[donarun]

... in BONNIE & CLYDE's ride!!!











For long I've been fascinated by music. In my teenage, I grew up seeing school mates flaunting their handle's equipped with music blasters. My urge for music also grew along with my age. We got our first car (Hyundai Santro) after I completed my graduation and I badly wanted to install a Kick A** ICE in it. But with no job & adequate finances, I had to settle down for a basic setup consisting of an Alpine HU which could play only mp3 CD’s, 4" Infinity Ref on the dash and 6 x 9 Infinity Ref speakers on a plank in the rear. Soon after I got my first job in 2005, I wanted to soup up the existing setup as I could not go in for an all new setup. To even do this too I had to wait for few months. I started cutting out on the odd expenses and saved abt 10k. With 10k in hand I headed towards my trusted installer "Sound Works". For this budget I got a Sony 4ch amp and a 12" Pioneer free air sub. Together with the installation the over all expense came to 11k. Two channels to the Infinity ovals and two channels bridged and given to the sub I was enjoying music more than ever. Finally I realized a long cherished dream of driving a car around with loud music. Those were the days!!!

Fast forward to November 2009, I joined Team Bhp and started reading up many threads under various sections especially the ones under In-Car-Entertainment. Reading these threads I slowly started to understand the intricacies and technicalities involved in configuring a good setup. It was during this time I was looking to ICE my in-laws Fiat Linea. With a 20k budget we went in for Alpine HU and 2 pairs of Infinity Ref 6030CS components, the setup sounded really good. A month later my cousin bought a new car and ICE'd it with Pioneer HU and Polk dB components. This started a rumble in my mind and in January 2010 I decided to go in for a setup upgrade, max budget $1000. I planned to get a new HU, a pair of components for the front stage and if possible a new amplifier. I started a thread "Suggestions for a $1000 setup" (http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ask-gu...000-setup.html) under "Ask the Gurus" section and had plenty of ppl pouring in their suggestions. Special thanks to one & all who contributed to my thread.

As time passed I got a bit greedy wanting for more and bought equipment which can’t be installed in my existing ride. In the end I went Mi10's way and got a new car (ANHC) to put in my ICE.

Originally I was planning for a passive setup, but when I started reading articles on various forums, I learnt abt active setups, but there was an apprehension as to how to put together one such setup, fortunately during the same period I got acquainted to few Chennai ICE nuts who dared to tread this path. On auditioning, I was blown away by the performance of these setups. Post auditions, I decided to go active myself, but by this time I had procured abt 90% of equipment for the passive setup. I worked on a new config and put the unnecessary equipments on classifieds for sale. The journery was quite long (18 months), draining and frustrating at times, but in the end with the install done and setup powered, I felt that it was all worth it.

Final result, a fully active 3-way setup,

Source - HU ( Alpine CDA-117 ) + IMPRINT Module ( PXA-H100 Imprint kit )
Front speakers - Hybrid Audio Technologies Clarus C61-2
Rear speakers - None
Amp 1 – Helix P400 (Powers Front components only)
Amp 2 - DLS RA10 (Mono block)
Sub - Image Dynamics, IDQ12V3.D4
Sub enclosure – Venom’s 1.23 cu.ft box

RCA Interconnects – 2ch Gladen Audio Cinch Black (5M) x 3
Wiring – Rockford Fosgate cables
Capacitor - 1 Farad Rockford Fosgate capacitor

Damping – Dynamat xtreme, 1 Bulk Pack (36 sq.ft) + 1 Trunk Kit (20 sq.ft)

Where the wild things are ... though the above mentioned equipment are wild and monstrous in their own right, I hope that I have tamed them to play a beautiful symphony in my car.

Special Thanks to my family, friends and most of all my, fellow members who contributed their bit in my quest for ultimate SQ.

