Mrs. Obvious' Toyota Corolla build log

[captainobvious]

After years of monkeying around with my own cars, it's about time to do a system for Mrs Obvious.


She currently has a 2009 Toyota Corolla and the stock source unit has been giving her problems. Sometimes it doesn't recognize her ipod aux source, sometimes it doesn't turn on, etc. I decided I would start stockpiling some items to do a "surprise" build for her. It started off as a very basic radio and maybe replacement speakers, but has blown out of proportion just as you'd expect a true SQ junkie to do.

Here is the current equipment list:

Source: Alpine w505 double din
Processor: Alpine H701
Amplifiers:
Diamond Audio D7104 150x4@4ohm 300x4@2ohm 600x2@4ohm bridged
D7056 50x6@4ohm 100x6@2ohm 200x3@4ohm bridged
Tweeter: Scanspeak D3004/6020-00 https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.co...-textile-dome/
Midrange: Scanspeak 10F/8414G-10 https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.co...-4-full-range/
Woofer: Stereo Integrity TM65 http://stereointegrity.com/product/tm65-6-5-woofer/
Subwoofer: Stereo Integrity SI BM mkIV http://stereointegrity.com/product/b...-12-subwoofer/

Accessories/Installation:
Stinger SCBM150 150amp marine grade circuit breaker http://stinger-acc.ru/img/origs/489.jpg
Stinger SHD821 Power distribution http://images.sc1.netdna-cdn.com/D/F...ed-image-1.jpg
Stinger SHD21 Ground distribution http://www.darvex.com/store/pc/catal...467_detail.jpg
Stinger SI823 RCA cables http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...XL._SX522_.jpg
1/0awg ofc copper power/ground wiring from WeldingSupply.com
Alpine KWE-610A Optical cable http://www.caraudio-store.de/images/...e_kwe-610a.jpg
Monoprice CL2 ofc speaker wire http://www.monoprice.com/Category?c_id=102&cp_id=10239
SoundDeadenerShowdown SDS CLD tiles http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/products
SoundDeadenerShowdown SDS Butyl Rope http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/products





I chose to go with the alpine combo since it is pretty reasonably priced on the used market and allows for some very powerful dsp on a budget. The w505 will provide some good modern features that the stock unit lacks and will offer a great starting base for a great sq system. The w505 will be connected to the dsp via the Alpine KWE-610A digital optical cable and the Ai-Net cable. I use these in my D800/H800 setup and there is zero noise.

For those that don't know much about the Diamond Audio D7 amplifiers, they were originally a design produced by Esoteric Audio. They are extraordinarily high quality class A/B amplifiers which are much more rare to find these days. Big, bold and badass. Back when I did the amplifier blind tests, Mrs Obvious commented on how much she loved the look of the D7's better than any of the others, so hopefully she'll be happy seeing these in her car.

The Scanspeak drivers are very interesting. The Scan 10f/8414g is listed as a "full range" but will be used as a midrange in this application and should excel in that department. It has very flat response from 200hz to about 4Khz and has very attractive mounting dimensions as well. The Scan D3004/6020-00 Illuminator is a 1" tweeter in a compact housing with under 2.5" outer diameter and the sealed back cup keeps this under 1" in mounting depth as well. It has low distortion and good sensitivity as well.

The Stereo Integrity TM65 is a very exciting new woofer from Nick which boasts some impressive performance, especially for the price. The TM65 is a true 6.5" mid which has a super shallow 2.29" mounting depth, yet has a whopping 9mm one-way linear xmax. It is a low distortion design and should make for an excellent midbass in the bottom of this 3-way front.

The Stereo Integrity SI BM mkIV is a shallow mount design 12" subwoofer with excellent low frequency extension and low distortion all with a miniscule airspace requirement. It's pretty impressive what these things can do in a 0.5cuft enclosure.



With all of that introduction done, the plan is to mount the midranges in the a pillars, tweeters in the sail panels and the woofers in the stock door locations. UNLESS I can somehow manage to squeeze the mids into the sail panels which would be pretty sweet as well. The amps and sub will be located in the trunk and will be hidden with some cutout panels to keep the trunk looking stock.

My hope is to be able to have Mrs Obvious come along to some GTGs and competitions to have some fun with me. I'm waiting on a few pieces to arrive before any construction happens, but I did order some replacement plastics to work on. I want to have most of this measured out and prepped to go in in a hurry. I'll probably try to steal her car for a day or two when she is away to get the install done so fiberglassing of pillars and sails should be done outside the car in advance to save me time. Same with the Sub box and amplifier rack.

[SQLnovice]

Nice equipments. Looking forward to see your build.

[captainobvious]

Thanks Naresh. I wouldnt be surprised if her car ends up sounding better

[Notloudenuf]

Thanks Naresh. I wouldnt be surprised if her car ends up sounding better

She definitely has the potential in that equipment list.

[captainobvious]

She definitely has the potential in that equipment list.

Yeah seriously. That list is no joke. I'm anxious to hear those Scans in action.

[SQLnovice]

Thanks Naresh. I wouldnt be surprised if her car ends up sounding better

Agree. These are equipment I would love to have in my car. I could find a build log for your car. But I'll sear for it when I get home to my pc. Good luck with the build. Don't keep us waiting too long.

[chithead]

Ooooh... very nice plan I like it!

[Hi-FiDelity]

I think Cap may be asking to trade the Zoom Zoom for the beige box after this is done.

[Psyko]

Looking forward to this build. I've been thinking about adding a dsp or upgrading to a h701 or h800 but, finding one for a reasonable price is difficult.

[astrochex]

Man, you are setting the husband bar high.

She should be one happier Mrs. Obvious when you're done.

Would it suck if her car sounded better than yours?