A repeat client of Adrenaline Autosound in Clayton dropped by our store to talk about upgrading his 2017 GMC Sierra Denali HD audio system. As is common for our clients, he hadn’t been impressed with the performance of the factory-installed Bose audio system. The client wanted an upgrade that offered improved clarity, more bass and the ability to play music loudly without distortion. At the same time, he didn’t want to sacrifice the appearance and functionality of the vehicle’s interior.
Audiofrog Speaker Upgrade
We started the project by removing the low-quality factory speakers from the doors and dash to make way for a set of Audiofrog tweeters and midrange speakers. We created a set of mounting brackets for the GB15 tweeters and placed them in the dash. Next, we mounted a set of GS690 midrange speakers in the factory door locations. We installed a set of GS62 6.5-inch coaxial speakers in the rear doors to round out the sound in the truck.
We added acoustic coupling rings around the woofers to seal them against the door and installed capacitors inline on the tweeter wires to protect them from possible damage should anyone other than us adjust the signal processor in the amp.
Custom Amplifier Installation Solution
The client chose a five-channel JL Audio VX1000/5i and a four-channel XD400/4v2 amp to power the system. We removed the factory subwoofer from the center console and created an ABS plastic mounting plate for the new amps. The VXi amp is attached to the plate directly and four aluminum posts hold the four-channel amp above the five-channel. We used 10-24 and 8-32 button-head stainless steel fasteners to hold the amps in place while allowing for easy serviceability.
A DRC-100 remote control was integrated into the center console to serve as a subwoofer level control and DSP preset selector. The indicator LED is mounted in a nearby 12V accessory outlet and can be concealed by closing the cover.
The VX1000/5i drives the tweeters in the dash and the rear door speakers while the four-channel XDv2 amp is bridged to deliver up to 200 watts to each of the door speakers.
GMC Sierra Audio System Integration and Subwoofer Upgrade
To provide the bass the client wanted, we installed a JL Audio CS113TG-TW5v2 PowerWedge enclosure under the rear seat of the GMC Sierra. The 13.5-inch sub receives up to 600 watts of power from the VX1000/5i amp.
We used an AmpPro AP4-GM61 digital interface to extract an audio signal from the factory radio and feed the VXi amp. We opted for a digital Toslink connection to the amp to keep the signal free from noise.
Audio System Tuning and Delivery
With all the gear installed, the last step was to tune the digital signal processor in the VX1000/5i amplifier. We set the crossovers, entered the signal delay settings then fine-tuned the output of each speaker to provide a smooth response at the listening position. The result was an amazingly accurate and detailed soundstage across the dash of the vehicle. The client was thrilled with the clarity, dynamic range and excellent imaging of his GMC Sierra audio system upgrade. If you are in the Raleigh area, drop by Adrenaline Autosound in Clayton to find out how we can improve the sound system in your vehicle. You can also contact us by e-mail to schedule a design consultation.
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