As some may have read in a previous installment, I attempted a simple JL install and got just a little improvement over the Bose system by using a JL C5crossover for the Bose door midrange in combination with a JL C5 tweeter. Now, I'll be attempting to take complete control over the speakers I want to retain by installing the following equipment:

Total System

• (1) JL C5-650 *Tweeters and Crossover for Doors
• (1) JL VR-690-CXi *Rear Deck
• (1) JL 10W1v2-4 *Sub
• (1) JL 300/4v2 *Bose Mids, JL Door Tweeters, JL VR690 in rear deck
• (1) JL 500/1v2 *Bose Door Woofers, 10W1v2 Sub
• (1) JL XC-PCS4-2B *Power and Ground Wiring, Distribution Block
• (2) JL XB-CLRAIC2-SW *RCA to Speaker Connection
• (1) JL XB-BLUAIC2-1 *RCA from 500/1v2 to 300/4v2
• (1) JL RBC-1 *Remote Bass Control
• (1) JL STACK KIT-2 *Hardware for Amps
• (1) 4080 Enclosure
• (1) Dynamat Extreme Trunk Kit

Here's a few pics of everything in the trunk stripped out prior to the Dynamat:

 

One more pic of the bare trunk plus two of the MDF amp mount:

 

Dynamat pics:

 

A few shots of the Bose amps:

 

Here's some shots at the battery, the distribution block in trunk, and the pins I created for the stock Bose harness. By pinning instead of splicing or cutting, I can revert to stock with absolutely no damage to the stock wiring. This is a bit*h but well worth the time and effort in my opinion!

 

Here's three pics of the finished amplifier install prior to reassembling the trunk:

Note: So far, the sound is incredible! Similar to stock but with far more power, punch, and clarity in my opinion.

Here are a few installation details:

• I'm not using the center channel and rear-side speakers
• The 300/4v2 front section is set to 12db, high pass, 500hz
• The 300/4v2 rear section is set to 12db, high pass, 50hz
• The 500/1v2 is set to 24db, low pass, 200hz, Q=1.6, Center of 45hz, variable bass boost of 0-15db
• The two Bose door woofers are bridged creating a 2.6ohm load to the 500/1v2 until the 10W1v2 installation

 

Thanks very much for posting the pics. I will be sharing them with my shop as we are working through planning out my system.

Keep up the good work!


DN

 

No problem. If I can help in any way just give me a shout.


Here's a pic of the finished trunk and the C5 door tweeters and crossovers. Everything reinstalled perfectly and there has been no concern with overheating. I believe the fresh cabin air panel right next to the amp is helping out here. The 4080 box is scheduled to arrive this Thursday and I'll get some pics of it and the remote bass **** install up as soon as they're installed.

 

Awesome work. JL is my favorite brand for audio equipment

 

JL Audio is great but they are a lot of hype at the same time. There are tons of other great brands out there with not the price tag. but dont get me wrong, great equipment. had all JL in my first vehicle. looks like a fun install! haha. dont you just looveeee dynamatting!!!!

 

Dynamat is a real, real, PITA!

I'll have pics up tomorrow of the entire finished system. The 4080 enclosure is here and man o man is that a beautiful enclosure!

 

It's finally done! Well, done until I change it again!

 

wow good work man keep it up

 

Final verdict:

While more powerful, the system is not that much better to justify the expense in my opinion. So I did the following changes:

• Kept the JL 500/1
• Uninstalled the 300/4 and distribution block
• Reinstalled the Bose amp, not the Woofer amp
• Installed the RBC-1 bass **** between the heated seat switches
• Swapped the 10W1v3 with a 10W6v2
• Kept the C5 tweeters and crossovers for the doors
• Kept the VR-690's for the rears
• Fed the output for the rear, side speakers from the Bose amp to the VR-690's to get full range *disconnected rear side speakers, my least favorite in the car!
• Cleaned up the battery wiring install

This made the biggest impact to date. I have the 500/1 settings at a Q of 1.6, center frequency of 35hz, and a frequency cutoff of 12db at 45Hz. The clean, powerful sub compliments the entire system with more punch and the ability to reach down low for those tones previously missing. The smoother highs and mids from the JL tweeters and crossovers eliminated any harshness and are as smooth as I've ever heard. Finally, the rear has a nice fill with the VR's. It compliments the front soundstage without drawing unwanted attention. For me, this is the perfect setup to turn this system into a jawdropper.

 

I like where you put the bass ****. If you don't mind, how did you take apart the center console to install the ****? I was checking it and did not find an easy way to get at that dummy button in the middle.

Also, are you running the tweeters off the Bose amp? I have the same sub setup, but would like some better highs.

Thanks.