Project 'BOSE BE GONE!' audio upgrade completed

[latestarter]

This is where I have landed. Goes in late April. Cost is around $10K NZD ($6K USD), ish.


DSP: PXE-R600S
Tweeters: Focal Flax 3-way set
Mids: Focal Flax 3-way set
Drivers: Focal Flax 3-way set
Rears: Focal Flax Coaxial 6.5"
Subs: 2x Alpine Status HDZ110
Amplifiers: SR4500 (Bass drivers F & R) | SR1500 (Subwoofers)

Extensive sound deadening, custom box for the subs and some tasty lighting.

Correction: My dealer did in fact turn off ANC and fake engine noises as I requested. Without saying it explicitly, I got the feeling they agreed with me but the directive from H/O is "do not turn these off" - why, and why not make it a user choice, I have no idea. Typically desginer/marketing BS I suspect. How about listening to customers Nissan? Anyway, respect to my Nissan team here.

 

[latestarter]

Update - new system spec. Had put on hold due to economy diving here (Iran)...but then I just went, "do it"! I listen to a lot of music...it's not negotiable to have good gear.

1 HDZ-653S - Hi Res 3 way speakers. Doors, dash and tweeters with sep. cross overs.
1 HDZ-65 - Hi res co-ax. Behind seats.
1 HDA-M80 - Status monobloc. Serious power running subs.
1 HDP-D90 - DSP - 12 channel amplifier.
2 HDZ110 - Hi Res subs. (EDIT - these don't fit! Got something else going in which I have yet to have a confirmation on...will update list once done).

Changed to a total Alpine system here. The previous distributor has decided to sell out current stock at excellent prices before the change over - my guy convinced me it was too good to pass up. Like Mr. Mac it will be a custom sub bin made to fit. Unfortunately due to the serious spec of this system my budget was maxed meaning no ambient lighting this time around.

One of the key recommendations if you do get a custom install is, make sure you ask the installer if they will be able to remove it all without issue if you decide to sell the vehicle. This is important where they are cutting and soldering wires. My guys use the same colour wiring so they can undo it all if needed, along with labelling the out coming gear for storage.

 

[Mr. Mac]

Crappy OEM Bose system removed and custom audio system now completed in my new Z Performance MT. It's essentially the same setup I did in my NISMO highlighted earlier above in OP, including extensive sound damping treatment throughout entire vehicle, except for a redesigned 2X subwoofer enclosure, equipment rack, and trim panel. This one is a bit larger than the last one, which results in subs digging a bit deeper. Sounds incredible.

System overview diagram.

All primary ground connections upgraded to 1/0 throughout vehicle and treated with dielectric grease.

All power, ground, pre-amp signal, speaker, and data wiring/cables protected in heavy-duty, color-coded, braided nylon sleeving and silicone sealed shrink tubing. Waterproof 150A master fuse circuit protection. Waterproof sealing grommet between engine compartment and cabin. OEM 12V+ terminal cap modified for 1/0 power lug connection.

OEM 12V+ terminal cap modified for 1/0 power lug connection.

Twin rotary/switch control for master volume, subwoofer level, and selecting preset DSP profiles.

Entire subwoofer enclosure, processor/amplifier rack, power distribution, etc. all concealed under factor cargo mat for stealth appearance.

Next up: Vehicle performance goodies

 

[takemorepills]

Skookum!

 

[Mr. Mac]

couple quick vids of system walkaround and test drive

 

[latestarter]

Awesome! I’m going to go have a look at mine today. Should be nearly done.

 

[MAPerformance_]

Woot! Project 'BOSE BE GONE!' now complete.

After learning just how horrific Bose's so-called "premium" audio system is in the new Z and being beyond disappointed with its performance I got to work on ripping it all out and designing and building a proper setup. She now sounds downright amaZing! Beyond thrilled and looking forward to enjoying many fully soundtracked cinematic road trips with her... because music is life, and life is much too short to waste on crappy audio.

System is a fully concealed/stealth install for a factory appearance and consists of a total of eight speakers powered by 1,500 watts of amplification, fully active design with dedicated channels per speaker, DSP controlled filtering, time alignment, parametric equalization, etc. A clean 2-channel low-level audio signal was acquired from the OEM source unit by tapping its outputs that originally fed factory Bose amplifier, retaining Apple CarPlay functionality. System was also designed so that it can be completely removed and returned to 100% factory should time come to sell vehicle without leaving a trace of aftermarket setup ever being installed.

Control is handled by a dedicated dual rotary digital encoder mounted in center console that allows for quick and easy operation of overall volume, separate subwoofer level, and cycling through various custom DSP preset tunings. All factory volume controls on source unit and steering wheel are maintained for secondary operation as well. The custom DSP presets are tuned for...

1: Driver position optimized for SQ with windows closed

2: Driver position optimized for SQL with windows closed

3: Driver position optimized for SQL with windows open

4: Passenger position optimized for SQ with windows closed

5: Driver and Passenger positions compromised for SQ with windows closed

6: Driver and Passenger positions compromised for SQL with windows open

There's also an additional 'security' DSP preset activated by a hidden switch that locks out the volume control for when vehicle being serviced or valet parked for protection against any yahoos monkeying around with sound system.

Aftermarket equipment includes...

(1) JL Audio VX800/8i DSP/8-channel amplifier

(1) JL Audio VX1000/1i DSP/1-channel amplifier

(1) JL Audio DRC-205 digital remote control

(2) JL Audio 10TW3-D8 10-inch subwoofers (spare tire well)

(2) Focal K2 Power ES 165 KX2E 6.5-inch midbass/midrange speakers (factory door locations)

(2) Focal K2 Power M FRAK 1.25-inch wideband tweeters (factory dash locations)

(2) DS18 ZXI-354 3.5-inch fullrange speakers (factory rear fill locations)

Subwoofers are loaded in a 1.25 net cubic feet sealed air suspension enclosure (0.75-inch MDF, fully braced and resin treated) that is mounted in spare tire well, completely hidden underneath factory cargo carpet mat, and is secured and coupled to body by factory spare tire bolt/bracket. Enclosure serves double duty as mounting platform for amplifiers and power distributions as well.

SoundShield damping and Vibrofltr blocking treatments were applied throughout all interior panels, doors, floor, cargo well area, etc. to control unwanted resonance and leakage.

All cabling protected in braided nylon sleeving.

Oh, and system of course received the coveted TK-421 modification which kicks everything up about another 3 or 4 quads per channel (but that’s technical talk). Makes ya wanna freaky deaky.

A big "THANK YOU!" to fellow forum members here who were able to provide some pre-planning intel that helped out on this other thread: https://www.nissanzclub.com/forum/threads/factory-audio-system-questions.2432 Cheers! ?

PS: System diagram and enclosure specs provided for any other fellow hardcore music lovers/new Z owners who may wanna tackle project for themselves.

WOW!