Focus: Audio Upgrade Wagon

[768mph]

Third post for pictures

I modified the original door cover and cut it in half (pictured); I applied sound deadener over it to add stability. Much easier.

 

[768mph]

What is the plan before the speakers are replaced? I'm torn, I know the factory amp has wierd rolloffs when the volume is cranked, and the eq in the factory dsp seems like garbage. I can't bring myself to change speakers when what's going into them has been muddled with so much. But I'm not convinced the speakers espically the tweeters really are just garbage. My plan at some point is to dump the stock amp and replace with an amp and dsp.

Judging by the results from sound deadening all the doors, I feel that’s the route you need to take first. Cheapest option, just takes time. But oh so worth it!

 

[autocomman]

I know how much of a drum the doors and panels are, it's interesting you felt it made that big of a difference. When cash flow starts coming in again I'll get a box of rammat and do just what you did. Cargo area, tailgate and doors. The door lock rattles are driving me nuts. And the mud in the system. Oiy

I did this all on my wife's 09 Honda fit. I must have cut at least 10 to 12db of noise our of the car with just what you did. In her car though I also did the floor and added a layer of foam for a decoupled and a layer of MLV. It was vastly Improved.

Great shots of what you did btw. This will definitely be my first step.

Mark

 

[768mph]

I know how much of a drum the doors and panels are, it's interesting you felt it made that big of a difference. When cash flow starts coming in again I'll get a box of rammat and do just what you did. Cargo area, tailgate and doors. The door lock rattles are driving me nuts. And the mud in the system. Oiy

I did this all on my wife's 09 Honda fit. I must have cut at least 10 to 12db of noise our of the car with just what you did. In her car though I also did the floor and added a layer of foam for a decoupled and a layer of MLV. It was vastly Improved.

Great shots of what you did btw. This will definitely be my first step.

Mark

Mark,

Yes, I feel adding new dash speaker, tweeters, and door woofers, one would have a VERY nice system coupled with sound deadening.
I may order more and finish up the edges on the doors and complete the hatch door.

Speakers are ridiculously easy to change; one bolt, pry from the top and the whole assembly comes out. You dont have to remove the whole door panel, just loosen the bolts and the bottom clips. You’ll have a good 45° of angle to work behind the door panel loosened to do everything you need.

Because of this... I may do new speakers to add.

 

[AWD GM]

Thanks for the detailed write-up 768mph. It's what I should do to my car. A few questions I had were:

Is it worth doing more of the car such as the floor, roof, dash, and door pillars? (taking a car apart is not a problem for me)

How much total dynamat did you use?

And if i go to all the work is it worth using rammat or should i go with tried and proven dynamat?
Probably what made me decide to do it is how you kept us updated with results after each step. I never would have guessed it'd make such a difference on this new and quiet of a car 🙂 TIA

 

[6APPEAL]

Thanks for the detailed write-up 768mph. It's what I should do to my car. A few questions I had were:

Is it worth doing more of the car such as the floor, roof, dash, and door pillars? (taking a car apart is not a problem for me)

How much total dynamat did you use?

And if i go to all the work is it worth using rammat or should i go with tried and proven dynamat?
Probably what made me decide to do it is how you kept us updated with results after each step. I never would have guessed it'd make such a difference on this new and quiet of a car 🙂 TIA

Don't get too hung up on branding. Just make sure you use a high quality, vinyl based product. Do not use asphalt based products as you will regret it down the road when it melts. Also remember you do not need 100% coverage to get very good results. And as autocomman mentioned in his post above, a multi-layered approach will give the best results.

 

[768mph]

Thanks for the detailed write-up 768mph. It's what I should do to my car. A few questions I had were:

Is it worth doing more of the car such as the floor, roof, dash, and door pillars? (taking a car apart is not a problem for me)

How much total dynamat did you use?

And if i go to all the work is it worth using rammat or should i go with tried and proven dynamat?
Probably what made me decide to do it is how you kept us updated with results after each step. I never would have guessed it'd make such a difference on this new and quiet of a car 🙂 TIA

I would say maybe total was 30-35 sqft.
I used 20 sqft on all four doors. And I Think I have maybe 10-15 sqft left over when I began the project.
I’d say you’re good with getting 40sqft.

Yes, more coverage will produce better results. But be assured the labor is worth the end result. Are you doing for full SQ build? If not, I wouldn’t go down the rabbit hole. If so, yes, do work and enjoy the end result!

I was always a fan of GT Mat but after using this Noico sound deadener product, I am a fan. I will order another 10 sqft to touch up some “loose ends” like finishing the hatch, the outer edge of doors and under the rear seat (it lifts out.)

 

[768mph]

After listening to many different samples, I grin ear to ear.
For example, if you like music with heavy bass guitar, you’ll benefit greatly from this.
I was listening to Metallica “Devil’s Dance” from their “Reload” album. Blown away by the bass guitar.

You feel the music and it surrounds you, full experience; not music coming from the doors, but around and in front of you.

It’s the progression that I enjoy the most. I don’t like throwing everything at once. More fun to build to that perfect system.

Now to shop for speakers that will sound well with stock head unit...but can handle the power of aftermarket amp later on.