[donarun]

Source - HU ( Alpine CDA-117 ) + Processor ( PXA-H100 Imprint kit )

I wanted a HU which can do good SQ and have usb, ipod & reasonable tuning capabilities. Was not too keen on BT. My first HU was an Alpine (CDE-9845) and when I ICE'd my in-laws car, opted for Alpine (CDE-102) again and was not disappointed. In the begining of 2010, Alpine CDA-117 and Kenwood x794 were the probable choices for a good SQ HU. I am not a Alpine fan boy, but I'm a sucker for their UI and legible display. Btw the two probables the choice was simple, CDA-117. This was the first piece of equipment which I got towards this project.





At the later stage of the project when I decided to go active I had 2 choices, to get a active capable HU like Alpine 9887 / Eclipse 7200mk II or get a compatible Imprint kit for the 117. Since usb option was quite important for me, I had to reject the 9887. As for the Eclipse, getting hold of a brand new piece is near impossible these days and we have to look out for used ones. Though its a great SQ HU, the UI is a complete let down. These factors ruled out the possibility of sourcing a active capable HU and I decided to get the Imprint kit PXA-H100



Ai-Net Cable



Auto Tune Module, KTX-H100



IMPRINT - Complete set



HU + Imprint module

[donarun]

Front Stage - Hybrid Audio Technologies (HAT) Clarus C61-2

Snippet on HAT - Hybrid Audio-equipped vehicles have won more IASCA North American Championships and IASCA World Championships since 2006 than all other front-stage speaker manufacturers combined.

Snippet on Clarus speakers - Reputed magzine "Car Audio Mag" rated the HAT Clarus as the 3rd best speaker of decade.
Top 10 Speakers - Speaker Reviews - Car Audio and Electronics

Detailed review of Clarus
Hybrid Audio Clarus C51-2 - Review Speakers - Speaker Reviews - Car Audio and Electronics

Complete Set





Monstrous Midbass









Tweeters





Crossover box - Safely packed and kept for now

[donarun]

Front Stage Amplifier - Helix Precision P400

Earlier to power the Clarus in passive mode I had got the DLS RA20. The RA20 is one of the best from DLS lineup, I am told this amp is widely used car audio championship circles. But when I decided to go active, the hunt for a good 4ch amplifier began. Narrowed down to three choices, Helix P400, Mosconi AS 100.4, Arc Audio KS 300.4. After reading abt these amps for two weeks, I then finally decided that it has to be "hand made" Helix P400. This amp marks entry into true audiophile territory.

Higlights of P400

* The amplifier is "hand made" in Germany. All the internal components are sourced in and around Schmallenberg, Germany.
* Auto Hifi magazine rated it as the best amplifier of the decade in 350-700 euros price range
* The amp has a inbuilt active crossover, no need for an active capable HU, the amp alone is sufficient to go active.

Technical specifications of P400

Cont. power rating RMS/Max. power at 4 Ohms................. 4 x 110/190 Watts
Cont. power rating RMS/Max. power at 2 Ohms................. 4 x 175/300 Watts
Cont. power rating RMS/Max. power bridged at 4 Ohms...... 2 x 350/595 Watts
Frequency range............................................. ........... 15 Hz - 20 kHz
Setting range highpass.......................................... ...... 15 Hz - 4 kHz
Setting range lowpass........................................... ...... 15 Hz - 4 kHz
Setting range bandpass.......................................... ..... 15 Hz - 4 kHz
Total harmonic distortion........................................ ..... < 0,006%
TIM............................................... .......................... < 0,01%
Signal to noise ratio............................................. ....... > 95 dB
Damping factor.... .................................................. ... > 600
Input impedance......................................... ............... 10 kOhms
Input sensitivity....................................... .................. 300 mV - 8,5 V
Fuse.............................................. .......................... 3 x 25 A
Dimensions (H x W x D) mm........................................... 35 x 432 x 240
Weight net............................................... ................. 4,7 kgs

[donarun]

Mono Block - DLS RA10

Inorder to maintain the sound signature, I got the DLS RA10 along with the RA20. With heavy heart I had to let go of the RA20, but I was not ready to let go of this one. This amp reeks quality from all angles, be it the speaker terminals, titanium finish of the amp. This is one of the very few amps in the world which can be driven at 4ohms / 2ohms / 1 ohms load.

