hoTTub

I had installed a subwoofer to the factory Bose setup to add a little punch to the setup. It seemed I was always interested in doing something else with my money towards the car in the past to spend a bunch of money on re doing the audio in the car. Well, after getting most of the things done I wanted, I know had the focus to *finish* the setup.

For those that have a Roadster, you are aware of the small cubby or storage space in the trunk, I used this area to house my amps, distribution blocks and capacitor. Here is what it looks like out of the car, this is before any of the trim work was done.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/11019/stereo_install_002.jpg">

After building the amp rack, I trimmed it in aluminium from stuff available at Home Depot. Here is how it looks mounted in the trunk, out of the way but still visible and accessible for tweaks.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/11019/stereo_install_010.jpg">

Here is a shot from a bit further away. It also shows the sub I am using, which is easily removeable if I need the trunk space, so far I have not found something that I needed to fit in the trunk bad enough that I wanted to take my tunes out ;-)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/11019/stereo_stuff_005.jpg">

So, for almost 2 years I had this setup in the trunk and had not done anything in the way of changing the headunit or door speakers.

Recently I got the bug to finish it up and started shopping for the rest of the pieces to complete the install.

I searched out a new headunit, which I decided was more about function than looks, it does not match the interior of the TT like I would have liked but after careful research, I decided that Pioneer or Eclipse were the headunits to buy, unfortunately neither of them match the TT's lighting scheme. I decided on the Pioneer DEH8500MP, awesome features and I found it at a great price, retail is around $500 at the big box stores and I was able to find it online for $375 shipped.
<img src="http://images.bestbuy.com/BestBuy_US/images/products/5264/5264019cv1a.jpg">

Here is what it looks like in the dash =-)

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/11019/stereo_stuff.jpg">

And the final piece of the puzzle was picking out door speakers. I had listened numerous times at the local shop trying to decide which speakers I was gonna buy, I was down to 2 speakers, the MB Quarts that I had always lusted after but never thought I would spend the money or the Boston Acoustic Pro's that I had also coveted.

I was not really ready to pull the trigger on a set of $500ish 6.5" component sets and thought that I might go lower end on this...well my local audio shop made the decision MUCH easier, I walked in to the shop to get an antena adapter and while I was waiting, I went and looked at my speakers.....BAM!!! WTF? On clearance? Was $500 now $300? SWEEEEET!!! New models of Boston Pro's are coming and they were closing em out...WOOHOOO!

I now had all the pieces =-) The install was a but harsh and while I love to work on my car, stereo is not my favorite thing, I used to love it when I was younger and wanted a *bumpin* system but I wanted it done right and I wanted to learn a bit more about the car.

Anyway, door speakers are not especially interesting to look at so I took a picture of the mess that was my car yesterday, notice lack of door panels, crap everywhere and no lower dash panels YIKES!

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/11019/stereo_stuff_001.jpg">

So the final list is

Pioneer DEH8500MP
Boston Pro 6.5" component set
Boston Acoustic 5.25" rear speakers
Kicker 10" Solobaric sub in a custom enclosure
2 Rockford Fosgate Amps
Capacitor and miscellaneous parts..

I finally got to hear the fruits of my labor last night for the 1st time and I am blown away, I forgot how important good speakers can sound, there was soooo much music lost in the Blose setup..

I am a happy camper =0)

TTapsale

One of the nicest TT's out there just got better. Great job!

VenTTed

I especially love the sub and amp set-up. As for the HU not matching, not a biggie - it still looks great and I'm sure sounds a lot better.

Patience is a good thing, you're car is finished. ? :-)

JustJeff

had the car apart for 3 days routing cables and speakers.
you did not do the speakers in the rear?

still a stoner

Outstanding! You should charge cover just to sit and listen!

TTigg

great job Sean - did you upgrade the speaker wire(s)?

hoTTub

I am using Monster Cable throughout, power and signal.

hoTTub

thanks!

hoTTub

no way =-)

I did upgrade the rears to Boston 5.25" speakers, used the factory bracket trimmed out a bit to hold the 5.25's

The only thing I did not think about until yesterday was the center channel

TTigg

excellent - figured as much but wanted to check