SonicIce
New member
After seeing this image, I think Gunmetal is the way I'm going to go with these wheels. Red calipers to keep up the RS red accents.
That's going to look good!
2014 Sonic RS Sedan Silver Ice Build
- Thread starter Brad Ferrell
- Start date
That's going to look good!
Brad Ferrell
New member
NEWS FLASH!
Calipers on hold.
Subwoofer has arrived with amp and wiring, so I'm just waiting on a set of plastic dash tools and we're going to put the stereo together this week or next.
I started a thread and asked about power and ended up buying a 500W amp and speaker combo from Kicker based on the advice I got here.
Also, I was given a lead for this device, PAC AA-GM44, which should simplify the wiring considerably since I won't have to cut into anything. Plugs right into the back of the stock unit and gives you four (4) low-level RCA's. Not bad for $25.00.
So this is what I'm starting with:
(1) PAC AA-GM44
(1) Kicker 40VCWR122 ported subwoofer enclosure and 2 Ohm 12" CompR subwoofer
(1) Kicker DXA500.1 - D_Series 500W Monoblock Amplifier
(1) Kicker CK4 - 4 gauge wiring kit
(1) 12 CXRC Bass Level Controller
This thing looks massive but is only an inch or so wide. Will fit nicely sideways here:
(1) Aokin 12pcs Set Car Audio Radio Stereo Dash Removal Install Tools
(1) Kicker GR120 12-Inch Speaker Grille
(1) StreetWires FB4 4 AWG / 4 Gauge Firewall Bushing
There's been a lot of install threads and it'll be hard to make a video that shows off the improvements these additions will make to my sound, but I will evaluate how 500W integrates into the stock 6-speaker RS sound system over the next few months.
I've been driving around all week thinking, "I could use just a little more bass... The stock system is nice, clear, and loud...just could use a little more bass." A 10" and 200W might have done the trick and been a quick and cheap fix, but 6 months down the road, I'm afraid I might be thinking, "I could use just a little more bass..." hence the 12" and 500W amp. I have the feeling I won't be turning the amp's gain too high. I haven't had 500W in a while and I was running two (2) 15's with 800W.
I listen to reggae, drum & bass or jungle, trip-hop, lounge, acid jazz, hip-hop, rap and dubstep. All bass-heavy stuff. I can't wait to hear Skrillex with this 12" installed or maybe Massive Attack or LTJ Bukem. I'm an ex-raver and still listen to a lot of the bass-heavy beat-driven dance/lounge-oriented music. If you're in town next month or later, ask for a ride and I'll be more than happy to show it off a little.
WORDS OF WARNING: If you're going to install a sound system in your car that can be heard from outside the vehicle, turn it up on main streets and highways only. If you start trolling neighborhoods or shopping centers with your bass up, someone WILL follow you home and steal your equipment. Also, be careful of the shop you use if you don't DIY. I used to work at a shop that would install your equipment and then go to your house and steal it. When you came back to the shop with your insurance settlement, they would install YOUR equipment right back into your car. Believe it.
Calipers on hold.
Subwoofer has arrived with amp and wiring, so I'm just waiting on a set of plastic dash tools and we're going to put the stereo together this week or next.
I started a thread and asked about power and ended up buying a 500W amp and speaker combo from Kicker based on the advice I got here.
Also, I was given a lead for this device, PAC AA-GM44, which should simplify the wiring considerably since I won't have to cut into anything. Plugs right into the back of the stock unit and gives you four (4) low-level RCA's. Not bad for $25.00.
So this is what I'm starting with:
(1) PAC AA-GM44
(1) Kicker 40VCWR122 ported subwoofer enclosure and 2 Ohm 12" CompR subwoofer
(1) Kicker DXA500.1 - D_Series 500W Monoblock Amplifier
(1) Kicker CK4 - 4 gauge wiring kit
(1) 12 CXRC Bass Level Controller
This thing looks massive but is only an inch or so wide. Will fit nicely sideways here:
(1) Aokin 12pcs Set Car Audio Radio Stereo Dash Removal Install Tools
(1) Kicker GR120 12-Inch Speaker Grille
(1) StreetWires FB4 4 AWG / 4 Gauge Firewall Bushing
There's been a lot of install threads and it'll be hard to make a video that shows off the improvements these additions will make to my sound, but I will evaluate how 500W integrates into the stock 6-speaker RS sound system over the next few months.
I've been driving around all week thinking, "I could use just a little more bass... The stock system is nice, clear, and loud...just could use a little more bass." A 10" and 200W might have done the trick and been a quick and cheap fix, but 6 months down the road, I'm afraid I might be thinking, "I could use just a little more bass..." hence the 12" and 500W amp. I have the feeling I won't be turning the amp's gain too high. I haven't had 500W in a while and I was running two (2) 15's with 800W.
I listen to reggae, drum & bass or jungle, trip-hop, lounge, acid jazz, hip-hop, rap and dubstep. All bass-heavy stuff. I can't wait to hear Skrillex with this 12" installed or maybe Massive Attack or LTJ Bukem. I'm an ex-raver and still listen to a lot of the bass-heavy beat-driven dance/lounge-oriented music. If you're in town next month or later, ask for a ride and I'll be more than happy to show it off a little.
