2019 GT1 AWD Audio Build Log

[mfenske]

Decided that I'm finally comfortable with car enough to start ripping it apart and begin upgrading the audio system. I stole a lot of what I learned from @andrew tay and @WildBill The first phase is to swap out the factory door speakers on the Harman system. The goal is to use the following drivers:

• Silver Flute, W17RC38-4​

• FaitalPRO 3FE22​

• Alpine/Scanspeak d2904 tweeters​

Since I live in the Pacific NW of America rain is definitely a given so I decided that I'd use non-wood baffles mounts where possible to avoid rotting. I started this morning by popping the door off (three screws behind three trim pieces)

Here's what it looks like with the panel off:

The midrange are mounted on the door card and fortunately the Faitals fit right over the factory location. There were a few threads stating they were 3" and others that they were closer to 2.5". I got lucky in that the 3" Faitals bolt right up and I'll probably throw some sound deadning material around the edges to (hopefully) eliminate any backwaves. Here's the OEM vs the Faital


I decided that if I popped out the factory tweeter mount it would likely fit better. I also went ahead and followed the suggestions of the forum and removed the felt from the holes by using a needle-nosed pliers. Bent those little tabs back and removed it.


Next I drew out a rough shape on 1/8 ABS plastic sheet to make a tweeter mount. Did a little cutting with the jigsaw and luckily the 1 1/2" holesaw bit I had was nearly perfect for the tweeters. Once I was happy with the shape and fitment (after smoothing it a bit with a file) I busted out the flush trim router bit to make a clone for the other side.



Here's what the tweeter looks like on the mount (used a little CA glue to secure it)

Tweeter installed in the car. This is how far I got today and will resume tomorrow and post photos with progress.

 

[mfenske]

Made a little more progress yesterday after a few brain-fart related errors on Sunday (one of which was using the flush trim router on the wrong side of the template so the circles weren't perfect-GRRRR). Anyhow, the new speakers (doors at least) are all in now and sound pretty good. I was hoping that they were less efficient than the OEMs and it appears they are-which is good now it's not so loud at lower volumes. I'm confident that as I add amps/processors it will really wake up. I'll move on to the center channel soon.

 

[mfenske]

Got the center channel in (Boston Acoustics RC41 that I've had since High School). Used the factory center as a template to transfer to 1/4" ABS (wouldn't recommend ABS-Starboard/HDPE is better), trimmed it a bit to get proper fit, shaved some material from the underside of the factory grille, and it fits like a glove! Haven't listened a ton but sounds pretty good so far.

Now I'm getting the bug to add amps/processors/subwoofer

 

[343BlueR32]

What was the reasoning for switching out the speakers? I've been doing car audio for about 16 years and I've never heard of the Faital brand but I can't imagine it being worth the switch out when those drivers are only $33.

Just seems like a bit of a lateral move if nothing was wrong with the factory speakers.

 

[Kelrog]

I was more surprized on the price of the old alpine ring radiators. Didn't realize they were that cheap. lol. That said the speakers in this car are pretty darn good to start with, but I can see wanting to explore what else it could sound like with some proper tweaks. I'd love to see what a full active amp setup and digital DSP could do in my car. I do want a better sub stage though, not sure if I want to go down that path myself, but I'm getting old.

 

[Sanjay R]

My biggest disappointment in the sound system has been the highs... The trebel at higher volumes just seem too harsh, it reminds me of a metal dome tweeter vs a silk dome. My audio settings are usually +3 bass, 0 mids , -3 or -4 for highs. At low or medium volume levels it's decent.....but it's no burmester.

I think it's cool that your doing the sound system your way.

 

[343BlueR32]

My biggest disappointment in the sound system has been the highs... The trebel at higher volumes just seem too harsh, it reminds me of a metal dome tweeter vs a silk dome.

Very accurate statement. That would make sense to me. I never really thought of that direct comparison on tweeter dome makeups but that explains the balance of the factory setup pretty perfectly.

 

[Sanjay R]

Thanks! I used to be a partsexpress.com junkie, building mid towers and having fun with passive crossovers....I distinctly remember the first time I tried one of their $15 dayton silk dome tweeters....words can't describe. That's when I realized that fantastic drivers and tweeters don't have to cost an arm and a leg. All this talk is making me wonder if the tweeters in the stinger simply need changing out to get the sound that I want...because the bass is enough for me and the mids are good too!

 

[mfenske]

What was the reasoning for switching out the speakers? I've been doing car audio for about 16 years and I've never heard of the Faital brand but I can't imagine it being worth the switch out when those drivers are only $33.

Just seems like a bit of a lateral move if nothing was wrong with the factory speakers.

As I understand it Faital is an Italian company that manufactures speakers for a number of other companies. The particular mids I chose are quite highly regarded on Parts Express and DIYMA (do it yourself mobile audio-been there nearly 15 years) and a pretty surly upgrade from the stock ones. The switch wasn't so much for now as it was in an effort to continue upgrading by adding amps/DSP which should put them well beyond what was capable with the OEM gear.

Regarding the factory sound I find the subwoofers to be sloppy/mushy and can't wait to swap them out.

 

[Sanjay R]

Cool, I'll be watching this!

 

[Aarvix]

Watching this thread because I've had an itch to upgrade the audio too.

My dodge ram has silver flutes in the doors and SB acoustics silk some tweeters on a minidsp. The tweeters are fantastic but I'm honestly not impressed with the silver flutes. Hopefully they work out better for you.

 

[mfenske]

Watching this thread because I've had an itch to upgrade the audio too.

My dodge ram has silver flutes in the doors and SB acoustics silk some tweeters on a minidsp. The tweeters are fantastic but I'm honestly not impressed with the silver flutes. Hopefully they work out better for you.

Oh yeah, LOVE the MiniDSP gear! Had a 6to8 in my Honda and that was a great processor. Word on the street is that they're in the process of developing a 12 channel DSP/Amplifier with DIRAC. That thing will probably be like 2k but sounds AMAZING!!!! In the interim I'm leaning towards:

• JBL DSP4086 (amp/DSP combo), Audio Control LC8i, and sub amp
• Audio Control DM-810 and amplifiers
• MiniDSP CDSP 8to12 and amps
• Mosconi Pico 8/12 (amp DSP hybrid) and an amp for the sub

 

[mfenske]

Give a quick update since I linked this thread in another forum- I picked up a factory refurbished JBL DSP4086 (for a little under $200) and when I get motivated I'll start working on that. Haven't decided where I'm mounting all the gear yet so I've held off. Leaning towards trying to fit it around the spare in the well or ditching the spare. We'll see.