2016 Audi S6 SQ build

[olys6]

Hi everyone- I thought I'd share my project of the past few years with you. I bought the car towards the end of 2016, and in addition to performance mods, I wanted to learn more about car audio. I started with a simple aftermarket sub, line controller, and amp in the trunk, and have been 'going down the rabbit hole' ever since.

Current build: OEM headunit, with Navtv Zen-V digital preamp for OEM integration. Helix Ultra DSP, which feeds 2 JL HD 900/5 amps and one JL HD 600/4 amp. I have 3 pairs of Hybrid Audio Legatia X tweeters and mids up front, with Hybrid audio Legatia X6 woofers in the front doors. I have Focal KX3 woofers in the rear doors for rear fill. I have a JL 10W3 sub firing into the rear deck, and an Audiofrog 8" shallow sub under the glove box.

I've done all the installation, wiring, and tuning myself over the years (learning quite a bit along the way). Pods and boxes were fabricated at AudioNorthwest in Lacey WA (they do awesome work!). Upholstery was done in Valcona leather to match the rest of the interior by MLW upholstery in Olympia WA.

Now for pics!

First, tearing out the interior to lay sound deadening in the trunk and in the entire interior floor.

[olys6]

After sound deadening was applied to the inner door cards, custom ABS rings were installed for the front door woofers.

[olys6]

On to the A pillar pods. They were made to appear to 'float' on the dash. Hardware and wiring goes through the A pillar and into the pods. The pods are also secured to the dash via clips on the bottom. They were layered in carbon fiber and the faceplates wrapped in Valcona leather:

[olys6]

I also pulled the dash so it could be upholstered in Valcona to match the rest of the interior, as well as the door cards.

[olys6]

I took this opportunity to wire up a 3rd pair of Legatia X tweeter and midrange in the center grille area:

[olys6]

On to the rear sub! Well, after not being happy with a simple box in the trunk, I had a box fabricated out of mdf, and then a fiberglass shroud that was later upholstered in valcona leather. I had an extra set of Audi rings laying around, so that was painted black and installed on the box. The rear deck was reinforced with plywood, and sound deadening was applied to the underside and the topside of the rear deck as well. Thankfully, no rattles!

[olys6]

Sub box installed:

[olys6]

I absolutely loved a friend's setup with an 8" audiofrog sub in the front passenger area, so I tested it out with a small box first, and once convinced it would sound good, had a custom box made.

[olys6]

For years, I prided myself on keeping the trunk 'clean' by keeping all my gear stuffed in the driver's side rear cubby. It was a huge pain any time I wanted to access or change anything. I started with a DM810 DSP, but later learned about parametric equalization in tuning, so wound up going with the Helix Ultra. Plus, it can actively manage 12 channels. I really like this DSP. I'm just not sure how to use it to my advantage for a 2 seat tune, but I'm still working on my tuning skills for a single seat tune.
I decided that I needed a better trunk setup. Before:

[olys6]

I decided to get rid of the spare tire in the trunk and use that space for a proper trunk build. I went with an mdf panel with a steel frame that connects to the trunk on a hinge. The panel is covered with acrylic that is painted black underneath. It took me quite awhile to figure out spacing and wire routing, but I was finally able to get a clean setup with all the wiring routed underneath the panel in order to give the topside a clean look once the display panel is completed. All cables are finished with quick disconnects so that the entire panel and all components can be easily removed and taken to a workbench as needed.