Octave

Moving on to the rear the subwoofer - amplifier enclosure was started. The base for the enclosure is piece of MDF that is bolted to the body using nutserts. The ribs in the floor are deep enough to allow all the system wiring to pass under the board without being crushed.






As always Octave is trying new and innovative things so when the BT streamer option came out for the Mosconi 6to8 it was ordered for this project. The BT streamer allows for lossless quality signal to be transmitted to the 6to8 via Bluetooth without loss to quality of the lossless audio file. The source selection is also automatic once the BT streamer senses a BT signal being transmitted. Since it’s a BT signal any source that transmits BT can be a source for lossless audio files.



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Octave

Once the upgrades were made to the 6to8 it was mounted in the truck using the board that is bolted to the truck as a mounting surface. The amplifiers went in as well. A Zapco Z-150.6 powers the DynAudio Esotar 3-way in an active setup where a Zapco Z-400.2 powers the Illusion Audio Carbon 12 subwoofer.



Once the amplifiers were mounted in the truck the subwoofer enclosure was started. The base of the enclosure was done in fiberglass to minimize the height of the enclosure. BlackHole Stuff enclosure fill was used inside the enclosure. The enclosure was mounted to the base boarded using #10 wood screws.






With the enclosure finished up the final wire connections could be made at the amplifiers.

Octave

The trim panel for the amplifier-subwoofer enclosure could now be made. It is pressure fit into the truck and can easily be removed for access to the amplifiers for tuning purposes. The overall design of the trim panel was to mimic the interior of the Raptor for a more OEM integration.








To go along with the innovative BT streaming capability of the 6to8 an iPad was integrated into the dash. The iPad will serve as a source for lossless audio files. Another benefit of this setup is the Sony MEX-GS600BT which can be controlled via an app on the iPad. The iPad is removable and when removed it gives you access to the Sony. To streamline things the wiring harness was stripped of all the wires that were not going to be used for the install which left just the constant, switched and ground for a clean wiring harness.

Octave

Last on the docket was to fabricate the a-pillars to house the DynAudio Esotar E110s and E430s. The great audio nut Steve Head gets credit for the design of the pillars. The pillars were texture matched to the interior plastics as well as painted with color matched dye. Removable grilles were made to protect the speakers for daily driving but can be removed for critical listening.

Octave

David wanted more volume across the board while increasing the quality of the sound. Now I usually don’t like to levy a review on the sound until the speakers have gotten the chance to fully break in but I must say if the system can get better from this point on it’ll be incredible. With a basic tune and gains not fully maximized the system is louder and has more impact than the last setup. The center image is defined and positioned in the middle of the hood. Stage width is at the pillars but on certain tracks wants to go beyond the pillars. Once the system is fully broken in Steve will have at it and make the system all that much better. .

dekciwfx4

wow. amazing work!

micky_blue

I didn't know illusion was still around. I used to run their prototype stuff 15 years ago. Heck I used to know the designer pretty well.