Focal and Arc Audio Upgrade

[SacTownMan]

Originally Posted by the727kid

That is correct about the Uconnect being a separate module.

So is it after the HU and mixed with the digital stream into the factory amp? I can hear the nav right now through the center. It turns down my music to the other channels but it is really faint and then the music comes blasting back, kind of annoying.

I thought I read that the Nav and Uconnect attenuate the other speakers and play through the center so if I don't input that signal into the MS-8 for summing with the front's won't I lose both functions?

[SGriffin]

I had the six speaker boston setup when I used my audio control device.
I summed the front doors and dash, everything worked fine except for the engine noise ,the lcq-1 was overdriving my amp rca inputs.
I would hook all speakers up, and label them. Then you could connect and disconnect as needed at the ms-8.

[SacTownMan]

I tested it this morning and my Bluetooth phone and Nav play through the center channel dash speaker. I think the installer left the center speaker connected to the factory amp and used the LC8i for the other speakers.

With the MS-8 I think I am going to have to feed the center channel speaker into it and add it to the L/R inputs for Bluetooth and Nav to work.

Starting fresh would be soooo much easier!!

[SacTownMan]

So I take the MS-8 to the installer this weekend and the guy that worked on it is gone (moved).

I start talking to one of the other installers that was going to work on it and he looked totally clueless as we opened up the MS-8. I ask him have you installed one of these before with a "No". So we start talking about all the details about how it works, how to set it up etc. After all this the guy has a completely blank stare.

I told him to spend some time reading up on it or else I'll look for someone else to do the install. Looks like I may just have to wait a while but I'm leaning towards doing it myself. No hurry cause the LC8i is working OK it just doesn't do everything I want.

I am going to make them spend some more time adjusting the LC8i for now. I had them call the Audio Control rep while I was there to discuss how to set it up correctly. He told them the best way to make it sum up right.

I am going to start working on a new amp rack setup for now and wait to install the MS-8 until I have a place for it. I am leaning towards a plexiglass cover over the spare tire well with the amps and MS-8 inside. I am also sending my T600-4 into Rockford next week to be repaired. It's $195 to get it fixed and I am thinking of using it to run the front components (mid bass and mids) active along with 2 of the T400-4 channels for the front tweeters. The other 2 T400 channels for the rear fill and center off of the MS-8.

[jerrychrist]

Originally Posted by SacTownMan

So I take the MS-8 to the installer this weekend and the guy that worked on it is gone (moved).

I start talking to one of the other installers that was going to work on it and he looked totally clueless as we opened up the MS-8. I ask him have you installed one of these before with a "No". So we start talking about all the details about how it works, how to set it up etc. After all this the guy has a completely blank stare.

Man that's weak. Yeah the audio place I go locally had never done an ms8 or knew anything about it. I went over what I knew about it, and he was able to help with wiring but for the most part left me in the same place. I went to another audio place that said they knew about ms8, but the guy was a complete ******, so never went back.

Still waiting on the install right?

[SacTownMan]

I have been working on two things before adding the MS-8.

First was the issue of the Bluetooth and Nav through the factory center. I called JBL and asked about it and they said I could input the center to be summed but there would be a delay issue. I posted at DIYMA trying to find a solution and I think I have it figured out. Someone there posted about a build where they added two speakers under the front seats and ran those off of the factory amp. Then the rears and sub line into the MS-8. MS-8 outputs to all of the updated 5.1 speakers.

2010 Volvo C30 full 5.1 channel build - Page 2

When the bluetooth kicks in it should come through the extra speakers and mute the MS-8 with no delay issues.

The other thing is the amp rack. I have my ideas all drawn up and now I am ready to start building it. I have a bunch of time off coming up so looks like I am going to be making a mess in my garage real soon. I have never done this before but I have some really nice wood working tools that have been sitting idle for too long. Should save me some serious coin over paying someone else to do it.

I'll post up the progress on the next step soon.

[SacTownMan]

So I worked this weekend on upgrading the amp rack in the spare tire well. The original was 1/4" MDF that I painted. Functional but not looking very professional.

So I am doing this in two parts. The first is the amp rack itself. It is made out of 1/2" MDF and is resting on a Polyurethane foam base that fills in the bottom of the spare tire well. It is moulded to the bottom so it won't slide or shift around. It is an excellent insulator and should help with heat and noise. I work in Radiation Oncology immobilizing patients for treatment so the material I used is made for that purpose. It is almost identical to the spray can type of material you get at Home Depot. I had some that had expired for patient use so the price was right. Here are some pictures of that process:

First the spare tire well before;



The 2 part material is mixed together, poured into a plastic bag and expands to fill any void. I placed my amp rack on it with a wooden dowel attached. This is to lock in the amp rack to the hardened mould. The nice part is both parts come out of the trunk easily if I ever want to take it back to stock.





I covered the MDF with black carpet material;



Mounted the amps and reconnected everything for now.



I am still going to send in my RF T600-4 amp to be repaired and add the MS-8 in the area to the left. My thought is to mount the T-600 above the other two amps and have the MS-8 to the left.

Part two of the Amp Rack project is the cover. I am going to remove the lower part of the factory spare tire cover (the part where it hinges) and make a 3/4" MDF lid with a plexiglass center and backlight the whole thing!

I'll post up that step next!!

[xXTX_ChallengerXx]

Coming along nicely man. How do you like the Rockford subs?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I957 using AutoGuide.Com Free App

[SacTownMan]

Finished the Amp Cover today!

I started by cutting off the existing OEM cover where it hinges.

The opening has a 1” deep lip along the sides and the rear trim panel has a lip that protrudes forward. I made a ¾” MDF base that stops just short of the lip.

I then laminated a ¼” MDF sheet on top of the base. This closely follows the contour of the rear lip and allows for support along the rear for the cover.


The hardest part was the window. My Plexiglass is 14” x 24” x ½”. I cut an opening of 12 ½” x 22 ½” and used a plunge router to create a lip for the Plexi to rest on.



After finishing the opening I sanded it down and applied primer.



I then painted the edges and underside black along with the window channel. I covered the top with some felt I picked up that is very close to the OEM. I wrapped the edges and down into the window channel. When I went to set the glass it was super tight so I simple pounded it in with a rubber mallet and it is super snug. Now I can take it out if I need to. The original cover can still be used it just doesn't hinge anymore.

I will post the finished pics in a few minutes. Photobucket keeps crashing and messing up my post.

[SacTownMan]

Here are the finished pics!!









I am going to make a insert to cover the Plexi. I set the Plexi almost 1/4" below the surface and I was going to try some different inserts for the window, maybe a Mopar emblem. My thought was they could be interchangable. I still need to clean things up. It looks like I may have to rearrange my gear to fit in the window better and still need a backlight setup.

So what do ya think?