[snaimpally]

First of all, special thanks to all those on this forum who have generously provided information, including Kaigoss69, Ctuna, Technic, VP Electricity, 6spdcoupe, etc.

I first updated all my drivers:

1. Tweeters - Morel Picollos
2. Midranges - HAT L4SE
3. Woofers - Jenhert XE200

I had already decided to have a professional install a Dynaudio 1200 subwoofer in an infinite baffle configuration and run separate cables for the tweeters, so I decided to have them install the amps, Mobridge DA2, and Helix DSP as well.

Chris Pate and his crew at Mobile Toys in College Station did the installation. As a part-time musician, I wanted room to haul my percussion gear to gigs so I asked that there be room in the trunk.

At first glance, the trunk appears stock:



If you crouch down, you can see the amps mounted on the roof of the trunk as well as the Dynaudio Esotar 1200 mounted infinite baffle:



The Mobridge DA2 and Helix DSP are mounted where the OEM amp was. You can see how they tapped into the OEM harness so that the car can be restored to stock at a later point:

[ctuna]

Well how does it sound?

[808MGuy]

Where is the details on the L4SE install?

[CDA325i]

I can't quite see how the DSP is connected to system in the 3rd pic. Please explain how it was done as I am going to do something very similar to this. Thanks!!! And are you firing sub thru the ski pass?

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by CDA325i

I can't quite see how the DSP is connected to system in the 3rd pic. Please explain how it was done as I am going to do something very similar to this. Thanks!!! And are you firing sub thru the ski pass?

Mobridge DA-2 RCA outs.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Well how does it sound?

Sounds great but still EQing. I used a measuring tape to measure distances and entered them into the Helix and I have quite a nice image. I am in the process of using an RTA to EQ. The Helix software is very easy to setup and use. Once I have it fully EQd it should sound very good indeed.

The Dynaudio 1200 is very impressive ("prodigious") and the IB install works well - the sub bass appears to originate from the front of the car.

Current crossover frequencies and slopes:

Tweeters - 2000 Hz, 12 db
Mids - 400 Hz 12 db, 2000 Hz 12db
Woofers - 60 hz 24 db, 400 Hz 12 db
Subwoofer - 25 hz 24 db, 60 hz 24 db

I still need to play around with these. I will probably move the frequencies around a little bit. Don recommended band passing the sub to prevent any low level noise from damaging the sub.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

Where is the details on the L4SE install?

L4SE Carbon install was fairly straightforward. I bought some mounting rings from Technic and those worked perfectly.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by CDA325i

I can't quite see how the DSP is connected to system in the 3rd pic. Please explain how it was done as I am going to do something very similar to this. Thanks!!! And are you firing sub thru the ski pass?

The Mobridge DA2 has a harness with 8 RCA outs but only two of the RCA outs are connected to the Helix DSP - left channel and right channel. The Helix has a software based I/O matrix so the left tweeter, left mid, and left woofer are fed the left channel from the Mobridge and right tweeter, right mid, and right woofer are fed from the right channel of the Mobridge.

The Mobridge can do optical out and the Helix can accept optical in so I may try connecting the two using a TOSlink cable. Both use Burr Brown D/A so not expecting a big difference.

The sub is being fired through the ski pass. The specs say this sub shouldn't work well for IB but many have run this sub IB and love it. Chris Pate is a Orca/Focal dealer but he has installed quite a few of the Dynaudio 1200 subs IB for his clients and he thought it was a great idea when I proposed it. Many on DIYMA have also run this IB. Don (6spdcoupe) also installs a lot of Dynaudio 1200 subs in BMWs and recommends IB for this sub.

[snaimpally]

Also, in case anyone is interested, I have a new JL Audio 600/6 and new Technic power cables for hooking up the amp to power and ground. Please PM me for details.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

L4SE Carbon install was fairly straightforward. I bought some mounting rings from Technic and those worked perfectly.

Oh. I thought you meant the regular L4SE, not the carbon.

[kaigoss69]

Looks great man, but why oh why are you not doing those beautiful carbons any justice by crossing them so high at 400Hz? Think more like 150Hz! I've been playing my L3SEs at 160Hz 24dB.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Looks great man, but why oh why are you not doing those beautiful carbons any justice by crossing them so high at 400Hz? Think more like 150Hz! I've been playing my L3SEs at 160Hz 24dB.

150Hz is the minimum recommended crossover frequency by Hybrid. The carbons are not a wideband driver like the standard SEs. I think he can get it much lower than 400Hz but 150Hz might be kind of pushing it. Looking at the response graph, the resonant frequency is right around 130Hz so maybe something around 200Hz or a little higher might be more appropriate.

[kaigoss69]

Originally Posted by 808MGuy

150Hz is the minimum recommended crossover frequency by Hybrid. The carbons are not a wideband driver like the standard SEs. I think he can get it much lower than 400Hz but 150Hz might be kind of pushing it. Looking at the response graph, the resonant frequency is right around 130Hz so maybe something around 200Hz or a little higher might be more appropriate.

150Hz is the minimum which means you can safely run it at that frequency (4th order) otherwise they would not spec it that way.

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

150Hz is the minimum which means you can safely run it at that frequency (4th order) otherwise they would not spec it that way.

Honestly, I have no experience with any of the Hybrid products but just looking at the FR graph, it looks like you would be approaching the resonant peak on that driver which is usually not a good thing for the overall sound. Real world application could be different though.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by kaigoss69

Looks great man, but why oh why are you not doing those beautiful carbons any justice by crossing them so high at 400Hz? Think more like 150Hz! I've been playing my L3SEs at 160Hz 24dB.

Yes, my initial crossover frequencies reflect the fact that I ran only 2-way systems until now. I have readjusted to:

Tweeter - 6000 and up
Mid - 500 to 5000
Woofer - 60 to 400

Fs for the L3SE is 113 - I thought the rule of thumb is to cross at around twice the Fs, but perhaps that is why you are using 24 db. I might try crossing the L3SE lower as you suggest. One thing I have learned about car audio is that experimentation is the key - sometimes doing things differently makes a big difference.

[cdgatti]

sn... have you had a chance to compare the analog to the optical inputs to the helix?

[taibanl]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

sn... have you had a chance to compare the analog to the optical inputs to the helix?

Btw. If you are going optical to optical you can save $ and use a da1

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

sn... have you had a chance to compare the analog to the optical inputs to the helix?

"Note: If you plan on using an external processor via the TOSLINK optical connection then we reccomend using the DA1 product. The DA2 product does not contain a digital connection as of the 1st of January 2014."

http://www.mobridge.com.au/en/produc...analog-pre-amp

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

"Note: If you plan on using an external processor via the TOSLINK optical connection then we reccomend using the DA1 product. The DA2 product does not contain a digital connection as of the 1st of January 2014."

http://www.mobridge.com.au/en/produc...analog-pre-amp

Thanks and I know that, but was asking because you said:

The Mobridge can do optical out and the Helix can accept optical in so I may try connecting the two using a TOSlink cable. Both use Burr Brown D/A so not expecting a big difference.

[snaimpally]

Originally Posted by cdgatti

Thanks and I know that, but was asking because you said:

The Mobridge can do optical out and the Helix can accept optical in so I may try connecting the two using a TOSlink cable. Both use Burr Brown D/A so not expecting a big difference.

Yes, that was before I found out that the optical on the Helix was disabled.

[cdgatti]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

Yes, that was before I found out that the optical on the Helix was disabled.

Is your unit defective?