Alpine/Focal/JL install - many pics

I got a terrific deal on my CS, so I thought I'd forfeit part of the savings and swap out PCM and Bose for something a bit punchier, with better acoustics and system functionality ( iPod , bluetooth) suitable for a daily driver. After considerable research, I came up with the following hardware configuration: Alpine IVA-W505 head unit Alpine PDX-5 5-channel amp Alpine Imprint processor Alpine Sirius adapter Japanese bezel from eBay Focal 165 VR3 3-way components Focal 100 CVX for the rears JL 6W3 (two six inch subs for a custom fiberglass box) I spent much more time researching installers within a 300 mile radius of the Bay Area. My car was only a few weeks old at the time, and I really wanted to maintain as much of a factory appearance as possible. Truth be told, I was also a bit paranoid about having door panels and various bits removed when I hadn't heard even a single rattle to date (if it ain't broke...). There were a number of shops that have considerable experience with the unique aspects of Porsche installs, but after multiple "interviews" and email exchanges I felt the most comfortable with Ernie Onate of SoundInnovations in Hayward. A fellow Cayman owner (his wife's, actually), Ernie has done a great deal of high-end work and was also recommended by site sponsors Sharkwerks and Premier (arguably the best protective film crew around, btw). My timing was tight, since I was readying my move to Texas. With this in mind, Ernie agreed to start building the fiberglass sub enclosure using his wife's car. Not sure how she felt about donating her car for modeling purposes! Taping and prepping the space for the sub enclosure The sub enclosure shell Sub enclosure finished and OEM carpeted... with GT3 in the background Functional and a looker!! Alpine amp with custom mount fit perfectly.. . Focal mid-range (part of 3-way components) going into the door panel Clean wiring When going whole hog, why not Focals for the rears too! Head unit with custom mounts and the Japanese eBay bezel Side-by-side with Ernie's CS The results? Sound depth, clarity and separation are absolutely amazing! Those Focals 3-ways are incredible in the CS cabin, and the Focal rears help to fill in the sound stage. I'm also amazed that two 6" subs can produce such deep, tight bass. iPod functionality is flawless, and the nav - while with suboptimal graphics - is accurate. My only concern at the moment is the integrity of the bluetooth capability. Initial mike install was in a stealth position behind the rearview mirror, then we moved it to the steering column. Unfortunately, my callers say I sound as though I'm sitting in a cave! Will experiment more with this... Just a word about the installation itself. I've received no inducements, discounts or promotions from SoundInnovations to mention them in this write-up. I am not affiliated in any way other than as a first-time customer. What struck me most about this experience is the absolute professionalism and stealthiness of the install. The extent of Ernie's customer service went far and beyond my expectations. He and his team successfully resolved a number of unanticipated issues - one Focal rear DOA, engine noise from the speakers, fabricating custom mounts for the amp and head unit, etc. - while respecting my timeline and budget. They managed to do this while simultaneously working on the GT3, a Lambo and a Maserati! Most importantly, the installation looks absolutely OEM, and it's impossible for me to tell that any work has even been done (aside from the touchscreen and sub enclosure of course!). I couldn't be more satisfied with this system, and I feel that I received outstanding value for money. Any comments, questions or suggestions welcome... :banana:

Great job! Does the alpine headunit support surround sound? Are you able to use the center channel with the 5 channel amp, or is the fifth channel only for a subwoofer? Lastly, why on earth would you want to replace the amazing Bose system (Just kidding)? Didn't you read all the information on how hard Porsche worked on designing it while still managing to fail?

What was the budget in all in and where exactly are they located??? G.

This is a great job!! The car still looks almost all original which I really think is the key point here. I was wondering for the rear subs do you think a Bandpass flexi glass would also work if the speakers were to be placed deeper?? Are single 10”s out of question here for the rear? Thanx

Thanks for the comments. This head unit may very well feature surround sound, but I haven't come across the controls on the interface and haven't read through the manuals yet. I agreed to sacrifice the center channel in order to run the sub without an additional amp. This current set up sounds exponentially better than the factory PCM + bose combo, so I don't miss the center channel one bit. In fact, the compartment which housed the center is now home for my Sirius antenna! As for the space in the rear for the sub enclosure, the largest I've seen installed (a post here on CC) was an 8" woofer. I'm currently in Texas and the car's still in California, so I wouldn't be able to tell whether you could wedge a 10" in there. For my listening habits, the twin 6 inchers were ideal. SOUND INNOVATIONS is located in Hayward, in the SF Bay Area of California. Eddie

I have the head unit that came before this one, with the blue tooth as well, i mounted the mic on the A pilar, up high, and it still echoes. not on my end but on the callers end. I installed the same bluetooth module in my girlfriends acura, but on a diffrent head unit from alpine, and it works fine with no echo. Also anyone know where in South Florida i can get work like this done, the car audio shops around my neighborhood, all look shoddy, or they have mostly closed, not like years ago when there were a few good one near by.

