legacybt Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 I'm working away at a custom sound system in the Legacy, with the following goals in mind: - Excellent sound quality - Reasonable cost - Stealthy, so I don’t worry about leaving my car out on the street at night - Full trunk utility (access to spare tire, folding seats, etc.) - Low additional weight - Quieter highway cruising A year of craigslist, ebay & forum dealings later (being careful to make sure things aren't stolen ), I've pieced together a sound quality focused system for under $2000. This guide will document the install, and the resources relevant to the install. How-To Resources JDM Double Din Resources Big 3 Upgrade Door Panel Removal A-Pillar Removal Interior Carpet Removal Power Wire Routing Information Don't waste your money on overpriced wiring Sound Deadening Soldered vs Crimped Connections Parts Sources KnuKonceptz Amazon Parts Express Speaker Spacers JDM Double Din Harness JDM Double Din Handy Tools [ame=http://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B0007WTE08/ref=cm_cr_dp_syn_footer?k=Dynamat%2010007%20Dyna-Roller%20Professional%20Heavy%20Duty%20Sound%20Deadener%20Installation%20Tool%20with%20Wood%20Handle%20and%202%26quot%3B%20Wide%20Rubber%20Roller&showViewpoints=1]Dynamat Roller[/ame] [ame=http://www.amazon.com/ABN-Premium-Auto-Trim-Removal/dp/B00KCXMCTM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1455513830&sr=8-12&keywords=interior+trim+removal+tools]Interior Trim Removal Tools [/ame] My Parts List: Head Unit Pioneer Appradio4 JDM Dual Din Console Speakers & Sub Front Speakers: Hertz HSK 165 6.5" 2-way Hi-Energy Component Speaker (Old Version) Rear Speakers: HERTZ HCX 165 6.5" 2-Way Hi-Energy Coaxial Speakers (Old Version) Jl Audio 10w6v2-d4 in JL Audio Stealthbox Amplifier ARC Audio XDi850.5 Wiring Subwoofer Wire: Kord Ultra Flex 12 Gauge Speaker Wire (KRD12BL) Speaker Wire: Kord Ultra Flex 14 Gauge Speaker Wire (KRD14BL) Power/Amp Wiring: Kolossus Fleks 4 Gauge 4 Channel Amplifier Installation Kit (KFX-AK4-4) & Karma SS 2 Channel 6 Meter RCA Cable (KARSS2.6M) 3ft monoprice RCA cables Finished Photos Tweeters http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226706&stc=1&d=1458505070 http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226707&stc=1&d=1458505070 Woofers http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252355&stc=1&d=1499923595 Now onto the DIY’s! This project is still incomplete, and DIY's will be added as parts are finished Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Woofer Installation A) Optional: Find somewhere way too nice to do your install http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252350&stc=1&d=1499923595 1) Remove door panels (see first post for link) 2) Follow sound deadening instructions or similar, and mount something behind your woofer if you'd like 3) Unclip door wiring plug, remove door wiring boot and remove its tape if you are running aftermarket wiring - trim tools come in handy for this http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252351&stc=1&d=1499923516 4) Fish wiring through using a stiffer wire, and pull enough slack to reach the speaker plus a foot and a half or so - the photo shows a shorter length than required http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252352&stc=1&d=1499923516 5) Re-tape wiring boot as it came from the factory http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252353&stc=1&d=1499923516 6) Re-install wiring boot, routing speaker wire into the door 7) Route speaker wire down around the window guide and up towards where the speaker will sit, securing with tape 8) Install speaker onto adapter 9) Install speaker gasket tape before mounting speaker/adapter assembly (wire is not routed properly in photo) http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252354&stc=1&d=1499923516 10) Ensure plastic door sheet is re-stuck to that nasty goop 11) Crimp suitable female terminal to wire 12) Attach wire to speaker 13) Mount speaker/adapter assembly 14) Add foam ring or equivalent to seal the speaker to the door http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252355&stc=1&d=1499923516 15) Tighten all screws on door panel (many were loose and caused rattling) 16) Re-install door panel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Custom Tweeter Mounting 1) Make a trip to your local hardware store with your tweeter in hand 2) Find a plastic pipe that fits the tweeter with a little wiggle room for the fabric to sit inside. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224759&stc=1&d=1455515792 3) Cut two sections of 11/16” long pipe, ensuring the cuts are straight. Use sandpaper and make sure one cut is square so the tweeter sits flush, and mark that side. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225368&stc=1&d=1456204092 4) Lightly round/smooth the edges of the pipe using a file 5) Find a hole saw that matches the outer diameter of the selected pipe (2” worked for me) Please note this install fit the Hertz HT-25 tweeters (37mm speaker diameter, 40mm grille diameter), ensure your tweeters fit in the pipe before starting your installation! This method/location may not work if your tweeters are deeper! 6) Remove your A-pillar using the first part of this guide (a flathead screwdriver works better than needle nose pliers): A-Pillar Removal 7) Carefully peel back the fabric from the bottom of the A-pillar, and remove the bottom batting from the backside. 