A client from Colonial Heights dropped into Extreme Audio to talk about a 2013 Chrysler 300 audio system upgrade. We recently upgraded his Lexus, and he loved the way the JL Audio W7 subwoofers and Audiofrog speakers we installed sounded in that car, so he brought us this 300. It already had a system in it from another shop, but the client wanted us to bring it up to the same performance level that we had built in his Lexus.
Audiofrog Front Stage Speaker Solution
Beyond their reference-level sound quality, one of the many reasons we like the Audiofrog GB-Series speakers is that they will play incredibly loud. Compared to almost every other speaker available on the market, the GB25 2.5-inch midrange and GB60 6.5-inch woofers have almost twice the excursion capability of their competitors. This excursion capability means more output and incredible clarity, even when pushed hard!
We upgraded the front stage of the Chrysler 300 system by installing a set of GB25 midrange speakers in the factory dash locations using the mounting rings that come with the Audiofrogs. Next, we mounted a pair of GB10 1-inch tweeters in the A-pillars to create a wide soundstage. Finally, we created a set of expanded PVC adapters to mount a set of GB60 midbass drivers in the doors. We added Fast Rings to the door speakers to help channel the output into the interior of the vehicle.
Because the client wanted a lot of sound in the car, we added a set of Audiofrog GS693 three-way speakers to the rear deck of the car.
A JL Audio VX800/8i eight-channel amplifier powers the speakers in the car. The VX800/8i is a brand-new amp from JL Audio and includes state-of-the-art digital signal processing that will allow us to tune the system for the client’s listening preferences. Each of the eight channels produces about 75 watts of power.
JL Audio W7 Subwoofer System
The client loves bass. Not punchy, twangy bass, but deep, rumbling bass that shakes the entire vehicle. As such, our team built him a large vented subwoofer enclosure to house a pair of JL Audio 13W7-D1.5 subwoofers.
These massive 13.5-inch subwoofers are powered by a Rockford Fosgate T2500-1bdcp amp that the client had from another system. This amp can produce more than 1,250 watts to each driver. The XS Power battery in the trunk was from the previous system and helps to ensure that the Fosgate amp gets the current it needs to drive the subs.
Alpine Halo 9 Source Unit Upgrade
Given that the client has chosen some of the best speakers and subwoofers for his car, it should be no surprise that he wanted to upgrade the Pioneer radio that was in the vehicle to something with a larger screen and more technology. He loved the look of the Alpine iLX-F309 with its massive 9-inch touchscreen. We mounted it in place of his old radio in the lower part of the dash and used an interface to allow the buttons on the steering wheel to control the radio.
Chrysler 300 Audio System Tuning
In most vehicles with a three-way front speaker set, we spend a lot of time configuring the digital signal processor so that the sound from each speaker in the car arrives at the listening position simultaneously and at equal levels. In the case of this Chrysler 300 audio system, we eased off on the use of signal delay and level matching in favor of creating a sound system that would envelop the driver in the listening experience. Imagine being at your favorite club, but with the convenience of having that sound in your car! The music is accurate, dynamic and controlled, with amazing low-frequency output from the JL subs.
After a few days of work, it was time for the client to return to Extreme Audio to experience his sound system for the first time. He loved the clarity of the Audiofrog speakers, and the bass from the big JL subs was exactly what he wanted. If you’re interested in a dance-club-on-wheels experience in your car or truck, drop by Extreme Audio in Midlothian or Mechanicsville and talk to us. You can also reach us by e-mail using our online contact page.
On the “Colonial Heights Client Upgrades Chrysler 300 Audio System” build what radio deck harness and bezel did you use? And do you sell them?
We used a Metra 99-6525 dash kit. It’s really the only kit available for these vehicle, but definitely can be hit or miss on working properly. I wouldn’t suggest it, unless you are going to replace all of the audio in the vehicle as well. We’ve found the kit to have issues interfacing properly when handling audio conversion for the OEM amplifier and also handling HVAC controls at the same time. If it’s just handling HVAC, it seems to work “ok”. I know, not a ringing endorsement, but it’s the only option there is. It’s not something we would sell and ship though.
With my 2011 300 C with the “premium” Alpine 10 speaker system(complete garbage) I kept the entire stock system in place(minus the front door spks)
My audio source is my android phone with hi-rez player app and 128 gb micro SD card and about 200gb of internal storage packed with flac and ape files. Split USB to cig charger/thunderbolts to phone/DAC. Optical out on DAC to optical in on DSP. And of course DSP outs to amps then speakers/subs.
I didn’t want to lose any premium car options such as heated/cooled seats, remote start, tons of other controls that even the most expensive aftermarket HU and harness kit couldn’t retain.
So basically I have two stereo systems, although the only audio from the HU and stock speakers is chimes and alerts unless I wish to use radio/bt/cd for weather or giggles.
I made custom dual 5.25 pods for each front door JL Audio components.
Single 8″ pods for each rear door midbass JL audio(rear stock spks at top rear door still there)
JL Audio tweeters at sail and pillar each side surface mount and angled properly(4 total)
Custom dual 10″ ported box in trunk. 1800 RMS/4000 peak system respectively.
My amp board is in the space located under the rear deck but separate from the trunk, behind rear seats.
LAtrical 300amp alternator dual battery setup.
I grinded my mind for a good year trying to figure out how to have a top tier SQ system with these Infocenter HU car models without losing car controls and inviting problems by going aftermarket HU. And the inability of these so-called “premium” systems to play hi-rez files is frustrating! Uconnect is awful. The stock USB/SD ins and built in CD player won’t play hi-rez and obviously streaming via any version BT isn’t hi-rez.
A lot of work vs the old days.