Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security

Alaska's Most Award Winning Auto Customizer

Anchorage Ford Transit in for Audio and Comfort Upgrades

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Ford TransitA client from here in Anchorage recently brought his 2020 Ford Transit van to Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security for an audio system and sound deadening upgrade. The big cargo van was a bit too noisy inside for the client’s liking. He also wanted the stereo system to sound better with improved clarity and better bass performance. After inspecting the vehicle, one of our Product Specialists put together a simple yet elegant upgrade solution that would deliver exactly what the client wanted.

Ford Transit Sound Deadening Improves Comfort

The first order of business was to remove the entirety of the interior on the Transit so our technicians could install 12 rolls of SoundShield SSD1 acoustic deadening material. This deadening was applied to the floor, the rear side panels, the rear doors and the outer front door skins.

SoundShield’s thick butyl, aluminum and foam material helps prevent sound energy from the tires, exhaust and drivetrain from entering the cab. The difference in comfort is instantly apparent, and it makes driving the van much more enjoyable. A secondary yet equally important benefit is that the clarity of the outgoing audio of the Bluetooth hands-free communication system is much improved.

Audio System Upgrade

We replaced the front door speakers with a set of Morel Tempo Ultra Integra 602 6.5-inch point-source coaxial drivers to improve the stereo. These speakers offer a dramatic improvement in both frequency extension and clarity. The result is that every genre of music sounds clearer and more detailed.

The next step was to install an Alpine PWE-S8 powered subwoofer to the vehicle to add some warmth and extension. This compact subwoofer system features an 8-inch woofer housed in a cast-metal enclosure. It includes a 120-watt amplifier to drive the sub and has all the connections we needed to integrate it into the factory radio. Of course, the key to making it sound good was to configure the crossover and level controls to work with the rest of the van’s speakers.

Alaska’s Vehicle Enhancement Experts

After a few days of work, we had this Ford Transit upgraded and ready to roll again. The client was amazed at how much quieter the vehicle was and loved how the audio system sounds with the new speakers and subwoofer. If you have a car, van or truck that could be more comfortable with a quieter interior, or you want to upgrade its audio system, drop by Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security in Anchorage and speak with one of our Product Specialists. We’d be happy to design a custom solution that addresses your needs. If you can’t visit the store during regular business hours, give us a call or send our team an e-mail using our contact form.

Anchorage Car Enthusiast Transforms 2016 Dodge Challenger

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Dodge ChallengerA client from here in Anchorage recently contacted the Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security team to inquire about an extensive audio system upgrade for his 2016 Dodge Challenger. This client is a real car enthusiast and wanted us to create something unique for his muscle car. As you can see from the photos, the stereo system modifications grew into an extensive project with custom lighting, an upholstery upgrade and a Lambo door kit.

Dodge Challenger Stereo Upgrade

This amazing project started with the stereo system upgrade. We installed an Android-based Linkswell TA-DGCC08-4RR-1 touchscreen radio in place of the factory 8.4-inch display. This new radio adds Apple and Android smartphone integration along with a preamp output to send audio to the amplifiers we’d be mounting in the trunk.

To ensure that the system sounds great, we replaced the speakers in the doors with a set of Morel Tempo Ultra 602 components and upgraded the rear speakers with Tempo Integra 602 coaxial drivers. These new speakers are powered by a Pioneer GM-D8704 amplifier that can produce 100 watts per channel.

The client wanted the audio upgrade to have an impressive subwoofer system. Our fabrication team created a custom vented subwoofer enclosure with a plexiglass rear panel to serve as a home for a pair of DD Audio Redline 700-Series 712 D4 12-inch subwoofers. These amazing subs are rated to handle 600 watts continuous and 1,200 watts peak power. We paired them with a DD Audio M4 monoblock amplifier to ensure the bass would be crystal clear, even when the volume was cranked.

The amplifiers are mounted on the floor of the Challenger on a custom-built panel, and our team created a pair of vinyl-wrapped panels to conceal the amplifiers and trim around the subwoofer enclosure. We added blue LED lighting to the enclosure’s interior and on the trunk lid so the system would look awesome at night.

