Pinnacle Autosound

Cars and Audio are Our Passions

Custom Fabrication

Repeat Client Comes to Pinnacle for Square Body Chevy Radio

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Chevy RadioA local repeat client recently came to Pinnacle Autosound to get a new radio for his square body Chevy truck.  We reviewed the client’s needs for a new radio and taking into account his happiness with Sony radios in the past, we recommended a Sony radio for his new truck.  The client liked the plan and we scheduled him a time to drop the truck off.

Chevy Radio Installation

Chevy RadioThe radio location in the C10 Chevy dash is in the lower bottom corner.  The factory radio was a shaft-mounted style radio.  To install the new DIN size radio requires a bit of fabrication.  The opening for the factory radio has to be enlarged to make room for the new radio.  Once the hole is enlarged there is a bit of plastic missing on the top and bottom of the opening.  To cover those extra holes, our technicians created a plastic trim ring that covered over the extra holes.  The radio mounting frame is mounted through the trim ring, and attached to the dash.

Future Upgrades

The client was happy with his new radio installation, and really liked the trick cover for the USB port.  We hope to  have the truck back in the near future to add new speakers and some bass to round out the system.  If you are looking to upgrade the audio in your classic truck or car, stop by today or contact us here for more information.

Flats Boat Audio System for Local Marine Repair Business Owner

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Boat AudioThe owner of a Lake City marine repair business recently stopped by to talk about upgrading the audio system in his flats boat.  He currently had a radio and speakers in the boat, but their performance was anemic.  We talked about possible speaker upgrades, a new radio and adding and amplifier.  We always like to mention the benefits of adding a subwoofer too, which the client seemed open to.  Happy with the discussion, the client setup a time to drop his boat off.

Radio Replacement

The Kenwood radio provides the clients with numerous audio sources.
The addition of the waterproof cover will ensure the radio lasts for years.

The first step to building a great audio system in this boat was to upgrade the radio.  For this project we used a Kenwood marine radio.  The radio will give the client the ability to not only play CD’s, listen to the radio, play audio from a USB drive but also to stream audio from his phone via Bluetooth.  While the radio is a marine radio and designed to survive life on a boat, we added an additional bit of protection with installation of a waterproof radio cover.

Speaker Upgrades

The rings were machined in our fabrication room.
The stepped adapter rings look great and help fit the speakers into the larger holes.
A pair of JL speaker was installed in the rear of the boat.
The front of the boat receive a pair of speakers and a single subwoofer.
This boat is going to look and sound great day and night.

The most important part of this job was providing the client with crystal clear music and high volume levels.  Our go-to speaker for this sort of project is the JL Audio MX marine coaxial speaker.  Fulfilling a request for some lighting from the client’s wife was easy with the addition of the LED illuminated series of JL Audio MX speakers.  These speakers have the great JL Audio sound and also feature blue LED lighting.  Adding the lighting required a bit more work because we also have to run not only speaker wires, but also lighting wires, to each speaker.  The lighting for the speakers was powered by an unused rocker switch that we repurposed for the lighting.

After the speaker and lighting wiring was done it was time to install the speakers.  Unfortunately we found that the off-brand speakers the client previously had in the boat were a bit larger than the new JL Audio speakers.  To fit the new speakers in the old holes we made custom adapters out of marine-grade HDPE plastic.  The rings were machined to give the JL Audio speakers a larger lip.  The center of the ring was recessed to allow for the speaker to fit down in it, for a cleaner look.  Finally the outer edge of the ring was chamfered for a more finished shape.  We mounted the speakers into the adapter rings using stainless steel hardware.

Subwoofer Addition

Boat Audio
The center of the front of the boat was the perfect location for the subwoofer.

When the client dropped off the boat with us it was with the understanding that we would research options for a subwoofer.  After looking around the boat while we were working on it, we found that a single 10″ JL Audio marine subwoofer would fit in the very center of the front storage area.  The client agreed to this spot, so we began the work to mount it.  Normally if the fiberglass is thin in the areas we plan on mounting subwoofers, we will make an additional support baffle.  The fiberglass in this area of the boat, though, was plenty thick for mounting the subwoofer.

