OneFastCanuck

Hello everyone,

Been in the car audio game over a decade, no crazy huge builds but a few cars with some nice systems, all installed on my own - only thing I haven't really gotten into is sound equalization.

Had a pretty decent sound system in my 2011 Subaru STI - I had put a Pioneer touch screen, some JBL C508GTI components in the front running off of a Pioneer GM-D8604 4-channel amp (great amp), some JBL power series speakers in the rear doors as "fillers", and also a Clarion DPX11551 running a JBL 10-inch GTI-series sub (pretty monstrous!) definitely blew the stock Subaru sound system out of the water!

I swapped cars a few years back and moved to a 2018 golf R (absolutely LOVE it!) I was quite impressed with the factory "premium Fender" system, specifically for a stock system, but of course the 6.5-inch excuse for a sub in small plastic bucket in the trunk was not sufficient. Many golf R owners have done a cheap and easy upgrade of replacing the small 6.5-inch sub with a Rockford-Fosgate low profile R2SD2-12 subwoofer in a low profile box, to fit under the trunk floor, running off stock amplifier. I went this route and it worked great, and have been happy with it for a few years.

Now, I am looking for a new project since I decided I will keep the car a few more years, besides performance upgrades (going stage 2 in fall/winter) I would like to get back into the car audio game. I was hoping to re-use some of the stuff from previous builds. Here is the equipment I still have (not installed);

- JBL C508GTI 5.25-inch component speakers (125W RMS each!) - one set.
- Pioneer GM-D8605 4-channel digital amp, can also run sub.
- Clarion DPX 11551 amplifier (monstrous!).

Currently installed in the car:
-all factory system with exception of
- Rockford-Fosgate R2SD2-12 low profile sub, in a 0.95 cu.ft box.

Purchased recently for my "upgrade":
- Audiocontrol LC2i
- Knukonceptz 4-gauge amp wiring kit

Goals for this build is for it to be a compact system, good sound quality but can get reasonably loud and balanced but not SPL, keep the trunk space (so if I re-build a box it would be in-floor) and keep the OEM head unit/radio since everything is integrated into it and it is a nice 10-inch touchscreen. The OEM head unit has no pre-amp out, hence the Audiocontrol LC2i.

My first instinct is to begin by adding the Audiocontrol LC2I (fed from OEM amp sub outputs) and the Pioneer amp to power the current Rockford R2SD2-12 sub I have installed - it will probably play harder and cleaner vs being powered by OEM amp outputs.

Then I got to thinking, how would the JBL C508GTI perform in the fronts versus stock speakers? I could easily use the audiocontrol to tap into the OEM speaker outputs at the head unit, separate to two amps (sub amp and 4-channel amp), and run the JBL C508GTI in front, and use OEM speakers in the rear (all powered from new amp) - I would also make use of the OEM wiring to the doors for ease of install. I would add sufficient sound deadening in the doors while I have them open to help as well.

But would 5.25-inch front components give enough midbass? I know they'll get decently loud and clear, but then I would probably need to also upgrade my subwoofer to something that is still compact but that can handle more power and give more thump to match - I am not opposed to using my clarion amp to power the sub, but it is a decently large amp, and pretty overkill from what I am hoping to achieve (it is capable of around 1550W RMS at 2ohms, 850W RMS at 4ohms) - I am not opposed to changing the amp for a smaller, more compact amp, but don't want to put a ton of money into the build (+- $500 CAD max would be ideal)

Another question, given the magnitude of my build (small, compact, SQ with decent volume capabilities) would the 4-gauge power wire from battery be sufficient, or should I bite the bullet and order a 0-gauge amp wire kit (more difficult install for sure but I have done it before)?

Really appreciate any input, opinions, guidance, personal experiences - THANKS!!!

OneFastCanuck

Update - got it all sorted with some help from members over on steve meade designs forums.

The build got up-sized a bit, here are the final specs;

install gear:
- Crutchfield 1/0 OFC amp wiring kit (ordered)
- 36sq.ft of sound deadening for doors and trunk (may order a bit more if not enough) - ordered
- Audiocontrol LC2i to tap into radio output (OEM head unit has no pre-outs) - received
- Stinger Roadkill RFKR5 FAST Rings for front speaker woofers (maximize midbass)

Speakers:
- Front (already owned): JBL C608GTI components up front - these should do well.
- Rear "Filler" (yet to purchase): Still deciding between Hertz K165 components (75w rms) and Kenwood KFC-1696PS coaxial (100w RMS)
- Subwoofers (ordered): 2x 10-inch Pioneer TSZ10LS4 - 400w RMS each - will be running them at 2-ohm load on the amp

Amps:
- Pioneer GM-D8604 - 100w RMS x 4 at 4-ohms (already owned)
- Clarion DPX 11551 - 1250w RMS at 2 ohm load (already owned)

Going for Sound quality (sq) with decent volume. Will start a build thread eventually.