Finally got around to finishing (or nearly finishing) this install.
I have notice that there doesnt seem to be any builds I can find on the internet for an Audi cabby, so I figured I would post this up for other cabby owners trying to get ideas on how to cram a decent system into this vehicle that has little to no space to work with.
First thing to note is that there is very little room to work with in a convertible. That being said, I must say that the finished product has turned out rather nice, within the design goals.
Goals:
1. Be able to turn up the stereo loud enough to hear it (the entire spectrum) very clearly while crusing down the interstate at 80mph with the top down. This was not even remotely possible with the stock setup.
2. Maximize available trunk space. I haul groceries in this car, and go on road trips (luggage).
3. Retain the full size spare tire (refer to 2 - can't be on the side of the road with a flat and no spare).
4. Look as close to stock as possible (particularly inside the car).
5. Retain the stock headunit.
Equipment:
Stock head unit
Mmats HiFi-6150D
Fi Q 10 in custom fiberglass sealed enclosure slightly under 1^3ft sealed
Mmats PS65cx Point Source Coaxials (doors and rear sides)
Stock dash speakers
The making of the subwoofer enclosure:
I did not get any pics before I yanked out the side panel and hacked it up, but, it was pretty much flat and the only thing behind it was a large plastic "holder". This holder is used to hold things like the factory sat radio and the tire pressure monitor system receiver. The only thing that was mounted in mine was the TPMS receiver, so I relocated that below where the sub box is now. The other side of the trunk has a pocket, but that pocket is too small to use for this, and behind that panel is the hydraulics for the convertible top, so the driver side had more room to work with.
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Making the amp rack:
Due to space, I couldnt build a conventional amp rack, and I had to opt for a tiny amp.
However, due to the material I was mounting the amp to, I need to strengthen it, so I used a small piece of ¼ plywood and some fiberglass. I then covered it in matching carpet.
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Mounting rings for front speakers:
The front speakers are about 7-7.5 subwoofers. Needless to say they do more woofing than subbing. The replacement speakers are much smaller, so I made some rings out of ¼ plywood that mount in the factory location, and will hold the new speakers. Covered the rings on both sides with some closed cell foam to seal it up.
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Sub and amp installed:
Heres the trunk. I have a gap where the sub box and amp board meet, but due to the space restrictions behind the amp board, I cant really do anything about that. I am considering building a board that runs longitudinal down the trunk right in front of the sub and amp to protect them (fans will be mounted to cool the amp and holes covered with carpet will be in front of the sub as a make shift grill) that will hide that gap.
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I dont have the rest of the harness I need to create my adapter that will give me the line level outputs (as well as an auxiliary input) to go between the factory radio and the factory wiring yet, so I dont have it hooked up yet. As soon as that gets in (hoping today) I will finish it all up.
What do you think?
I have notice that there doesnt seem to be any builds I can find on the internet for an Audi cabby, so I figured I would post this up for other cabby owners trying to get ideas on how to cram a decent system into this vehicle that has little to no space to work with.
First thing to note is that there is very little room to work with in a convertible. That being said, I must say that the finished product has turned out rather nice, within the design goals.
Goals:
1. Be able to turn up the stereo loud enough to hear it (the entire spectrum) very clearly while crusing down the interstate at 80mph with the top down. This was not even remotely possible with the stock setup.
2. Maximize available trunk space. I haul groceries in this car, and go on road trips (luggage).
3. Retain the full size spare tire (refer to 2 - can't be on the side of the road with a flat and no spare).
4. Look as close to stock as possible (particularly inside the car).
5. Retain the stock headunit.
Equipment:
Stock head unit
Mmats HiFi-6150D
Fi Q 10 in custom fiberglass sealed enclosure slightly under 1^3ft sealed
Mmats PS65cx Point Source Coaxials (doors and rear sides)
Stock dash speakers
The making of the subwoofer enclosure:
I did not get any pics before I yanked out the side panel and hacked it up, but, it was pretty much flat and the only thing behind it was a large plastic "holder". This holder is used to hold things like the factory sat radio and the tire pressure monitor system receiver. The only thing that was mounted in mine was the TPMS receiver, so I relocated that below where the sub box is now. The other side of the trunk has a pocket, but that pocket is too small to use for this, and behind that panel is the hydraulics for the convertible top, so the driver side had more room to work with.
Making the amp rack:
Due to space, I couldnt build a conventional amp rack, and I had to opt for a tiny amp.
However, due to the material I was mounting the amp to, I need to strengthen it, so I used a small piece of ¼ plywood and some fiberglass. I then covered it in matching carpet.
Mounting rings for front speakers:
The front speakers are about 7-7.5 subwoofers. Needless to say they do more woofing than subbing. The replacement speakers are much smaller, so I made some rings out of ¼ plywood that mount in the factory location, and will hold the new speakers. Covered the rings on both sides with some closed cell foam to seal it up.
Sub and amp installed:
Heres the trunk. I have a gap where the sub box and amp board meet, but due to the space restrictions behind the amp board, I cant really do anything about that. I am considering building a board that runs longitudinal down the trunk right in front of the sub and amp to protect them (fans will be mounted to cool the amp and holes covered with carpet will be in front of the sub as a make shift grill) that will hide that gap.
I dont have the rest of the harness I need to create my adapter that will give me the line level outputs (as well as an auxiliary input) to go between the factory radio and the factory wiring yet, so I dont have it hooked up yet. As soon as that gets in (hoping today) I will finish it all up.
What do you think?