So now is my turn to write a few words about 2014 RAM 1500 sport QC CarAudio.
My goal is to take part in EU SQL contest with RAM.
The installation has been done by my friend who is one of the best CA fitter in Poland (when we are talking of the SQL installations). That is a first time when I was unable to make such an installation by myself and I regret that. Previously all of the CarAudio installations in mu cars I have done myself. Unfortunately my work absorb me so much last days that it was impossible.
As there is no chance to replace the OEM Uconnect 8.4 because of access to many truck settings we decided to leave the OEM Uconnect. The decision seemed to be best, but wasn’t. U have a better opportunity to use ALPINE replacement of the Uconnect. We in EU have no such a chance because other DVD region, other FM frequencies and lack of RDS in the equipment from US. For the Uconnect there are upgrades available to modify it according to the European requirements.
Why the Uconnect was a wrong decision (unfortunately the only one we could make)? First of all, I had no chance to choose anything other than something called “ALPINE PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM”. Of course it has nothing in common with real premium sound system. But has a strange solution in the sound transmission from Uconnect to the OEM DSP. I mean strange because from Uconnect there is a 4ch hi level output with NO volume control. Volume control is realized in OEM DSP. What forced us to take a hi level signal from OEM DSP and process it in the HiEnd HELIX DSP with 8ch input. An OEM DSP has built in an active crossover and we had to first make a frequencies addition at each channel and then cut it again to fit the three way front speaker system.
The weakness of such a solution is the OEM DSP is giving a fault in the truck CU. But the fault is not seen on the dash. It is visible only during a WiTech connection. OEM DSP does not see the impedance from the speakers. Of course we can use an external resistance to cheat the OEM DSP but as a result we will lower the voltage at the output what as a result will give a higher level of the distortion.
Next weakness is a damn center speaker which I a 100% responsible for the sounds from NAVI and hand free. We don’t need it at all to built a HiEnd system, but because of NAVI and HF we have to leave it. It’s not done yet, but probably the speaker will be moved under the dash, wil face down and will have an passive crossover to cut the frequencies responsible for speaking. Then it shall not disturb the sound theatre.
As rear speakers are used just for my children to watching movies during long trips, normally they are switched off because of not to destroy a sound theatre. The weakness of such a solution is that the rear parking sensors are using rear speakers to sound a chime. We had to develop a solution to activate the speakers while the rear gear is switched on. It is done basing on the relay and works fine.
Now a short system description:
Front DEGO tweeters(Upgrade 2,5” T) and midrange (SP 3.9” MR) on a front column
Front door adapted for DEGO SP 6,5” MW round speaker
Rear door adapted for PHD 6,5” round speakers
Rear PHD tweeters in the OEM places
AMPS: Alpine PDX-F4 front midrange + tweeters
Alpine PDX-V9 front woofers, rear speakers set & sub
HELIX 8ch DSP (the remote for DSP has been made basing on the OEM knobs for the volume control and browse/tune. The “volume” one controls by turning the optic DSP input volume and clicking on it we are able to change the input from analog <Uconnect> to digital/optic one <Ipod, DVD> and back. The “browse” one controls by turning the SUB level and clicking on it we are able to change input between digital ones <Ipod to DVD and back>)
Audiomedia tuner TV DVBT
2 x Audiomedia 7" displays for the rear seats + headphones
NVox 1/2 din DVD player with taken out digital/optic signal output to the DSP
IPod classic base connection 160GB with digital/optic signal transmission to the DSP
Front camera ALPINE (rear OEM)
We have added an interface that will give a possibility to connect to the OEM Uconnect the front camera, sound & video from an external source (DVD). Additionally it let us to activate rear and front camera at any time.
Speakers needs another about 70h to work out and my friend and me we need sth like a week to finish everything (LCD needs to be installed, AMPS installed inside the armrest needs to have a ventilation, AMPS will have a plexi frame around etc).
If I remember well that are all troubles and goals you can meet when you choose to make a deep groove in the OEM audio system to make a serious upgrade.
Now a few pics taken during installation.
Place for SUB controller
SUB controller
DSP volume controller
IPod dock station
Front camera
Left front column
Right front column
Drivers door 6,5” woofer
Rear door 6,5” woofer
Drivers door speaker panel under construction
Passengers door speaker panel under construction
Door soundproofing
DVD frame
Power supply splitters at the rear side of armrest
Armrest and AMPS & CB connection side
Armrest upper side with no plexi frame (yet)
Optic/digital output controller
SUB under construction
WTF is that bathtub
If you need any further or detailed description and/or pics just let me know.
