Sound System

[Jackson]

Isn't it bizarre that they have speaker positions throughout the truck as if there were a DSP? The staging is really bad and there's no imaging whatsoever. It sure makes me think there's one in the works since other manufacturers are now spending a little more for a high end system. I can imagine that the Utopias alone were a drastic improvement at all volumes but especially half way up the slider. Keeping the high frequencies attenuated with that much glass in a vehicle has always been our crux and spending this type of money on drivers means you get access to the higher end stuff. What speakers did you replace? Were those 6s in the doors in a component set and what was the center channel? Have you ever considered adding something like JL Audio's Twk 88 for time alignment capabilities? The soundstage transforms into focused images and it's like you're at the concert right there in your truck. I like your combo of brands and would love to hear her. It sucks being afflicted with this disease doesn't it?

@JoeExotic If you can get two of the 13.5s under there without it sticking out, that would be over the top. We struggled to get 10s to sit flush but maybe your seats don't recline (I see that 12s fit into the Stealthbox if they don't) or your guy is super tricky taking that taper of the box higher.

Good luck fellas and thanks for sharing.

J

 

[Variable]

So I guess I’ll be heading to AZ after I’m ready for my audio setup. Very impressive I was scouring the web for focal examples in a 1500. But good to know I was heading in the right direction. Any particular reason you went with mosconi amps over any others?

They are very high fidelity with low distortion.

 

[Variable]

@Jackson kson yes we did put in a dsp, by mosconi dsp 8to12 aerospace ​

 

[Jackson]

@Jackson kson yes we did put in a dsp, by mosconi dsp 8to12 aerospace ​

Okay, now you're talking! Let the playing with the laptop begin!

(Now I'm really jealous)

 

[Variable]

Okay, now you're talking! Let the playing with the laptop begin!

(Now I'm really jealous)

May wind up doing a pillar pods. We will see.

 

[Bambi]

Thanks. Well I guess it just provides options right?

Yes there are actually two other TRX’s in there getting similar setups. One of them is a buddy’s, he putting in 13’s.

Are you putting in dynamat/foam?

 

[Variable]

Did dynamat

 

[phenny]

Doing a very similar install using 3 JL Audio vXi amps, Focal Utopia up front, Focal Flax for rear fill and 2 JL 13.5" under seat subs. Custom sub box build to not cover the cubby holes in floor, retain the rear seat recline and a few cool cometic adders that I will post shortly...

This is what I want to do. Can you send some pics once you do it? So are you just replacing the speakers in the doors? if so, you leaving the other connected? Can't wait to see you box!

 

[JoeExotic]

My Truck is done, here is the final build. Focal Utopia 6.5"/3.5"/Tweet 3 ways up front with an additional Utopia 3.5" center. Focal Flax 6.5" 2 ways in rear fill with Dynamat thoughout. JL Audio VXi 600, 800, 1000 amps on custom amp racks behind the seat. (2) JL Audio 13TW5 subs in custom enclosure with a third easter egg! Note: The 13TW5's are on backorder so have 12" JL's in box for now until they come in. Box fits fully under seat with carbon TRX logo on front, full use of recline sliders, cubby access and full factory rear floor mat. Custom pod for Bass and midrange adjustment knob. Oh and did I mention the third easter egg! Sounds incredible...

 

[Jackson]

This looks awesome! Very clean install and as good as it sounds with the 12s, those 13s are insane.

Fantastic work and that's nice they did a little offset for cubby access.

Top notch Joe.

J

 

[phenny]

My Truck is done, here is the final build. Focal Utopia 6.5"/3.5"/Tweet 3 ways up front with an additional Utopia 3.5" center. Focal Flax 6.5" 2 ways in rear fill with Dynamat thoughout. JL Audio VXi 600, 800, 1000 amps on custom amp racks behind the seat. (2) JL Audio 13TW5 subs in custom enclosure with a third easter egg! Note: The 13TW5's are on backorder so have 12" JL's in box for now until they come in. Box fits fully under seat with carbon TRX logo on front, full use of recline sliders, cubby access and full factory rear floor mat. Custom pod for Bass and midrange adjustment knob. Oh and did I mention the third easter egg! Sounds incredible...

