Complete Focal Component Speaker Install with Custom Sub Box Behind Seat

[ShawnL]

If the focal is a dual 4ohm, wiring it in parallel will present a 2 ohm load on the amp so it will be perfect.

How is that accomplished on a Audiocontrol LC 5 1300?

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[Chocolyle]

How is that accomplished on a Audiocontrol LC 5 1300?

The question is "IF" the sub has a dual voice coil. You will know it does if it has 2 sets of connections on it. If only one connection, + / -.

So if the sub is a dual voice coil, DVC, then you will need to wire in paralel. If you don't know what I mean google wiring up a sub.

Example: Depending how you wire a resistors together you lower or raise the resistance. A coil, in a speaker is a resistor. If wired in parallel, meaning positive to positive, negative to negative you will lower the speakers resistance value.

 

[ShawnL]

The question is "IF" the sub has a dual voice coil. You will know it does if it has 2 sets of connections on it. If only one connection, + / -.

So if the sub is a dual voice coil, DVC, then you will need to wire in paralel. If you don't know what I mean google wiring up a sub.

Example: Depending how you wire a resistors together you lower or raise the resistance. A coil, in a speaker is a resistor. If wired in parallel, meaning positive to positive, negative to negative you will lower the speakers resistance value.

Got it. It only has one set of connections. Got everything hooked up but the amp doesn’t power on. I was expecting it to auto turn on with the speaker line feed. Does your power light on the amp only turn on when in use or as soon as it was hooked up to 12v?

 

[Chocolyle]

Check the settings on the switches, crossover points etc. There was a switch I think to tell it speaker turn on or remote turn on.

 

[ShawnL]

Check the settings on the switches, crossover points etc. There was a switch I think to tell it speaker turn on or remote turn on.

Alrighty then! Finally finished my install. First off thanks to all who contributed info for my install especially Chocolyle. If you ever find yourself at the Jersey shore lunch is on me! Quick recap. All focal speaker install full dash and sound bar. Total of 9 speakers including the sub and a Audiocontrol LC 5 1300 and a PAC LCH 41 v2.0 I ran all new 14-2 speaker wire to all locations and used the Focal crossovers. I also used Dynamat and polyfil in all speaker locations except dashboard tweeters. Had an issue getting the amp to turn on due to the fact that Josh at PAC is a condescending ass and not good at his job( contacted in advance via 3 emails) however Zach from PAC was vey helpful via phone support. The sub I used is a Focal 200 which is 4ohm seems to perform well enough. Maybe it’s good enough because I’m old. Anyway my only negative observation from an application perspective is that the direct feed signal such as radio vs Bluetooth hi res file from Qbuz has a substantial drop off in top end volume probably 30-40% less, Apple also. Oh, I installed the amp under the drivers seat on a Stinger Amp stand. FYI- when checking compatibility the online apps cross check to the vehicle but not the amp so I had to drill my own holes to mount my amp. Final analysis is that the sound is 3 fold better than stock. I’m pretty happy with the sound but I’ve frankly heard better. For almost 2 grand In hardware and supplies I expected better. Not to mention the hours invested on the install. My local guy quoted me $2400 for the MB quart system. Would love to hear it to see if I pissed my time and money away.

 

[DesertRated]

Alrighty then! Finally finished my install. First off thanks to all who contributed info for my install especially Chocolyle. If you ever find yourself at the Jersey shore lunch is on me! Quick recap. All focal speaker install full dash and sound bar. Total of 9 speakers including the sub and a Audiocontrol LC 5 1300 and a PAC LCH 41 v2.0 I ran all new 14-2 speaker wire to all locations and used the Focal crossovers. I also used Dynamat and polyfil in all speaker locations except dashboard tweeters. Had an issue getting the amp to turn on due to the fact that Josh at PAC is a condescending ass and not good at his job( contacted in advance via 3 emails) however Zach from PAC was vey helpful via phone support. The sub I used is a Focal 200 which is 4ohm seems to perform well enough. Maybe it’s good enough because I’m old. Anyway my only negative observation from an application perspective is that the direct feed signal such as radio vs Bluetooth hi res file from Qbuz has a substantial drop off in top end volume probably 30-40% less, Apple also. Oh, I installed the amp under the drivers seat on a Stinger Amp stand. FYI- when checking compatibility the online apps cross check to the vehicle but not the amp so I had to drill my own holes to mount my amp. Final analysis is that the sound is 3 fold better than stock. I’m pretty happy with the sound but I’ve frankly heard better. For almost 2 grand In hardware and supplies I expected better. Not to mention the hours invested on the install. My local guy quoted me $2400 for the MB quart system. Would love to hear it to see if I pissed my time and money away.

If the crossovers and gains for each channel are set correctly, the gear you installed should be a night and day improvement. What is it that you’re not happy with?

 

[ShawnL]

If the crossovers and gains for each channel are set correctly, the gear you installed should be a night and day improvement. What is it that you’re not happy with?

The sound system is definitely night and day from stock. My initial impression is it could be "better" I read that there is a break in period on the speakers. I think I might see if a professional tuner can make a difference after logging some hours on them. The crossovers are set at -3 and +3 per the Focal crossover install instructions. The difference between the radio and bluetooth is probably due to the oem head unit im guessing.

