Audio upgrade questions

[Av8ing1]

Longer term update:

I have been very happy with this install. I've got probably 10 hours or so in the car with this JL sub and have had no issues. No cooling problems so far with two hour stretches of moderate bass play. I've dialed my input sensitivity down to about 50% for nice bass but not overpowering amounts. I can now enjoy listening to music! Sounds like it should and much more like I would have expected from a nearly $2k upgraded audio option. Plenty of bass gets through to my ears so I don't plan on cutting holes in the tire well cover or removing the unused factory woofer in the center of the parcel shelf. Bass is just how I like it, clean and tight with no distortion. No rattles from the car and not overpowering. If you want more bass, it can do a lot more, its just a quick adjustment to the input sensitivity. I'm also happy that the head unit equalizer bass slider does have a decent effect on the subs output. So you can get a bit more or a bit less bass easily while driving.

 

[trancein]

Ill be adding an amp & sub soon, good to know to use the rear driver side speaker

 

[808Charger]

Longer term update:

I have been very happy with this install. I've got probably 10 hours or so in the car with this JL sub and have had no issues. No cooling problems so far with two hour stretches of moderate bass play. I've dialed my input sensitivity down to about 50% for nice bass but not overpowering amounts. I can now enjoy listening to music! Sounds like it should and much more like I would have expected from a nearly $2k upgraded audio option. Plenty of bass gets through to my ears so I don't plan on cutting holes in the tire well cover or removing the unused factory woofer in the center of the parcel shelf. Bass is just how I like it, clean and tight with no distortion. No rattles from the car and not overpowering. If you want more bass, it can do a lot more, its just a quick adjustment to the input sensitivity. I'm also happy that the head unit equalizer bass slider does have a decent effect on the subs output. So you can get a bit more or a bit less bass easily while driving.

Your install looks very clean and I would be interested in copying it. Quick question. Is your amp under the speaker box? If so would it be possible to get a pic of the inside of our foam tire well without speaker box? Any help would greatly be appreciated!

 

[fubar569]

The acs110lg-tw1 is self powered. Amp is built into the box itself.

You run a signal, power, ground and you're done.

 

[trancein]

Ill be adding an amp & sub soon, good to know to use the rear driver side speaker

 

[Av8ing1]

Your install looks very clean and I would be interested in copying it. Quick question. Is your amp under the speaker box? If so would it be possible to get a pic of the inside of our foam tire well without speaker box? Any help would greatly be appreciated!

Thank you! As fubar569 stated, it is a self powered sub as in the amp is integral to the box. Primary advantage of this option is simplicity. Normally self-powered options are not known to be particularly high quality. A complicated, expensive and more professional install would definitely include sperate amps. As I was only looking for improved bass and clean simplicity, this option worked out well. I like JL stuff and this self-powered little sub seems like a legit bit of kit. It sounds great and I don't feel like much was compromised. It fits well with no loss of trunk space! Wiring is very simple, power, ground, and high level input harness. Sorry I don't have a picture of the foam well without the self-powered amp in it.

 

[Scatpack2023]

Thank you! As fubar569 stated, it is a self powered sub as in the amp is integral to the box. Primary advantage of this option is simplicity. Normally self-powered options are not known to be particularly high quality. A complicated, expensive and more professional install would definitely include sperate amps. As I was only looking for improved bass and clean simplicity, this option worked out well. I like JL stuff and this self-powered little sub seems like a legit bit of kit. It sounds great and I don't feel like much was compromised. It fits well with no loss of trunk space! Wiring is very simple, power, ground, and high level input harness. Sorry I don't have a picture of the foam well without the self-powered amp in it.

AV8ing1,
I realize this is a almost four year old post but I am ready to do this same install with the JL Audio ACS110LG-TW1 in my 2023 Challenger Scat Pack with Alpine 10 speaker system. It's seemingly a very similar issue as the Charger HK set up with the 8 inch sub in rear deck that just doesn't do it for bass.
Question I have is the JL fits really tight in the Styrofoam liner. I noticed they all superceed to 05030175AF but this latest looks slightly different than your pictures. I still think it's doable but could use some advice on the amounts and locations you shaved, cut, deleted the foam in your install to obtain that below level clearance would be very much appreciated.

 

[1971demon]

AV8ing1,
I realize this is a almost four year old post but I am ready to do this same install with the JL Audio ACS110LG-TW1 in my 2023 Challenger Scat Pack with Alpine 10 speaker system. It's seemingly a very similar issue as the Charger HK set up with the 8 inch sub in rear deck that just doesn't do it for bass.
Question I have is the JL fits really tight in the Styrofoam liner. I noticed they all superceed to 05030175AF but this latest looks slightly different than your pictures. I still think it's doable but could use some advice on the amounts and locations you shaved, cut, deleted the foam in your install to obtain that below level clearance would be very much appreciated.

Say hello first...call us old fashioned...but we kinda like a bit of foreplay..

