A longtime client from Colonial Heights recently contacted Extreme Audio to upgrade the sound system in his 2018 Dodge Challenger Hellcat. We’ve worked on several of this client’s vehicles in the past few years, including a Dodge Charger, a 300M and a Lexus RX350. Each time the client gets a new vehicle, we remove the gear from the old car and start the plan for the new one.
Meeting Our Client’s Music-Listening Needs
As we’ve mentioned, this client loves his music to get loud and play low. The Audiofrog GB-Series speakers feature some of the highest excursion specifications we’ve seen in the industry, and they happen to sound absolutely amazing. We installed a set of GB25 midrange speakers in the stock dash speaker locations, then added a set of 1-inch GB10 tweeters at the base of the A-pillar trim panels. The dash location works amazingly well to provide a nice, deep soundstage.
For midbass, we installed a set of Audiofrog GS690 6×9-inch component woofers in each of the front doors. The stock door speaker is a 6×9, so the installation was simple. We added a set of foam acoustic control rings around each speaker to ensure that all the output would be fed into the vehicle interior and prevent it from echoing around inside the door panel. Once the trim panels are back in place, the only sign of there being an upgrade are the subtle tweeters in the pillars.
High-Power Dodge Subwoofer System
As we mentioned, the client loves deep bass. Our fabrication team constructed a vented enclosure for this single JL Audio 13W7AE-D1.5 13.5-inch subwoofer. Most of the enclosures we build are tuned around 35 Hz to provide a nice balance of thump and rumble. For this client, we increased the enclosure volume a bit more than normal and tuned the system just below 30 Hz. With more than 2.5 inches of excursion capability on this subwoofer, it has no problem delivering the low-frequency performance the client loves.
We trimmed the face of the enclosure with a carpeted beauty panel that fits the contour of the vehicle. We finished by adding an accent piece that is wrapped in carbon-fiber textured vinyl to serve as protection for the woofer. A black SRT Hellcat badge in the middle and while LED lighting behind the bridge piece add some style to the system.
High-Power JL Audio Amplifiers
This Charger Hellcat sound system is powered by a pair of JL Audio amplifiers. The front six speakers are fed by a six-channel VX600/6i amplifier that produces up to 75 watts per channel. What makes this amplifier impressive is its integrated digital signal processor. The processor allows us to configure crossovers, output levels, equalization and signal delay settings for each speaker in the vehicle as well as the external subwoofer amplifier. Speaking of sub amps, the 13W7AE sub is powered by a 1,000-watt XD1000/1 amp.
We mounted the amplifiers on a panel on the floor of the trunk under the cargo cover. Each amp is fed with Stinger Pro Series 4-AWG power and ground wire from the nearby battery. We used a mini-ANL SPD5801 from Stinger to protect each of the amps.
Richmond’s Car Audio Upgrade Experts
With the installation complete, our team set to work calibrating the settings in the JL Audio DSP to create a very realistic listening experience in the vehicle. The soundstage spans the width of the dash and offers impressively precise instrument placement. The system is tuned to a reference curve that matches the client’s listening preferences, so he doesn’t need to turn up the bass or treble controls on the radio. If he wants a little extra bass, we added a remote bass knob in the front of the vehicle that allows him to adjust the sub.
After about three days of work on this Dodge Challenger Hellcat sound system, we had everything dialed-in and ready to go. The client was thrilled with the way the stereo sounded and loved the clean and tidy installation. If you live in the Richmond area, drop by Extreme Audio in Mechanicsville or Midlothian to find out how we can improve your car stereo system. Feel free to call our location nearest to you or send an e-mail to schedule a consultation.
I have a 2008 GTI, what to upgrade headlights , front door lining replaced , add subwoofer and amp
We’d be happy to take a look at the GTI to see what options we have for you. Best bet is to swing by whichever of our locations is more convenient for you when you have a chance. Thanks!