8) Mark a point 2” above the back of the lower mount tab http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224765&stc=1&d=1455515792 9) Take your selected hole saw and drill through the A-pillar, ensuring the pilot drill is entered on the marked point. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224761&stc=1&d=1455515792 10) Clean up the edges of the hole using a knife 11) Insert the pipe section into the hole, and test fit the A-pillar trim in your car. Orient the tweeter as desired. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224762&stc=1&d=1455515792 http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224763&stc=1&d=1455515792 http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224764&d=1455515792 12) The passenger side A-Pillar has electrical connections behind the tweeter. Disconnect them, pry/slide them off their mounts (being careful not to yank on the connector and damage the wiring) and move them to the side to leave clearance for the pipe. Note the connector interference, the pipe will not sit flush: http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225370&stc=1&d=1456204092 After moving the connectors: http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225371&stc=1&d=1456204092 13) Test fit the passenger side A-pillar with the relocated wiring. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225372&stc=1&d=1456204092 14) Orient the tweeter as desired and carefully mark the orientation. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225373&stc=1&d=1456204092 14) Test-stretch the fabric to make sure there’s enough there with the pipe in place, and trace the inner diameter of the pipe onto the fabric. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=224766&stc=1&d=1455515792 15) Use suitable glue (I used plumbing PVC/ABS Cement) to join the pipe section to the A-pillar trim. Be careful not to get glue on the fabric. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=225374&stc=1&d=1456204092 16) Paint the pipe and surrounding plastic to make sure it looks uniform in direct sunlight http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226699&stc=1&d=1458503919 17) Stretch the fabric over the A-pillar trim, and trace the inner diameter of the pipe onto the fabric. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226701&stc=1&d=1458504314 18) With the fabric stretched and clamped into its final shape, cut a pizza slice pattern in the fabric using the traced circle as a guide. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226700&stc=1&d=1458504314 19) Apply fast-setting trim adhesive to the inside of the pipe and adhere the fabric around the inside. Let dry. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226702&stc=1&d=1458504314 20) Working from the top of the pillar down, carefully apply automotive fabric adhesive to the inside of the A-pillar trim and reattach the fabric. Do this in sections, clamping the fabric in place while the adhesive cures. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226704&stc=1&d=1458504605 21) You should now be able to mount your tweeter in the pipe! If the fit isn’t super tight, use a few dabs of silicone sealant or glue and push the tweeter in. 22) I chose to add connectors to the tweeter wiring to make removal easier. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226705&stc=1&d=1458504792 23) Route wiring through the dash and connect to your crossover. 24) Re-install the A-pillar trim. Bask in the glory of your new, OEM-looking tweeter setup! http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=226703&stc=1&d=1458504314 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Amplifier and Wiring There is a ton of cleaning up of wiring that I need to do before I'm happy to showcase this setup, but here's the gist of it: The amp is secured to the floor using zip ties routed through the carpet, and is going nowhere. Normally I'm not a fan of zip tie installs, but I'm happy with this result. Initial rush job: http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252356&stc=1&d=1499924976 Tidied up, not perfect but I'm happy enough with it: http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=253669&stc=1&d=1501954618 ** note to self - add RCA routing and how the shielding works to this page** All speaker and power wires are run through the door sills, using existing factory clips where possible and zip ties where needed Subwoofer Wiring (JL Audio Stealthbox) Passed through in behind rear interior panels, around suspension towers, across the rear of the rear seats (keeping distance from the fuel pump), and through the door sills to the amp. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252359&stc=1&d=1499924831 http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252360&stc=1&d=1499924744 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Reserved for misc. Head unit: Needs the mounts adjusted, and I didn't have a dremel to cut out the space behind the ol' triangle button. Walkthrough will be completed once things are sorted. http://legacygt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=252362&stc=1&d=1499925473 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Mac Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Nice work on the tweeters. Wasn't worth using more pipe and angling them more towards the driver? 2000 Legacy B4 RSK - SOLD 2006 Legacy BP5 GT Spec B wagon - Garage Thread 2011 VW T5 van 2.0L of turbo diesel awesomeness Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted February 15, 2016 Author Share Posted February 15, 2016 Nice work on the tweeters. Wasn't worth using more pipe and angling them more towards the driver? I'll be using a little bit more pipe than shown in the picture, but not much. Automotive tweeters & speakers are designed to be listened to off-axis, and the existing fabric will only cover so much pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
