I started this project with such high hopes and I thought I had done my due diligence by visiting many installation shops. But now I'm not so sure. My installer (Al & Eds of Costa Mesa, Ca), required two days to put the system in the car - the problem is that after spending almost $3000, the Mini HiFi system sounded better. The new system will not image well and there is so much noise and alternator whine that at first, I wondered what they did to the engine of my brand new Mini. About 5 days later, I returned for a "tuning day" that ended with the system sounding worse. I'm sitting at the shop now for a second tune day but I'm guessing these guys just can't perform. I may just need to go to another installer to get the system fixed correctly. I realize that in the grand scheme of things, this is a very small issue. However, I would like to get the sound that I paid for and don't like the posibility of having to pay again for the one system. Does anyone have a reference for a good installer in southern California?

Installed system: Focal 165 KPS speakers, Focal 10" sub, Alpine PDX 4.150 amp, Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.2 sound processor, Monster connectors and wires, Dynamat Bulk pack (enough for most of the car).

 

I don't want to sound like a d*ck, but it's Al & Ed's. I don't hold a lot of faith in their work or skill level. Try Competition Soundworks in Cerittos...pretty sure that is where they are.

 

Sorry for you.
I had a similar issue back in 2003 with local company Tweeters.
I gave them multiple chances to fix their poor install, but eventually demanded they remove the system and put it back to original, and chased down a full refund.
You should do the same. Don't accept "poor" and don't go elsewhere till the car is back to how it was before A&E started (or, maybe, they'll sort it to be good for you).

Good luck.

 

Well, after about 4 hours today, I think we're getting closer to the desired solution. I had to get a bit insistent (without being a jerk) after which, they apparently recognized that I really did understand what the system was supposed to should like and how it should image. We spend quite a while trying different tweeter locations and I was really amazed at how much of a difference a fraction of an inch could make to the projected image.

As it turns out, the factory tweeter location for the HiFi system is not optimal. At least in my MINI with my ears, the best location was closer to the front most aspect of the A-pillar - where the A-pillar, the door and the dash all meet together. As it stands, my tweeters are on temporary mounts pending fabrication of a suitable enclosure. This tweeter location is just about directly above the bottom woofer location in the doors (i guess that's a big "duh" for me). I'm scheduled to stop by again on Friday nest week (2/1/08) to finalize the tweeter locations and install enclosures. I'll try to post pictures later.

They did do a good job of fabricating a woofer enclosure. The bottom half is moulded fiberglass to make the best use of the depression in the trunk bottom. The Focal crossovers are mounted next to the sub with the Alpine amp on top of the crossovers. The 3Sixty is mounted on top of the HiFi amp in the left quarter panel.

They also did offer to swap the 3Sixty for an Alpine PXE H-650 to see which one works best after the speaker locations are tweaked (naturally with an appropriate adjustment to the final price).

 

That's good to hear ... sounds like they're trying to make it right for you. I wouldn't have guessed that such a minor adjustment in tweeter location would make that big a difference. But then I don't do that for a living. For the $$$ you spent, you really should come away with something that sounds acceptably kick-a$$ to you. Good luck, and I hope they get you fixed up quick.

 

That is good to hear. It's cool that you're also working with them to make it right. From the sound of it, they have the tools, but lack an understanding of acoustics. Giving them another chance to correct this is admirable. Better yet, while you're having to help, you are learning some things, but also teaching these guys, if I read that right. That should be gratifying in itself.

 

The more I read this the more my stock radio sounds just fine.

 

+!

 

Armed only with info from NAM and a stock stereo system, I swapped my front speakers myself with JL Evolution TR-CXI speakers. It was a lot of fun and made a world of difference. Much clearer and fuller sounding.

The improvement I got for $160 was worth it. I'm going to replace the rears next.

Aside from the sub, my ears would not be able to tell the difference with a $3K system at moderate volumes.

 

I'm agreeing withya. . . .

 

I have continued to fiddle with my system ahead of my Friday appointment to finalize the install and the sound has continued to improve. My wife finally came out to the car to hear for herself what our money bought. Simply put, she was astounded at the quality. She wanted to stay in the car to listen, which naturally was fine with me. Typically, my wife has not been able to notice a sound quality difference between an entry level home theater and one that is decidedly more upscale so I was really surprized by her reaction. I guess all that time spent finding the correct tweeter location paid off.

The image presented by the Focal speakers is also improving a bit as the speakers get "run-in." This is the only car stereo that I have ever had that actually presents the sound stage in front of you like it is coming from the windshield.

I do still wonder if the Alpine PXE-H650 could improve the linearity of the frequency response over the Rockford Fosgate 3Sixty.2. It sounds balanced now but who knows...