After having a competition audio system in my Audi A4 for about 4 years, I've decided it is time for a refresh. There are some parts of the system that I love, and some parts that have driven me nuts. And then to top it off, I blew a couple of the caps in my ancient Phoenix Gold MS Series amps. So instead of patching the system together, the decision was to redo the majority of the system but remain competitive in the classes that the car competes in.
Since my family moved recently, taking it back to Benchmark Audio in Upstate NY wasn't practical. It went from a 6 hour drive to a 15 hour drive, which just isn't going to happen.
So after looking at a ton of shops, the decision was made to take the car to Acoustic Images in Mooresville, NC. The crew at AI employs a number of veteran competitors including Bryan Wilkinson, Jason Syner, Mark Worell and other well known industry installers.
I also got a little help from some great manufacturers: JL Audio, Second Skin and AudioControl have all helped out with the project. We will be covering each of those sponsor's products usage in the rebuilt system.
The goals of the system were pretty easy:
Run the
front stage 100% Active, getting rid of the Alpine F#1 Passive Crossover Networks
Install New Subwoofers
Replace Existing Sound Dampening Materials
Over the next couple of weeks we'll post up pictures of the trunk being redone, the kicks and doors being rebuilt, and some general rebuilding of the car. It's going to be quite a process, but I'm really looking forward to the results. Stay tuned!
Last edited by BenVollmer; 12-15-2008 at 05:02 AM..
Reason: Fixing Pics
nice! and your going to change that??!
Are the PG amps staying?
We are. The new system will include a pair of the F#1 Tweets, a Pair of F#1 5" Mid Range Drivers and 7" Mid Bass Drivers.
We will also be removing all of the dynamat from the car. We are replacing that with Second Skin Damplifier Pro.
And the PG 10" Subs never could get low enough or loud enough for me. So a pair of 12TW5's are being put in the car.
And to make it all much more fun, I have a small collection of MS Series amps that PG powder coated to match. So Dr. Fosgate is repairing all of the caps on the blown amps and checking them all out. We are increasing the number of amps from 4 to 6. It will include: MS275x3 MS2125x2 and MS2250x1...
My hope is that the car will be as loud as can be. I have a competition car now and this will be my daily driver.
We are. The new system will include a pair of the F#1 Tweets, a Pair of F#1 5" Mid Range Drivers and 7" Mid Bass Drivers.
We will also be removing all of the dynamat from the car. We are replacing that with Second Skin Damplifier Pro.
And the PG 10" Subs never could get low enough or loud enough for me. So a pair of 12TW5's are being put in the car.
And to make it all much more fun, I have a small collection of MS Series amps that PG powder coated to match. So Dr. Fosgate is repairing all of the caps on the blown amps and checking them all out. We are increasing the number of amps from 4 to 6. It will include: MS275x3 MS2125x2 and MS2250x1...
My hope is that the car will be as loud as can be. I have a competition car now and this will be my daily driver.
Why remove the dynamat at all, you better off to layer the damplifier on top of it imo. Also is that exposed metal face that the deck is mounted permanent or are you going to be making some sort of insert for it? It just looks very unfinished imo and does match the rest of the dash at all.
Why remove the dynamat at all, you better off to layer the damplifier on top of it imo. Also is that exposed metal face that the deck is mounted permanent or are you going to be making some sort of insert for it? It just looks very unfinished imo and does match the rest of the dash at all.
Removing the dynamat is 100% personal. While it wouldn't hurt to leave it in, I do not want it in the car. If it means burning the car, that is cool. Just I want Dynamic Control's Product ALL out of the car.
The metal around the deck matches the metal around the speakers. It was part of the theme.... If you look around the speakers you will see the same metal. I don't like it in pics, but it actually look spretty good in person. It is actually finished, but the finish is clear.
if i were you, i would stay away from the alpine F#1 stuff and get real scanspeak drivers. unless you are getting a dealer discount or something, the only difference between the two is alpine had tympany coat the cones and the price was hiked up.
but thats just me. the f#1 9990 stuff is nuts. wish i could use it. me and my lowly dvi-9861 and pxa-h701 lol.
Here is the previous amp rack. Audi has 4 tie downs in the trunk, that go all the way through the car. One of the edicts is that no additional holes will be drilled. So in the previous system and the new one, we have used those hole to support the whole truck assembly.
Wow, hard to believe you would want to peel the Extreme off that badly. Ant makes a great product (Second Skin), but from my own personal experience with both products, the Extreme worked better. I tried the inside of my doors with deamplifier pro and had a hard time with it staying put. The Extreme has never moved.
They are all Phoenix Gold MS Series amps. The one closest to you is a Son of Frank, which is a MS2125 and MS275 in the same chassis. The back two are an MS2125 and a MS275. They are upside down, with the heat sinks being on the bottom.
The new system will be those four amps plus one additional MS275 and one MS2250.
Ben, loving your A4 and I look forward to seeing you at Spring Break! I can't wait to get your input on the real install in the my pos acura (your A4 makes me miss my GTI).
Devil plays the fiddle?!?! Devil kinda ghey!!!
Team Audionutz | Team Arc Audio
The the legendary legend.... haven't seen (or Heard) that one in ages.
is it going to be running through the lanes?
need to get both of them in the lanes.
old school systems in the lanes for a comeback FTW!!!!
The orginal system in the Audi was 100% analog old school. MX406, AX406a, EQ232, TBAT, etc....
I wish I could get both of them there. Not gonna happen based upon distance and budget. The Acura will be the big show car and the audi will be for the ones I don't feel like towing too...
Rebuilding My Audi A4
Good to see you Tom!
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