Custom Lighting and Interior Upgrades

The client was thrilled with the audio system. After seeing how we executed the stereo upgrade, he decided that he wanted us to do more work on the car. This second round of upgrades began with the installation of a Katzkin leather upholstery upgrade in Cobalt Blue. We had the Mopar Shaker logo embroidered in the headrest covers for a little extra flair.

We removed the headliner and A-pillar trim pieces and wrapped them in blue UltraSuede. Four blue Rigid Industries LED light pods were added to the roof panel before we reinstalled it in the vehicle. We disassembled the door trim pieces so we could wrap the center insert in the same blue material.

Exterior Lighting and Door Hinge Project

The last step was to remove the stock door hinges and replace them with a Lamborghini-style door hinge kit. This installation involved removing the front grille and fenders from the car to secure the hinges to the chassis properly. Thankfully, the kit uses all the original hardware locations. Should the client want the doors returned to original, no cutting or modifications are required.

While we had the fenders off, we completed the exterior lighting upgrade. We added eight more Rigid Industries blue rock lights under the car, a set of Oracle LED wheel rings to the front and rear wheels and a set of the Oracle LED Halo rings for the headlights. Of course, all the wiring for the lighting is protected from the elements and secured so that it won’t be damaged when the vehicle is being driven.

Anchorage’s Vehicle Upgrade Experts

The upgrades on this Dodge Challenger look amazing, and the audio system sounds crystal clear. The client was thrilled with our combination of attention to detail and creativity in executing his vision. Before he left with the car, we showed him how to use the new radio and control all the accessory lighting.

If you’re interested in upgrading your car or truck with a new audio system, custom lighting or modifications like Lambo doors or suspension upgrades, we invite you to visit the automotive upgrade experts here at Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security. If you can’t stop by our store at 801 E. 82nd Ave., give us a call at 907-563-8112 or send our team an e-mail using our online contact page.

2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Gets Upgraded Speakers for the Summer

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A repeat client from Anchorage, AK, visited our shop recently, looking to upgrade the rear stock speakers in his 2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon. We custom-built and designed rear speaker plates and upgraded the speakers to 6.5″ Morel speakers. We used a laser that we have in the shop to engrave the Jeep logo into acrylic for a more-custom look.

The customer was so happy to pick up their vehicle and find that it sounded amazing.

If you’re looking to upgrade the speakers in your Jeep, our team here at Perfectionist Auto Sound has you covered.

Remote Start and Subwoofer Upgrade for Anchorage Mercedes C300

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Mercedes SubwooferA client from here in Anchorage dropped into Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security to ask about adding a remote starter and custom subwoofer system to his 2013 Mercedes-Benz C300 sedan. Having installed many remote start systems in these vehicles, we knew this was a perfect platform for a Mid City Engineering interface. We inspected the vehicle to formulate a few options for the audio upgrade. After a discussion with the client, we developed a plan to add a solid bass foundation to his European vehicle.

Custom Mercedes Subwoofer System

The client was content with the features of the factory-installed audio system, but he wanted it to produce more bass with better low-frequency extension. We suggested the addition of a single 12-inch subwoofer and offered the option of building a trim piece to give the system a little extra style. With his approval, our fabrication team set to work creating a custom-sealed enclosure for a single Morel Ultimo Titanium subwoofer. The enclosure is located at the back of the trunk and the sub fires rearwards into the cargo area of the vehicle. The enclosure and trim pieces are constructed using techniques we learned while at Mobile Solutions in Arizona.

Using three layers of medium-density fiberboard (MDF), we created vinyl-wrapped trim pieces for around the woofer, then accent pieces of either side of the sub that include pressed mesh grilles. The trim pieces are wrapped in several different colors and we added flexible LED lighting around the grille openings.

Subwoofer Amplifier and Integration

A Pioneer GM-D9601 amplifier provides up to 800 watts to power the Ultimo TI 122 driver. The amp is wired to the vehicle electrical system using a 4-AWG amp kit from Stinger Electronics. We also used a PAC Audio two-channel line-level interface to extract an audio signal from the factory-installed sound system.

