Focal, Mosconi, Illusion and Helix build

[UNBROKEN]

I’d say I’ve added at least 100lbs net to the car after accounting for things that came out like the jack, spare tire, etc. I also lost close to 100 in unsprung weight with wheels and brakes. I don’t know the exact number but I’ll get it on a scale some day and compare to a stock car with the same trim.

 

[Cruising68]

And therein lies the rub. You want it to sound solid like more of a luxury car (at least me), and you want a decent stereo so you add and add and add weight. I should just drop 50lbs. The wheels help and a brake upgrade would help a lot more help being unsprung but that is a significant investment. I'm on the fence about leaving the third row seats out. I will NEVER use them.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Sound and noise treatments are done…finally.
I filled all the large voids behind the rear panels with 1” closed cell rubber foam then covered everything with 1” Thinsulate. I didn’t get a pic but I also dropped the headliner again and put Thinsulate everywhere possible up there too as well as a layer of 1/4” Dynaliner from the back of the pano roof to the rear of the car. All of the AC ducting in the back is insulated with 1/8” Dynaliner…that air is COLD.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Every interior panel is deadened with CLD and covered with either a Dynaliner or Thinsulate depending on what I used. I had some Soundshield so I didn’t add any CCF to this panels …just Thinsulate

 

[UNBROKEN]

The door panels had some stuff on them already but it was poor coverage and the rear doors had very little…all are now 100% coverage with Thinsulate and heavily deadened with CLD.

 

[Cruising68]

Nice as usual. What pulling theheadliner once wasn't good enough for you lol Your Explorer is wearing a parka.

 

[GearHead_1]

I have no idea how you built that sound system for $500. You must be an excellent shopper.

 

[UNBROKEN]

I have no idea how you built that sound system for $500. You must be an excellent shopper.

It was tough. lol
Honestly…I probably put $500 more into it today with this stuff. lol

 

[sambopr]

Would have a great idea to do a db test before and after all your noise treatment. Great work big dog!

 

[DetroitST]

As someone who has never even turned the radio on in my ST, I have no idea what you're doing. Lots of amazing craftsmanship, tons of knowledge, but how do we get to sample the before/after sound difference? As someone who cares zero about music would I listen to your sound system and say to myself... I must have this? Does it move you in the same way as adding horsepower? Is this some next level, out of body experience? How would it compare to my neighbor with 2x 12" subs who blares his music at all hours?

To make sure you don't think I'm being sarcastic, I have an XLT that my wife drives and she loves music, her baseline sound system suckkkks. Sell me your solution. She would love an upgrade.

In other news, what is your fastest 1/4 mile? Interested in the unsprung weight savings. Do you have a before and after wheel performance stat?

 

[UNBROKEN]

If someone has never heard a high end SQ system it’s hard to explain it….if you hear a good one though you can hear every instrument and singer where they would be on a stage including depth front to rear….and you’ll hear notes and artifacts in songs you didn’t even know were there. In a world of compressed MP3’s most people have never even heard a lossless file…so the differences can be surprising to someone new.

And my best 1/4 mile is 11.77 @ 117 which was after the initial round of deadening but before the main install. I’ve barely driven it since last year…definitely haven’t ran it hard lately.

 

[UNBROKEN]

We’re doing the final round of tuning today at MTI Acoustics. I was here last Friday with Jeffery Hald, Christerfer Pate and Nick Wingate working on the tune and today we’re just fine tuning some phase alignment stuff. All tuning is being done via the JL Audio MAX tuning system with a 5 mic array.
Headed up to Dallas for SQOLOGY next weekend…which is the biggest SQ audio comp in Texas. I’m hoping it holds its own in my classes…guess we’ll find out in a few days.

 

[Cruising68]

Damn nice microphone setup. As usual, I'm feeling a little inadequate with my one microphone and self tuning Hoping to find somebody local that can do a final tune after I'm done butchering it.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Damn nice microphone setup. As usual, I'm feeling a little inadequate with my one microphone and self tuning Hoping to find somebody local that can do a final tune after I'm done butchering it.

This has been my first time seeing the JL MAX system used and it’s utterly amazing. Seeing phase alignments in real time is a game changer. We got it close last Friday…just putting the icing on the cake right now. It’s truly sounding amazing.

 

[Cruising68]

This has been my first time seeing the JL MAX system used and it’s utterly amazing. Seeing phase alignments in real time is a game changer. We got it close last Friday…just putting the icing on the cake right now. It’s truly sounding amazing.

I don't doubt one bit it will sound amazing! My problem is I don't know if my beat down hearing could ever tell the difference between very good and great. I wis you were closer, I'd love to hear the finished product. Assuming I would say WOW but you never know until you hear it. Maybe I'll find a local club and see if I can listen at one of their street and greets. Heck I don't even know if I can tune it reasonably close. Tuner would probably laugh at me after I spent 30 hours tuning The fun is in the learning though.

 

[UNBROKEN]

I’ve competed on and off for over a decade. In 2013-14 I was undefeated in MECA Street and this is better…it’s for the same class. I said wow. lol

 

[Cruising68]

I’ve competed on and off for over a decade. In 2013-14 I was undefeated in MECA Street and this is better…it’s for the same class. I said wow. lol

Very Impressive! I've never really had an ear for music. Don't get me wrong, I can tell something that sounds good and something that sounds bad. But I cannot sing on key to save my life and have abused my ears for many years standing next to concert speakers. That and I just have no musical talent. Couldn't play instruments, can barely keep rhythm.

That's why I say I would love to hear yours to know what fantastic music reproduction sounds like through my ears. If you ever get to Chicago, I'll buy you a beer. If get back to COTA I will give you a holler.

 

[UNBROKEN]

Cool new things coming soon. MTI is scanning the dash then they’ll model the midrange pods in CAD and 3D print them after. They’ll be covered in matching leather to finish them off.

 

[Cruising68]

Way cool technology!

 

[ferneyhough]

Cool new things coming soon. MTI is scanning the dash then they’ll model the midrange pods in CAD and 3D print them after. They’ll be covered in matching leather to finish them off. View attachment 13107 View attachment 13108 View attachment 13109

Can't wait to see the results