Subwoofers Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security

Custom Subaru WRX Subwoofer Enclosure for Anchorage Client

05/30/2020 By John Schwartz

A client recently contacted the team at Perfectionist Autosound & Security in Anchorage to ask about having a custom subwoofer enclosure constructed for his 2019 Subaru WRX STi. We had a look at the trunk of the vehicle and checked out the requirements of the Kicker L7 subwoofer he wanted to use. After going over a few design and material options, we provided the client with a detailed quote to complete the project. He loved the plan and gave us the go-ahead to get started.

Custom WRX STI Subwoofer Enclosure

WRX Subwoofer — 3/4″ MDF was used for the enclosure construction.

Our fabrication team designed this enclosure based on the specifications from Kicker and measurements in the vehicle. We constructed the main panels from ¾-inch MDF, and glued each of them to the adjacent panels to form an airtight seal that can handle the pressure created by the large woofer. We also added a brace to the center of the cabinet to reduce the chances of panel flexing at high volume levels.

Custom Subwoofer Enclosure Trim Panel

With the enclosure volume information and port dimensions in hand, our team set to work on designing the enclosure for this Subaru. The client wanted the bass to be loud while also playing low-frequency notes with authority. This goal would require a relatively large enclosure and a low tuning frequency.

Once the basic enclosure fabrication was complete and wrapped in durable black carpet, we set to work on the trim panel for the front panel. Our team created an opening for the subwoofer and a second one for the vent. We cut a large angle on the vent opening to help smooth the flow of air as it exits and enters the enclosure. The vent itself has a bend at the back of the cabinet and points upward.

We cut a rabbet into the back of the enclosure and trimmed the opening with a 45-degree angle bit so we could mount an accent panel that bears the STI logo. We cut the logo out of acrylic plastic with our Glowforge laser and then painted it with matte black paint, so it matches the cone of the Kicker subwoofer.

Alaska’s Custom Car Audio Experts

With the woofer mounted in place and the system dialed in, it was time to return the vehicle to the client. He was thrilled with the way the subwoofer looked in the trunk of his WRX and loved the way it sounds.

If you are in the Anchorage area and are interested in a custom subwoofer for your car or truck, drop by our store. You can also reach our team by e-mail using the contact form on our website.

Remote Start and Subwoofer Upgrade for Anchorage Mercedes C300

01/27/2020 By John Schwartz

A 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.

Trust the Motorcycle Audio Experts at Perfectionist

06/21/2017 By John Schwartz

When it’s time to upgrade the audio system on your Harley-Davidson, the team at Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security in Anchorage is your motorcycle audio experts. No matter what you ride, we can install or upgrade an audio system that will sound better, play louder and last longer than anything you can buy online or at a bike show. We have decades of experience in designing and installing motorcycle audio systems. When you want the best sound possible for your investment, visit the motorcycle sound system experts at Perfectionist.

Mobile Audio Installation Experts

We don’t do oil changes, sell chrome foot pegs or overhaul motors. We are mobile electronics specialists. Our team understands the unique acoustic challenges and installation obstacles that a dealership or repair shop doesn’t.

Designing an entertainment system for your motorcycle is more involved than picking a package out of a catalog. We work with you to understand how loud you want the system to be, the kind of music you listen to and your expectations for sound quality. Armed with this information and more, we will develop a unique solution that provides the performance you expect, as well as incredible reliability.

The Best Equipment in the Industry

Choosing the right speakers, amplifiers and source units for each client starts with our supplier partnership. The companies behind the products we offer have invested thousands of hours in the design and engineering of premium audio solutions. Audio is not a hobby for them; it is everything they do.

We offer products designed specifically for the motorcycle environment. UV- and water-resistant speakers that sound great and compact amplifiers that can handle vibration while remaining efficient are just the tip of the iceberg.

System Integration, Not Just Installation

We prefer to call our team of motorcycle audio experts integrators, not installers. Professional installation is much more involved than simply turning a screwdriver. We start every project with a thorough inspection of your motorcycle. We confirm that all of the electrical systems are functioning properly and document everything on our tablet-based tracking system.

We protect your motorcycle while it is in our care. We have a large installation area, so other staff members and vehicles stay away from the bike. We prevent nicks and scratches by protecting panels and painted surfaces before we start work. We have safe locations to store seats, tanks and fairings while we work on the chassis of your bike.

We solder all of our electrical connections, then protect them with premium Tesa cloth tape. We secure wiring harnesses in place to prevent vibrations and damage. Once an installation is complete, a second member of our team inspects the project and signs off before the bike rolls out the door. A flawless experience is our mandate, every time!

Proper Tools and Training

Without accurate measurements, troubleshooting a system that isn’t performing as expected is simply guesswork. We have invested in the tools and experience required to make electrical and acoustic measurements of any audio system. We use these tools to confirm that each installation is performing to the best of its ability before it leaves our shop, and we can track down and repair problems with existing systems. A motorcycle dealer simply can’t offer these services.

