LS Audio

Velociraptor82 · 26-08-2009, 10:41 AM

OK I've recently redone all the interior in the boot of my hatch. Since getting a full size spare wheel, the boot is now a little shallower than it was before. I also replaced the crappy little light on right side with a pair of blue neons on both sides to give the boot better lighting. I'll post up pics a little later once I have them.

Anyway I also recently got the Premium Sony head unit from an LT XR5 and am considering doing a few things with my audio system. However I'm very uneducated in this area.

First of all, installing the head unit: I'm planning on ordering the stereo keys from ebay tonight so that I can remove the current head unit. Should I expect it to be a simple switch over (unplug old unit, plug in new unit) or are the connectors different? If they are different how have people overcome this obstacle?

Second, Amps: With the extra room under the floor in the boot I'm considering making some space under there to install an Amp and then run some wires from the amp up the back of the seats to the parcel shelf and put in a pair of speakers in the parcel shelf. I was at Autobahm looking at speakers and amps yesturday and started talking with the sales guy there. Anyway he has pointed out a number of problems with this. First is that the amp will get too hot under the floor and will need some kind of ventallation and second is getting the audio and power cables to the amp.

Third, speakers: As stated before I'd like to mount a pair of speakers on the parcel shelf. My first throughts were mounting subs on there but the guy at Autobahn advised me that the subs would be too close to the people in the back seat as well as the fact they would shake the parcel shelf to bits unless I rebuild the parcel shelf with ALOT of reinforcing and weight and then replaced the struts on the boot to handle the extra weight. So now I'm only looking at speakers. Would the parcel shelf take 2 ordinary pioneer speakers or would it still need reinforcing? If I do go that way I still want a sub but don't know where to locate it. So I was also wondering how people have overcome this.

Propably the biggest challenge with all this, is that I want to keep the boot floor flat. Since lifting the boot floor it now sits perfectly inline with the rear seats when folded down and could almost be used as a bed. (For those romantic evenings parked on top of a hill. lol)

melbzetec · 26-08-2009, 11:38 AM

Personally, I wouldn't put them in the parcel shelf (but I'm no expert!!!)

It is just that everything I've heard says you'll get all sorts of virbration and lots of other problems, plus some safety issues

Again, from what I've read, your front speakers are the most important, so I'd be spending the best money you can on quality front speakers, and maybe upgrade the rear doors (but don't go wild)

As far as subs go, if you want a flat rear floor, you can build a sub into the side of the hatch space (the old ST170 in the UK came with a factory fitted set up llike this), or if you don't want to lose any hatch space, there are apparently a couple of self powered under seat subs (Clarion??) but I can't vouch for the sound as I haven't heard them.

But then again, there are those with far more expertise in this area who could comment

sumpPUMP · 26-08-2009, 06:35 PM

yeh ive seen/heard these "flat" subs, made for utes. quite good output considering how flat they are, worth a look.
could put amp under driver seat and sub under passenger, or other way round, i got my amp under my passenger seat and it has enough ventelation.
my bro made his own rear shelf from timber, nice strong framing and then carpeted it in his hatch and installed his 6x9s, unfortunetly no pics but it wasn't as wide as existing hatch shelf, just less than half, enough to hold lip and weight of speakers. hope this helps

Velociraptor82 · 26-08-2009, 06:45 PM

sump, how did you wire up the amp under the seat? As in where did you souce the power/audio from and where did run the cables to the amp?

zbeasty · 27-08-2009, 12:39 AM

With the size of the system it sounds like you're going to have I'd wire as follows. Run power for the amp from the battery via a fused 8 gauge cable. There should be a grommet in the firewall that you can pass the cable through. Earth should be into a clean bit of metal close to the amp. For audio I assume that the Sony deck has RCA outs. Run from the deck with an RCA cable/s to the amp then run new speaker wire from the amp to whichever speakers you're going to power. You'll also need a remote power on for the amp and for that you use the power aerial lead from the deck. You can buy pre packaged wiring kits for 2 or 4 channel amps at Repco/Autobahn/Supacheap. The only thing these generally don't have is the speaker wire which they should sell seperately.