WORDS OF WARNING: If you're going to install a sound system in your car that can be heard from outside the vehicle, turn it up on main streets and highways only. If you start trolling neighborhoods or shopping centers with your bass up, someone WILL follow you home and steal your equipment. Also, be careful of the shop you use if you don't DIY. I used to work at a shop that would install your equipment and then go to your house and steal it. When you came back to the shop with your insurance settlement, they would install YOUR equipment right back into your car. Believe it.
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Brad Ferrell
New member
Just waiting on the plastic dash tools and the firewall bushing. T-Minus 6 hours until USPS gets here. Hopefully we can do this install this weekend and I can get around to tuning the sound system to my specs.
Brad Ferrell
New member
Not yet Sir. I'm waiting to see what the damage is once this system gets installed. The stock speakers with too much bass rattle the hell out of the back already. I think they're on the wrong frequency range and may have to get another amp with crossovers to get them to cut that out or it might be as simple as turning down the bass controls on the head unit which I did the other night and it seemed to work.
This 12" will be crossed over pretty low. 12's hit hard for kick drums and have potential for low bass. I'll be messing with the crossovers for a while before I dynamat the trunk or doors or whatever will work to stop the buzzing/distortion sound. I just want my seats to buzz, my hair to tickle, and my sound system to be clear and loud. I understand dynamat works with those obnoxious rattles and buzzes. Thanks for the concern. I may have to go there once I've experimented with what I've got.
This 12" will be crossed over pretty low. 12's hit hard for kick drums and have potential for low bass. I'll be messing with the crossovers for a while before I dynamat the trunk or doors or whatever will work to stop the buzzing/distortion sound. I just want my seats to buzz, my hair to tickle, and my sound system to be clear and loud. I understand dynamat works with those obnoxious rattles and buzzes. Thanks for the concern. I may have to go there once I've experimented with what I've got.
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AdmiralRS420
New member
I'm expecting to have to have sound deadening all over my car. It just seems like it will be horrible with 1.5kW going at a 12" with a fourth order in the trunk. I'm going to miss my trunk when I'm done with my system. Lol.
DaBlackapino
Member
Parents are funny like that aren't they? I paid to get my License back in May & I was looking at Small Cars, Mazda's, Kia's, Vera & Focus, but came down to the Sonic cause it appealed to me, I got a Certified Used 2012 LS & the Funny thing is I Was going to Go half in with my Dad but he decided to put down 6k which was a Surprise to me..lol to say the least, so Now I'm starting to mod it..so Far I've lowered it using a Eibach Pro Sping Set Next up I'll be getting 17's with Borbet Rims, and Will be installing Anzo Halo Headlights and later on this Summer I'll be getting a Magnaflow Catback exhaust
Brad Ferrell
New member
Cool. I looked at the LS too and would have been happy with one. How do you like the lowering springs?
DaBlackapino
Member
Well it's my First time driving one..but I've been in my Dad's Honda which is lowered and I gotta say...it handles GREAT..my turns are much tighter w/o body roll, getting in and out of the Car is easier, it just looks and drives much better, I'm Glad my Dad told me to Do this First. Now I'll be installing my Anzo Headlights this weekend since it will be Warmer now...or rather starting to get there. So yeah...overall If you do ANY Mods Lowering is the first thing I'd suggest you Do.
Brad Ferrell
New member
I've done very little damage to mine. The front end is not for me. The front end is for a friend in Turkey who wants to put a RS front end on his Aveo. They don't sell the RS over there and in fact GM stopped selling Aveos over there now and are pushing Opels on the people. We nailed shipping down last night, just got to locate the parts now. I got quotes as high as $8000.00US for shipping. It really pays to do your research. I found a shipping company who quoted us $244.00.
Brad Ferrell
New member
Sub and amp are in. The PAC AM-GM44 was a big help and the easiest part of the install. The 12" mixes into the car's system pretty well. I'm still messing with the EQ to get things right but now it's like I have a new instrument in the band and she sounds great. I've got the amp gain set to 7 out of 11, yes it goes to 11. Seems right there but will experiment with gain later. I only turn the stock up to 25 at the most and I have more than enough bass should I turn up the boost. Pics later.
AdmiralRS420
New member
It would be best to tune ur amp so that it puts out the best sound.
Brad Ferrell
New member
I've got the crossover somewhere around 125 Htz. I'm not getting the punch I want so I'm going to go all the way up to 200 and see what happens. It needs to break in too.
AdmiralRS420
New member
Yes don't push it too hard right now. Lol.
Brad Ferrell
New member
Changed the crossover to 200Hz and it kicking a little bit more now. Going to go with this for a couple of days. If I turn this thing up too much, I've got a rattle-trap, but if I keep it cool, just some nice hard hitting bass. It's vibrating the seats and my chest now. I guess I should have installed 15's if I wanted my hair to tingle....
Brad Ferrell
New member
I definitely need to upgrade my speakers and add an amp to get the clarity I'm looking for. Also, the sound levels from XM vs. Bluetooth vs. USB vs. FM are so far different I don't know which one to tune to stereo to. XM has great sound, Bluetooth a little bright, FM sounds like ****, and USB/MP3 is a little thin sounding. IMHO. Anyone else notice the differences?
AdmiralRS420
New member
Do u have the MyLink in urs?
Brad Ferrell
New member
Yes Sir.
AdmiralRS420
New member
Did u notice that u have to set the eq in every mode on there? I was pissed about that until I realized bluetooth, fm, xm, aux all had their own eq.