similar with the old speakers in my Civic, literally cut the old speaker out of the housing to mount the new ones. Looking good so far. The specs on those components look great.

 

[mister2d]

The build looks really good and clean. I am in the middle of my whole new stereo install on my sonic right now. Were you able to run NEW speaker wire to the front door? If so, how did you route the wire? I got stuck with the front driver side door. The rear doors were really simple. But the different connector on the front does seem to not make it want to get the wire through the panel with the connector under the rubber boot. Any suggestions? The rear speakers are in mine and wired up and sounding good. I don't want to have to use the tiny factory wires in the front.

Here's a pic for you. This is my hack job.

 

[mister2d]

Ok I believe I am 95% done. I just have to Velcro tie and make pretty all the power and speaker cabling under the floor. Any suggestions?

Also, I changed my mind on the 8 inch JL MicroSub. I plugged it in today to test it out and my amp just cannot provide enough power to at 4 ohms. Bummer because that sub is REALLY small.

What I did was change to the next great thing. The dual 8-inch JL Microsub. This sub comes pre-wired for a 2 ohm load. Even though it's rated 500 RMS, my amp seems to give it enough power for my tastes (at the moment) at 380 RMS @ 2 ohms. Yes, it thumps. Yes it sounds INCREDIBLE.

Scratch that. The whole system sounds INCREDIBLE. This head unit really shines with its built-in processor. I would say the sound quality is a 9/10.

Okay.. onto the final pics of the install.

 

[sonic007]

Holy extra wire batman.

 

[mister2d]

*sigh* tell me about it.

 

[wingman]

Did you lose bluetooth or any other functions?

 

[xsonicLTZx]

holy .... yeah i like how you ran that wire in the door jam... im so not looking forward to my speaker install..... im still trying to decide on what speakers I want.... im kinda leaning towards some PPI 2 way's kinda toying with the idea of going 3 ways and mounting a 4inch some where... liked what you did with the door speakers, good job.

 

[mister2d]

I retained factory Bluetooth and Onstar. However, this headunit has Bluetooth capability that I use (for streaming audio, and phone calls). Yes, it's a redundant system. I don't like it. The Metra harness outputs the factory stuff to the driver's side speaker. To me that's annoying.

I thought I was going to use the factory Bluetooth and Onstar, but I'm going to replace the wiring harness with the one that deletes it.

 

[mister2d]

holy .... yeah i like how you ran that wire in the door jam... im so not looking forward to my speaker install..... im still trying to decide on what speakers I want.... im kinda leaning towards some PPI 2 way's kinda toying with the idea of going 3 ways and mounting a 4inch some where... liked what you did with the door speakers, good job.

Hmm..4inchers where I mounted new tweeters?

There's not much depth there. It may/may not work.

 

[sonic007]

Y didnt you use the factory gromit to run the speaker wire?