Focal is THE BEST in the world....Great choice! Truly an awesome install....this from a guy that has built many IASCA winning systems some years back.

IMO a pair of 6's provide much better response than a single 10. This car seems custom made for a pair of 6" IMO never do a band pass in a hatch situation. IMO band pass is what’s wrong with the Bose system , very sloppy!

That is a sick hookup on your Cayman. Congrats! Your system closely mimics exactly what I plan on doing in the next year to mine. I'm glad to see someone has successfully pulled off something like that. It gives me confidence going into the project.

Also, please contact Porsche and request a refund for the amount of money you spent for the speakers. Maybe that will help drive home the point for Porsche to ditch them.

Lets see. Is the cost = or < $3000 ? Edit: No, change that to = or < $5000 Edit #2: = or < $7500

I wanted these same speakers very much! I am a huge fan of Focal. Can I ask a couple questions? How did you mount the tweeters? Arent they much larger than stock? Do they mount invisibly? Also how was the depth of the other speakers, was there room or did you have do to any cutting or anything else? I'd love to hear more and see some more pics please!!!

Bump for my questions!

Unfortunately, I can't really answer your questions regarding depth. What I can say is that with the exception of the subs, all speakers are mounted invisibly and look factory. I have more pics of the install, but I'm traveling at the moment and won't have access to them until next week.

Please let me know the model numbers of the speakers if possible, and the price you paid for the whole thing, including installation. That information would be helpful for others who may want to embark on the same path.

System looks great. Where did you get the surround around the head unit?

Any chance your installer kept the template for those subs? If he became a sponsor here, he could run a group buy on them!! I would buy those sub boxes if they were available! Please let him know to contact Ken if he is interested!!! Let us know too!

Also, as mentioned before, could you please post the model numbers for the speakers that you used? I may just run the same setup, but wanted to know the speaker model numbers and price to know if it will be worth it for me. Otherwise, I will just use that money for my Cayman "Early Lease Termination Fund" and get rid of the car a few months early, just like I am doing instead of a Borla install.

You are debating putting a multi-thousand dollar audio system into your leased Cayman "or" terminating the lease option early and getting rid of the car entirely? Pardon me putting my nose where it does not belong, but that seems like a bizarre, polar opposite, set of priorities and series of decisions altogether..... I would never alter the audio system in a leased car to begin with, let alone one I was thinking about getting rid of soon. Why not just plan the audio system for your next car? Okay okay...I will get out of your business. My apologies.

Since Surround sound is basically a series of programmed delays that are sent to the speakers, the imprint processor will take care of this no problem. You need to "profile" the cabin. I've said this before on this forum but I'll say it again. I think the W505 is the best head unit on the market. You will love it. You did good! Joe D.

Wow. Stunning!

Thanks for the great pix and summary. Some questions: How did he attach the sub box to the car? Did you consider an 8" sub on both sides, instead of the dual 6's on one side? Thanks.

X2! I am in the Bay Area (San Mateo) and would love to hear your system for inspiration. You've got PM... TIA-Jason

if there is some interest...I could build up a batch of these sub woofer enclosures....I would recommend a single 8.....not a set of dual 6 inch. We could discuss the reasons for this at length if you like. I would build the enclosure, mount a woofer and do a transfer function of the vehicle. (This finds where the car resonates, which frequency...) I would then match the woofer and tuning frequency to this, resulting in the smoothest response. FWIW I have 25 years or so in car audio, in all facets...installer of the year, 27 iasca world champion cars, national sales manager for a leading manufacture etc etc etc.... I can also get a deal on most equipment if you need... Think we could get 10-15 of these going? If so I can get the project going next week ….maybe have them finished and shipped the first week of December….. :cheers:

I would definitely be interested in the sub enclosure with a nice 8" w7.

so.. is this project flying? If so, count me in.

Beautiful install Especially the sub :dance: Edit: Second the previous comment. Is this going to fly? I might be interested in one for both sides of the trunk.

Definitely interested in the enclosure - but I live in San Antonio, so I would have to arrange to send it to me for a local installation....

I'd be interested in the enclosure as well....

SOunds like there is plenty of interest in teh sub enclosure. The creator should start an separate thread for it so as to allow surfers the clarity that a GB might be offered without having to dig it out of this thread. I also think the creator has to be a sponsor of the site. The only other way to do it is private business dealings, likely through PM's.

I'm definitely interested in the enclosure as well.