BlackLS · 27-08-2009, 12:01 PM

Don't put speakers on the rear shelf. its too weak, even 6" speakers in an frontal accident they will rip out of the existing rear shelf and become a missile in the car. Also if your looking to make a new rear shelf with MDF, in a rear end accident your 16mm mdf becomes a guillotine for the rear seat passengers.

Also with subs they need to be in a carefully measured enclosure.

With cabling you'll need to run your own power from the battery with an inline fuse and make your own grounding, and you'll also need to prod around and find a suitable switched 12v for remote input. This should become active when you turn the stereo on, otherwise the car's accessory circuit should do (remember in the focus you can't use the cig lighter power source!)

Also if the XR5 unit hasn't got RCAs then you'll need a high-to-line level converter.

Velociraptor82 · 27-08-2009, 01:02 PM

Thanks alot for the responses guys.

So far based on everything I've heard I'm gonna have to pass on the amps and subs and just upgrade the existing speakers. (Maybe I should have bought a Sedan lol)

If i remember correctly (i'm at work whilst the head unit is at home). the rear doesn't have rca outputs. (in fact it doesn't have any connectors that i recognise). All it has is a large square area in the bottem left (looking from back to front). broken into a number of smaller square connectors. I haven't pulled out the existing unit to see if the connectors are the same yet. Still awaiting the stereo keys to arrive.

BlackLS. Where would I get one of these "high-to-line lever converers"? I'm assuming Autobahn or JB would have such things? Also would I still need one if I only upgrade the exisitng speakers?

BlackLS · 27-08-2009, 02:37 PM

Yeah any audio shops should be able to help with the converter

I think I've seen you around the SW Sydney?

Perhaps look at a more specialised car audio shop like CAE, and ask 3-4 different shops with your budget and see what you get back.

If you run amps for the speaker upgrade, then you'll need the high to low/line(RCA) converter which you'll probably run off the rear speaker wires.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velociraptor82

Thanks alot for the responses guys.

So far based on everything I've heard I'm gonna have to pass on the amps and subs and just upgrade the existing speakers. (Maybe I should have bought a Sedan lol)

If i remember correctly (i'm at work whilst the head unit is at home). the rear doesn't have rca outputs. (in fact it doesn't have any connectors that i recognise). All it has is a large square area in the bottem left (looking from back to front). broken into a number of smaller square connectors. I haven't pulled out the existing unit to see if the connectors are the same yet. Still awaiting the stereo keys to arrive.

BlackLS. Where would I get one of these "high-to-line lever converers"? I'm assuming Autobahn or JB would have such things? Also would I still need one if I only upgrade the exisitng speakers?

Velociraptor82 · 27-08-2009, 03:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackLS

I think I've seen you around the SW Sydney?

I live in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne (Doncaster to be exact) But I have stayed in Bass Hill when I attended the last 2 Sydney AFD's so you may have seen me around there. Otherwise I'm often mistaken for the new XR5's. lol

I'm not familiar with any other car audio places in my area. I'll look up yellow pages and see what I can find.

The issue I have about locating the things under the seats is that I'd be a little worried that my mates and particullay family (who don't care) would kick and damage the things, especially the sub. So If I can't locate the amp under the floor of the boot (which only requires a cut out of the foam) then I'm not going to install one.

But out of interest does anyone know where the cables run for the rear door speakers? Obvisoly they go into the door from the B piller but do they run under the floor or through the roof and down the A piller?

leakey · 27-08-2009, 08:11 PM

Just a thought, MelbZetec mentioned the UK ST170. If you trawl US Ebay, you'll find a tonne of them too. Amp in built, Ford unit, designed for LR Focus hatch, so, you should be able to jimmy it in surely. Pretty sure the SONY unit has the separate sub plug, with power. I may be wrong however.