 

[Scatpack2023]

Hello, hello,
Sorry, not meaning to be rude!
I'm on my second Scat Pack Challenger now, the first one came with the Harman Kardon 18 speaker system and twin sub box in the tire well. I was happy with that sound system. Fast forward, I upgraded to a higher end Scat Pack Challenger in all area's except the sound system. It has the 10 speaker Alpine which sounds decent but is lacking in bass most of the time. Once I happened on to these links and idea of using the JL Audio powered sub in the tire well Styrofoam, I knew this is what I wanted to try. My research questions have pretty much all been answered except the best way to clearance the foam liner. I'd very much appreciate additional input on this and thanks much for the advice.
Cheers, ScatPack2023

 

[1971demon]

Hello, hello,
Sorry, not meaning to be rude!
I'm on my second Scat Pack Challenger now, the first one came with the Harman Kardon 18 speaker system and twin sub box in the tire well. I was happy with that sound system. Fast forward, I upgraded to a higher end Scat Pack Challenger in all area's except the sound system. It has the 10 speaker Alpine which sounds decent but is lacking in bass most of the time. Once I happened on to these links and idea of using the JL Audio powered sub in the tire well Styrofoam, I knew this is what I wanted to try. My research questions have pretty much all been answered except the best way to clearance the foam liner. I'd very much appreciate additional input on this and thanks much for the advice.
Cheers, ScatPack2023

Much better ScatPack2023..and welcome to our slice of Mopar heaven...I never (well almost never) turn my radio on so I'm no help...but I'm sure somebody on here will be able to help ya

 

[Scatpack2023]

Much better ScatPack2023..and welcome to our slice of Mopar heaven...I never (well almost never) turn my radio on so I'm no help...but I'm sure somebody on here will be able to help ya

Thanks much!

 

[GNBRETT]

U need a dedicated sub amp for that JL Stealthbox. I’d replace them junk front speakers as well.

don’t need to do shit to the rears they are just fill.

5 channel amp. 1 channel for sub 4 channels for for the tweeter’s and mid range.

I would opt for a DSP and run them active. It’s a really small foot print so ull just need fronts and a sub

 

[fubar569]

U need a dedicated sub amp for that JL Stealthbox. I’d replace them junk front speakers as well.

don’t need to do shit to the rears they are just fill.

5 channel amp. 1 channel for sub 4 channels for for the tweeter’s and mid range.

I would opt for a DSP and run them active. It’s a really small foot print so ull just need fronts and a sub

Negative. The ACS110LG-TW1 is a self-powered 10" woofer. Only connections are power, ground and high level input.

Otherwise your post is mostly spot on if he wanted to gut the entire thing. Which it looks like he does not.

@Scatpack2023 I cannot speak to the difference in trunk trays between your car and my charger. I do know that I elected not to trim the tray at all and instead cut a recess into the lid that fits down over the spare tire area. I only notched one edge of the foam low enough for the wires to pass over and down into the box.



It looks like after 5 years give or take that I could have actually extended that cut about another quarter inch or so toward the rear bumper as you can just begin to see the depressions on the carpet of the box.

Also... looks like i dented the speaker Grill at some point. I don't know if that is from the edge of the cut or if it's from me ham fisting it like a potato. Another quarter inch in both directions from my cut and it probably would have never made contact if that's the case

 

[Scatpack2023]

U need a dedicated sub amp for that JL Stealthbox. I’d replace them junk front speakers as well.

don’t need to do shit to the rears they are just fill.

5 channel amp. 1 channel for sub 4 channels for for the tweeter’s and mid range.

I would opt for a DSP and run them active. It’s a really small foot print so ull just need fronts and a sub

Hello GNBRETT,
Yep, I don't have the JL Audio Stealth box but I did look into one pretty seriously. Two main issues were the cost and where its mounted. I have the dynamic suspension module that mounts behind the trunk wall carpet on that driver side that won't allow the Stealthbox to fully seat in that area and be bolted in per JLaudio instructions without relocating the module in another location lower in the trunk floor. Due to that suspension modules purpose, warranty, the car is so new, I really didn't want to do all of that. I do agree with you, if I wanted to really amp it up, all the other things you mentioned would make a big difference. I'm just interested at least for the time being, in a minimal invasive upgrade to help with the bass thats lacking in the Alpine systems. I'd be completely satisfied with the sound if I had the Challenger Harman Kardon system that my first Challanger had. Hoping the ACS110LG-TW1 will accomplish this for less $$ and be out of site and hidden under the trunk floor like the Harman Kardon dual 10 sub is.

 

[Scatpack2023]

Negative. The ACS110LG-TW1 is a self-powered 10" woofer. Only connections are power, ground and high level input.

Otherwise your post is mostly spot on if he wanted to gut the entire thing. Which it looks like he does not.

@Scatpack2023 I cannot speak to the difference in trunk trays between your car and my charger. I do know that I elected not to trim the tray at all and instead cut a recess into the lid that fits down over the spare tire area. I only notched one edge of the foam low enough for the wires to pass over and down into the box.

View attachment 136491 View attachment 136492

It looks like after 5 years give or take that I could have actually extended that cut about another quarter inch or so toward the rear bumper as you can just begin to see the depressions on the carpet of the box.