battelready Posted February 15, 2016 Share Posted February 15, 2016 Good stuff. Never even thought about doing this. Sub'd. I bought an auto be more involved in my uninvolvedness . 200k+ Club If you can't blind them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit. My high mileage turd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2000_LegacyOutback Posted February 17, 2016 Share Posted February 17, 2016 incredible work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennelf Posted March 17, 2016 Share Posted March 17, 2016 This looks great! Is the imaging using the pillars better than the imaging of the stock location? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted March 19, 2016 Author Share Posted March 19, 2016 This looks great! Is the imaging using the pillars better than the imaging of the stock location? Thanks! From what I've researched, yes. Having the tweeters close to head height and the same distance from your ears as the woofers should sound much better than the stock location. Mounting the tweeters next to the woofers in the bottom of the door also has better imaging than the stock location, but I find my knee muffles the sound when I'm driving. I've completed the tweeter install, but am away on business working some serious hours. I'll complete the walkthrough when I get the chance - I'm super happy with the result! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted March 20, 2016 Author Share Posted March 20, 2016 Tweeter install instructions are complete! Final product photos in the original post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brennelf Posted March 23, 2016 Share Posted March 23, 2016 Looks very professional! I will definitely be doing this once I'm moved into my own apartment and get an income sorted out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucks06LGT Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Excellent write-up! Some of the links dont work though, FYI Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 Excellent write-up! Some of the links dont work though, FYI They should be fixed now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madrig Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 great work ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rebourne Posted April 10, 2016 Share Posted April 10, 2016 sub'd pun intended? pic thread build thread Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucks06LGT Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Anxiously waiting for the next installment!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 sub'd pun intended? Hehehe Anxiously waiting for the next installment!! I'm waiting on a call to get my airbag recall completed before doing any more installation - I can't wait to get things finished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chucks06LGT Posted April 12, 2016 Share Posted April 12, 2016 Getting ready to install a sub box and amp. Any suggestions on how/where to run the power wire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted July 13, 2017 Author Share Posted July 13, 2017 I finally got around to making some progress! Updates are in the earlier posts, keep in mind some are work-in-progress photos and are not tidied up yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juiceweazel Posted August 4, 2017 Share Posted August 4, 2017 I just bought a 2013 3.6R & I'm planning mine out now. I will document the build as well. Nice idea on the tweeters, wish mine had fabric on the a-pillars. Anxiously waiting to see how your build plays out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 I just bought a 2013 3.6R & I'm planning mine out now. I will document the build as well. Nice idea on the tweeters, wish mine had fabric on the a-pillars. Anxiously waiting to see how your build plays out. Thanks! It's on its final stages, I'm updating the first few posts as things progress over the next few weeks/months. I'm very happy with the sound and layout of the setup, having the 5 channel amp under the seat was a worthwhile change from the trunk-mounted setup I originally planned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
legacybt Posted August 8, 2017 Author Share Posted August 8, 2017 Getting ready to install a sub box and amp. Any suggestions on how/where to run the power wire? I somehow missed this. It depends where your amp is; mine is under the driver's seat so it was a simple run from the battery, through the grommet behind the front left fender, through the door sill channel, and under the seat carpet. If you're mounting your amp in the rear, you can continue along the door sill, under the rear seat backs, and into the trunk. Run your RCA wires along the opposite side if possible, and away from noise-inducing things like the fuel pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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