Finally, upgrading my factory audio (Keep it simple, stoopid!)

[One Mile Up]

My truck : 2017 2500 6.4L Hemi (Laramie) w/factory Alpine 9-speaker system
Doing the audio upgrades in phases (as money allows )... just got phase 2 completed!

Phase 1:
- Replace factory 8.4 U-connect with KENWOOD eXcelon Reference DMX1057XR head unit.

Phase 2:
- Replace factory 8" Alpine subwoofer with Audiomobile EVO 2408 D4 8" subwoofer (designed for compact + IB enclosures).
- Yank out the factory enclosure and treat the inside with sound-deadening mat / fill with polyfil to trick the sub into thinking it's in a larger enclosure.
- Introduce / install new AudioControl LC-5.1300 amp to power ONLY the new sub (for now, I will use the other 4 channels later on in Phase 3!).
- Install sound deadening mat in all 4 doors / back wall of the cab.

Phase 3: (future date)
- Replace 6x9's in rear doors / hook them up to my new amp for power
- Replace 6x9's in front doors (with components!) && Replace 3.5" mid's in the corner dash / hook these all up to the new amp for power


Which leaves the other speakers in the truck... the center dash and two in the headliner in the back of the cab... I have decided to keep my factory amp hooked up and powering these speakers... TBH, I don't even know if I'll replace the speakers as of yet. IMO -- they actually sound decent (to me). My new head unit is STUPID crazy at having the ability to tune all of these speakers... so I'm able to get the sound juuuuuuuuuuust how I like it!

 

[One Mile Up]

 

[One Mile Up]

OK, now that I've tuned the audio to my liking and have been driving around with the sound deadening mat and the new sub installed (pushing ~500 watts RMS) -- I'm blown away with this small, but MIGHTY subwoofer by Audiomobile! This little thing thumps! Highly recommend this setup if you're looking to keep "factory" as much as possible (I didn't want to lose the fold-flat floors!!!)

 

[KevinInVT]

Do you have any photos of the head unit installed?

 

[One Mile Up]

Do you have any photos of the head unit installed?

8.4 head unit replacement

The UConnect 4 8.4" radio in our 2018 Laramie has decided to go nuts. When I start the truck for the first time of the day various things happen like: the screen continuously scrolls through all of the Sirius channels, the backup screen comes on even though I'm driving forward, loses station...

www.ramforum.com

 

[BrBlack]

Thanks for documenting this so well with pics and all. A few questions for you.

1- When hooking up the sub to the amp what did you use to block off the hole where the wires are ran? I'll be pulling the factory connectors and running speaker wire. Assuming you did the same?
2- What did you do to block off the bottom mounting (screw) hole for the factory sub?

3- Based on the pictures it seems you mounted the sub on the drivers side rear seat between the floor and back- is this correct? My amp will fit here but when the seat base is down it wont see much air and could get very warm....

 

[One Mile Up]

Thanks for documenting this so well with pics and all. A few questions for you.

1- When hooking up the sub to the amp what did you use to block off the hole where the wires are ran? I'll be pulling the factory connectors and running speaker wire. Assuming you did the same?
2- What did you do to block off the bottom mounting (screw) hole for the factory sub?

3- Based on the pictures it seems you mounted the sub on the drivers side rear seat between the floor and back- is this correct? My amp will fit here but when the seat base is down it wont see much air and could get very warm....

@BrBlack -- sorry for not getting back to you sooner... just getting home from my sabbatical (for the month of July! ) and settling into "life" again. LOL!

Anywho, some answers to your questions:

1. My installer just poked the new speaker wires (from my new amp) through a piece of the sound deadening mat I put all over the inside of the factory enclosure.

2. I just told him to use whatever he had in the shop to block off that hole... it looks like he just used a piece of aluminum tape -- seems to work well

3. The sub is still in it's factory location (rear / passenger side) under the seat (I still have my fold-flat floors!). My amp is located right under / behind the same seat (rear / passenger). While it _is_ a little tight back there... I don't see having any issues with air movement. The amp gets warm for sure... but -- everything seems to be working very well (so far). I have used amps in tighter spots and have never had issues -- so I'm hoping I won't have any with this setup either !