Mercedes Remote Car Starter

After a discussion about how the client would be using the remote starter, we suggested combining the factory key fob integration of the Mid City Engineering interface with a Drone X1-LTE smartphone interface module. The client can start the vehicle and control the door locks from his smartphone from anywhere in the world, so long as both he and the vehicle have access to a cellular data signal.

Alaska’s Mobile Enhancement Specialists

After a few days of work, we had the starter and subwoofer system installed in this C300 Mercedes-Benz. The client was very happy with the work and loved the way the stereo sounds. If you are considering an upgrade for your car or truck, drop by Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security in Anchorage or click here to send us an e-mail.

Premium Audio and Radar Upgrade for Anchorage Porsche Cayman

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Porsche StereoA long-time client of Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security in Anchorage recently dropped by the store to inquire about upgrading the stereo system in his 2007 Porsche Cayman. He wanted the audio system in the Cayman to play louder, deliver smoother frequency response and produce more bass. The client also wanted a high-performance radar detector and laser defense system. After a thorough inspection of the vehicle, our team put together a bespoke solution that would meet the client’s expectations.

Porsche Cayman Stereo System Upgrade

The first step was to remove the majority of the interior from the vehicle so our technicians could run Stinger speaker cables and Digital Designs interconnects. Once the wiring was in place, we treated the floor, cargo area and doors of the vehicle with sound deadening to reduce noise transfer and improve the performance of the stereo.

Next, we installed a Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX multimedia receiver in the dash. This premium source unit features a 7-inch capacitive-touch display and includes both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration. The smartphone features allow the client to use the voice recognition technology built into his phone to make calls, send text messages and choose from dozens of entertainment options.

Audiofrog Speaker Upgrades

The most-important part of an audio system upgrade is the front speakers. This client chose a set of Audiofrog GB60 woofers and GB10 tweeters for the system. Our fabrication team created custom mounting adapters out of HDPE plastic to attach the new speakers to the factory mounting point in the door. A set of Morel Tempo Ultra Integra 5.25-inch speakers in the rear speaker locations helps wrap the sound around the driver.

System Subwoofers and Amplifiers

After building a shallow enclosure for a pair of Audiomobile GTS-Series 10-inch subwoofers, the guys set to work on the custom trim panels. They mounted the woofers to a panel that is wrapped in perforated gray vinyl. Our team used our Glowforge laser to create a Porsche emblem in a piece of acrylic plastic. The emblem is centered between the subwoofers, and we built up the area around the emblem for a smooth, finished look.

The trim panel around the subwoofers features a pair of inserts at the rear of the vehicle that mimic the accent lines on the factory plastic panels. To continue the theme, we added raised sections to the rear edge of the panel to match those in the aluminum trim at the back of the cargo area. We also added a removable panel with a custom laser-etched badge to make it easy to access the engine oil and coolant fill points.

The sound system in this Porsche is powered by a pair of Digital Designs amplifiers and a digital signal processor. A D6.500 six-channel amp powers the woofers and tweeters in the doors and the rear speakers, while a DM1000a monoblock feeds each of the subwoofers with 500 watts of power.

A Digital Designs DSI-2 signal processor handles dividing the audio signal from the Pioneer radio into appropriate frequency ranges for each speaker. We also set the signal delays and equalization for each channel to produce smooth and natural sound with excellent imaging.

K40 Radar Detector

Our team integrated a K40 RL360i radar detector and laser defense system into the Porsche to protect the driver from getting speeding tickets. We mounted the front and rear radar antennae to the chassis of the vehicle, using custom aluminum brackets. We concealed the radar antennae behind the plastic bumper covers and mounted a pair of Laser Defusers just above the outside air inlets in the front bumper. These Defusers prevent officers from measuring the vehicle speed using LIDAR until the client can confirm speed and cancel the scrambled laser signal transmission.

European Car Upgrade Specialists

With the upgraded stereo system dialed in and the radar and laser system tested, it was time for the owner of this cool Porsche Cayman to return to Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security to pick up the vehicle. The client was happy with the upgrades and anxious to get out on the road to try them out.

If you are interested in a radar detector or upgraded audio system for your car, drop by our store, give us a call or click here to send us an e-mail.

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