Alpine audio system upgrade w/ custom sub enclosure - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

rjm86 · 06-02-2013, 12:35 AM

Thought I would share some pics of my recent install into my GT86. May be useful for those looking to upgrade those average-as-hell stock speakers

I had a few requirements for my installation. Namely:

- Must be from the same vendor. I know many (most?) people are OK with mixing and matching components from different vendors, but I always prefer to have everything from the same vendor. It's just a personal thing.

- No panel shake/rattling. Ugh, I can't stand that.

- Amplifier installed out of sight.

- My philosophy is that I will pay what is necessary to have a system I'm proud of. I don't like to own things and constantly wishing I had bought the "better" one.

- I'm also ok with the stock Toyota head unit.
I mainly play music from my iPhone via the Bluetooth audio or USB jack, and it seems to work well with that. I like the physical back/forward buttons on the head unit as they are positioned right where my fingers can reach when on the gear stick - and is more convenient than a touch-screen for this reason.

I would only upgrade my head unit if I could find one that offered a compelling reason, and I liked the look of. Kenwood makes a head unit that fits perfectly into the Toyota-size deck, but I had a play with it and the interface was rubbish. Right now the only compelling reason to upgrade is to get cleaner audio output to the amp.

So, I ended up getting the following components (apologies for Alpine's slow page loads - their website is hosted on a potato).

Alpine PDX-F6 4-channel Amplifier
http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Amplifier/PDX-F6

Alpine SPR-60C Front speakers
http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Speaker/SPR-60C

Alpine SWR-T10 10" Slimline subwoofer
http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Subwoofer/SWR-T10

They were installed professionally (by Rapid Radio in Auckland), so obviously there are a few extra parts required to get the system running correctly. These include

- Cable kit & spacers
- Sound deadening front doors with Dynamat Xtreme
- SLC4 line level interface (connecting stock head unit to amp)
- Audio filter to clean up output from head unit and remove any "alternator whine" or hissing.
- Custom subwoofer enclosure - made from fibreglass and sized according to subwoofer specification. Installed neatly into the side of the boot and carpeted to match.

The two fronts are powered by the amp, and the 2 other channels are bridged for the sub.

I kept the pathetic little 3" rear speakers, although they are powered by the head unit.

The amp has a small footprint, and fits perfectly into the foam cubbyhole in the tyre-well:

The new front speakers with the sound-deadening:
The included tweeters were installed up on the dash under the grill, perfectly replacing the stock tweeters.

The tidy job hooked up to the battery:

Crafting the sub enclosure:

The Finished box:

Finished install - hardly any loss of boot (or "trunk" as you americans say

) space:

Sounds AMAZING!

I am so glad to now enjoy my audio so much more while driving - whether it be music or audio podcasts. Definitely worth the money.

EDIT:
The extra amount of bass coming from the sub causes the back window to resonate - which can rattle against the rear centre brake light, as it's fixed to the tray instead of the glass. I solved this by sticking some adhesive velcro around the edge of the light.

mashal · 06-02-2013, 01:00 AM

Damn I need that foam piece over the tire so I can hide my pdx's in there

wootwoot · 06-02-2013, 01:57 AM

Super clean. Nice job!

rjm86 · 06-02-2013, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mashal

Damn I need that foam piece over the tire so I can hide my pdx's in there

Dual PDX's and subwoofers installed symmetrically would sure look cool - I'd be afraid of blowing out the back window though

Redmist · 06-02-2013, 08:36 AM

That foam tyre repair kit holder makes a great amp rack. Kinda makes me want to swap my BRZ's full sized spare tyre with the 86's kit.

mid_life_crisis · 06-02-2013, 11:57 AM

You aren't worried about the amp overheating in there?

mashal · 06-02-2013, 01:16 PM

Pdx rarely overheat.. well I am running pdx 4.150 and 1.1000 windows are all intact lol. I dont like ridicolous bass but I have the juice to run 2 12's if I ever want.

Redmist · 06-02-2013, 11:07 PM

PDX are a Class 'D' amp. They are extremely cool and efficient. They used to have poor sound quality and were only used for subwoofers but those days seem to be history. Some of the best-sounding systems in the world now run Class D amps.

rupert · 06-03-2013, 04:26 PM

I added your build to the directory

FRSTRM · 06-22-2014, 10:27 AM

Hey is that foam piece in the tire well custom or can we get that somewhere?

WhiteFRS69 · 06-22-2014, 11:15 AM

nice. i have pretty much the same system in my car

except i went with a ALPINE PDR-F50 for the Amp

sounds great! i too had a Sub box made for me, slightly bigger than yours but still plently of space left in the trunk!

Scooter Style · 06-23-2014, 11:16 PM

Looks great! I wonder how easy this would be to use on the BRZ head unit.

