Outback XT Stereo Install - Alpine PXE-H650, Infinity, Raamat, etc...

Wow... This was a project alright. I didn't realize how time consuming and big of a mess this was really going to be. I don't want to even count the hours. My goals for this install was to drastically reduce road noise and bring an end to the horrible Subaru audio.

 

A big thanks to Rick with Raamat for the awesome prices and excellent stuff! I used two of the cans of his spray adhesive and then decided that I liked the 3M 77 adhesive I had better (a bit more expensive though).

 

I'll start out with a list of everything I used for the install:

 

Sound Deadening:

• 2.5 Rolls of Raamat
  
• 5 Yards of Ensolite

Audio:

• Alpine PXE-H650 OEM Sound Processor
  
• Infinity Reference 475a amplifier
  
• Infinity Kappa 60.7cs components for up front
  
• Infinity Kappa 62.7i coaxials in the back
  
• Infinity Basslink I

I thought I was going to need a line driver (from reading the reviews on the PXE-H650) so I purchased the AudioControl Matrix, but it introduced way too much gain noise honestly I've got PLENTY of output.

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/components.JPG

 

 

The Install:

 

I first started with the rear cargo area and lined everything with at least 2 layers of Raamat. On top of that I added the ensolite except for the two areas to the right and left of the spare tire well. The styrofoam covers just wouldn't fit even with tons of trimming to the bottom of them.

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo1.JPG

 

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http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo5.JPG

 

Still fits!

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo6.JPG

 

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http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo8.JPG

Next up I did the hatch and covered it all with ensolite as well. Sorry didn't snap any pictures.

 

Here is the point when I started tearing out the interior, gently not to scratch anything. The door sill plastic was a bitch to pop out in order to pull up the carpet. I covered the entire floor and tranny hump with 2 layers of Raamat and then gave them one layer of ensolite.

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo9.JPG

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo10.JPG

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo11.JPG

 

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http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo13.JPG

 

At this point it has been a few days and my back and fingers were killing me. I ran all of the cables from the stereo to the Alpine and from the Infinity amp to all of the speakers. I just used 16 gauge wire for the speakers. I had 12, but I was getting tired and lazy at this point. A coat hanger came in handy to feed the wires through the loom or whatever you wanna call it. I ran the power wire the same way as in this thread through the fender. http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3101&highlight=amp+wire+alternate Thanks for the idea!

 

Next up I started with the passenger door. Laid 2 layers of Raamat to the inside of the panel, 3 directly behind the speaker, and then covered that with ensolite. Then I added another layer to two of Raamat onto the door. At this point I figured I would make some speaker spacers with some MDF that I had laying around. Made a template and then cut 4 of the same spacers and then to realize the rears are different from the fronts. Finally got to put my Dewalt 18v lithium combo set to use that I got last Christmas! These things rip and don't stop!

 

Ohh... the Infinity tweeters fit perfectly tight into the stock tweeter mounts. That sure was nice. No fabrication needed.

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/dewalt.JPG

 

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http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/stereo20.JPG

 

Sorry, no pictures yet of the placement of the PXE-H650 and the Infinity amp. I have them mounted in the styrofoam storage thing that fits over the spare tire with some holes cut in it to run cables. When I get some more free time I'm going to build an enclosure for them. The Basslink is wired though the right hand cubby hole in the back where there is a round plastic cover that pops out. That way if I need extra storage space I can just undo the cables, pull out the Basslink, and put the cables away in the cubby.

 

Yesterday, I also tackled another project. I decided to paint the shifter surround the radio/hvac panel flat black. Sanded them down with 320 grit paper to get down to the plastic and then put down a few layers of Krylon Fusion flat black. I'd say it turned out rather well. It was pretty simple popping out all of the buttons for the stereo and climate control and I just masked the displays.

 

To run the iPod I'm using the Jazzy Aux, and have a cable that provides power so the iPod will turn on and off when the car turns on or off. The Alpine PXE-H650 has an auxiliary input, but I just decided to stick with what I had already.

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/console1.JPG

 

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/console2.JPG

 

All in all I think everything exceeded my expectations. Road noise is cut down drastically. Now I can barely hear my Prodrive's. The sound now comes as the turbo whistle accentuated by the Cobb catted downpipe. I think I'm going to throw down for the Cobb mid and y pipes.

 

Driving on the highway I was used to just hearing the road noise transferred through my Goodyear F1 All-Seasons. The stereo was always in the background even when turned up. Now, its the exact opposite. Pure stereo and minimal road noise. I didn't expect such a big improvement. Thanks again Rick!

 

The Infinity/Alpine setup is amazing. Far surpassed my expectations there too. Crisp highs, punchy mids, and just enough bass. Actually, I'm quite impressed with the Basslink. It actually thumps. I wasn't looking for all out bass and this was perfect.

 

If anyone has any questions about my install feel free!

Reserved for when I start the Alpine PXE-H650/Infinity Amp enclosure.

wow.. thats alot of sound deadening... good work.

Without the iPod I don't know where I would be today. Except for the fact that I hate Apple's drm and wish there was an easy way around it.

 

I actually already had the Jazzy Aux installed before I started this project. The Alpine has an input, but I decided against it to keep things more simple.