 

[DesertRated]

The sound system is definitely night and day from stock. My initial impression is it could be "better" I read that there is a break in period on the speakers. I think I might see if a professional tuner can make a difference after logging some hours on them. The crossovers are set at -3 and +3 per the Focal crossover install instructions. The difference between the radio and bluetooth is probably due to the oem head unit im guessing.

Ok got it. You should have way more volume with your new setup as well. If you want more bottom end, a sub with 2 ohm rating is needed.

My OEM 8.4 head unit plays Spotify from phone at a lower volume than the FM radio signal. So your BT issue is most likely the OEM head unit.

 

[Chocolyle]

What are you using the PAC unit for? I tried looking it up but nothing comes up for the part listed. My setup is the stock 7" head unit stock speaker locations tapped/run to the amps speaker level inputs. My system is not the factory Alpine system.

90% of my listening is via Apple CarPlay, Apple Music lossless. The few times I have had FM or AM on there was no difference in volume levels. However, phone, GPS levels can be way out of wack. Way too loud or way too soft. If not known, the only way to adjust them is when they are active. I.E. listening to music with GPS running, sound will slightly mute on the drivers side to announce a direction, while it is speaking adjust the volume knob to raise or lower. It will adjust the apps volume then. Once it stops talking though it goes back to the audio playback volume.

It has got to be the stupidest freaking thing I have ever seen! I get the idea but the amount of times a call comes in and at some point I acciently adjust the volume while ringing. Next call while driving will scare the crap out of you! Just give me a setting to set it and forget it. Good ole Ron Ponpiel!

 

[ShawnL]

What are you using the PAC unit for? I tried looking it up but nothing comes up for the part listed. My setup is the stock 7" head unit stock speaker locations tapped/run to the amps speaker level inputs. My system is not the factory Alpine system.

90% of my listening is via Apple CarPlay, Apple Music lossless. The few times I have had FM or AM on there was no difference in volume levels. However, phone, GPS levels can be way out of wack. Way too loud or way too soft. If not known, the only way to adjust them is when they are active. I.E. listening to music with GPS running, sound will slightly mute on the drivers side to announce a direction, while it is speaking adjust the volume knob to raise or lower. It will adjust the apps volume then. Once it stops talking though it goes back to the audio playback volume.

It has got to be the stupidest freaking thing I have ever seen! I get the idea but the amount of times a call comes in and at some point I acciently adjust the volume while ringing. Next call while driving will scare the crap out of you! Just give me a setting to set it and forget it. Good ole Ron Ponpiel!

The PAC connects directly to the back of the head unit and
Provides a pigtail to splice directly to the amp without cutting any loom wiring

 

[mx5red]

And you can’t just connect an amp to speaker level inputs on the 8.4 alpine. It won’t read the correct resistance and people either use PAC or like wire in resistors, it’s more complicated than it needs to be.

@ShawnL my advice would be to spend some money (or time yourself) letting a shop try to tune it, there may be some settings and crossover points that could be tweaked. Will probably help a lot.

 

[Chocolyle]

I used the Audio Control resistors for Chrysler vehicles at the amp. AC lists the LC5.1300 speaker level input of 3-40V rms so even with the alpine setup you would be fine off of the Alpine factory amps. I can't say of the Audio Control resistors would help with the Alpine factory setup since I don't have it but with the regular speaker level inputs and the AC resistors I have had zero issues.

I don't know the PAC units, just went with what was recommended by a few Audio Control dealers and have great success.

 

[DesertRated]

And you can’t just connect an amp to speaker level inputs on the 8.4 alpine. It won’t read the correct resistance and people either use PAC or like wire in resistors, it’s more complicated than it needs to be.

@ShawnL my advice would be to spend some money (or time yourself) letting a shop try to tune it, there may be some settings and crossover points that could be tweaked. Will probably help a lot.

Not true, I’m using speaker level inputs to my Audio Control amp without issue with the Alpine 8.4 head unit. No resistors needed and even the balance functions on the OEM 8.4 work properly. The PAC unit or resistors are not required.

 

[mx5red]

Not true, I’m using speaker level inputs to my Audio Control amp without issue with the Alpine 8.4 head unit. No resistors needed and even the balance functions on the OEM 8.4 work properly. The PAC unit or resistors are not required.

Good to hear, I haven’t seen anybody state they could just plug an amp up to the alpine like that.
Audiocontrol FTW! (That’s what I have, set up through a Rockford DSR-1).

 

[ShawnL]

What are you using the PAC unit for? I tried looking it up but nothing comes up for the part listed. My setup is the stock 7" head unit stock speaker locations tapped/run to the amps speaker level inputs. My system is not the factory Alpine system.

90% of my listening is via Apple CarPlay, Apple Music lossless. The few times I have had FM or AM on there was no difference in volume levels. However, phone, GPS levels can be way out of wack. Way too loud or way too soft. If not known, the only way to adjust them is when they are active. I.E. listening to music with GPS running, sound will slightly mute on the drivers side to announce a direction, while it is speaking adjust the volume knob to raise or lower. It will adjust the apps volume then. Once it stops talking though it goes back to the audio playback volume.

It has got to be the stupidest freaking thing I have ever seen! I get the idea but the amount of times a call comes in and at some point I acciently adjust the volume while ringing. Next call while driving will scare the crap out of you! Just give me a setting to set it and forget it. Good ole Ron Ponpiel!

I figured out one of the reasons I’m not as impressed with the sound quality as I thought I would be. My sub isn’t putting out any sound. Gonna have to do some troubleshooting.

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