Chesterfield Client Trusts Extreme Audio For F-150 Audio Upgrades

A new client came to Extreme Audio from Chesterfield, Virginia, for some for his 2015 F-150 audio upgrades. After discussing what he liked and disliked about the factory audio system, it was clear he wanted the ability to tweak and tune the system to match his musical taste. He was also concerned with space usage in the truck, so we took that into account. We came up with plan for a three-way audio system with fully active amplification and set to work

F-150 Audio Upgrades Begin With Audiofrog Front Stage

The sail panels were rebuilt to hold the Audiofrog tweeters. The tweeters are a perfect match for this truck!

Roadkill soundproofing was used to eliminate any resonances. FAST foam rings help reduce door panel vibrations, and also channel the output of the speakers through the factory grill.

After explaining the design and features of Audiofrog’s flagship GB series speakers, we settled on their GB15 1.5-inch tweeter and GB60 6.5-inch woofer. We mounted the woofer on a custom adapter plate to allow it to fit into the factory 6×9-inch speaker openings in the doors. We treated the door with a layer of Roadkill sound-damping material to improve efficiency and bass response. To further enhance the performance of the front speakers, we installed a set of FAST foam baffle rings around the speakers. These foam rings seal against the door panel and helps to project sound into the vehicle for improved performance.

We chose these large tweeters because they can play well into the midrange frequency range. Audiofrog suggests you can play them as low as 1800 Hz with a 12dB/Octave filter. This low crossover point helps to bring the soundstage higher in the vehicle. We created a custom mount for the tweeters in the factory sail panels at the front edge of the door. We incorporated a wooden mounting ring and smoothed it into the factory panel with body filler. After sanding, we wrapped the pods in black vinyl and mounted the tweeter with its aluminum and chrome rings visible. The color scheme matched the interior perfectly.

JL Audio Brings The Bass

To maximize the efficiency of the enclosure, we added a number of braces, to help reduce any losses do to movement in the enclosure walls.

The enclosure features spacer plates on the front that protect the woofers from the rear seat.

Hidden behind the rear seat are two JL Audio 10″ subwoofers, providing plenty of low-end output.

To provide a stable low-frequency foundation for the system, we chose a pair of JL Audio 10TW3 subwoofers. We created a custom enclosure behind the rear seats and incorporated three braces to ensure the front and rear panels would be rigid. We added some additional depth to the enclosure behind the subs with a cutout and a round panel that attaches to the back of the enclosure. We created a pair of solid trim rings to which the subs attach. These mount to the enclosure from the front and help to ensure the rear seat back does not come into contact with the woofer cones. We finished the enclosure in black automotive carpet to match the rear trim panel.

Power And Control From Alpine Processor And Arc Audio Amplifiers

There is a lot of power from two, small, Arc Audio amplifiers.

The Arc Audio amplifiers are small enough to tuck under the rear seat and use almost no functional space.

The Alpine controller will give the client complete tuning control of his processor

The Alpine Processor is mounted under the driver’s seat for easy access.

The factory head unit remained in the dash, and we sent audio signals to an Alpine PXA-H800 processor. The processor will allow the owner to adjust crossover points, time alignment and equalization for each speaker. To control the processor, we supplied the customer with the optional RUX-C800 remote control. We wanted to keep the interior looking as original as possible, so we did not mount the controller. It can be plugged in quickly and easily when the customer wants to make adjustments.

The processor uses six channels of output. Signals for the tweeters and woofers run to an Arc Audio XDi 600.4 amplifier. This amp produces 150 watts per channel into a 2- or 4-ohm load – so the front speakers have more than enough power to get good and loud. The dual 4-Ohm voice coil woofers are powered by an Arc Audio XDi 1100.1. Wired to a 1 ohm load, the sub amp produces a total of 1100 watts to the pair of subs.

We mounted the processor under the driver’s seat for easy access when connecting with the remote control. The amps were mounted to a carpeted panel and placed just behind the front passenger seat. All the wiring faces toward the front of the vehicle to ensure everything is protected from the rear seat passenger’s feet.

Tuning For Optimal Sound

The last stage of the installation was to set up the system with a baseline tuner. The Alpine processor includes ImprintEQ. This processing technology uses an included microphone to set time alignment and equalization for a chosen listening position. The beauty of the PXA-H800 is that we can then fine-tune the adjustments. We ensured the gain settings on the amp were adjusted to allow for maximum output, as well as the best possible signal-to-noise ratio.

After a few days’ work, the customer returned to Extreme Audio to have a first listen to his new system. He was stunned at the clarity and detail of the Audiofrog speakers and their ability to play his music loud without it sounding stressed or harsh. We reviewed the function of the RUX-C800 controller and how we set up the system. He drove away with his favorite music cranked up and a smile on his face.

If you are interested in an audio system upgrade for your car or truck, or any of our services, please Contact Us Here.