Technical Specifications of DLS RA10

Number of channels 1
Working mode AB
Power output at 13,8 Volt, max 0,1 % THD
Power output in 4 ohm 300 W
Power output in 2 ohm 500 W
Power output in 1 ohm 780 W
THD @1 W < 0,1%
Signal to noise ratio, A-weighted > 100 dB
Damping factor > 200
Frequency response +/- 3 dB 10 Hz - 125 Hz
Input impedance, low level > 10 kohm
Input impedance, high level 330 ohm
High level input with auto start Yes
Input sensitivity 0,5 - 8V
Filter slope LP-filter 12 dB / octave
Filter slope subsonic filter 18 dB / octave

Pre amp configuration:
Filter lowpass 40 - 125 Hz
Fixed 25 Hz subsonic filter Yes*
Phase shift 0- 180 degrees continously Yes
Grand bass adjustable gain @ 40 Hz 0 - 18 dB
Remote bass level and phase control Yes*
* can be switched in/out
Protection current, DC-offset & thermal
Max cable size, DC input 4 AWG, 21 mm2
Max cable size, speaker terminal 7 AWG, 10 mm2

Power consumption:
Idle 0,6 A
Maximum 120 A
Fuse 4 x 30 A
Dimensions HxWxD(mm) 59 x 359 x 245
Dimensions (inch) 2,33 x 14,13 x 9,65
Weight 4,3kg (9,5 lbs)







Remote Bass level & Phase control

[donarun]

Sub Stage - IDQ12V3.D4 + Venom's Enclosure

There were a few subs under consideration, but since the expectation was SQ, it was an easy choice, IDQ. Known for its SQL capabilities throught the world, this sub is legend in its own right.

The sub was paired with a audiophile box from Venom. The box was built to specifications given by Gunbir Singh. Without the sub, the enclosure's volume measures to 1.23 cu.ft, with the sub placed in, the volume comes down to 1 cu.ft

[donarun]

RCA Interconnects + Cables + Capacitor + Damping

Since RCA interconnects are quite crucial for a setup I did not want to compromise on the quality. Quick call to Gunbir, got to know abt the Gladen Audio's 2ch RCA, was impressed with his review of the cables.

For cables, was contemplating between Rockford Fosgate and Kicker, but after few hours on the net and discussions with fellow members, decide to go the RF way since their cables are known to be true to their gauge.

Dynamat Xtreme and thermoseal sheets were used for damping.

[donarun]

Gentlemen, presenting you "The WILD BUNCH !!!"

[khoj]

Hi Donarun,

Good to see your ICE thread. Do clarify though, whether this is just a listing of the various armaments (Bonnie & Clyde) or does it lead to an actual install

Ciao

[donarun]

Next stop - Installation

The install was done abt 2 weeks back. It took 3 days to complete the install.

Day 1 - The front doors were damped with one layer on the inner of the door, along with it the side walls of the boot and boot lid were also damped. The door pads were given a layer of thermoseal damping.





Honda's version of damping











The OE audio setup of ANHC was quite good and this is well known on the forum, but I was surprised and puzzled when I saw the puny OE speaker, the performance and appearance do not match, sometimes looks can be deceiving

[donarun]

Day 2 - The OE HU was replaced with the Alpine HU. The Alpine HU was placed in a Honda OE dash kit which my installer had sourced for me. The amp board was cut and amp placements were marked out.













Once the amp board was done, wires were routed from the front.

[predatorwheelz]

Very well thought out setup. Your narration is good, as is the detail on why you chose each item.

Wishing you many happy miles with it. Can you elaborate on the cost of each individual component?

[chiragh_bir]

extremely nice stuff going into your car donarun !!

good luck for your install and do post some videos !

[ashok_lat]

Neat Stuff... Where in chennai you have done the installation? Whats the cost involved?

[Xryder]

Neat setup buddy ! I have one request - please please put up pics of the final setup ? Would like to see how they have been placed ! Also, how would you rate the overall damped setup on a scale of 10 ?