Finished audio project...FINALLY
 

just wanted to share my project...a month in the making. sorry theres no actual build pics, since i was doing this slowly and didnt really feel like dirtying up my camera. but here goes:

not shown...Crescendo Audio CCX65 components. the midbass is strong and clear, and the tweets (at -3db on the crossovers) are clear and not overly bright. i took a huge gamble buying these based on little reviews on the interwebs, but hey..for 90bucks shipped i wanted to see what they could do. would definitely buy them again!

also, the entire car is covered in RAAMat BXTII, and ensolite (my entire interior was removed and each piece was covered in ensolite). also had the windows tinted 50% ceramic while the interior was out :)

next...Pioneer X920BT with nav bypass and AUX/USB/3.5mm mounted plugs:
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next...JL XD400-4...this thing is tiny. about the size of a paperback book (but about 2.5inches thick) and puts out 100 watts to each of my comps, and 200 watts to my sub:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5086/...30140814_b.jpg

and finally...Image Dynamics ID8 in my custom fiberglass box. yea this 8" is louder than the 10" elemental designs in my daily driver (corner loading ftw):
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I really like where you mounted the amp and especially like the sub utilizing that otherwise useless indent. Can you now shake your doors loose and break windows? JK!

Wow clean build! I immediately noticed your amp. How is it? I currently have 2x NINE.2 amps for the components and sub, but would like to scale things down some day. Do you think it can handle a single 12W6? I don't really bump my music and prefer having moderate natural sounding bass.

if you wanted to downsize you could run a single XD600-1 (600watts RMS @ 2ohm, 400watts RMS @4ohm), and a XD200-2 (75watts RMS x 2 @ 4ohm) . the 600-1 is the same size as my 400-4, and the 200-2 is a few inches smaller! you could easily fit these 2 amps where the foam piece between the strut bar and wheel archs are...(where the OEM Bose amps are)

i realize alot of people think JL is overpriced, but you really cannot beat the size/output of these amps. after some research @ diymobileaudio.com i settled with the XD series...small, efficient, cool, and awesome sound. i purchased mine from al-eds.com and they pricematched the lowest price on the internet! (they're also an authorized JL reseller, so warranty is valid)

this is exactly what i wanted! but a shop quoted 2000 for subs on both sides and a amp and dynamat on hatch and trunk... so i didnt go for it

if you can spare a few weeks in the spring time you can do it for a fraction of the cost. the RAAMat and ensolite (sound deadener and foam sound deadener) cost me a grand total of 150 shipped (enough for the entire car, minus the floor boards. i did the entire top hatch for the hell of it since i had extra

the fiberglass enclosure took me 3 weeks (it rained for 2 of those weeks). i would do some work, then let it dry for a day or two, even though i put enough hardener, the 40 degree weather and moist air did not help drying. i spent about 100 in materials to make the enclosure - 30 for a respirator (fiberglass resin/dust is not lung friendly), fiberglass cloth and mat for around 30, resin for about 20, paint brushes and gloves took up the rest.

Rear (side) sub enclosure
 

What holds the sub enclosure in place in the event of a accident?

i havent exactly figured out a way to safely secure the enclosure yet...but im currently using these:

Clear Hook-and-Loop Superlock™ Fasteners (4-Pack) - RadioShack.com

basically its velcro, but 10x stronger. temporary solution of course. the mold is also slightly bigger, so i had to cram the damn thing in, so we'll see what i can rig up!

Really love that you went with the ID sub NICE!!!

bahaha..that thing has been sitting in my closet for a month waiting to go in. everytime i get dressed for work i was thinking. "i cant wait to hear how this thing sounds"

figured you'd like it :icon17:

and finally...Image Dynamics ID8 in my custom fiberglass box. yea this 8" is louder than the 10" elemental designs in my daily driver (corner loading ftw):
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5170/...91cbef37_b.jpg[/QUOTE]

Do you have to remove the sub enclosure to access the spare tire?
Also, is their approx. a 1" clearance behind the sub speaker and the back of the sub enclosure? If so, I may be interested in the fab process for the sub enclosure.

i added another pic above..the enclosure does not impede access to the spare tire nor the tools/jack. i purposely built it so i could easily access the tools and the spare tire (hence why i went with an 8" sub). im not a bass head, just need some bass to fill in the low end frequencies so this was a good setup for me. theres probably 2-3inches worth of space behind the sub as well, so i could've used a different a different more SPL oriented sub, but im all about sound quality, hence the ID8.

the pic does show that there is a minor gap though, which is because of the vinyl wrap, and the hook and loop straps (velcro), but if i could do it over, i wouldve made the mold slightly smaller to account for the added thickness of the wrap

Nice install! And a good clean fit in that small compartment - I guess a lot of sub builders don't realize that you can fit an 8 or even a shallow 10 neatly in that spot and still have good enclosure volume! And keep your trunk space! Great job!

RAAMat supplier
 

Where did you purchase the RAAMat BXT II and ensolite?

Very Nice.