Snapped a few pics for ya too... in case that helps!

 

[BrBlack]

@BrBlack -- sorry for not getting back to you sooner... just getting home from my sabbatical (for the month of July! View attachment 525980) and settling into "life" again. LOL!

Anywho, some answers to your questions:

1. My installer just poked the new speaker wires (from my new amp) through a piece of the sound deadening mat I put all over the inside of the factory enclosure.

2. I just told him to use whatever he had in the shop to block off that hole... it looks like he just used a piece of aluminum tape -- seems to work well

3. The sub is still in it's factory location (rear / passenger side) under the seat (I still have my fold-flat floors!). My amp is located right under / behind the same seat (rear / passenger). While it _is_ a little tight back there... I don't see having any issues with air movement. The amp gets warm for sure... but -- everything seems to be working very well (so far). I have used amps in tighter spots and have never had issues -- so I'm hoping I won't have any with this setup either !

Snapped a few pics for ya too... in case that helps!

Nice, hope you enjoyed the month off. I'm off for the next 2 weeks so my sub/amp install will need to wait.

Thanks for the reply. Was going to try and find a rubber grommet to fit in those holes but if tape did the trick maybe I'm over thinking it.

 

[dieselscout80]

My truck : 2017 2500 6.4L Hemi (Laramie) w/factory Alpine 9-speaker system
Doing the audio upgrades in phases (as money allows )... just got phase 2 completed!

Phase 1:
- Replace factory 8.4 U-connect with KENWOOD eXcelon Reference DMX1057XR head unit.

Phase 2:
- Replace factory 8" Alpine subwoofer with Audiomobile EVO 2408 D4 8" subwoofer (designed for compact + IB enclosures).
- Yank out the factory enclosure and treat the inside with sound-deadening mat / fill with polyfil to trick the sub into thinking it's in a larger enclosure.
- Introduce / install new AudioControl LC-5.1300 amp to power ONLY the new sub (for now, I will use the other 4 channels later on in Phase 3!).
- Install sound deadening mat in all 4 doors / back wall of the cab.

Phase 3: (future date)
- Replace 6x9's in rear doors / hook them up to my new amp for power
- Replace 6x9's in front doors (with components!) && Replace 3.5" mid's in the corner dash / hook these all up to the new amp for power


Which leaves the other speakers in the truck... the center dash and two in the headliner in the back of the cab... I have decided to keep my factory amp hooked up and powering these speakers... TBH, I don't even know if I'll replace the speakers as of yet. IMO -- they actually sound decent (to me). My new head unit is STUPID crazy at having the ability to tune all of these speakers... so I'm able to get the sound juuuuuuuuuuust how I like it!

View attachment 521877 View attachment 521878

What does the sound-deadening mat and poly fill in the subwoofer enclosure do?

 

[CanuckRam1313]

What does the sound-deadening mat and poly fill in the subwoofer enclosure do?

The sound deadening mat insulates the sound to enhance the detail/clarity/thump inside the cab, and can help to eliminate any rattling heard outside the truck.

Here's what poly-fill does in a sealed sub box:
Poly-fil (polyester fiberfill) in a sealed subwoofer box acts as an acoustic dampener that tricks the subwoofer into behaving as if it is in a larger enclosure, typically by 15%–30%. It works by slowing down the back wave of sound, which improves low-frequency extension, reduces internal resonances, and produces tighter, smoother bass.
Key Effects of Poly-fil in Sealed Boxes:

• Simulates Larger Volume: It makes small, undersized boxes perform better by increasing the "effective" air space.
• Improves Low-End Bass: By reducing the stiffness of the air inside, it helps the sub produce deeper, deeper, and more accurate bass.
• Reduces Standing Waves: The fibrous material breaks up sound waves and prevents reflections from bouncing off the back of the box and back through the cone, leading to cleaner sound.
• Smoothes Frequency Response: It results in a flatter, more linear response curve.
  Usage Recommendations:
  • Amount: The general rule of thumb is about 0.5 lb to 1 lb of poly-fil per cubic foot of internal volume.
  • Packing: Fill the box loosely. Do not pack it tightly, as it needs air space to function correctly.
  • Best Use Case: It is most effective in small, sealed boxes. While it can be used in ported boxes, it is generally not necessary and can alter tuning.

