Charlottesville Client Goes All-in on 2020 Audi S4 Audio Upgrade

A client from Charlottesville recently visited Extreme Audio to start planning an audio system upgrade for his Quantum Grey 2020 Audi S4 sedan. We’d installed a high-end audio system in a truck for this client several years ago. After going through several vehicles, the client decided it was time for an amazing build in a car he’d be keeping for a while. After working through the system design and helping the client choose the components he wanted to use in the system, we got to work with the fabrication and integration process.

Premium Audi S4 Audio Upgrade

Our technician test-fits the DSP controller in the new 3D-printed dash pod.

Our 3d printing expert created the base for the dash pod.

The pod for the DSP controller and USB port was designed to compliment the dash design.

The unique pod puts the DSP controller at the client’s fingertips.

The Zen-V processor feeds a full-range, unprocessed stereo signal to the Helix DSP using a fiber-optic SPDIF cable.

We started the audio upgrade in this Audi by replacing the factory amplifier with a Zen-V interface from NAV-TV. The Zen-V takes the MOST 150 fiber-optic digital signal from the source unit and converts it into a standard Toslink SPDIF signal to feed to the system’s digital signal processor. Because everything is digital, there’s no chance of picking up noise in the system.

Next, our team created a three-dimensional scan of the center console area at the bottom of the dash and set to work designing a custom mounting pod for a Helix Director Create controller and a USB input jack. We 3D-printed the pod and used our laser to cut out a two-piece trim that would go around the display, control and USB port. We finished the pod itself in a textured paint that matches the dash and console.

Signal Processing and Premium Amplifiers

We treated the rear deck of the Audi with SoundShield damping material to prevent buzzes and rattles.

Unique trim pieces were created to highlight the amplifiers.

A Helix DSP Ultra digital signal processor handles signal routing for this bespoke audio upgrade. We used the crossovers, equalizers and signal delay settings to provide dedicated signals for each of the seven speakers in this amazing audio system. A JL Audio Slash-Series 300/4v3 powers the tweeters and midrange drivers. The midbass drivers in the doors are powered by another 300/4v3 wired to run as a high-power two-channel amp. Finally, a 1,200-watt JL Audio 1200/1v3 monoblock takes care of the single subwoofer in the car.

The amplifiers are mounted to a rack that sits flush behind the back seat of the car. We created a vinyl trim piece with a painted silver accent ring to give the installation a tidy look. At the top-center of the amp rack is an acrylic plastic insert that was painted silver after having a mask cut out of vinyl with our CNC laser. This raised section of the amp rack makes room for the massive magnet on the JL Audio 13W7AE-D1.5 subwoofer. We wanted to keep the enclosure as compact as possible to optimize the available storage space in the trunk.

Amazing Bass and World-Class Speakers

Custom lighting helps set this trunk apart at night.

The custom trunk build highlights the JL Audio woofer and air-ride suspension.

We cut a set of acrylic adapters for each Audiofrog GB25 2.5-inch midrange driver. We used the self-adhesive gasket for an airtight seal between the speaker and mounting plate.

The Audiofrog GB10OE tweeter is mounted on a laser-cut acrylic adapter so that it can bolt to the factory fasteners.

The underside of the trunk lid was treated with SoundShield to reduce noise that would detract from the listening experience.

Closed-cell foam around the speaker ensures that all the sound from this amazing midrange driver is fed into the interior.

Looking in the trunk, you can see the JL subwoofer’s face and the air ride system that the client had installed on the vehicle. The compressor and tank installation, executed by Altered Components in Fredericksburg, is incredibly clean and features hand-bent hard lines for a neat and tidy look. Our team created vinyl-wrapped panels with laser-masked and painted acrylic inserts and trim pieces for the floor and subwoofer that mimic the design of the vehicle’s back seat. We added two sets of LED lights to the trunk so the client can set one color for the air-ride system and a second color to illuminate the subwoofer and trim panels.

The client chose Audiofrog GB-Series speakers for the vehicle. We used our laser to cut acrylic plastic mounting adapters for a set of GB25 2.5-inch midrange drivers and GB10 1-inch tweeters. We also treated the doors with a layer of SoundShield damping material before we installed the Audiofrog GB60 woofers on a set of custom adapters. All the speakers drop into the OE locations with no modifications to the vehicle.

Richmond’s Premium Car Audio Experts

After about two weeks of work, we had the audio upgrade in this Audi S4 complete, and we finished calibrating the processor for the new speakers and subwoofers. The client was thrilled with the sound and the look of the new stereo. If you are shopping for a premium audio system upgrade, drop by Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian and speak with one of our Product Specialists. You can also reach us by phone or e-mail to schedule a personal consultation.