A longtime client of Extreme Audio recently contacted us to plan a stereo system upgrade for his 2018 Dodge Charger. We have installed sound systems in the client’s previous vehicles, including a Lexus and a Chrysler 300. Some of the equipment for this system was in those previous builds. After confirming our understanding of the client’s expectations, we designed yet another amazing sound system for his new car.
Dodge Charger Speaker Upgrade
The first step was to remove the front speakers from the dash and doors of the Charger to make way for a set of new drivers from Audiofrog. Our fabrication team created a set of mounting adapters for a pair of GB15 tweeters and installed them in the dash. We mounted a pair of GS690 6×9-inch woofers in the factory door speaker location and added a set of foam gaskets around the speaker. The Fast Rings gaskets seal against the door panel to ensure that all the sound created by the speakers is fed into the interior of the vehicle.
We replaced the speakers on the rear parcel shelf with a set of JL Audio C2-690tx three-way 6×9’s to wrap the sound around the interior of the car.
Factory Radio Interfacing
Dodge has factored a lot of non-audio features into the large touchscreen in the dash of the Charger. As such, there’s no easy way to install a new radio in this vehicle. We used a PAC Audio AmpPro interface to extract a full-range audio signal from the radio and feed it into the digital signal processor built into the JL Audio VXi series amplifier. The connection from the interface to the amp uses a fiber optic TOSLINK cable and as such, is impervious to any noise or signal degradation.
Mobile Audio System Amplifiers
A JL Audio VX800/8i eight-channel amplifier powers the dash, door and rear parcel shelf speakers and provides a signal to the massive Rockford Fosgate Power-Series T2500-1bdCP subwoofer amplifier.
The two amplifiers are mounted in the storage well at the rear of the trunk. We made a set of spacer blocks that allow the big Rockford amp to straddle the JL amplifier. We also added the XS Power AGM battery that the client had in his 300 to provide extra current for the sound system. All the equipment is wired with Stinger 0-, 4- and 8-AWG power cable and interconnects.
JL Audio Subwoofer System
The icing on the cake for this project was a custom vented subwoofer enclosure that would be home to a JL Audio13W7 subwoofer. The enclosure is constructed from MDF and is located at the back of the trunk. Our fabrication team created a trim panel for the front of the subwoofer that includes accents wrapped in red vinyl to match the seating and door cards inside the vehicle. Finally, perforated mesh inserts allow the large slot-style vent to breathe into the trunk. Gray carpet and contoured outer edges give the trunk a clean and tidy look.
Audio System Configuration and Tuning
We used the digital signal processor built into the eight-channel JL Audio amp to configure crossovers for all the speakers in the system. The VX800 powers the dash tweeters and the rear speakers with four of its channels, and the other four are bridged to the woofers in the front doors to provide up to 200 watts each. The massive Rockford amp is capable of producing 2,500 watts of power to the subwoofer.
Each channel of the system has been equalized to deliver smooth and natural frequency response at the listening position. We added a DRC100 remote to the JL amp and configured in the software to function as a remote level control for the subwoofer output that feeds the Rockford amp.
Richmond’s Car Audio Experts
After a few days of work, we had everything wrapped up on the Dodge Charger stereo upgrade and called the client to let him know he could pick up the vehicle. He was once again thrilled with the system. It plays incredibly loud and sounds crystal clear. If you are interested in upgrading the audio system in your vehicle, drop by Extreme Audio in Midlothian or Mechanicsville and speak to a member of our team. You can also reach us via e-mail using our online contact form.
For this build? When you installed the amp pro and routed the wires for the mids/highs.. did you retain the apple carplay and etc? I have the amp pro and the ch01 to tap from the stock amp and no voice is being heard from the speakers from the call.
If you can possibly give me options or places to start looking? Maybe i didnt do the sleep cycles when i thought i didnt need to since no dip switches were flipped.
Thank you
We only experienced that sort of issue once on a Toyota model. The Amp Pro was a incorrect model, and everything worked except voices from CarPlay which was VERY odd. Do you know if the Amp Pro you have is the CH41 or is it the CH41 R.2? If it’s an older CH41 you may need the R.2 updated version. Would be worth a call to PAC to check.
Its the R.2 version. I was just curious because of the fact everything else gets sound of my iphone (youtube, tiktok, apple music) just no voices. Just was curious because since i used the ch01 to branch there to my own amp to power the speakers.
I’m assuming that you’re using the front and rear outputs both from the AP4? Most likely voices only come out of the front channels of the AP4. Does the OEM have any options to choose whether the call audio comes through just one speaker or through all speakers?
Yeah im using all inputs from the AP4. And using ch01 and just following the instructions to run back to my amps. Just curious if you had the sleep cycle the ap4 even though any dip switches werent flipped on