My goal is to take part in EU SQL contest with RAM.
The installation has been done by my friend who is one of the best CA fitter in Poland (when we are talking of the SQL installations). That is a first time when I was unable to make such an installation by myself and I regret that. Previously all of the CarAudio installations in mu cars I have done myself. Unfortunately my work absorb me so much last days that it was impossible.
As there is no chance to replace the OEM Uconnect 8.4 because of access to many truck settings we decided to leave the OEM Uconnect. The decision seemed to be best, but wasn’t. U have a better opportunity to use ALPINE replacement of the Uconnect. We in EU have no such a chance because other DVD region, other FM frequencies and lack of RDS in the equipment from US. For the Uconnect there are upgrades available to modify it according to the European requirements.
Why the Uconnect was a wrong decision (unfortunately the only one we could make)? First of all, I had no chance to choose anything other than something called “ALPINE PREMIUM SOUND SYSTEM”. Of course it has nothing in common with real premium sound system. But has a strange solution in the sound transmission from Uconnect to the OEM DSP. I mean strange because from Uconnect there is a 4ch hi level output with NO volume control. Volume control is realized in OEM DSP. What forced us to take a hi level signal from OEM DSP and process it in the HiEnd HELIX DSP with 8ch input. An OEM DSP has built in an active crossover and we had to first make a frequencies addition at each channel and then cut it again to fit the three way front speaker system.
The weakness of such a solution is the OEM DSP is giving a fault in the truck CU. But the fault is not seen on the dash. It is visible only during a WiTech connection. OEM DSP does not see the impedance from the speakers. Of course we can use an external resistance to cheat the OEM DSP but as a result we will lower the voltage at the output what as a result will give a higher level of the distortion.
Next weakness is a damn center speaker which I a 100% responsible for the sounds from NAVI and hand free. We don’t need it at all to built a HiEnd system, but because of NAVI and HF we have to leave it. It’s not done yet, but probably the speaker will be moved under the dash, wil face down and will have an passive crossover to cut the frequencies responsible for speaking. Then it shall not disturb the sound theatre.
As rear speakers are used just for my children to watching movies during long trips, normally they are switched off because of not to destroy a sound theatre. The weakness of such a solution is that the rear parking sensors are using rear speakers to sound a chime. We had to develop a solution to activate the speakers while the rear gear is switched on. It is done basing on the relay and works fine.
Now a short system description:
Front DEGO tweeters(Upgrade 2,5” T) and midrange (SP 3.9” MR) on a front column
Front door adapted for DEGO SP 6,5” MW round speaker
Rear door adapted for PHD 6,5” round speakers
Rear PHD tweeters in the OEM places
AMPS: Alpine PDX-F4 front midrange + tweeters
Alpine PDX-V9 front woofers, rear speakers set & sub
HELIX 8ch DSP (the remote for DSP has been made basing on the OEM knobs for the volume control and browse/tune. The “volume” one controls by turning the optic DSP input volume and clicking on it we are able to change the input from analog <Uconnect> to digital/optic one <Ipod, DVD> and back. The “browse” one controls by turning the SUB level and clicking on it we are able to change input between digital ones <Ipod to DVD and back>)
Audiomedia tuner TV DVBT
2 x Audiomedia 7" displays for the rear seats + headphones
NVox 1/2 din DVD player with taken out digital/optic signal output to the DSP
IPod classic base connection 160GB with digital/optic signal transmission to the DSP
Front camera ALPINE (rear OEM)
We have added an interface that will give a possibility to connect to the OEM Uconnect the front camera, sound & video from an external source (DVD). Additionally it let us to activate rear and front camera at any time.
Speakers needs another about 70h to work out and my friend and me we need sth like a week to finish everything (LCD needs to be installed, AMPS installed inside the armrest needs to have a ventilation, AMPS will have a plexi frame around etc).
If I remember well that are all troubles and goals you can meet when you choose to make a deep groove in the OEM audio system to make a serious upgrade.
Now a few pics taken during installation.
Place for SUB controller
SUB controller
DSP volume controller
IPod dock station
Front camera
Left front column
Right front column
Drivers door 6,5” woofer
Rear door 6,5” woofer
Drivers door speaker panel under construction
Passengers door speaker panel under construction
Door soundproofing
DVD frame
Power supply splitters at the rear side of armrest
Armrest and AMPS & CB connection side
Armrest upper side with no plexi frame (yet)
Optic/digital output controller
SUB under construction
WTF is that bathtub
If you need any further or detailed description and/or pics just let me know.
