Toyota Alphard "on-going" Install

[nirschl]

Hi Folks!

Been a member here for a bit now and thought I'd go ahead and post up a few pics of my humble little DIY install.

First, I'd like to say that I'm truly glad that I had the good sense to check out what Scott Buwalda and Hybrid Audio Technologies had to offer. Currently installed in my van are the L6 and L1Pro SE's. Superior 2 way combo in all regards IMHO. I am totally thrilled with their performance.
Now, I should mention that I've got some other HAT gear laying around that I have not had the chance to listen too and will soon be adding the L3 and later down the road after it's arrival the L3Pro.

This is the only vehicle in Japan with HAT gear installed. Perhaps this can change once some people start getting a good listen. While there is certainly lots of other high end gear and installs over here, I believe HAT brings something truly unique to the table with it's superior products, customer service policies and proven track record in the industry.

So on to some pics. Again, this is DIY and I have limited skills, tools and space to work but I do alright for what it is. I am constantly learning from sites like this one and DIYMA. There are some truly creative and skilled minds out there doing this stuff. I like to(probably because of the limited skill base ) take a simple and somewhat practical approach to most of the things I got going on with this build. And like most of you, it is never truly done!

Recently acquired some new Arc SE amps and have them installed under the seats. Currently running are the 2150 on the L6 and a 4100SE on the L1Pro SE's. The other 2 channels are reserved for the L3's.

Some of these pics are from an ongoing build log I have had over on DIYMA so I imagine some here may have seen them.



Pics from iphone so not the greatest resolution

The van!



Big 3 done up under the hood. Panasonic CAOS battery.



Amp boards wrapped in grey suede and mounted to the seat base.



Almost there..







4100SE

2150SE


For some reason I did not take a pic yet with the seats in their normal back positions.

These are getting trim panels to cover up wiring and such. All in good time...

[nirschl]

Ok, so next are some shots of the pods for the SE's. First up are the ones I had originally made for some PRS tweeters and then opened up a bit for the SE's.





I then wanted to try them more on axis and made up some new ones. This time wrapped in black suede.







They sound killer!

L6's are in the heavily deadened doors using a product called Real Schild. No pics of this.

The SE's and L3's will soon be up on the dash in the small windows you see next to the pods.

[nirschl]

Here is what the sub situation looked like previously with a couple Pioneer shallow mount 10's. Sounded pretty decent actually but I want to go in another direction sub wise for sure. I have several laying around to say the least.





A couple ideas I had previously...





Amp is a 2300SE which will be running whatever goes back there. Final decision to be made soon I hope

The source is a new Carrozzeria DEH-P01. Awesome deck! I had previously made this console piece to house my former DEX/DEQ P01II combo. It serves it's purpose but will be redone as well.



A shot showing side fit from previous install with SS Ref amps under the seats.



And not with the DEH-P01



Purpose for having this console was that I wanted the retain the factory DVD/NAVI unit. Otherwise, I would not be able to get to all the places my orchestra likes to travel too in this country! For the record, I play principal tuba in the Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra. I love my job!

[David_Edwards]

That van looks like it would be alot of fun to work on. Killer choice of equipment!! Looks great!!

[nirschl]

Thanks Dave!

Ok, so a small update here. A console build has started to house (2)2300SE's, (1)4200 , a DEH-P01, an ODR Power Line Filter, a 500g HD and a Streetwires CBR44M d-block.
THe 4200 will rest on top while the (2)2300's will sit in the sides. There will be plenty of ventilation as well as fans.

Here are a couple of pics to show progress as of yesterday. Still in it's early stages but should be finished up by this weekend. There will be trim and wrapped in vinyl and suede.

In the pics you can see a drink holder. That platform can be removed and under it is a tray for the HD. I'll get more pics up later.

So there are no amps left under the seats. Those areas are being reserved for future upgrades.

[nirschl]

Some more progress since yesterdays post. This has gotten really involved and my friend(Jun) is putting in some hours! I truly admire his vision and skills.

What we have here is a base and then the other two parts, amp rack and front portion. So basically if perhaps future upgrades were in order it is a lot easier done than if this thing was all fiberglassed together. Great precautions are being taken to assure that it is sturdy.

Some trim work done on the front end of the console and carbon fiber putty added for forming up with the OEM dash panel. The area under the rear of the amp rack is an air vent for rear passengers. Something will be done there to allow air to pass through as well as added support.

I snapped these pics with my iphone and had the sun right in front of me. Sorry!









Cheers!

Pete

[nirschl]

Keeping with the updates. A few pics of some more progress since yesterday.

Some trim panels starting to come together now. Again, this will be wrapped in vinyl and suede. Inner and middle portions in suede as well as that triangular shape on the side of the HU piece. The rest of the outer portions in vinyl. There will be plexi on top displaying the 4200.