Alaska’s Motorcycle Audio Experts

When it’s time to upgrade the sound system on your motorcycle, visit Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security. A member of our sales team would be happy to develop a solution that exceeds your expectations for performance and reliability. For more information, send us an e-mail using our contact FORM.

Four Steps to Better-sounding Car Audio

05/22/2017 By John Schwartz

Perfectionist Auto Sound and Security in Anchorage, Alaska, is the well-known destination for audio system upgrades. We work with our clients to ensure the upgrade paths they choose for their vehicles provide excellent value and excellent performance. This article outlines our four-step plan to better sounding car audio system.

Step 1: Add a Subwoofer

Even premium factory audio systems suffer from anemic bass. It does not matter if it’s Bose, Lexicon or JBL – each and every one of them can benefit from adding a subwoofer system. Perfectionist has subwoofer solutions that provide clear, defined bass with output down to or even below 20 Hz.

You do not have to sacrifice your storage space to add a subwoofer. The spare tire well, a storage compartment or under a seat is more than enough room for today’s subwoofers.

Once you have added a subwoofer to your audio system, the small factory speakers are free from the challenge of having to try to produce bass. They can focus on producing midrange and high frequencies with better clarity and more volume.

Step 2: Upgrade Your Amplifier

The next step in the upgrade path is to install an amplifier in your system. Many clients combine this step with the addition of the subwoofer by choosing a five-channel amplifier. Having additional power not only allows your speakers to play louder, but also prevents distortion at high volume levels. Aftermarket amplifiers include electronic crossovers that allow our installers to control the bandwidth of the audio signal sent to your speakers.

Adding an amp will add clarity and detail to your system, and let you crank it up!

Step 3: New Speakers

Once you have a subwoofer and a dedicated amplifier, then it is time to upgrade your speakers. Factory-installed speakers are made from inexpensive materials, usually do not sound great and are rarely capable of getting loud. New speakers will dramatically reduce the amount of distortion produced by the system. New speakers offer smoother and more extended frequency response. Finally, new speakers have much more excursion capability than factory speakers do, so you can use that extra power from your amplifier to play your system good and loud!

Step 4: Signal Processing

The icing on the cake for any audio system is to maximize the performance of each component in the system. We use a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) to compensate for factory speaker locations and acoustic reflections that can wreak havoc with the performance of your system. Once we are done, your stereo will sound more lifelike and sound more realistic. We can tune the system to recreate the sensation of sitting at a live performance with the music way out in front of you on the stage.

Come to Perfectionist for Better-sounding Car Audio

If you are in the Anchorage area, then we invite you to visit our store. One of our product specialists would be happy to work with you to eliminate any weak links in your audio system. We not only sell amazing products, we install and tune them as well. Our installation team has been recognized as some of the best on the continent with a Top 12 Installer award for our installation manager. How we install your equipment is as important as what we install.

For more information about any of our products or services, you can reach us via our online contact form.

Product Spotlight: Audison SR 5 Amplifier

08/23/2016 By John Schwartz

Clients who come to Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security in search of upgrades to their audio systems trust our expertise and experience to give them the best value and performance for their dollar. To make the biggest improvement to the performance of a factory audio system, we like to start by adding a subwoofer and an amplifier. One amplifier that has risen above the rest to offer excellent performance and value is the new Audison SR 5.

Design

The SR 5 is a single-chassis five-channel amplifier rated to produce 55 watts per channel from the four main channels and 185 watts from the subwoofer channel when loaded to four ohms. When the load is two ohms, power output increases to 70 and 260 watts respectively. The amplifier features high-pass crossovers for the front channels and high- or band-pass crossovers for the rear channels. The subwoofer channel includes a variable low-pass crossover, and the output level can be adjusted remotely with an optional Audison VCRA remote control.

Physical Characteristics

The chassis of the SR 5 is formed out of dense aluminum for maximum heat dissipation. The amp measures 19 11/16 inches long and is 8 7/16 inches deep and only 2 1/8 inches tall. All of the connections are made along the bottom edge of the amplifier, including RCA and speaker-level inputs, power connections, and speaker outputs. The controls for the amplifier are just above the connections and are protected by a removable cover. This cover gives the amp a clean look once it’s installed and tuned.

Musicality

The SR 5 features Audison’s DYNAB output device circuitry. DYNAB controls the bias current to the outputs to balance sound quality and efficiency by shifting dynamically between conventional AB biasing and the efficiency of Class B operation. The result is smooth, natural sound with good efficiency and reliability.

Stop By To Learn More About The Audison SR 5

If you are interested in upgrading your mobile entertainment system, drop into Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security next time you are in Anchorage, Alaska. We would be happy to look at your vehicle and explore different options to upgrade your audio system. We can work with your original factory source unit to maintain a stealth look.

For more information about the Audison SR 5 or any of our products or services, contact us here.