[mob17]

Finally I have got my car to the stage I was thinking of, it's been a long journey! Here are some pics and some general feedback. I got the car back on Friday but it was a horrible weekend with getting a puncture 70 miles from home.

Firstly I want to thank MrSingh for doing a really good install. Left the car with him Wednesday night and got it back Friday night. It was cold and rainy but got most of it done! A few bits and pieces still to do as I needed the car back on Friday.

My first impression was that the sub plays amazingly low and clean. The bass just sounds like its filling the whole car, like you're bathing in bass. My previous subs (very long time ago) were totally different experiences. My initial worries of it not having enough SPL are now gone.

The Fi is currently crossed over at 60ish Hz 12db Butterworth and 20Hz 6db Butterworth. There is more than enough output for me as at the moment I have the sub output level turned down to -7db on the P-DSP, and on some tracks it sounds perfect, some way too much. This might be because the DLS gains are set to optimum (870w @ 2 ohm). This may be an excuse to go fully active up front in the future to get more headroom. I also really need to get the sub control sorted out, which is just a case of getting the components as I have the schematics from Helix. At the moment I either have to use the OEM base level or get my laptop out.

My plan is to spend the next week or so listening to how different tracks sound. The EQ is completely flat and currently no TA, i'll try and do TA some time. I'm going to keep the crossovers that were set up by Am but these may change. My ears have been listening to stock rears only, on HU power, for the past 2 months so I want to get used to the sound before changing anything. Then i'll try experimenting!

I think the mid to high frequencies definately need to be EQd. It doesn't sound bad but its using the factory EQ. So at the moment it doesn't sound as good as what the MS-8 was able to do. This will be a big challenge for me but hopefully I will get there one day having fun along the way!

Things I need to do now are deaden the rear as I can hear slight rattle on some tracks. Its very quiet but annoying. I also need to get a bigger fuse at the battery as it blew once (currently 60A) and give some ventilation to the DLS, which would only involve cutting a hole underneath the rack for its internal fan. At the moment its screwed down on a piece of wood with no air around it. After 1.5-2 hours of continuous play it gets way too hot to touch and it went into protection mode once. This may also be because of the small fuse at the battery. I am also thinking of upgrading the power wiring to 0AWG to the distribution block and 2AWG to the DLS if possible.

So there are a few bits and pieces that still need to be done but all in all an excellent result. Here are some pics. Before any of you say, yes my boot is dirty due to numerous trips to the waste dump!

The baffle made by MrSingh:



Baffle and sub installed:



Helix and Litebox. Mr Singh unfortunately ran out of his tie cables so the duck tape is just temporary!



A few more pics of the baffle:





The amp rack, which needs a bit of carpeting to finish it off:



Amp rack covered:



Underneath the amp rack:



From inside. This was taken just after the sub was installed so still a bit dusty, still need to put the logo on!

[mistryn]

Wow that does look good and when the finsihing touches are applied will look great

I think I need to send a pm to Mr singh if he can do something similar on my car in the new year

[mob17]

Originally Posted by mistryn

Wow that does look good and when the finsihing touches are applied will look great

I think I need to send a pm to Mr singh if he can do something similar on my car in the new year

Thanks

I'd definitely recommend him

[mistryn]

Do you travel amywhere near Birmingham? would like to have a listen if you dont mind?

Do you leave the ski hole open? are you going to get a gril that fits over or leave as is?

[mob17]

Originally Posted by mistryn

Do you travel amywhere near Birmingham? would like to have a listen if you dont mind?

Do you leave the ski hole open? are you going to get a gril that fits over or leave as is?

No I don't really travel near Birmingham, sorry You're welcome to have a listen if you're ever in my area though.

I haven't actually heard it with the arm rest up yet! I think it would be a good idea to get a grill just to protect it. But I kinda like how it looks so will have a think. If i do get it i'd just want to make sure its really tight as the last thing i'd want are rattles from the grill!

[AWBimmer]

Mo, fantastic man.. Looks top notch that. Really want to hear it! I'm still at ground 0 with nothing installed and the worst thing is I'm still not sure when it'll be done :-( I'd love to hear that one day as the IB just gives the most cleanest low bass at any given volume level. Really good install mate, nice work!

[mob17]

Originally Posted by AWBimmer

Mo, fantastic man.. Looks top notch that. Really want to hear it! I'm still at ground 0 with nothing installed and the worst thing is I'm still not sure when it'll be done :-( I'd love to hear that one day as the IB just gives the most cleanest low bass at any given volume level. Really good install mate, nice work!

Thanks, I wish I could say it was all my work! I'm really chuffed with the results. I'll be spending a lot of time in car parks to experiment with the DSP

I hope you get yours sorted out soon. But don't worry, I had to spend 2 months with ONLY my rear speakers playing! Shocking!

[mistryn]

Another question - how is the IB secured is it screwed into the seat?
I am liking that idea but sometimes I need to fold my seats down so was wondering if it easy to remove?

If you dont mind if I am in your neck of the woods can I please come and have listen?

[P 5UML]

that looks great! a brilliant way to upgrade the sound and still have plenty boot space

[MEGA]

Boot space shmoot space

Looks good fella. Be interested for a sound off at some point

[Mr Singh]

Originally Posted by mistryn

Another question - how is the IB secured is it screwed into the seat?
I am liking that idea but sometimes I need to fold my seats down so was wondering if it easy to remove?

If you dont mind if I am in your neck of the woods can I please come and have listen?

The entire assembley is 2" thick (2x 1" MDF) first piece is screwed to the back seat, second piece is attached with threaded inserts an M6 Hex cap screws. So taking the driver off is pretty simple and you don't need to worry about screws spinning or enlarging holes.

[makkan00]

Congrats Mob, finally it is done. Lots of tweaking / retweaking on DSP.

Mr Singh has done a good job.

I may listen to your sound system at some stage purely to compare JL 12W7 vs Fi IB3 and rear deck vs sky hole IB applications.

[mob17]

Originally Posted by mistryn

If you dont mind if I am in your neck of the woods can I please come and have listen?

Sure if all you want to listen to is the sub. I am going to be experimenting with different crossovers but you should still be able to get an impression. Bear in mind that it does take some time to run in, but saying that it sounds really good to me now.

Originally Posted by P 5UML

that looks great! a brilliant way to upgrade the sound and still have plenty boot space

Thanks. Yeah there is boot space but the amp rack does lower that. I think whatever I put in i'll have to be careful that it doesn't go crashing into the sub! I might put a "spider" type case around the back of the sub.

Originally Posted by MEGA

Boot space shmoot space

Looks good fella. Be interested for a sound off at some point

Thanks. At the moment i still need to sort out the mid bass upwards. I have a feeling that my underseats are not sealed anymore. Also the EQ is completely neutral, using the factory EQ at the moment, no TA and haven't changed any crossovers yet. I'm sure i'll get there one day! I just need to spend a good few weekends on this.

Yeah who cares about boot space?! Lol but if i reeeeally need some I can easily screw the sub off and take the amp out if needed.

Originally Posted by makkan00

Congrats Mob, finally it is done. Lots of tweaking / retweaking on DSP.

Mr Singh has done a good job.

I may listen to your sound system at some stage purely to compare JL 12W7 vs Fi IB3 and rear deck vs sky hole IB applications.

Thanks. Yep lots of tweaking to come.

Yes you may listen IF you get an invite...... joke