And so it begins - Carl's YABL (Yet another build log)

I'll add to this thread as I go but to get some things out of the way first.

I don't care for class D amps but let's be honest, the Tacoma doesn't leave room for big class A/B amps if you still want a usable vehicle. I've got people in the back seat regularly and still use the truck as a truck so I have to work within the boundaries given. That said, these little JL amps aren't too bad and will do for now.

The XD400/4 will likely be bridged to the front stage and the XD300/1 for sub duty. Depending on how that goes I may swap it out for a 600/1 down the line.

The LCQ-1 will be pulling LOC and EQ duties as well as restore any lows that the factory head unit processes out at higher volumes.

Yes I'm keeping the factory head unit. It's the large screen Entune non-JBL unit and it's perfectly serviceable in this case and the interface is fairly user friendly. I'd like Android Auto but honestly every radio I've had with Android Auto I end up just using the bluetooth streaming most of the time anyway because the AA interface is still clunky.


For the speakers there are still some outstanding questions that I won't be able to answer until I try them out. I have a set of Morel Elate 5.25" mids and the matching Morel xovers but the tweeters unfortunately are no longer with the set. The Elate are some of the best damn sounding speakers I've ever used but the downside is they're still only 5.25" and I'd have to pair with an aftermarket tweet of some sorts or spend almost $550 for a new set of matching Morel tweets.

I also have a variety of Image Dynamics and JL hanging around or I may just say the heck with it and work 8's into the doors.

For subs I need to decide on 2 or 3 ID8s or a single JL12W3 that I have on hand. Unfortunately for this one I'll have to build some boxes before I can decide.

Anyway, more to come as I start working out all the details.



About me: I'm an old school car audio guy. I ran the IASCA and USAC circuit back in the 90s and early 00's and competed as a member of the Image Dynamics factory Elite team. I cut my teeth learning from people like Matt Borgardt of Image Dynamics, Gary Biggs, Mark Eldridge and many others. I've been out of that scene since probably '05 and can't see getting deep into it again but I do enjoy good sound and hopefully can contribute to the group from past experience but I'm also not afraid to ask the stupid questions like tracking down a wire harness the other day as you guys have more experience in the Tacomas than I do at this point.

 

What don't you like about class D amps?

In my build I use the ID MQ150.2 class D amp to power my ID CTX65CS speakers and an Alpine MRV 500 to power my IDQ10v.4 D4 (with an

$40 Alpine RUX-KNOB Remote Bass Level Control Knob for PDX-M12 and PDX-M6

Alpine RUX-KNOB to control bass on the fly). Everything sounds pretty good... I feel like I should take it somewhere to get 'tuned' as I did all the configuration settings myself and i'm not expert. Just watching YouTube videos and such. I also use an AudioControl LOC but I use the LC2I.

Edit: all this is ran from the OEM Head Unit. Non-JBL non-Nav.

 

Interested to see where this goes. Im in the process of doing mine now and trying to decide on an amp. I considered that 4ch JL amp you have to push some Hertz comps up front and a single 8' in the rear with Kenwood excelon deck power going to the OEM rear doors for fill. That amp along with the 3ch JL version has been on my radar as well as the Audio Control LC4.800

 

Historically class D is not as clean as A/B. I have an older PG Ti2 1500.5 that I handed down to one of my boys because I honestly was never happy with the power or warmth. There was always degradation that happened in the digital switching that was noticeable in full range use. It's one of the reasons for a long time class D amps were typically only used on subs while people would use A/B on the mids and highs. Supposedly they've gotten better and this is my first venture into the next generation class D stuff so fingers crossed that I can be proven wrong.

Honestly I'm just picky having been trained to judge SQ vehicles in the past.

 

Me too

 

Ah, I used to have a PG 500.2 powering my ID sub back in Highschool. I left it sitting out in boxes in the garage for too long and I think it got moisture damage, which is why I 'upgraded' to my Alpine.

 

PG was good back in those days. I have a PG MS275 still at home in a box.

 

Nothing wrong with being picky. I'm old school too. Nakamichi, Alpine, a/d/s. I still have my 300c's, and 2- PH15s.

SQ over SPL.

 

I almost bought a Nakamichi head unit. I liked that they were high quality but looked 'stock'... very plain jane. I think I ended up selling the car before pulling the trigger.

My brother was big into ARC Audio back in the days... not sure if that was a decent brand.

 

Id like to try one of those 4ch JL amps like the OP has to see if it will suffice for running my front stage and sub. Size looks perfect to go under the seat and its plenty of power for an 8" sub at 300w but I'm unsure if the 75w will be enough for my front Hertz components. Wish they made that same amp with 125w to the fronts and 350-400 to a sub in that size

 

I've got a nasty head cold that kept me away from doing anything to the truck this weekend and not sure I'm going to get any time next weekend either but fingers crossed. I've got all the parts in now so I just need to find hours in the day.

For the old school discussion, my go-to SQ amps where my PPI Art series. I had a 404.2, 600.2 and 100.2. The 100.2 ran my horns, the 404.2 ran the mids and the 600.2 on the sub(s). That said I also ran through old Kicker ZR amps, PG MS line and a handful of Zapco stuff. That was back in the day when I had a dedicated show vehicle and didn't care about hauling kids or groceries. Now it's all about what can I do without giving up usable space.

 

Sure, Arc was good stuff. Still is from what I understand but I had a major issue with one of the guys who went to work for Arc so I won't use their product on that principal alone. However from a quality standpoint, yeah they were good.

 

I'm not sure. I had a friend who worked at the now defunct tweeter etc. Very nice home and car audio. The brands I mentioned were their high end for car audio.

 

@Taco_Fisher - Is that 4ch JL the current model or is an older version?

 

It's the original (v1) model.

 

Ahh ok thanks.

 

Slow progress but I should be able to kick it into gear this weekend.

Picked up a new soldering iron finally and got the wiring harness ready with the speed wire and pass through connections.

 

Also trying to make a decision on which speakers I want to use. The Morel are a much better speaker but their only 5.25" vs the 6.5" on the Image Dynamics which will give more mid-bass punch. I may do the Morel first and decide later if I need the larger cone area or not.

I have some smaller coax for the rear doors.

 

Wonder how the ID would sound with the Morel tweeters

 

I wish I had that option. No matter which mid I go with, I'll have to use the ID tweets.

The damn Elate tweets to match the mids are like $800 which is out of the budget right now. The original tweets from this set were I think lost in a wreck from the previous owner and I got the mids and crossovers in a trade from him.

The ID tweets are weak and there isn't enough room under the dash for horns. Some day I'll stumble across a pair of Elate tweets for some affordable price. Holding my breath.