SirBrass' BRZ's Reasonable Quality Audio Build

[SirBrass]

This is a work in progress and the installation will be in 2 weeks (Feb 1, 2014), so pictures then. For now, I'm just starting the thread and reserving some posts for pics.

For now, here is how it will go.

The install is being done by Sun Valley Stereo, and here's how it will be laid out:

Front dash 4": JBL MS-62C 6.5" 2-way components

Subwoofer: JL Audio 8W1v2-4

Amp: JL Audio XD700/5 5channel Amp, this will handle the cross overs as well with the built in LPF and HPF's. We're trying to avoid being overly complex, so additional active crossovers aren't being considered, as this is sort of a budget build. This is, after all, just a BRZ, not a Porsche, Corvette, or a luxury performance car. I'd rather put more money into performance over additional SQ.

Headunit: Sony XAV-701HD

My installer is also building the custom trunk box (sealed) for the JL sub.

My goals for this were for sound quality and android interfacing for approximately $2k.

I sourced the door components and the headunit from sonicelectronix.com due to cost considerations (would have been quite a bit more expensive from crutchfield, and my installer doesn't normally carry the sony HU, and he doesn't carry JBL). My installer is matching at least the cost for everything else compared to what I can get online, and his installs are always quite good (he did the audio for my WRX and STI).

I went with the Sony 701HD over a Pioneer AppRadio 3, mainly because while the AppRadio's interface is quite good, the audio processing is okay at best, while the reviews on the Sony unit have the audio quality as quite good, and I'm hoping mirrorlink is going to be less headache-y than the mhl connection to ARLiberator that I had with my old AR2.

Depending on the results, I may go with dynamat afterwards also. We shall see.

I've already gotten the JBL speakers and the Sony HU should come in tomorrow. The other parts my installer already has, and thus he'll just grab them when he has his guys install them in a few weeks.

Pictures to come when the HU comes in, and when the install is happening.

As to the front 4" coaxials. It was a debate on whether to go with the JL TR series or the Alpine Type-S speakers. I listened to both and while the JL's aren't as precise on individual details of instruments, I found its overall detail warmer and better and it handled vocals much better than the Type-S's.

I'm hoping detail can be had from the JBL tweeters that the JL's may lack a bit. The Sony HU and how my installer sets up the cross overs and fading should set up the sound staging to be pretty good.

Again, I trust my installer's judgement here. He's done good work for me in the past.

[SirBrass]

I was going to just wire up & install the HU myself & let my installer handle the rest when the install time came, but with 2 harness connectors to deal with & no pin out sheet with the harness adapters, laziness has kicked in.

I don't want to practice soldering on these small wires when there's going to be other things (USB cable splicing, etc) that my installer will do anyway.
He might be able to fit me in tomorrow for the HU install. I'd like a week to get used to the new HU before the rest goes in, if only to get a good sense of the audio quality improvement of the HU separate from the rest.

Edit:

Seems that admitting laziness is it's own motivator. I got the XAV-701HD wired in today & mounted. Borrowing a dremel on monday to trim the Metra adapter trim pieces, so right now it's ugly b/c of the gaps on the sides and a bit at the top, but it works.

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