JL Audio Amplifier

Boat Audio
We mounted the amplifier on a custom-fabricated mounting plate and tucked it up under the console.

Powering the whole system is a JL Audio MX series 4 channel amplifier.  This little amp offers an impressive amount of power in a small package.  We fabricated a mounting plate for the amplifier using the HDPE.  This plate was attached to the side of the console using existing mounting holes for another piece.

Great-Sounding Boat Audio

Once the equipment was mounted and all the wiring was tidied up, it was time to set the level adjustments and crossovers on the amplifier.  When we first powered on the system we were blown away.  For the modest amount of equipment this boat had, it sounded incredible!  When the client’s wife picked it up, she too thought it sounded great.  If it is time to get that boat of yours ready for the water, give us here at Pinnacle Autosound a call or contact us here.

Macclenny Client Comes to Pinnacle for Ford F-150 Audio Upgrade

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F-150 AudioA long-time client of ours recently referred one of his co-workers to us.  When the client stopped by, we talked with him about his Ford F-150 audio system and the changes he wanted to make.  He previously had an audio system installed by another shop and wasn’t happy with the performance of the system.  We gave the client a few different options and price points, highlighting the improvements for each step.  We were thrilled when the client decided to go with the best of our proposals.

F-150 Audio Integration

F-150 Audio
We used a JL Audio FiX processor to integrate with the factory radio.

The client had the factory radio in his truck and was happy with how it worked and the aesthetics of the unit.  We advised him that with the help of a JL Audio FiX 86 processor he could utilize the factory radio as his source unit.  The JL Audio processor removes and time delay and flattens out the response of the factory radio.  This gives us a perfectly clean signal to start with, much like if he used an aftermarket radio. We were able to easily find the factory wire colors using our Mitchell1 software subscription.

A Second JL Audio Processor

F-150 Audio
The JL Audio DRC-200 knob allows the client to adjust the subwoofer level and system volume.

In-between the time we had the client scheduled to drop his F-150 off and his initial deposit he asked about any additional audio upgrades that were possible for his system.  We felt comfortable that we had maximized his budget for the speakers, amplifiers and subwoofers.  The one thing we didn’t originally quote him for, however, was a DSP (digital signal processor).  We feel that any amplified system can benefit from a DSP.  In a system like the one we were building for the client the DSP would allow us to run the front speakers fully active, meaning each speaker would have its own amplifier channel.  This gives us much more flexibility in adjusting the sound and let’s us digitally compensate for the different locations of the speakers in the truck.

Since we were already using a JL Audio integration processor, it made perfect sense to go to JL Audio for the DSP as well.  We used the JL AudioTwK 88.  A benefit of the TwK processor is that it allows the use of the JL Audio DRC-200.  The DRC-200 is dual knob control that allows the client to adjust the subwoofer level and system volume from one convenient spot.

JL Audio Amplifiers

F-150 Audio
We mounted the two JL Audio amplifiers on an adapter plate that was bolted to the back wall of the truck.

One of the goals of this F-150 audio upgrade was increased clarity and volume.  That means power, and lots of it.  Because we would be mounting the amplifiers behind the rear seat, we needed amps with a small footprint.  Consequently, the JL Audio xD amplifiers were the perfect choice.  The speakers in the truck would be powered by a XD600/6v2.  We configured the amplifier to provide the tweeters and woofers in the front of the truck with 75 watts to each driver.  The rear doors were powered by the remaining two channels of 75 watts per side.  The subwoofer system was to be comprised of 4 10″ subwoofers.  To make sure they had the recommended power we chose a XD1000/1v2.  This amp would give each subwoofer the rated 250 watts.

Front Speaker Upgrade

The Focal tweeters were mounted in the factory spot and black soundproofing was used to seal them to the opening.
The installed tweeters retained a factory look.
The factory pillars already had trick-looking grilles that were perfect for our tweeter upgrade.
The front doors were treated with sound deadening material to reduce resonances.
The Focal speakers in the front were installed with custom-fabricated adapter plates.
The Focal speakers were a huge upgrade.
In keeping with the client’s wishes, the doors remained stock-looking.

