Focal Utopia M + Mosconi Pro Class High-End Stereo Upgrade

[Sonnie]

I'm curious if the exhaust drone was ever addressed. I'm looking at the elevated system, but I don't want to spend this kind of money and end up with an annoying noise in the vehicle that wasn't there when the ANC was working.

 

[The_Sko]

I don’t think the use of ANC has been resolved once you go a custom audio route like this and I know for a fact it wasn’t resolved in mine. I did upgrade my exhaust so the idea of a “quite” TRX is completely gone. But at the same time I have zero complaints, sure at a very specific rpm the engine produces a drone, but this also mitigated by the sound deadening I installed in the cab.

Don’t think you can have both and frankly as someone who went this route I wouldn’t take it back if given the option. I think it’s a worthy trade but I would caution against doing the radio, losing ANC and NOT wrapping the cab in deadening material. I would see that as a bad day.

 

[Sonnie]

I had zero issues in my 23 Ford, but my previous 2020 RAM had the ANC, which was bad when disabled. I added a sub with an amp using the PAC AmpPRO and left the doors factory with no issues, but the minute I replaced the doors and had to disable the factory amp, the drone was annoying. The subwoofer didn't do much to help the exhaust drone; surprisingly, it was the front and rear door speakers. With a bypass adaptor, I could bypass the audio signal to the amp and drive around with my hand on the factory speaker cone, and you could feel the vibration it created to offset the noise. I dug deep and hard, trying to figure out a way around it.

At one time, I was considering fiberglassing the bottom door storage area with the factory speaker and leaving it connected since the ANC is wired separately from the speakers. The factory amp would stay, but the speaker connections from the headunit to the amp would be removed with the adaptor; thus, the mics remained, and the ANC sent to the speaker would still work. It would have been the best of both worlds, but I never did it because everyone doing fiberglassing around these parts was shut down due to COVID-19. I think that would be the only solution.

 

[The_Sko]

Interesting and one I would like to hear more about but at this point I have forgotten what it was like with ANC enabled. Almost a blissful ignorance to not miss something I have forgotten about. But should you find a way for these to be done in the TRX please share.

 

[Sonnie]

The guys at SoundsGoodStereo could make this happen. I have sent them an email explaining what I would recommend. They might be able to take my suggestion and improve on it. We'll see.

If I were playing my music loud all the time, it probably wouldn't matter. However, I don't want the noise created by disabling the ANC when my wife is in the vehicle (she only likes it loud in her car) or when I'm listening to sports talk.

I want the best of both worlds... if you know what I mean.

This would be an excellent option for SGS to offer their customers.

 

[Cromin8tor]

Finally giving the TRX owners some love.... We have three of these builds scheduled along with a complete YouTube build video. Here is a sneak peak

View attachment 92564

Maybe being rude but can you tell me what the turnkey cost is?

 

[Sonnie]

The Elevated package is $32K, but with the GOVX ID DISCOUNT (MILITARY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, TEACHER, FIRST RESPONDER), it drops to about $28K. Still on the higher side, but watch the video... these guys do a lot of sound treatment and customization. It has to be one of those things where you obviously have funds that you spare and don't want to tackle doing what they do. They do it in two weeks, whereas it would probably take me four weeks or longer because I'd be doing it all by myself.

 

[phi399]

They installed mine since they are right down the street. I have the elevated setup except I am running K2 Power M front and rear with the Utopia 8s in the front doors. Also, have the new aero DSP. The ANC has not bothered me or the family.

 

[Sonnie]

They installed mine since they are right down the street. I have the elevated setup except I am running K2 Power M front and rear with the Utopia 8s in the front doors. Also, have the new aero DSP. The ANC has not bothered me or the family.

When you say it doesn't bother you, does that mean you can still notice a difference, but you are able to tolerate it?

 

[phi399]

I don't notice it.

 

[Sonnie]

I may disable the ANC in my 2024 and see if it is any different from my 2020 ANC. Maybe I'll get lucky and it won't be as bad, although for some reason I'm being pessimistic about it.

 

[OnTheReel]

The TRX is awful without ANC. Cold weather especially. There’s a drone from hell.

 

[Sonnie]

In my 2020 Laramie, I had engine noise at take-off, and then at highway speeds, there was exhaust burping when accelerating up hills, etc. It was annoying.

 

[OnTheReel]

In my 2020 Laramie, I had engine noise at take-off, and then at highway speeds, there was exhaust burping when accelerating up hills, etc. It was annoying.

TRX has a very pronounced drone around 1500-1700 RPM. That unfortunately happens to be where it runs on the highway and just about everywhere else. I installed a kick-ass Focal KX2 / JL VXi setup and wound up reverting back to stock (with just a Stealthbox) like 6 months later. It was just too much.

If you flip the TRX into Sport mode it reduces the ANC function quite a bit so you can kinda get a feel for how it’ll be without having to even touch the amp.

 

[Sonnie]

Yeah... I moved my super high-end system to my wife's new Lexus in 2020. Then, for the RAM, I got a Stealthbox with the VXi amp fed by a PAC AmpPRO. I treated my vehicle really well and replaced the 6x9 door speakers and dash speakers but kept ANC in play, and it worked great. It obviously wasn't as good as the high-end system, but it was better than the factory HK system.

 

[217TRX]

Yeah... I moved my super high-end system to my wife's new Lexus in 2020. Then, for the RAM, I got a Stealthbox with the VXi amp fed by a PAC AmpPRO. I treated my vehicle really well and replaced the 6x9 door speakers and dash speakers but kept ANC in play, and it worked great. It obviously wasn't as good as the high-end system, but it was better than the factory HK system.

How’s that VXi treating you? I’m looking at the 1000/1 to push (2) 10w6’s in my 3500.
What speakers did you use in the doors and dash?

I just did the stealthbox with (2) 10Tw3’s with the RD1000/1 fed by an AmpPro in my 2021 Laramie. I bypassed the ANC and honestly can’t tell the difference. But I’m also half def from many years of loud shit..

 

[Sonnie]

How’s that VXi treating you? I’m looking at the 1000/1 to push (2) 10w6’s in my 3500.
What speakers did you use in the doors and dash?

I just did the stealthbox with (2) 10Tw3’s with the RD1000/1 fed by an AmpPro in my 2021 Laramie. I bypassed the ANC and honestly can’t tell the difference. But I’m also half def from many years of loud shit..

It's gone... that was in my 2020 and I have the 2024 now with the factory system. It was very good when I had it. I love the Stealthbox subs.

 

[OnTheReel]

I’ve had the VX1000/1i for over two years. I ran a 600/6i alongside it when I had the full system in too. The amp has been flawless and the TuN software is really easy to use. Not entirely necessary on a just sub but I did tweak the EQ to my tastes and add time delay.

 

[Sonnie]

I liked the idea of having the TuN for the sub to keep it tuned just right. It didn't need much, but as you say, tweak to taste. That 1000/1i is a beast for sure.

 

[SoundsGoodStereo]

Part 2 of the TRX Build for those who would like to nerd out on the behind the scenes