Nissan 370Z Forum  

Kenwood and Elemental Designs Install...

Hello everyone! Here is my completed install from last weekend. The installation was quite tedious especially in the hot and humid weekend weather experienced. I've tested a DVD, and the

Go Back   Nissan 370Z Forum > Nissan 370Z Tech Area > Audio & Video


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-16-2009, 11:59 PM   #1 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
DIGItonium's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,800
Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT
Rep Power: 42
DIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond repute
Talking Kenwood and Elemental Designs Install...

Hello everyone! Here is my completed install from last weekend. The installation was quite tedious especially in the hot and humid weekend weather experienced. I've tested a DVD, and the bass output is very much like a home theater subwoofer (deep!). I'm still trying to tune the sub to improve electric bass and kick drum sounds (punchiness). Apparently the current setup seems to respond too well with hip hop and electronic music in which the bass is deep and strong.

[EDIT] SWI-JACK is now working. It's finally getting power for some odd reason. After following the online instructions, I've got the controls for MUTE (source isn't useful), VOL UP/DWN, and TRACK UP/DWN. The control response is a tad slow, but it works well nonetheless.

[EDIT] e5.12 started to fail, so it was replaced with a JL 12W6v2.

Current Hardware:
12" Subwoofer Enclosure by CustomBoxMan
2x Elemental Designs NINE.2 Amplifiers
1x JL Audio 12W6v2
Diamond Hex S600s
Kenwood DDX-814 DVD Receiver
PAC SWI-JACK

FYI: Changing Kenwood Startup Image
- To enter setup Mode, Press and hold [SOURCE] & [VOL DOWN] keys, then press [RESET] Key.
- Release [RESET] key, and hold [SOURCE] & [VOL DOWN] Key until illumination activates.
- Connect the USB Thumb drive containing image file. All files must be in the root directory.
- If you want to change the opening image to your own image (i.e., company logo), Press [OEM Image].
- The [OEM Image] will be grayed out till files are seen on USB device.
- If you want to put original KENWOOD opening back, press KENWOOD image.
- Select the image you want to use.
- When the image is loaded, select [Enter] Your new opening will remain for few seconds and then switch to the Source Select menu.

DDX-814 with Custom Startup Image:


NINE.2 Amplifiers mounted on the back of the subwoofer enclosure.


View from the hatch. I still have room for beer and stuff :-)
__________________
http://www.the370z.com/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=950&dateline=13162988  42

Last edited by DIGItonium; 05-27-2015 at 10:05 AM.
DIGItonium is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 12:21 AM   #2 (permalink)
Enthusiast Member
 
speedoflife's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: MS/TX
Posts: 268
Drives: '06 Pontiac G.P.
Rep Power: 15
speedoflife is on a distinguished road
Default

Nice, clean install man. What are the specs on that box?
PS- Are you not worried about the nice viewing panel for the amps/sub (the rear window lol)? I'm hinting at your equipment being stolen.
speedoflife is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 07:15 AM   #3 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
DIGItonium's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,800
Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT
Rep Power: 42
DIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Haha you have a point there, so I'm not quite sure about the security aspects. In the 350Z, my equipment was hidden in the rear passenger side glovebox and panel behind driver seat where the Bose sub is normally installed. I can't think of a cleaner way of doing this install besides sacrificing the spare tire or stepping down to a 10" sub.

I'm not sure if CustomBoxMan is still selling the box, but you can get a similar one from Zenclosures. Try to look him up for specs. I think it's alil over 1 cu in. with 8" mounting depth. The sub I have is double magnet and clears the box clearance with no issues.
__________________
http://www.the370z.com/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=950&dateline=13162988  42
DIGItonium is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 08:00 AM   #4 (permalink)
OG Priesthood
 
kdo2milger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 17,859
Drives: NISMO T
Rep Power: 59
kdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond repute
Default

looks good, and clean

+1 to you

as for the stuffed bear behind the passengers seat
__________________
kdo2milger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 08:32 AM   #5 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
dainedazz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: NY, NJ, Philippines
Posts: 1,325
Drives: 09' SR 6MT Z34
Rep Power: 293
dainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond reputedainedazz has a reputation beyond repute
Default

nice install!
this is gonna be my set up for my sound system as well
but i'm gonna have 2 10" RF subs
my amps are gonna be mounted in the same place where u have it

+1
__________________
DaineZ' Rosalena | Kenwood | Pioneer | 3M | 180 Custom | Stillen | Z1 | Fast Intentions | Setrab | Eibach | Varis | UpRev | TEIN | UAM | Amuse | Bride | Southbend | WORK | TWM | BFGoodrich | Robispec | TAKATA | GTSPEC | Instagram @johndainez
dainedazz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 08:34 AM   #6 (permalink)
Car Audio Installer
 
bigaudiofanat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Magnolia DE
Posts: 8,342
Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x
Rep Power: 852
bigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond reputebigaudiofanat has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to bigaudiofanat Send a message via Yahoo to bigaudiofanat Send a message via Skype™ to bigaudiofanat
Default

Not bad man so did you finally realize that the head unit would not power up because of the ground wire needed to be grounded or what did it come out to be?
__________________
Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know
Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com
Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below
https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/
bigaudiofanat is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 10:29 AM   #7 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
DIGItonium's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,800
Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT
Rep Power: 42
DIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond repute
Default

@kdo2milger, does this make you feel better? :P


@dainedazz, thanks! I caught some great eD deals that saved me hundreds with this build. You should definitely try to prewire the box and run the cables a couple of feet longer. I use distribution blocks (4AWG to 8AWG) attached underneath the box. Slide the box in and wire/tighten the cables from inside the car. Honestly, it was PITA. The idea of routing the cables through the center console (shifter/storage) was an excellent idea, and it was not as tedious. I routed audio connections on one side, and power on the other. It seems to have paid off because I've not heard any noise or static... but then the exhaust is loud so I can't quite tell if there is any noise.