06-02-2013, 12:35 AM	#1
rjm86 Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: GT86 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Alpine audio system upgrade w/ custom sub enclosure Thought I would share some pics of my recent install into my GT86. May be useful for those looking to upgrade those average-as-hell stock speakers I had a few requirements for my installation. Namely: - Must be from the same vendor. I know many (most?) people are OK with mixing and matching components from different vendors, but I always prefer to have everything from the same vendor. It's just a personal thing. - No panel shake/rattling. Ugh, I can't stand that. - Amplifier installed out of sight. - My philosophy is that I will pay what is necessary to have a system I'm proud of. I don't like to own things and constantly wishing I had bought the "better" one. - I'm also ok with the stock Toyota head unit. I mainly play music from my iPhone via the Bluetooth audio or USB jack, and it seems to work well with that. I like the physical back/forward buttons on the head unit as they are positioned right where my fingers can reach when on the gear stick - and is more convenient than a touch-screen for this reason. I would only upgrade my head unit if I could find one that offered a compelling reason, and I liked the look of. Kenwood makes a head unit that fits perfectly into the Toyota-size deck, but I had a play with it and the interface was rubbish. Right now the only compelling reason to upgrade is to get cleaner audio output to the amp. So, I ended up getting the following components (apologies for Alpine's slow page loads - their website is hosted on a potato). Alpine PDX-F6 4-channel Amplifier http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Amplifier/PDX-F6 Alpine SPR-60C Front speakers http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Speaker/SPR-60C Alpine SWR-T10 10" Slimline subwoofer http://www.alpine-asia.com/product/Subwoofer/SWR-T10 They were installed professionally (by Rapid Radio in Auckland), so obviously there are a few extra parts required to get the system running correctly. These include - Cable kit & spacers - Sound deadening front doors with Dynamat Xtreme - SLC4 line level interface (connecting stock head unit to amp) - Audio filter to clean up output from head unit and remove any "alternator whine" or hissing. - Custom subwoofer enclosure - made from fibreglass and sized according to subwoofer specification. Installed neatly into the side of the boot and carpeted to match. The two fronts are powered by the amp, and the 2 other channels are bridged for the sub. I kept the pathetic little 3" rear speakers, although they are powered by the head unit. The amp has a small footprint, and fits perfectly into the foam cubbyhole in the tyre-well: The new front speakers with the sound-deadening: The included tweeters were installed up on the dash under the grill, perfectly replacing the stock tweeters. The tidy job hooked up to the battery: Crafting the sub enclosure: The Finished box: Finished install - hardly any loss of boot (or "trunk" as you americans say ) space: Sounds AMAZING! I am so glad to now enjoy my audio so much more while driving - whether it be music or audio podcasts. Definitely worth the money. EDIT: The extra amount of bass coming from the sub causes the back window to resonate - which can rattle against the rear centre brake light, as it's fixed to the tray instead of the glass. I solved this by sticking some adhesive velcro around the edge of the light. Last edited by rjm86; 06-18-2013 at 12:45 AM. Reason: Add image

06-23-2014, 11:16 PM	#12
Scooter Style Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Drives: 2015 BRZ/ Blue Series/ WRB Location: Westerville, OH Posts: 200 Thanks: 7 Thanked 43 Times in 34 Posts Mentioned: 1 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Looks great! I wonder how easy this would be to use on the BRZ head unit. __________________ 2013 SWP BRZ #137 First BRZ in Columbus, OH! SOLD 2015 WRB Blue Series #900/1000 Team Rowdy Ohio Native Instgram brooks_church

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06-02-2013, 01:00 AM	#2
mashal DADA Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 Location: Kanada Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 47 Thanked 388 Times in 249 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Damn I need that foam piece over the tire so I can hide my pdx's in there

06-02-2013, 01:57 AM	#3
wootwoot Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Drives: FRS Location: Cali Posts: 1,558 Thanks: 188 Thanked 461 Times in 264 Posts Mentioned: 9 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Super clean. Nice job!

06-02-2013, 08:36 AM	#5
Redmist Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: Galaxy Blue BRZ Location: QLD, Australia Posts: 36 Thanks: 13 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	That foam tyre repair kit holder makes a great amp rack. Kinda makes me want to swap my BRZ's full sized spare tyre with the 86's kit.

06-02-2013, 11:57 AM	#6
mid_life_crisis Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Drives: FR-S 10 #103 AT Location: NC Posts: 1,519 Thanks: 101 Thanked 599 Times in 347 Posts Mentioned: 5 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	You aren't worried about the amp overheating in there?

06-02-2013, 01:16 PM	#7
mashal DADA Join Date: Jun 2012 Drives: 2013 Location: Kanada Posts: 1,500 Thanks: 47 Thanked 388 Times in 249 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Pdx rarely overheat.. well I am running pdx 4.150 and 1.1000 windows are all intact lol. I dont like ridicolous bass but I have the juice to run 2 12's if I ever want.

06-02-2013, 11:07 PM	#8
Redmist Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Drives: Galaxy Blue BRZ Location: QLD, Australia Posts: 36 Thanks: 13 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	PDX are a Class 'D' amp. They are extremely cool and efficient. They used to have poor sound quality and were only used for subwoofers but those days seem to be history. Some of the best-sounding systems in the world now run Class D amps.

06-03-2013, 04:26 PM	#9
rupert Audio & Bacon Junkie Join Date: May 2011 Drives: 2013 WRB BRZ Ltd Location: Jax, FL Posts: 160 Thanks: 87 Thanked 81 Times in 35 Posts Mentioned: 3 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I added your build to the directory

06-22-2014, 11:15 AM	#11
WhiteFRS69 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Drives: 2014 Scion FRS Location: NNJ Posts: 2,289 Thanks: 1,808 Thanked 1,432 Times in 756 Posts Mentioned: 30 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	nice. i have pretty much the same system in my car except i went with a ALPINE PDR-F50 for the Amp sounds great! i too had a Sub box made for me, slightly bigger than yours but still plently of space left in the trunk!

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