 

Everything was well worth it!

check out meizu m6. so much better than ipod and no DRM

But they don't have anything close to hold my collection.

http://dreamreel-productions.com/photos/stereo_install/console1.JPG

 

 

 

2 Questions: 1) What brand is your iPod holder? and 2) what is that poking out just to the left of the CD opening?

2 Questions: 1) What brand is your iPod holder? and 2) what is that poking out just to the left of the CD opening?

 

1. Proclip iPod holder

http://www.proclipusa.com/?sectionpath=1&pageid=9039&processor=content&selectedtab=compatibility

 

Panavise Indash Bracket

http://www.car-kit.com/store/product.asp?id=1622

 

2. The IR receiver for the Alpine PXE-H650's remote.

Thanks - okay, for the Panavise, what does it entail for installation? Trying to figure out if I can mount a Bluetooth device. So you're saying Panavise will accept a ProClip holder?

Thanks - okay, for the Panavise, what does it entail for installation? Trying to figure out if I can mount a Bluetooth device. So you're saying Panavise will accept a ProClip holder?

 

Installation couldn't be easier. Pop out the center console that surround the shifter, remove the one screw holding the right silver panel, and then it installs by removing one of the screws for the radio and using that screw to mount it up.

 

The Panavise has a bunch of different mounting holes for I'm sure any mount that you could find.

So where did you mount the PXE? In the tire well? Did you just run the IR cable up the center then pop it out the top of the center console just above the radio?

So where did you mount the PXE? In the tire well? Did you just run the IR cable up the center then pop it out the top of the center console just above the radio?

 

The PXE and Infinity amp are mounted onto the foam cargo storage thing that sits on top of the spare tire. I then ran the IR remote sensor cable along the drivers side of the car up to the stereo.

Cool, nice job by the way hope to finally get mine finished this week.

I just got done running the MultiEQ again and this thing rocks! The first round of measuring the different positions with the mic I didn't really understand where to position the mic. After reading up on the manual I realized that the 1st position should be where the drivers head would be, the 2nd is for the passenger's head, 3-6th to hone in on the driver's head, and 7th and 8th if for the back two passenger seats. After letting the Imprint do its magic this time I can't believe how good it sounds. I'd highly recommend the Alpine/Infinity setup to whomever is interested!

 

The Alpine likes to cut down on the bass though, but that isn't a problem because you can adjust the gain on the unit for the subwoofer. Makes a huge difference.

I think the lower bass out put is a by product of the lower voltage outputs, at least that is what I have gathered from posts elsewhere on the PXE. A few people have added a line driver.

I think the lower bass out put is a by product of the lower voltage outputs, at least that is what I have gathered from posts elsewhere on the PXE. A few people have added a line driver.

 

I'd have to disagree with those who thought they needed a line driver. I had also read up and bought a line driver because I thought I was going to need one. I spent $150 on a AudioControl Matrix 6 channel line driver and all it did was increase the gain noise tremendously. I took it out immediately. To get rid of the noise I even had to turn down the gain on the Infinity amp to about 1/4. I can still crank it until my ears are killing me and no distortion what so ever. I setup the PXE-H650 with the factory radio at a volume level of 30.

 

After the MultiEQ is done doing its work, I found the sub gain on the Alpine PXE-H650 was at -7. All I did was bump it up to 7 and its perfect. The remote even has a level control for the sub and I can either turn it up or down depending on what music I'm listening to.

Cool that is good to know. I have a line driver laying around but I wanted to avoid using it.

FYI - I found that a tripod worked quite well to position the mic where your head and ears would be. I think the mic was actually designed for one as the base screws directly onto the tripod mount.

Holy crap. Don't think I've seen a gutted LGT/OBXT before. Nice job.

Ok I got my turned on tonight, and have a few questions for you. Are you using the crossovers on your amps or just the one in the PXE? Also mine is not turning off when the radio is off, did you have to hook up the "Remote On" or is yours turning off without it.

Ok I got my turned on tonight, and have a few questions for you. Are you using the crossovers on your amps or just the one in the PXE? Also mine is not turning off when the radio is off, did you have to hook up the "Remote On" or is yours turning off without it.

 

Alpine tells you to adjust the crossovers and gain on the amp(s) in one of the initial steps with the white noise. Instead of doing that I just used my "silent cd" to adjust the gain in order to get rid of any noise. It set it just to the point where you could notice noise when you've got your ear close to the speakers. I didn't mess with any of the crossovers. Also when running the AntEQ I had the hu volume at 30.

 

The PXE-H650, if the remote is not used, is setup to recognize speaker input, thus turning on. After 5 minutes of no input it shuts itself off along with any other amps you have hooked up remotely. So when you turn the car off or the stereo it will take approximately 5 minutes for things to shut down.

Ah, thanks for the info on the shutdown info, I never left it plugged in for that long after shutdown as I just assumed something was powered up wrong.

Do you think 2 layers of Raamat were necessary? Would 1 layer be enough?

Do you think 2 layers of Raamat were necessary? Would 1 layer be enough?

 

The floor really only needs about one layer, but most everything else I would go with two.