 

[dieselscout80]

So would it be worth doing it to a stock Alpine woofer in a completely stock Alpine system?

 

[CanuckRam1313]

So would it be worth doing it to a stock Alpine woofer in a completely stock Alpine system?

I'd look to upgrade the stock alpine sub to, perhaps an Audiomobile EVO 2408 and put the poly-fil inside (the correct amount )

Yes, utilizing the sound mat in the doors will help out, too.

It's likely you'd want to upgrade the doors and front dash corner speakers at some point down the road to get better sound quality.

 

[One Mile Up]

I'd agree with Canuck here → doing the sound deadening to the factory stuff is better than what it'll sound like from the factory IMO (I'm talking the sub-enclosure, cab / doors)...

But if you want to take it to the next level → upgrading the sub at the VERY least (like I did) will most DEF put a smile on your face. I still have YET to upgrade ANY of the other speakers in my truck - TBH. I have ONLY added the new sub (in the old enclosure) and the sound deadening everywhere... and it sounds amazing! (Keep in mind tho that I have that REALLY nice head-unit that allows me to REALLY dial in the sound I want).

 

[rocket]

Speaking of excited ;My speaker harnesses are do today. I have the replacement speakers
China (hi- phonics). But hey paper cups and a string are better than oem.

 

[CanuckRam1313]

I'd agree with Canuck here → doing the sound deadening to the factory stuff is better than what it'll sound like from the factory IMO (I'm talking the sub-enclosure, cab / doors)...

But if you want to take it to the next level → upgrading the sub at the VERY least (like I did) will most DEF put a smile on your face. I still have YET to upgrade ANY of the other speakers in my truck - TBH. I have ONLY added the new sub (in the old enclosure) and the sound deadening everywhere... and it sounds amazing! (Keep in mind tho that I have that REALLY nice head-unit that allows me to REALLY dial in the sound I want).

How are you liking your Audiomobile EVO 2408 sub?

I absolutely love my pair of EVO 2410's. The sound clarity and deep punch & roll of the bass is phenomenal.
Not inexpensive to purchase, but worth every single penny for the quality of their design and build, and what they deliver in performance.

I've had them for about 4 years now and they get worked hard and are still in perfect condition like the day they were installed.

 

[One Mile Up]

How are you liking your Audiomobile EVO 2408 sub?

I've been loving it! It's proven to be the perfect upgrade... for the factory "setup". I can't really think that any other sub that size would be better in any way -- TBH. That thing sounds *****'n amazing.

I _honestly_ think tho that getting all of the sound deadening done is what REALLY "brought it home"...

Someday -- I might explore putting a "real" sub setup under the rear seats... I just have to figure out where to relocate the stuff I have under the driver-side cubby. I love the square Kicker subs (always have) and their new stuff is pretty impressive! We'll see what tickles my fancy down the road. I'm happy for now

 

[Joes1500]

When I was still running the factory sub enclosure I experimented with poly fill and sound deadening. The best result was wrapping the entire outside with sound deadening mat, and as much as I could reach on the inside. Then a couple hand fulls of poly fill . Put a jl 8w3 in it and was impressed.

That has long been replaced as the never ending need for more sets in.

 

[rocket]

Not impressed. With my choice of upgrading the radio The ohms match but the head unit is aggravating, it doesn’t recognize the cd player. I lose my car play when I switch to radio, the truck has a stubby antenna. It looks alright but the the radio is weak on pulling in stations. And when I lose the car play I have to shut off the truck and restart it. Now the camera is out. Ugh.