IS350 Stealth audio install...thought i'd share some pics
 

HI guys, new here, recommended by a IS owner who recently had me do his stereo system :)

thanks for the info i gathered here, and especially to chuck music for his help, as always over the years :)

this was my first IS350 install and overall, i am pretty happy with the results

goals:

1. great sound quality with the stock nav headunit retained (found that the stock system does NOT do much eqing)

2. completely stealth with some show factor :)

so lets get started.

First the headunit and amp of the stock system is plugged into the inputs of an audiocontrol LC8, the signals are summed and provide the RCA signals for the amps.

Front stage: a set of DLS ultimate UR36i 3 way component set is used. the 6.5" midbass is sealed in the stock lower door location, and tiny kick panels are fabricated housing the midrange and tweet, it clears the foot brake with ease :) and provide a very nice and high stage with very very solid center image:

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis1.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis2.jpg

the rear stock components are left stock so lets move ont o the trunk :)

like i said, stealth is the key, here is what hte trunk looks like when opened, the KINK in the carpet is NOT from the system, its from being folded int he backseat for four days :) normally the carpet would lay completley flat...

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis3.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis4.jpg

pull off the carpet you see a vinyl fake floor, with vinyl cover in the back and a grill mesh on the front :) hmm why the strange looking grille?

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis5.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis6.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis7.jpg

with all the covers off, the system is revealed.

in the back, two alpine amps supplied by the car customer flank a set of DLS ultimate crossovers. and upfront, a quartet of elemental designs EU700s 6.5" true subwoofers reside in a fiberglass spare tire well enclosure, both are trimmed in sude :)

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis8.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis9.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis10.jpg

the reason why the EU 700s are chose is becuase the well of the IS is pretty shallow and features a big center crossob brace :) so their small size coupled with their awesome output makes them ideal... this foursome certainly puts out enough bass to shake the rear view mirror with authority! a friend who heard it though i ahd two 10s back there lol

now some behind the scene photos:

fake floor off showing everyhting, notice how tight everyhting is, the LC8 is secured against the back trunk wall int he well

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis11.jpg

stock 8" was removed from the rear deck to get more bass into the cabin:

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis12.jpg

here are the front stage midbass install, first a cup was made, then put into the door, new speaker wires are run into the door, and then the entire door was sealed and dampened

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis13.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis14.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis15.jpg

here the spare tire well box in construction, you will see what i mean by irregularly shapped and not very deep:

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis16.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis17.jpg

http://simplicity.elitecaraudio.org/ronis18.jpg

Absolutely gorgeous. :thumbup: I wouldn't go for the instrusive (to me) footwell speakers but it's still a very slick setup.

i know what you are saying about kicks, infact, its what every customer says to me, so tell them to wait a week and see if it still bothers them, and everyon gets used to them in no time :) not to mention the tiny ones...people sometimes dont realize how sturdy kicks are, made out of solid fiberglass, you can even rest your foot on it haha

Love your spirit.:thumbup:
Just wish I have more time in my cars...:cry:

how much for the setup?

i am not sure on forum rulse, so if you wanna know the cost, just PM me :)

www.simplicityinsound.com is my site, on the home page are links to some of my recent installs :)

Nice work. I only have one JL 12 in my trunk and pretty happy with it. I unplug my amp most of the time until the week.

I'm definitely an audiophile of sorts and I like your work. Kick panels are a great way to go, people don't realize how proper imaging and staging improves sound. Good work!

This is awsome. You got PM's coming your way....:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

man, you've got gut! :thumbup: nice system.

thanks guys, just a note: i am the installer, not the owner :) the owner just took back the car, and maybe he can share his thoughts on here sometime soon :)

b

Great choice in speakers.. I had the DLS Iridiums 3-way components on my rsx.. miss them so very much.

where in cali are you located?
and im sure you can post the price here :)