Max's Audio build
 

Started on my build this morning and thought I would make a build thread.

For everyone complaining about the stock system, you have obviously never owned a 2011 WRX. lol. Worst system ever!
The stock system, while not great, is far from terrible, as long you you dont ask it to make bass. Which is all most people seem to care about. The stage is high and pretty much straight ahead of driver. Better than a lot of crap ive heard. Obviously it falls apart at high volumes.

My goal is to make a complete system, while not adding a ton of weight that cannot be removed for autocross/track days. So the sub will have to be removeable. I had originally planned to make amps removable also, but might have changed my mind on this. Might try to go from 2 amps in the tunk to 1 under seat.

Components that are going in for sure:
I've "budgeted" 15lbs for sound deadening and have 50 sq. ft of FAtmat.

Focal KRX2 mids. Love Focal mids. These will be going in the doors. Scared of the depth at 3.1", but we'll see.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-44-48_370.jpg

Dynaudio MD130 tweeters. Never tried any dyns, but have heard good things. THese are about 4" and should fit perfect in the dash and play to down to about 2k.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...0-45-20_19.jpg

DIYMA r12 This sub is one of the best SQ subs I've ever heard. Not made to boom, but in this small car it should do pretty good. Will go in a simple, removable box behind the seat. And there is plenty of room for a 12.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-52-04_278.jpg

Components that mite make it in the car.

Kenwood KDC-x996. Awesome deck, but might need active capability if I go with one amp. For sale!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-53-43_768.jpg

Image Dynamics q450.4
Image Dynamics q700.2
Both great amps, but just not sure I want to take up the space these things take and go through the hassle of making them removable. Both for sale!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-35-18_678.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...11-35-32_4.jpg

My car came with the Bespoke, so I decided to yank it out and take a look. Found something interesting.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-08-34_556.jpg
Three sets of RCAs where I was expecting one set.
Anyone know what these are? I'm sure one set is a sub out like the base radio, but dont know what the other 2 are. When I get an amp hooked up, I'll play around with them.

Took the door card off and made a how to thread if anyone wants to see.
HERE

With the door card Off I decided to see if the Focals will fit. took some measurements.
2.5" from the window rail to the metal of the door.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-49-43_353.jpg
The stock speaker and baffle are another inch.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-50-30_896.jpg
So right there we have enough for at least 3 1/4" depth.
Taking a look at the door card, if we trim out the plastic ring that goes around the speaker, we can get another inch. So at least 4" of depth with the right spacer. More that enough for most mids.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-52-20_773.jpg
Next I made a templet out of cardboard to make a baffle at a later time. Just screw a piece of cardboard to the factory holes and trim.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-07-45_383.jpg
I'm pretty sure you could cram an 8" mid in there with some trimming and the right baffle.

Next I started deadening and sealing the door.
Put a layer of fatmat down on as much of the outer door skin that I could. Also as much of the inner skin as I could. Finally covered,and sealed the whole door. I will add a layer of closed cell foam to the door and a layer behind the mid when I get some more in.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...2-32-42_39.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-32-50_231.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-11-52_768.jpg
Next moved on to the door pannel itself. There are a bunch of screws all over the panel that were all pretty loose. tightened them up and things seem a bit less rattly. I know the piece that covers the speaker an the window controls rattle with the stock system, so I gave them some fatmat.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-51-36_671.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-52-09_245.jpg
Finally added some deadening to the whole door card. This is probably not enough, but I will see when I get the focals pumping.
The door panel is bad. Very tinny and rattly. I could probably use about twice what I have on there, but I need to budget it and I dont plan to run my mids too low.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...-10-09_982.jpg
Door now closes with a satisfying thunk, instead of a clank. I can hardly hear the window motor running. A big improvement over the other door that is not done yet.

Thats as far as I got today. Will do the other door tomorow and start on the trunk and maybe the cabin floor.

And someone needs to make a single din dash kit!

Nice equipment!

Hope to be doing similar with mine eventually, love those Focals!

from what I understand the tc kit works with slight mods to the mounting brackets

How much do you want for those amps? PM me the prices

nice. curious why you chose FATmat instead of Dynamat? this is the first time i've heard of the former. is it cheaper? work better?

No, it does not. Bought one and its not even close.

PMd you

I think dynomat is way overpriced. Not even on my radar.
Ive used Rammat and Second Skin in the past whith great results. Figured I give Fatmat a try. Seems to be working well and is pretty light. 50sq ft is 16lbs. Im sure its not quite as effective as the heavier stuff, but good for what I want. And at $90 its a good value.

Very nice setup.

If you go with a single amp (5ch, I assume) which one will you be using?