Also... looks like i dented the speaker Grill at some point. I don't know if that is from the edge of the cut or if it's from me ham fisting it like a potato. Another quarter inch in both directions from my cut and it probably would have never made contact if that's the case

Hello fubar569,
Thanks for the extra pictures and clarification! Five years use and still going well says alot for the JL Audio self powered subs reliability and issue less function in this application.
From everything I've seen, the same part number foam liner is used in all models Challenger, Charger and Chrysler 300. The number has superceeded several times but I don't know if there are any real or slight differences between any of the different number foam liners.
Studying the pictures from AV8ing1 posts and me test fitting this sub into my foam liner, it really seems that some of the lower floor of the foam must have been removed or cut out in an area completely to allow the sub to sit in the foam that deep. I do like the way he cut the hole in the side of the foam for the wires and to allow adjustments.
Wishing for a response from AV8ing1 to confirm foam liner modification before we begin cutting on it.
Thanks again fubar569 for your input.

 

[1971demon]

Hello fubar569,
Thanks for the extra pictures and clarification! Five years use and still going well says alot for the JL Audio self powered subs reliability and issue less function in this application.
From everything I've seen, the same part number foam liner is used in all models that some of the lower floor of the foam must have been removed or cut out in an area completely to allow the sub to sit in the foam that deep. I do like the way he cut the hole in the side of the foam for the wires and to allow adjustments.
Wishing for a response from AV8ing1 to confirm foam liner modification before we begin cutting on it.
Thanks again fubar569 for your input.

See...I told ya these guys would be able to help ya....there a pretty smart bunch...

 

[GNBRETT]

Ummmmm no bro. Thats not a Stealthbox. THIS is not the JL Stealthbox. https://www.jlaudio.com/products/sb-d-chlgr-12w3v3-car-audio-stealthbox-94453

And yes u need a Amp to run the Stealthbox....

He doesnt need to gut anything. All he needs is a (5) channel amp. The front speakers are already there so nothing to gut ur just replacing them.

The Stealthbox goes in the corner out of site and can still open the trunk space lid so actually he doesnt lose anymore space than he already has nor is he gutting anything not sure where ur getting that from.

1 channel to the sub.
4 channels to the front speakers.

The DSP is optional. He doesnt need it he can run the fronts with the supplied cross-overs. I just prefer the DSP cause u can buy one with the amps built into them so one box to power everything which makes it lightweight. The Stealthbox is super light.

But if hes not looking to go with an amp then the one u posted should work fine for him. I doubt there is a huge difference in power between the two anyway since they are almost the same size.

Negative. The ACS110LG-TW1 is a self-powered 10" woofer. Only connections are power, ground and high level input.

Otherwise your post is mostly spot on if he wanted to gut the entire thing. Which it looks like he does not.

@Scatpack2023 I cannot speak to the difference in trunk trays between your car and my charger. I do know that I elected not to trim the tray at all and instead cut a recess into the lid that fits down over the spare tire area. I only notched one edge of the foam low enough for the wires to pass over and down into the box.

View attachment 136491






























View attachment 136492

It looks like after 5 years give or take that I could have actually extended that cut about another quarter inch or so toward the rear bumper as you can just begin to see the depressions on the carpet of the box.

Also... looks like i dented the speaker Grill at some point. I don't know if that is from the edge of the cut or if it's from me ham fisting it like a potato. Another quarter inch in both directions from my cut and it probably would have never made contact if that's the case

 

[Taxinator]

Another option is to find a slightly used Harmon sub box from another Challenger and an amp. Keeps it hidden and provides good bass from what I can only describe as baby sized magnets. About 4 years in and still sounds great. Many thanks to Diboblo again for his expertise!

 

[Scatpack2023]

Taxinator, Hello,
Yeah that Harman Kardon dual 10 box is an ultimate clean OEM set up and thats actually the direction I started to head with until recently the companies who have really nice used HK units want an arm and leg in $$ for them now. You combine that price, an amp etc and then if you ended up having to upgrade the speakers as these now older units come without any warranty and the price point is on up there. I priced a new one and with shipping and tax you'd be at around $900 plus and also the amp cost. The JL Audio ACS110LG-TW1 with built in 400 watt amp, two year warranty and good review changed my mind.
Hopefully will have it installed and up and running soon. Once complete and tuned I'll post pictures and my evaluation for you guys. Thanks again for all the input!

 

[covidcommander]

Taxinator, Hello,
Yeah that Harman Kardon dual 10 box is an ultimate clean OEM set up and thats actually the direction I started to head with until recently the companies who have really nice used HK units want an arm and leg in $$ for them now. You combine that price, an amp etc and then if you ended up having to upgrade the speakers as these now older units come without any warranty and the price point is on up there. I priced a new one and with shipping and tax you'd be at around $900 plus and also the amp cost. The JL Audio ACS110LG-TW1 with built in 400 watt amp, two year warranty and good review changed my mind.
Hopefully will have it installed and up and running soon. Once complete and tuned I'll post pictures and my evaluation for you guys. Thanks again for all the input!

Sometimes it's cheaper to pay more for something better in the beginning.