Ive got to do this! Looks amazing. Did they custom build this box? the fit is perfect. Also since you have the HK (which I do) are you only running the 5 speakers you mentioned or did you keep the HK speakers hooked up? Thanks so much!

 

[JoeExotic]

This looks awesome! Very clean install and as good as it sounds with the 12s, those 13s are insane.

Fantastic work and that's nice they did a little offset for cubby access.

Top notch Joe.

J

Thanks, they did a great job. Can't wait to hear the 13's! Yeah every other large sub box I looked at required me to give up the cubbies and with losing the under seat storage couldn't afford to lose the cubbies too...

 

[JoeExotic]

Ive got to do this! Looks amazing. Did they custom build this box? the fit is perfect. Also since you have the HK (which I do) are you only running the 5 speakers you mentioned or did you keep the HK speakers hooked up? Thanks so much!

It sounds amazing! Yeah custom hybrid half wood half fiberglass to get the volume needed without sacrificing the seat and storage function. Here's a pic of the box during construction. Running 15 speakers total. (4) 6.5" front L/R and rear L/R doors, (3) 3.5" front L/R plus one center, (4)Tweets front L/R and rear door L/R, 2 subs.. All the other HK speakers not used.

 

[phenny]

It sounds amazing! Yeah custom hybrid half wood half fiberglass to get the volume needed without sacrificing the seat and storage function. Here's a pic of the box during construction. Running 15 speakers total. (4) 6.5" front L/R and rear L/R doors, (3) 3.5" front L/R plus one center, (4)Tweets front L/R and rear door L/R, 2 subs.. All the other HK speakers not used.

it looks like they built the box in your truck. is it removable or were these pics just for the mold? Thanks

 

[JoeExotic]

it looks like they built the box in your truck. is it removable or were these pics just for the mold? Thanks

Its removable. The yellow tape was to protect the carpet, plastic etc. while they put down the fiberglass. Once the fiberglass cured they popped it out and did the final construction, leather, etc.

 

[AlbinoTRX]

What does everyone think of the Harman sound system? Is it worth the upgrade?

 

[phenny]

Its removable. The yellow tape was to protect the carpet, plastic etc. while they put down the fiberglass. Once the fiberglass cured they popped it out and did the final construction, leather, etc.

awesome. I'm hoping my shop can do something exactly like that. I wonder if who built yours now has a mold and will sell one?

 

[ekaz]

Awesome build...question though...you did a separate dsp? The vxi amps have a dsp built-in, why add an extra component? Also, do youknow the interface they used to get signal from the factory system?
Finally, I saw a post, the HK system does have somewhat of a DSP, it uses their Logic 7 processing. Details for the system: http://wk2jeeps.com/wk2_srt8_harman.htm
For the Jeep but same basic setup in a RAM.

 

[Jackson]

Yikes.

I guess the term DSP is used as a catch all term if any signal manipulation is done because I would argue there's almost zero in the TRX and the results speak for themselves. There's a "surround sound" on off switch and a bass, mid and high frequency adjustment. That's just piss poor on a 19 speaker sound system with the center image buried into the door and the sound stage located down below the gauges.

Just my .02,

J

 

[JoeExotic]

Awesome build...question though...you did a separate dsp? The vxi amps have a dsp built-in, why add an extra component? Also, do youknow the interface they used to get signal from the factory system?
Finally, I saw a post, the HK system does have somewhat of a DSP, it uses their Logic 7 processing. Details for the system: http://wk2jeeps.com/wk2_srt8_harman.htm
For the Jeep but same basic setup in a RAM.

They used a PAC Audio Interface. And yes you are correct, the Vxi Amps have a built in DSP, Networked together with a Vxi hub allows for the tuning, time delay, etc. That along with a JL DRC-205 knob allows for multiple tunes for driver center stage, passenger center stage as well as bass and other fine tuning..