So far I'm very happy with my purchases, fit, etc, happy enough to actually post for once. It took me twice as long as normal because I became obsessed with removing all noise at each step. This started out as a project for me to utilize my old Clarion 5ch amp, turned into so much more...

Auto:
2003 TL-S, (no navi)

System:
Alpine CDA-9887, 2 pair of JL Audio VR600-CSi, Kicker TC 10" Sub, Clarion EQS746 EQ, Clarion APA5241 5ch Amplifier, SWI-Jack, Alpine Ipod cable, Alpine Aux cable, Alpine KTX-100EQ IMPRINT, and all new wiring.

Fit:
Well, the JL Audio VR600 CSi fit the TL like a glove, just needed about a half inch spacer between the factory mount and the speaker.




The tweeters fit nicely in the doors. I wanted to keep them at most 8 inches from the component woofers and yet get them high enough to not be blocked by passengers.




Wiring:
The wiring was a bitch. Mainly getting the 16ga wire through the driver front door rubber boot, passenger side in the front was a snap, but the rear doors were hell too, trying to fish the wires. Finally got all the wires through the doors, but it was without a doubt the hardest part of the job. I learned some valuable tricks maybe in another post, but I could do this job in 1/4 of the time it took me the first time.



Sound:
Best sound I've had in an auto, clean, clear and deep, and that's not to say I haven't had good sound before. I should be getting the imprint kit this week so we'll see how much better it does. About the EQ, it was like $50 and I wanted something to fill the accessory tray. I ended up using it to control the front speakers and factory sub, it surprised me, even with parametric and imprint it's nice to have a little tweakablity.

Amp and crossovers not connected:



Final System (with laptop and mount):

 

kuuuewlll!

 

That looks awesome!

Nice job

I should think about setting an EQ like you did because I hate the open gap in the DIN kit.

 

nice. where did you get the 1/2in MDF spacers from?

 

nice setup, i love the EQ in your setup it goes with the HU, looks great, and probably sounds even better. very clean setup, well done

 

thanks all.

oh those spacers are not MDF, i jigsawed some scrap 3/8 inch plywood that i had then sealed and painted them.

my original plan was to use only the plastic spacers that i got with the speakers (the black spacers in the pics) but they weren't quite thick enough to clear the white plastic factory mount, so i used the plastic spacers as a template for the plywood spacers.

i put Mortite Caulking Cord between the plastic and wood layers to keep out any rattling as well as keep the seal to the door nice and tight. the speakers mount on the outer plastic layer.

 

niceeee i need to get a laptop to put in my car tooo

 

Nice clean install.

 

do you drive around with the laptop?

 

Where did you get the mount from

 

Looks good

 

Great job, I feel a tad bit inspired! Once again GREAT JOB!

 

not usually, i mostly use the laptop (eeepc 900) to download/play music and for GPS navigation. but also for surfing the web while parked and some c programming for remote travel projects for work.

i got the mount from:

http://www.mountguys.com/product_p/sf240-asus.htm

 

I like the RK Launcher your using on your laptop! I use the same one great tool!

 

nice set up, i use to have an idea like yours, using a laptop as my sound system, but i end up buying a double din instead..

 

question i got that same eq... but i have a 7inch pioneer screen u think i could get it to fit on top where the tray comes out if i remove the tray...

 

GOOOOOD STUFF GOT ME ALL PUMPED AN READY TO TEAR MY TL APART AN WASNT EVEN THING OF IT LOLOL HAVENT INSTALLED ANYTHING AN A WILE LOL SO LAZY BUT LATELY I HAVE HAD A LOT OF TIME ON MY HANDS AN ALOT OF EQUIPMENT IN THE SHED HUMMMMM