Also, some of the Mazda 3's have good BOSE options that can be purchased cheaply that really lift the sound quality. Also have in built amps in the subs. Here is one in Sydney going cheap -

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-6-BOSE-...d=p3911.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-3-GENUI...d=p3911.c0.m14

They look pretty compact, and easily hidden. Might be worth looking at one to see where they're hidden.

As for the parcel shelf mounted speakers, dont do it!

Velociraptor82 · 27-08-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leakey

Just a thought, MelbZetec mentioned the UK ST170. If you trawl US Ebay, you'll find a tonne of them too. Amp in built, Ford unit, designed for LR Focus hatch, so, you should be able to jimmy it in surely. Pretty sure the SONY unit has the separate sub plug, with power. I may be wrong however.

Also, some of the Mazda 3's have good BOSE options that can be purchased cheaply that really lift the sound quality. Also have in built amps in the subs. Here is one in Sydney going cheap -

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-6-BOSE-...d=p3911.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-3-GENUI...d=p3911.c0.m14

They look pretty compact, and easily hidden. Might be worth looking at one to see where they're hidden.

As for the parcel shelf mounted speakers, dont do it!

I would never have thought of fitting the sound system from an LR. Particularly since the interiors between the LR and LS are so different. So I'd be very interested to know how they go in?

Hmm that Maza Bose system looks very tempting. I wonder if the amp is small enough to not generate too much heat. Perfect for installing under the floor of the boot if so. Is that system from Factory or aftermarket. If its from factory I'll wander down to the local mazda dealer and have a look.

Thanks alot Leakey. I'll see what I can find out.

So far I don't think I've had a positive response to mounting the speakers on the parcel shelf. I think i get the picture. lol

Velociraptor82 · 27-08-2009, 09:19 PM

OK here are the pics of the new boot. (in the dark to show off the new lighting so sorry about the quality)

Velociraptor82 · 27-08-2009, 09:21 PM

And here are the pics of the new head unit

melbzetec · 27-08-2009, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leakey

Also, some of the Mazda 3's have good BOSE options that can be purchased cheaply that really lift the sound quality. Also have in built amps in the subs. Here is one in Sydney going cheap -

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-6-BOSE-...d=p3911.c0.m14
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/MAZDA-3-GENUI...d=p3911.c0.m14

They look pretty compact, and easily hidden. Might be worth looking at one to see where they're hidden.

As for the parcel shelf mounted speakers, dont do it!

That's bloody brilliant! Bose make such good systems.
I'm kicking myself now....I have two new top quality Boston Acoustic speakers waiting to be fitted...otherwise I'd go the Mazda?Bose option.

Any idea 1. whetherthey run off a stock head unit, and 2. where does the subwoofer mount in the Mazda? Looks like it could be underseat

Rep points for you Leakey

(Damn..System won't let me unil I give rep points to someone else)

sumpPUMP · 28-08-2009, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melbzetec

That's bloody brilliant! Bose make such good systems.
I'm kicking myself now....I have two new top quality Boston Acoustic speakers waiting to be fitted...otherwise I'd go the Mazda?Bose option.

Any idea 1. whetherthey run off a stock head unit, and 2. where does the subwoofer mount in the Mazda? Looks like it could be underseat

Rep points for you Leakey

(Damn..System won't let me unil I give rep points to someone else)

umm would you believe in the middle of the spare wheel/tyre?

mate used to have a 6 and got one of them, not bad idea i guess, wonder if it does get too hot after long periods of thrash. could be good for velociraptor.

sumpPUMP · 28-08-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Velociraptor82

sump, how did you wire up the amp under the seat? As in where did you souce the power/audio from and where did run the cables to the amp?

sorry for late reply, guess your not goin this way anymore but, mines wired under carpet to headunit and under carpet down side of door frame under plastic capping, to sub in the boot. quite handy as the feet vent for rear passenders blows cool air on to the amp, i think its all a coincidence really. good luck

leakey · 28-08-2009, 05:22 PM

Here's the plug details. Shows subs in orange.