@bigaudiofanat, everything powers up fine. I soldered the ground wires together and found a single bolt behind the navi compartment to tie the grounds together. SWI-PAC ground is common with it, and I also soldered the IGN (red) wires together as well. I did a power up test without anything connected to program the module before plugging into the vehicle harness, but I never saw any LED flash. I may pull the module out and try to power it alone, but I've not been able to get around to working on it. :-(
__________________
http://www.the370z.com/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=950&dateline=13162988  42
DIGItonium is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 11:23 AM   #8 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
sig11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 1,294
Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT
Rep Power: 17
sig11 has a spectacular aura aboutsig11 has a spectacular aura about
Default

Any chance I can talk you out of that startup image?
sig11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 12:05 PM   #9 (permalink)
OG Priesthood
 
kdo2milger's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 17,859
Drives: NISMO T
Rep Power: 59
kdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond reputekdo2milger has a reputation beyond repute
Default

[QUOTE=DIGItonium;154397]@kdo2milger, does this make you feel better? :P


lol...thats a good place for it

when i was stationed in germany, i use to always see german truck drivers with stuffed bears attached to their grills...
__________________
kdo2milger is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 02:34 PM   #10 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Demon Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 229
Drives: '13 FR-S
Rep Power: 16
Demon Z is on a distinguished road
Default

Looks great, but how visible are the amps with the hatch closed? One small aspect on the 350 that was better was the cave behind the stock sub in which to mount these kinds of things.
Demon Z is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-17-2009, 11:16 PM   #11 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
DIGItonium's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,800
Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT
Rep Power: 42
DIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by sig11 View Post
Any chance I can talk you out of that startup image?
Talk me out of it? Hehe... I'm tired of the Kenwood image. Stinks I can't get custom skins...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Demon Z View Post
Looks great, but how visible are the amps with the hatch closed? One small aspect on the 350 that was better was the cave behind the stock sub in which to mount these kinds of things.
It is quite visible even from the front view. I really miss being able to hide my amp in the rear compartment like the 350Z. There might be room to squeeze in a flux capacitor between the amps to disguise it... think it'll work? Haha.
__________________
http://www.the370z.com/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=950&dateline=13162988  42
DIGItonium is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2009, 10:40 AM   #12 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
sig11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Detroit
Posts: 1,294
Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT
Rep Power: 17
sig11 has a spectacular aura aboutsig11 has a spectacular aura about
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by DIGItonium View Post
Talk me out of it? Hehe... I'm tired of the Kenwood image. Stinks I can't get custom skins...
Aaahhh I mean talk you into posting a copy of it. I want to use it on 9140.
sig11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2009, 11:26 AM   #13 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
rreign's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: South Carolina
Age: 40
Posts: 2,341
Drives: 03 Evo 8
Rep Power: 708
rreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond reputerreign has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Awesome install. That's exactly the same route I would have taken it. Except I'm big on 10's rather than 12's. As far as security goes, you can always get an aftermarket security system. If you wanna go big, buy a Pitbull and chain it to the bumper, lol.
rreign is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2009, 10:45 PM   #14 (permalink)
A True Z Fanatic
 
DIGItonium's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Kansas
Posts: 3,800
Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT
Rep Power: 42
DIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond reputeDIGItonium has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I didn't have a security system in my 350Z at all. Regardless of security system, if someone is desperate enough to get it, they'll use any means necessary. Since I'll have to fix the damages and/or to replace the lost components, I'll have to pay either way even if I have a security system. :-/

Quote:
Originally Posted by sig11 View Post
Aaahhh I mean talk you into posting a copy of it. I want to use it on 9140.
Sure thing! Check the first post for attached file.
__________________
http://www.the370z.com/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=950&dateline=13162988  42
DIGItonium is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2009, 11:50 PM   #15 (permalink)
Base Member
 
Plasmaball's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: San Diego
Posts: 113
Drives: 6sp PG 370z
Rep Power: 16
Plasmaball is on a distinguished road
Send a message via AIM to Plasmaball Send a message via Yahoo to Plasmaball
Default

i like how you can change up the start up screen. How far can you push that?
Can you upload a video for the start up?
Plasmaball is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Kenwood DNX5120 Navigation with Bluetooth and iPod Install grebnasticle Audio & Video 20 03-20-2011 03:45 PM
CINCity Designs 370Z Headlight Project DIGItonium Exterior & Interior 112 12-18-2009 01:23 PM
CINCity Designs 370Z Headlights jkchen Nissan 370Z Photos / Spyshots / Video / Media Gallery 3 07-14-2009 04:32 AM
Elemental Designs Amplifier Sale!!! DIGItonium Audio & Video 4 02-25-2009 08:03 AM
Does anyone do webpage designs? Slidefox The Lounge (Off Topic) 1 01-11-2009 04:07 PM


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:34 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0 PL2