The front speaker upgrade consisted of the Focal PS165v1 component speakers.  These speakers were chosen for their realistic audio reproduction and fit in the F-150 doors.  The small size of the tweeter allowed our technicians to install them in the factory location in the pillar.  The 6.5″ woofer was installed in the door location.  A custom composite adapter plate was fabricated to adapt the round speaker to the factory 6×9″ speaker hole.  To reduce any resonances in the doors plenty of sound deadener was used.  The final step before installing the door cards back on the truck was to add a set of foam rings around the woofers.  These rings help the output of the woofer couple to the cabin of the truck and prevent any sound from being trapped between the door card and the door.

Rear Speaker Upgrade

The wiring for the rear speakers was soldered and neatly secured.
The rear speakers were installed with foam rings to maximize their output.
The upgrades to the rear doors left them looking stock but sounding much better.

The rear doors received a bit more simple upgrade from the front.  In the rear we installed a set of Focal Performance 6.5″ coaxial speakers.  These speakers are the same series as the front speakers, so we knew they would tonally blend.  Similarly, we used the same methods to install the rear speakers as we did the front.  Again, the final step was the addition of the foam rings to help seal the speakers.

Subwoofer Upgrade

Braces were added to the enclosure to enhance its rigidity.
A thin layer of body filler was used to smooth the transitions on the enclosure.
1/4′ dowels were used to center and secure the vinyl insert.
The openings on the top plate were cut so the JL Audio woofers would sit flush.
The enclosure gave the client the most possible bass under his rear seat.
Careful measurements were taken to ensure the enclosure fit the underseat area properly.

The previous F-150 subwoofer system the client had installed was lacking in musicality and didn’t quite have as much audio output as he wanted.  One of the key parts of this F-150 audio system was the bass upgrade.  After taking some careful measurements under the rear seat we came up with a plan for maximizing the bass output within his budget.  Our plan was to use 4 JL Audio 10TW1 subwoofers in a custom-fabricated sealed enclosure.  The enclosure was built with three braces, equally spaced, to help reduce any bass loss due to panel flexing.

To help make this system look as good as we knew it would sound we added a bit of extra detail to the cosmetics of the enclosure.  The corners of the enclosure were formed to precisely follow the contours of the edge of the seat.  To keep the enclosure looking good for years to come, the outer edge was covered in black carpet.  For a custom look we fabricated a vinyl covered insert for the top of the enclosure.  This insert helps to flush in the woofers as well as giving the overall enclosure a cleaner look.

Final Tuning and Delivery

We used a digital laser measuring device to determine the distance to each speaker.
The final overall response curve of the system met our target goals.

With all the gear installed it was time to setup the integration processor and tune the DSP.  We started the process by calibrating the JL Audio FiX 88.  Once the signal was clean it was time to adjust the sensitivity controls on the amplifiers.

With the sensitivity controls properly adjusted we moved on to the DSP settings.  We provided the client with 2 different tunes for the system.  The two tunes can be selected by pressing the center knob on the DRC-200.  The first tune was a sound quality tune optimized for the driver’s seat.  For this tune we set the crossover points, signal delay and individual equalizers for each speaker.  The result was an audio experience that placed all the soundstage up on the dash and presented the listener with accurately placed instruments and artists across the dashboard.  The second tune was for when the client would be driving with other passengers in the truck.  For this tune the crossovers were set and global equalizer adjustments were made.  This tune ensured each seat in the truck shared a similar listening experience.

After all the work was done we finally got to listen to the F-150 audio upgrades.  They sounded fantastic!  We were overjoyed when delivering the truck to the client because we knew how pleased he would be with his new audio system.  Thanks to our improvements, the client’s drive to work every day will be much more enjoyable.
If you are interested in an audio upgrade for your vehicle, stop by Pinnacle Autosound, contact us online or call us today!