You can see the cut outs on the side and the front of the amp rack for ventilation. The small cut out you see between the 2 vents is for the 2300 remote level piece. All wiring will be laid out nicely and there is access to the d-block in the rear.

Kind of hard to explain without better pics, but notice the tray portion on top of the amp rack in the rear. This is removable and will allow for an alternative drink holder piece to fit. Very cool

Also, you may notice this thing is "basically" in 3 main parts. Along with the amp rack and HU portion, there is a base with it's own trim. The top 2 parts are removable from the base if needed.

Basically, my initial parameters for the console were for it to be functional, stylish, allow for easy access for maintenance and just an overall convenience factor. So far, I think these goals are being achieved and then some.

Again, please excuse the low quality pics from my iphone. Better ones will follow at the end of the build.

Ok, I'll shut up now.....










I forgot to mention 1 more cool factor. Under the console at the rear is a large air vent. It is now cleverly routed so that in the hot summers AC can blow up in the amp area.

Cheers!

Pete

[mulletboy2]

That looks superb, mate. Awesome wood working skills. I look forwards to seeing how it ends up

[nirschl]

Appreciate that friend. However, I cannot take credit for this as it is being built by my friend Jun from MAINSOUND Project of Sendai, Japan. He is a 1 man show and does superb work!

I really wanted to try to tackle this by myself but I realize now I never would have been able to achieve what he has with my lack tools and more importantly....SKILLS! I do "ok" with some stuff and am constantly learning but I'm a musician by trade and don't have loads of time for huge projects like this.
Then again...who does?

Anyhow, glad you like it and I'll pass it on to Jun. More updates(likely finished) to come later today or tomorrow.

Cheers!

Pete(who can't wait to hear the L6's on the 2300SE)

[nirschl]

Ok, I picked up the van yesterday and was able to snap some pics today. Lousy quality from my iphone.... but you get the idea

Needless to say I was blown away with how this thing came together. Jun really did a superb job. The pictures do not do the fit and finish justice.

Here we are with some random view shots...

I was wrapped in grey vinyl/leather and black and grey suede. I really dig how he did it.













This is the ODR power line filter installed right under the DEH-P01 and runs directly into the d-block. We tried it connected and unconnected. HUGE difference here folks! Both in output and overall staging.



This one shows an overhead from the front. You can see the remote for the sub 2300SE surrounded by vents with speaker grill mesh.

[nirschl]

Now here is where the drink holder area comes out and there is a HD hidden underneath running off of the DEH-P01!



Here is the back popped off showing the CBR44A d-block and the two side amps.



Power and ground run directly in to all 3 amps. We are talking a few inches away! A single 0awg runs in from the engine bay and a single 0awg is grounded to the body under the console. Signal wires run in from the opposite end. No noise whatsoever!



Sides. Midbass amp on left and sub amp on right. The 4200 is of course on top.







showing the fit up front..

that triangular section is also getting suede. just did not get to it yet.

[nirschl]

Had a couple presents show up from the US today!











Great looking sub. One of the 2300SE's will be running these.

Basically, I wanted to run drivers that were not available here and run by other folks/competitors. We'll see how that idea works...

So far, no regrets whatsoever with the HAT drivers. They are absolutely LOVING the extra boost in power they just got! I still cannot believe how high and wide my stage stretched after swapping out amps. Truly a huge difference. My L1Pro SE's just went from "AWESOME!" to "HOLY $H!T, BATMAN!"

Scott, I need a Hybrid sub(or two)....

Cheers!

Pete

[Jari K]

*speechless*

[Ianaconi]

That is awesome!

What are you using at the moment?

Just L6 and L1PRO SE?

2300SE for the subs?

And what amps for the frontstage?

[nirschl]

That is awesome!

What are you using at the moment?

Just L6 and L1PRO SE?

2300SE for the subs?

And what amps for the frontstage?

Hi,

At the moment the only drivers installed and powered are the L6 and L1Pro SE's and it sounds sick!

Currently, the L6 pair run are running off of their own 2300SE and the L1Pro SE's off of 2 channels of the 4200SE. L3's are being added the the other 2 channels of the 4200 and the other 2300 will power the subs.
Man, that(^^) sounds confusing....here

4200SE- L1Pro SE/L3
2300SE-L6
2300SE-BM subs

All (3) amps rest in the console. Only wires heading to the rear are speaker wires for the subs. If I could do away with those(cables that is) too... I would!

I tell ya though....I am really debating trying to get the L8's under my seats with a couple AP vents out the rear. No holes in the van guys..

Scott? Others? Could this work? Enclosures under both with lots of polyfill and a couple AP vents out the rear facing the back of the van?

This pic should kind of give an idea as to what I am looking at space wise.



If I could pull it off I'd do away with the rear subs all together! I'd give the L8's the other 2300SE.

Thoughts?