First I would like to thank all those that gave info and guidance on building my system (Doug, 350zspl, DVFlyer, B5I8, StreetOC192, and anyone I missed).

Kenwood DNX8120
Focal 165KP comps
Wicked door pods
FI Q10
Zenclosures Under Strut
Boston Acoustics GT22 for front
Hifonics TXi1008D for sub
KnuKoncepts Wiring
Sound Deadening coming soon

The sound is simply amazing. My Dad and I sat in the car listening to my system for about an hour. The only thing I wish I could to is turn down the harshness from the tweeters a little. I have them set to -7db on the x-over, but they are still a little harsh. I have the gain on the amp set low and this sub really pounds. Nice and smooth bass, but when I crank it Its loud and very smooth no matter what I play. For anyone who is looking at getting 2 Q10s I definitely think 1 is more then enough. I can't wait to hear the sub after its broken in.

I'm leaving out pics of the amps and the amp rack I made because I plan on remounting them and finishing them with automotive carpet.









I didn't take pics of the work being done because it was raining, and I followed the steps from the other DIYs. Once again thanks for the help everyone.

 

Looks great, good choice of equipment.

 

Did you try adjusting the equalizer also? There are so many adjustments on the 8120 that you can even get the stock speakers sounding decent. Just curious, have you tried to change your startup screen? I've had multiple instructions from numerous people and have had no success.

 

I haven't tried to change the startup screen yet since nobody has had luck. I'll try playing with the EQ. The only other thing I did different is I set all my x-over points from the HU and not the amps. I recall someone saying that the HU x-over is really good. How would I go about tuning out some of that harshness?.

 

I was just thinking that you might bring the high-end of the equalizer down a little. I'm no expert by any means. I usually screw around with equalizers so much that I end up having to reset them to default and starting over.

By-the-way, what's the antenna on your rear cross-bar? I'm thinking of getting XM radio and/or traffic and I'm completely confused as to what I need to make it happen.

 

XM navtraffic. I canceled my subscription because I don't use it, I just havn't unhooked it because I still have 3 free months of service. If you interested in buying it PM me

 

I just love those FI subs. I think the best way to get rid of the "harshness" is to mount the tweeters somewhere other than the sail panels where the stock tweets go. Either somewhere in the kick panel or molding them into the A-pillar. I have my tweets in the sail panels right now and I hate them. I can't wait till Bing installs the Seas Lotus Reference in my car. I got to demo those things in his car as well as someone's G35 and they sound a million times better than the setup in my car. I think it's all about the installation when it comes to mids/highs in a 350Z. In your case I'd probably try mounting the tweet in the kick panel first since it's a lot easier than molding them into the A-pillar.

 

lookin good bud...as for the harshness in the highs...

as mentioned before, the stock location is just a recipe for harsh highs, whcih is why i never ever use it...but also keep in mind that bright highs is indeed a defining characteristic of the focals IMO, whcih is one of hte reasons why i am not hte biggest fan of them...

get some double side tape, move the tweeters around and see what you notice.

b

 

First of all... nice looking installation.

Some details... I agree with Bing’s assessment of tweeter placement in general, and his comment about Focal tweeters. I also have Focal 165 component speakers, and this is just a great speaker. However, the tweeter is harsh if you place this in the Z’s stock Sail Panel.

I did what Bing suggests (trying different locations), and liked either placing the tweeter in kick-pods or the A-Pillar (but never the stock Sail-Panel).

And… just so there is no confusion, I absolutely love the Focal 165. It’s just a great speaker. This speaker has superior midrange and bass, and its high range component is great when “tamed” by properly positioning the tweeter.

--Spike

 

Looks good, but the first thing that I noticed is that the foam ring that is behind the 6.5" Focal grills on the doors is supposed to go under the speaker between the plastic grill ring and the basket of the speaker, not between the speaker and the mesh grill...

 

I guess I need to fill out an I D 10T form. I'll change that after work. Thats where it was when I installed it so I just left it there (I just never paid attention to it). Thanks.

 

How do you like the HU?

 

I love HU. I only have a few complaints. XM volume even when all the way up is low, and the touch screen could be better and far as calibration. Other then that the HU is simply awesome. I've played with other HUs that friends have and I like this one the best IMO. After reading lots of professional reviews I learned that the x-over controls are allot better then allot of the x-over controls on amps so I use those, plus its easier to adjust from the HU. I got rid of the harshness in my tweeters from the HUs EQ. I still need to hook up my reverse cam and ground out the parking wire.

 

silk tweets are a must and i prefer a-pillar

 

On the XM volume, did you go into the Audio Setup while you were in XM, go to the second screen and choose the "Vol. Offset" adjustment? You can add or subtract the volume as compared to the original. I had my FM radio set where I wanted it, then turned my iPod on and adjusted the volume for the Ipod. That way, when you switch back-and-forth, you don't get drastic volume changes. I don't have XM, so I'm only assuming that it works the same for that. It's on page 92 of the Instruction Manual. You can also recalibrate the touchscreen, page 78.

 

I tried that and would only let me adjust down and not up, and I didn't want to turn down everything else, and for the touch screen I know that too....I just have to recalibrate it once every 1 to 2 weeks.....thanks tho

 

Man. I'm striking out pretty heavily today.

 

Its all good. Still a great HU IMO. I'm pretty sure an update will fix the small problems

 

I really like the look of your door pods and the neat install of your Focals.

I stuffed my Focal 165 speakers into the stock door position and kept the the stock grille. I like the fact that this is stealth and makes entering/exiting the car a little easier (no scraping my feet against a protruding door pod). With this said, I think I have compromised the Focals great sound using the stock door position and speaker grille. The sound is a little muffled.

Question: Do you notice any difficulty like scaping your foot against the speaker grille when exiting the car with your door pods?

--Spike

 

I don't hit it at all. I didn't even make any adjustments after I installed them. The only thing I did (I stopped doing it because people don't hit it) is tell people to watch the speaker when they get in. Most people don't even know that the pods are not stock.