RAV4 Stereo Upgrade for Macungie Music Enthusiast

The owner of this 2010 Toyota RAV4 recently drove up from Macungie to talk to the Mobile Edge team about upgrading the audio system in his CUV. After inspecting the vehicle and talking with the client about his listening preferences, we invited him to audition several speaker, amplifier and subwoofer options on our display boards. He also checked out the new radios that we had available to upgrade the technology in his vehicle. After a discussion about our installation processes and the benefits of adding sound deadening, he gave us the thumbs-up to schedule an appointment to transform his car audio system into something awe-inspiring.

Hertz Speaker Upgrade Adds Realism

Plastic adapters were fabricated to mount the tweeters.

Silicon gaskets were used on the woofers.

The doors were coated with sound deadener.

For the front doors, we treated the metal panels with a layer of SoundSkins sound damping material. These dense rubber and foam sound-absorbing panels reduce noise transfer from outside of the vehicle and decrease panel vibration to improve the performance of the speakers. The speaker set is a Hertz MPK 165.3 PRO 6.5-inch component set. Our team fabricated plastic mounting adapters for both the woofers and the tweeters so that they would bolt to the doors using the original hardware. We added a set of rubber acoustic coupling gaskets to the woofers to ensure that the sound they produce is fed into the interior of the vehicle and not allowed to echo around behind the trim panel.

We added a set of Hertz CX 165 6.5-inch coaxial speakers to the back doors to wrap the sound around the listening position.

RAV4 Stereo System Subwoofer and Amplifier Upgrade

The 10″ subwoofer provided plenty of bass.

The amplifier wiring was carefully routed.

Metal amplifier mounting tabs were used to secure the amp.

The client chose a Hertz CS 250 S2 10-inch subwoofer for the vehicle. We installed the subwoofer into a compact enclosure that fits nicely into the corner of the rear cargo area. The sub offers a great balance of efficiency and low-frequency extension without the need for a massive enclosure.

The system is powered by an Audison AP5.9 bit five-channel amplifier with an integrated DSP. The amp produces 50 watts of power to the front speakers, 20 watts to the rear speakers and an impressive 270 watts to the sub. As with most of our installations, we made a set of steel mounting brackets to install the amp under one of the front seats to keep it safe and secure. The amp is connected to the vehicle battery using four-AWG Audison Connection power cable, and to the new source unit using Audison Connection interconnect cables.

Sony Source Unit Adds Hands-Free Technology

The large 8″ display was a huge upgrade.

Apple CarPlay allows the driver to use his smartphone safely while driving.

The backup camera was wired to the new radio.

After seeing the Sony XAV-AX8000 on our display, the client wanted one for the car. We checked the vehicle to ensure that the 8.95-inch floating display screen design would work with the dash. Once confirmed, we integrated the new radio into the vehicle using a wire-harness adapter and an ADS Maestro ADS-MSW steering wheel control interface. The interface allows the radio control buttons on the steering wheel to work with the Sony radio. We also added a Momento MR-C300 backup camera to the rear license plate mount so that the client can see everything behind the vehicle while parking or maneuvering.

The new Sony radio includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integrated features that let the client initiate functions without having to touch the radio or look at the screen. He can send text messages, make phone calls, or choose a song from his smartphone by simply talking to the radio. He can also request turn-by-turn navigation instructions using apps like Google Maps or Waze.

System Calibration Ensures Amazing Realism

The last step was for us to configure the digital signal processor in the amplifier to work with the new speakers and subwoofer. We set the crossovers and signal delay settings, then used our calibration microphone to set the equalizer to deliver smooth and realistic frequency response. The combination of the equalization, signal delay and output level adjustments create a very realistic listening experience that makes it feel as though you’re at a live performance with the band spread out in front of you.

The client loved the way the system sounded, and he was thrilled with the smartphone connectivity features of the new radio. If you are a music lover or want to upgrade the technology in your vehicle, drop by Mobile Edge in Lehighton and speak with one of our product specialists. You can reach us by e-mail using the red button below.