NateDawg

Hi All,

The E63 sound system that comes with the P2 package is laughable. Every car I have ever owned has had a booming system. So…the stereo gear has been pulled from my departed SLK and I am about to add some “boom” to my E63! I’m 36, but I still got a little teenager left in me . As I tell my friends, you can take me out of Tacoma, Washington but you can’t take the Tacoma, Washington out of me!

So I’d like people’s thoughts and suggestions as I go through this process. Once the install occurs, I’ll obviously post pics. Ok, the plans.

My current gear:

1 JL Audio 10w7 sub in cheap ported box (box to be replaced, see below)
1 JL Audio 500/1 (will power the sub)
1 JL Audio 300/4 (will power my door speakers)

Gear I am strongly considering:

Focal 165 K2P Component Speakers for the front doors
Focal 165 CV1 Coaxial speakers for the backseat doors
JL Audio High Output Wedge Box for the 10W7 (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_e...u=1&page_id=18)
Remote Bass Knob
Audio Control Line Output Converter
Monster Cable Throughout

I think the above system will absolutely rock (pun intended). I’m currently battling my installer a little, as he is suggesting that I ditch the 10w7 and instead use 2 JL Audio 10w3v2s (in a custom closed box) and have my 500/1 power both speaker (250 per speaker). I really don’t like that idea, as the 10w3v2 is one of the lower end JL Subs (10w7 is top of the line) and I just love the W7 speakers. Does the dealer suggestion make sense? I’m also wondering whether I should do a “Stealth” install for the amps or should I go bling bling?

Benchmark Motoring in Seattle will likely do the install, IF they cut me some slack on pricing (they are used to servicing Microsoft millionaires, not middle class lawyers like me). We’ll see how it goes.

Any suggestions?

BMWEATR

Bench mark is good! I have heard of them way down here in Corvallis OR

oner123

I haven't done much audio lately, but maybe about 5 years ago I had a JL 12w6 in a sealed box and went to 2 10w3 in a HO box. Which is somewhat similar to your situation, The single 12 was much tighter bass, but the 2 10's was much louder and more "boom" if that's what you're after. If I had to choose personally, I would go for the single 12 again, it sounded cleaner (prob because of the sealed box) and it took up a lot less space.

Also, the JL HO wedges are pretty well designed if you want the rattle in your head boom sound.

And I would say do a stealth install if you can. Good luck on the install and let us know how it goes.

bgee55

you may also want to check out carnutz in bellevue also

NateDawg

I'm going back and forth on the sub issue. I'm now contemplating 2 10w6s in a custom sealed box that will fire through the rear deck. I'll need to pick up another JL Audio 500/1 to push the second 10" sub though.

I'll make my decision in the next few days. The installer says they'll need my car for a week!!

As for CarNutz, I've checked them out for rims and such. Probably sticking with Benchmark because they worked on my SLK.

bgee55

im running (3) 12w6v2's off an audison vrx monoblock. works great!

V DuBb

w7 ftw...stick the 1 w7..

tpick23

My current gear:

1 JL Audio 10w7 sub in cheap ported box (box to be replaced, see below)
1 JL Audio 500/1 (will power the sub)
1 JL Audio 300/4 (will power my door speakers)

Gear I am strongly considering:

Focal 165 K2P Component Speakers for the front doors
Focal 165 CV1 Coaxial speakers for the backseat doors
JL Audio High Output Wedge Box for the 10W7 (http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_e...u=1&page_id=18)
Remote Bass Knob
Audio Control Line Output Converter
Monster Cable Throughout



That is going to ROCK!
I did a similar install recently in my CLK63.

Heres my list
AudioControl LC6i Converter
AudioControl LC6 Remote
Kenwood Excelon 100x4
Kenwood Excelon 300x1 Mono
Focal 165VS2 6.5" Component
Focal 165CA1 6.5" Coax
JL Audio 8W3v3

I hid the sub in the floorboard of the passenger side. Just that 8" sounds good enough for me. You will have lots of boom with your setup either way you go. Is taking up room in the trunk an issue? Would the box for 2 subs be much larger that the box for the W7 by itself? I went Stealth install with mine. The amps are set in the spare tire well, (the car comes with a repair kit rather than a spare tire) and the hidden sub so I didn't loose any room.

The mids and highs will sound great but I opted for the 165Vs2 rather than the K2Ps. They were ~$1100 and I just couldn't hear a big enough difference to justify and extra $600.

Good Luck

NateDawg

Well I'm dropping my car off on the 26th!

Instead of the 500/1 powering 1 10w7 in my cheap box I decided to get 2 10w6s (in a custom sealed box) powered by a pair of 500/1s. The box will attach to the top area of the trunk where the current cheap Benz sub is located. It will probably take 30% of my trunk space (with entire floor completely available, though under the box not much room).

I will post a ton of pics. Car will be done on the 30th.

SolidGranite

Skip the monster cable. It's overpriced with no benefit whatsoever. Any standard wiring will be fine.

NateDawg

Dropped off the car today and here are the photos from Day 1. Today they put in the Focal 165 K2P Component Speakers for the front doors. Kind of boring pics today, but we'll eventually see the finished product! I'll try to post pics each day.

My car in the shop. I miss her already.



Another pic of The Beast "under the knife"



Exposed Door



Focal Power!



Prep work in rear deck area - 2 JL subs will fire through the opening.

juicee63

Thanks for sharing this install with us... I agree the system needs help.

Looking good man, post up a sound clip.......when finished

DFW01E55

Next you'll tell me that Bose stuff is overrated!

Actually, the Boise noise cancelling headphones are worth the money but their other stuff is entirely marketing, just like Monster.

NateDawg

Some pics from yesterday and today.

Bass knob in arm rest (upper right hand corner near blue tooth module)



Custom speaker box



Another pic of the speaker box - a little more stuff on it in to accomodate the amp rack that will attach to the box

J 2OOI

Hey Nate, system looks very nice, I agree the factory one is a joke. If you have never had focal, you will love them. I have had two sets of components (older models than yours) in my denali since 2001:

Focal Utopia 165w2 (front)
Focal Polykevlar 165k2 (rear) -- similar to your fronts
1 JL 15w3 (w7s weren't out yet)

Amps are Esoteric Audio (hand made audiophile grade)

You will love it, the quality is unreal in my setup and yours seems fairly similar. I also have the base ***.

The 165w2 (Focal Utopia) is by far the best component speaker that I have ever heard. Polykevlars are great too!

Question: why didn't you go with 1 12w7 with a JL 1000X1 amp rather than the two 10s with two 500X1s?

Also, I would recommend some sort of sound insulation in the doors and trunk lid, etc. this will help the system sound the best (and not rattle as much).

Congrats!

edit: Think about that for a second Juice...

NateDawg

I had Boston Pros for components in my past ride, but I wanted to upgrade for the E63. I checked out the new Boston SPZs and the Focals, and after a few listensing sessions I went with the Focals.

My installer was pretty adamant about going with something other than a W7 because he though the the movement of the cone would hit the rear deck behind the back seat. Plus the W7 needs a huge box, and he though it might be more efficient (and sound better) to have 2 10w6s in a closed box. I honestly wanted to go with a 10w7 in a ported box, but the installer was really against it. I decided to go with my installer's suggestion due to their experience. Since I already owned a 500/1 I just bought another instead of splurging on the 1000/1.

Should get the car on Friday - woot!

NateDawg

Hey Guys, Install is complete. I thought this topic is better suited for car audio forum, so go https://mbworld.org/forums/audio-electronics/220743-e63-focal-jl-audio-install.html to see final pics (moderators delete this thread if you wish).