A client from San Jose came to California Car Sounds and Tint in Campbell for a 2015 GMC Sierra stereo system upgrade. We have worked on several vehicles for this client in the past few years, so when he got this new truck, he came to us right away. We reviewed his goals for the system and came up with a plan some amplifiers he already owned. With a quote agreed upon, we scheduled an appointment to start work.
Front Speaker Upgrade
While designing the audio system for the client’s Chevrolet Terrain, we suggested the Morel brand of speakers. He hadn’t heard them before, but after auditioning them in our display, he decided to give them a chance. The results were excellent, so when it came time to pick speakers for the Sierra, we once again turned to Morel and their Virtus 602 6.5-inch component set.
Unlike some shops that make speaker mounting adapters out of wood, we also use plastic. We trace the factory speaker shape using our router table, then cut an opening for the new woofer. Unlike wood, plastic will never swell, rot or get moldy if it gets wet inside the door. The speaker installation will last the life of the vehicle.
We used Focal BAM XXXL foam and butyl sound-deadening material to improve the performance of the door speakers. The MT 120 tweeters from the component set are located in the factory sail panels of the doors to provide a wide soundstage in the vehicle.
Rear Wall Amp Rack
The client provided us with three amplifiers for the system – a pair of Phoenix Gold ZX600Ti and a Titanium 400.2. Our team created a mounting panel for the amplifiers and the passive crossover networks from the Morel speakers on the rear wall of the trunk. We applied Black Hole Foil to the back wall to ensure it would be free from rattles that could detract from the performance of the audio system.
The two large amplifiers power the front speakers and the system subwoofers, while the smaller 400.2 powers a set of Morel Tempo Ultra Integra 602 coaxial speakers in the rear doors.
Source Unit Upgrade
The client chose the Alpine Restyle system as the source unit upgrade for his truck. The X110-SRA from Alpine includes a new source unit with a massive 10-inch screen and a replacement dash bezel with integrated air vents and controls for the radio. The X110-SRA includes GPS navigation, USB connectivity, and Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free communication. The kit includes an iDatalink Maestro interface to provide OnStar integration, as well as connectivity with the factory steering wheel controls, backup camera, parking sensor system and access to information like tire pressure monitoring. The Restyle system looks great in the dash.
Drop-in Subwoofer Solution
To provide good, clean bass, the client chose the JL Audio SB-GM-SLVCC3/10TW3/BK Stealthbox. This fiberglass enclosure is molded to fit under the rear seats of the truck perfectly. It includes a pair of 10TW3-D4 thin-line 10-inch subwoofers, and the Dark Titanium carpet finish matches the interior of the truck beautifully.
GMC Sierra Stereo System Tuning
Once we had everything installed in the vehicle, it was time to configure and fine-tune the system. This is a step that many shops overlook, even though it is critical to the reliability and performance of the sound system. We use our RTA microphone and TrueRTA audio analysis software to ensure that the polarity and crossover points for all of the speakers we have installed work together. We set the sensitivity controls on the amplifiers to provide excellent output without clipping and distortion that can quickly damage speakers. Only once we are satisfied with the performance of the system do we hand the vehicle back to the client.
System Delivery
The client was anxious to get back to California Car Sounds and Tint to hear his new GMC Sierra stereo system. He loved how beautifully everything blended together and how clear and detailed the system was. The JL subs offer excellent bass and make the system a lot more fun to enjoy.
If you are looking for an upgrade to the audio system in your truck, drop by our store. For more information, you can reach us by e-mail using our online contact FORM.
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