Velociraptor82 · 28-08-2009, 06:28 PM

OK so.... stupid question..... (compared to those in the know. lol)

currently all 6 stock speakers, including the tweeters, connect directly into the back of the head unit. If I only install an extra sub then as per Leakeys fantastic diagram that also can be connected directly into the head unit without the need for an amp.

If however I still want to install an amp (That Mazda Bose system is looking to be the most likely). How does that change the cabling? Do I run each of the speaker cables from the head unit into the amp and then from the amp to the speakers or does it work differently?

In terms of locating a sub I've picked up a location in the left side wall in the boot (can be seen in the second pic in photos above as a V shaped indent in the carpet). I'll measure that location up on the weekend to see if it is big enough to mount a sub there. As started before I'll also head over to a Mazda dealer and find out where the sub is located and as such find out how big it is. Maybe (fingers crossed) it will be just small enough to fit into that space.

zbeasty · 29-08-2009, 08:59 AM

I would guess that at the moment you don't have anything connected to that part of the terminal. It should be an RCA type connection with a red and white like this http://www.alphacaraudio.co.uk/image...er/CA-C3AV.jpg

You should be able to buy it from Ford or Sony if you don't already have it and will need it to be able to connect up the amp for the sub. As for mounting the amp under the rear floor it is doable you'll just need to give it extra ventilation so wire in some CPU fans on both sides, one set blowing air on, the other set drawing it away. The fans can be operated by a simple switch that you turn on whenever you have the stereo on or you can use a relay that gets switched auxiliary power so that they turn on and off whenever you start the car.

BlackLS · 30-08-2009, 11:05 PM

Head unit itself wouldn't have enough power to drive the sub - definatly need an amp.

It seems like the output is a low level one already, seeing it only has pin connectors and not a spade connector like the headunit driven speakers.

leakey · 31-08-2009, 12:24 PM

How rude of me! Your boot looks awesome!! [puts on the "to do" list]

Velociraptor82 · 04-09-2009, 10:04 AM

Radio keys arrived last night so it looks like the headunit will be going in on Sunday. I'll let you all know how I go.

Velociraptor82 · 06-09-2009, 09:58 AM

I need some help...How exactly does one go about getting the current head unit out?

I have the radio keys but unsure as to how they work. I started to pull the faceplate surround out from the bottom and have half-pulled it out however it seems to be firmly connected around the headunit and as such i fear that if i pull any harder i'm going to snap the faceplate in half.

As you can tell I haven't done this before. lol

BlackLS · 06-09-2009, 10:40 AM

Push the 4 radio keys into the 4 slots, with the rounded part of the key facing outward (from what i remember) Pull out using the keys.

Velociraptor82 · 06-09-2009, 11:06 AM

Thanks for your quick reply BlackLS. are the keys suppost to lock/snap into place?

Velociraptor82 · 06-09-2009, 11:29 AM

Don't worry, i've got it. lol.... pics coming soon

Velociraptor82 · 06-09-2009, 01:17 PM

Here are the pics of the head unit install

Velociraptor82 · 06-09-2009, 01:20 PM

since the faceplate is that ugly plastic gray colour and the rest is carbon fiber silver i'm thinking of painting the lot in a shiny metallic silver. Anyway that is a project for another time. until then lets just upgrade the speakers.

melbzetec · 06-09-2009, 02:36 PM

That looks great!

I'm normally not a fan of aftermarket head unit installs, because they usually look dodgy IMHO, but that is a fantastic factory look....but even better!

You can get the faceplate coated to look carbon fibre. Take a look here:

http://www.uniquecoatingsolutions.com/

Congrats on the great work