First, some caveats and disclaimers. I am almost certainly older than most of you who participate in this forum. I’ve also been a musician (bass and 12-string guitar) and technician (large venues) since the 60’s. As a result, my goals for an audio installation are probably a bit different from the typical member on this forum. However, there might be some information in this that someone can use. My goals were 1) to achieve a sound quality as close to audiophile as possible in a vehicle (within my budget, of course), and 2) to minimize the risk of theft by keeping the look “stock.”
The aftermarket components used in this installation are:
JL Audio CleanSweep CL441dsp digital interface/processor
AudioControl EQX crossover/equalizer
Alpine MRP-F240 4/3/2 channel power amp
MTX Thunder 421D 2 channel power amp
Polk Audio db6500 component speakers (front doors)
Polk Audio db535 coaxial speakers (rear doors)
PIE GM12/PC-KNNSR 2001-05 GM To Kenwood Changer/Sirius Interface
Kenwood Music Keg KHD-C710 (with two 40GB DMS cartridges)
The decision to keep the factory head unit was made based on keeping the stock appearance and not having to mess with interfaces for OnStar, chimes, steering wheel controls, etc. The CleanSweep is EQed at 50% output and all tone controls neutral on the head unit. This gets as close to a flat response curve from the factory unit as possible. The photos will illustrate other “stealth” features as we go along. The CleanSweep self-calibrates with a provided CD; I used a 1/3 octave RTA to EQ the rest of the system after everything was installed. I only use FLAC files from CDs on the Music Keg (it's a lossless file format). I'm sure it won't meet the volume standards of many people, but it's plenty loud, distortion free, sounds great, and I don't get tickets for violating the local noise ordinance.
Here's the stock AM/FM/CD/Cassette unit in the dash. The only evidence of anything extra is the level control for the CleanSweep mounted in the blank panel to the right of the A/C controls (with power LED):
Components under the middle seat from the passenger's side:
Same components from the driver's side:
The StealthBox from the second row seat:
The Stealth box from the right front. JL Audio warns that, with the installation of this model, you loose the cup holders mounted on the original jump seat... a couple of pieces of metal tubing and some screws, and you have cup holders!
sig by 454ss
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