 

[AWD GM]

I would say maybe total was 30-35 sqft.
I used 20 sqft on all four doors. And I Think I have maybe 10-15 sqft left over when I began the project.
I’d say you’re good with getting 40sqft.

Yes, more coverage will produce better results. But be assured the labor is worth the end result. Are you doing for full SQ build? If not, I wouldn’t go down the rabbit hole. If so, yes, do work and enjoy the end result!

I was always a fan of GT Mat but after using this Noico sound deadener product, I am a fan. I will order another 10 sqft to touch up some “loose ends” like finishing the hatch, the outer edge of doors and under the rear seat (it lifts out.)

Thanks this gives me a good idea to start with. Now time to order some up so I can hear the results for myself!

 

[autocomman]

For example, if you like music with heavy bass guitar, you’ll benefit greatly from this.
I was listening to Metallica “Devil’s Dance” from their “Reload” album. Blown away by the bass guitar.

Now to shop for speakers that will sound well with stock head unit...but can handle the power of aftermarket amp later on.

Are you planning on removing the stock amp or trying to dsp correct after the amp

Also it's wired, listening to bass heavy things it performs well, on the low end. EDM can be very bass heavy and holy crap I was surprised at how it would kick, it's very strange how they setup the factory EQ and rolloff freq, especially when it comes to volume level. I wish there was a way to hack all the factory settings that are programmed in and have full access to the control of the amp and built in dsp

 

[duckrock]

Any news on speakers? I read this entire thread and am super excited to start this project with the deadening and then move to speakers as well.

 

[kevjam79]

I am enjoying my Infinity Reference...

 

[ready2fly]

I am enjoying my Infinity Reference...

Did you have Bose in yours? Did you just replace stock with Infinity? I would've gone with Kappa, but nothing beats Morel.

 

[ready2fly]

After listening to many different samples, I grin ear to ear.
For example, if you like music with heavy bass guitar, you’ll benefit greatly from this.
I was listening to Metallica “Devil’s Dance” from their “Reload” album. Blown away by the bass guitar.

You feel the music and it surrounds you, full experience; not music coming from the doors, but around and in front of you.

It’s the progression that I enjoy the most. I don’t like throwing everything at once. More fun to build to that perfect system.

Now to shop for speakers that will sound well with stock head unit...but can handle the power of aftermarket amp later on.

Thank you for this whole writeup. The issue with Bose audio is different impedance. Center speaker and door speakers are all different ohms. I was thinking about replacing mine, but I am afraid to mess up sound alignment.

 

[kevjam79]

Did you have Bose in yours? Did you just replace stock with Infinity? I would've gone with Kappa, but nothing beats Morel.

I have 2018 Preferred Group II. No Bose. 7-speaker setup with upgraded infotainment.

 

[kevjam79]

Here is the sets that I am running:

Infinity Reference 6532IX 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speakers - Pair, 6.5 Inch Amazon.com: Infinity Reference 6532IX 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speakers - Pair, 6.5 Inch: Home Audio & Theater

I am also running the Scosche brackets and Metra wiring harnesses. I also recommend carefully moving the foam off of the OEM brackets and placing it on the Scosche brackets in the same way.

 

[ready2fly]

Here is the sets that I am running:

Infinity Reference 6532IX 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speakers - Pair, 6.5 Inch Amazon.com: Infinity Reference 6532IX 6-1/2" 2-Way Car Speakers - Pair, 6.5 Inch: Home Audio & Theater

I am also running the Scosche brackets and Metra wiring harnesses. I also recommend carefully moving the foam off of the OEM brackets and placing it on the Scosche brackets in the same way.

So you do have a sub, but no center speaker? Did you leave stock rear speakers as is? Any changes in volume or mismatched audio rear/front?

 

[kevjam79]

No sub in Preferred Grp II. The center channel and upper door tweeters are still stock in my setup.

I changed the front and rear door speakers to the Infinity Reference.

It definitely changes the soundstage but the improvements in audio quality over shadow.

 

[ready2fly]

No sub in Preferred Grp II. The center channel and upper door tweeters are still stock in my setup.

I changed the front and rear door speakers to the Infinity Reference.

It definitely changes the soundstage but the improvements in audio quality over shadow.

I have Preferred II with Bose, so I do have a sub. I actually like our Bose system vs stock, it is much cleaner and deeper. My main thing would be more lively/natural tweeters, I am happy with the mids and the bass.

 

[kevjam79]

My recommendation for the pillar tweeters:

Infinity REF-275tx 135W Reference Series Edge-Driven Textile Car Tweeters, 3/4" Amazon.com: Infinity REF-275tx 135W Reference Series Edge-Driven Textile Car Tweeters, 3/4"

Or

Infinity Reference 375TX- 3/4” Component tweeter Amazon.com: Infinity Reference 375TX- 3/4” Component tweeter: Electronics

I think these will fit in the center channel:

Infinity Reference REF-3032CFX 3-1/2" 2-way Car Speakers - Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07B8T66KB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_fab_GGnFFb6XKRVPM

If you do these upgrades, let us know how it goes and any challenges you run into. I am considering it but would love to here your feedback.

Have a great rest of the week!