My Audio thread

[deansbimmer]

Let the runaround begin!
After 20 minutes of wading through Infinity's automated answering system (Absofuckinlutely worthless btw, it typifies everything people hate about customer service lines) I finally get to talk to a barely comprehensible "Ron" (likely in India), who can only recite repeatedly that "I need to contact the dealer, we only service speakers outside the warranty period". Clearly english is his second language. I keep telling him its an amplifier not a speaker, but I can't sway him from his engrained response, nor can (or will) he transfer me to anyone else. Waste of half my lunch hour...

So I contact the dealer I bought if from through eBay. He tells me they only have a 30 day warranty, and will accept it as a return but will charge a 15% restocking fee plus shipping charges for the replacement unit. Great. My next communication with them will be slightly less cordial.

[StereoInstaller1]

PM me the serial number.

[deansbimmer]

After putting up enough of a fit, I got through to a supervisor at Infinity, who agreed to take care of the amp. He emailed me a shipping label and I sent it of. Now we wait.

Since the amp went, now I'm wondering if the rest of my setup is ok. I've noticed that for 10 seconds or so after turning on the car, the "maximized" light on the line converter lights up, even if the head unit is off.

That also reminds me... When simply turning the car on to accessory (with CD43 off), the line converter and amp would turn on. And when I turn the car off, the head unit turns off, but the line converter, amp, and speakers would all still be on for some 30 seconds afterwards.

Surely this isn't normal... Does the CD43 send out signals even when turned off? The line converter is supposed to turn on and stay on as long as it senses any input from the head unit...

[StereoInstaller1]

After putting up enough of a fit, I got through to a supervisor at Infinity, who agreed to take care of the amp. He emailed me a shipping label and I sent it of. Now we wait.

Since the amp went, now I'm wondering if the rest of my setup is ok. I've noticed that for 10 seconds or so after turning on the car, the "maximized" light on the line converter lights up, even if the head unit is off.

That also reminds me... When simply turning the car on to accessory (with CD43 off), the line converter and amp would turn on. And when I turn the car off, the head unit turns off, but the line converter, amp, and speakers would all still be on for some 30 seconds afterwards.

Surely this isn't normal... Does the CD43 send out signals even when turned off? The line converter is supposed to turn on and stay on as long as it senses any input from the head unit...

Did you use the white wire from the CD43 as turn on for the LS6? Did you use the remote out from the deck or the LS6 fro the amp?

BTW, I am glad you got connected at Infinity. The rep STILL hasn't called me back.

[deansbimmer]

I have tried remote turn on several ways. The line converter has its own remote output, which I use to turn on the amp, (the amp is connected only to the lc6). All I need is a signal to turn on the lc6, which I've tried a couple ways. I have the white antenna signal wire on the cd43 going to the remote input on the lc6, but even if I disconnect it from the lc6, it still turns on due to its signal sensing turn on. For some reason, the head unit is sending a signal through the speaker outputs when the head unit is off, and for some 30 seconds after turning off the car altogether. Is it normal for the cd43 to do this?

Edit: After going through AudioControl's FAQ pages, they say that newer european systems may turn on the lc6 even with the radio off- they used the example of door chimes etc for their reasoning. Though thats irrelevant to me, I suppose that means that my head unit is ok.

[deansbimmer]

While the amp is off getting replaced I figured I'd post up the rest of the pictures I have. Just eyecandy..

The rest of the spectrum going into the doors. I think this will make the biggest difference.


Rear crossovers and wiring.


Rear deck going in...


I love that sub bawx...Its so under-the-radar till it hits..


Back of the box..


All done back here...

[Serious Sam]

Looks nice, I like what you've done.

Any pics of the doors completed?
Looks like the rear "beauty" panel is angled up and back in the trunk. Is the sub box straight up and down on the back?

Love that shot of the rear speakers mounted. Lighting looks great in that pic.

Oh yea...almost forgot. Suede head liner??

[BeirBrennerE30]

subscribed... Yeah where did you get that headliner? it looks good. I am putting together a similar setup so I am very much looking forward to how this comes out. Particularly on how that spectrum does with road noise. How easy was it to spray down? I was going to go with their damplifier but if this is easier I may change.

[deansbimmer]

Thanks guys! The back panel of the box is actually perfectly vertical even though it looks angled in the pictures.... It doesn't intrude too far into the trunk so I don't notice much loss in trunk space at all.

Yeah, thats an ultrasuede headliner. Got it from Rob when he was still doing work. This came from his GB IIRC... What a PITA to install and still have to get the sunroof panel on.. It was worth it though.

Damplifer would probably qualify as being easier. There's a TON of prep work to do to get this spectrum to stick without cracking or peeling off... I chose it more for the fact that it goes better into the nooks and crannies of the door panels and all the weird "non flat" spots that tar sheets wouldn't like. You get a few nice thick coats of this stuff on a panel and I swear it seems to do better than damplifier. The proof will be in how it does once on the road.

[franco90]

Bump awesome work

[bmwguy87]

Very nice and clean

[s_ribs]

Wow, really nice job! I'm impressed with the super clean install.

I am curious how that spray on stuff works, I've looked at it a number of times.

[svn2002s]

How are the door panels covered? 2 pieces butted together or the cloth and vinyl sewn as one piece?

[deansbimmer]

Thanks guys!

How are the door panels covered? 2 pieces butted together or the cloth and vinyl sewn as one piece?

Since I needed a solid mounting point for the speaker, I made a panel from 1/8" chipboard (? kinda like MDF but brown) covered it, and bolted it to the door panel.

[xLibelle]

very nice! lots of detailed work, i'm sure it seems like a pain and taking forever.

Please take a few more closeups of the CD43 mounted. I have been searching for vintage-clean and keep coming back to this HU. I dont like the color difference but it blows everything else away in terms of "OEM". I'm interested in fitment after you got it centered and fitted.