FJ Cruiser build with Icons - pics to follow

[manbeer 0]

It's been a busy couple of weeks so i haven't really been on much. I spent a lot of time working with a good friend on his FJ Cruiser install. This is the second "epic" install that he's done in the car, the first being scrapped for the additional weight it added and impracticality. The old setup weighed probably at least double what the new setup does, and the new system is much better sounding overall imo, so it was all gain and no real sacrifice. Originally the setup consisted of the following:

Alpine IVA-W200

Alpine PXA-H701

Boston Acoustics Pro 60's in the front, Pro 50's in the rear

2x PG Xenon 1200.1;s

PG Xenon 200.4

2x RE XXX12 (05 XBL2's) sealed

Lots of deadener and wire

NEW SETUP:

same HU/Processor

DLS UP6i's front and rear

Alpine PDX 4.150

2x Alpine PDX 1.1000

2x SSA Icon 10d2 sealed

We cumulatively put in probably close to 200 man hours on the total project, and the car already had a lot of sound deadening in it from before. Now probably has about 250 square feet. Last night we had the DLS's up and running, and i was blown away. I remember how fatiguing the bostons could be at higher volumes, and they seemed to be lacking in the midbass department. The DLS are a night and day improvement over them. The midbass is much more present and authoritative. The highs are much smoother and natural sounding. The sound is crisp and detailed without being overbearing, and they just seem to sound better the harder that they are pushed. The back seat of the FJ has a killer soundstage, with the woofers and tweets right next to you, about a foot below your head, and on axis

The ICONS!

I love these subs, always have since the first time i saw them. In action, they exceeded my expectations. The things are still new, and the suspension is stiff as hell. You can tell just from the way they are not even close to approaching X-max off 1kw each that they will really come alive over the next few weeks, too. The best words to describe them would have to be "accurate" and "punchy" My friend stated that he noticed small nuances on certain songs that he didn't hear with the XXX's. The response on them is very flat and even throughout the frequency range, which is crossed over now at 80hz, 18db/octave. They are an easy blend with the front stage, and after the half hour or so that we fooled around with them the amp was warm and the Icons showed no indications of being warm to the touch. Of the variety of music that we tested on they showed no preference, they just excelled at all. I simply can't say enough good about them. Great job Mark and Aaron, you definitely made me a believer

Also i have to give an honorable mention to the PDX amps. I was a little skeptical based on the size and the whole "class d full range" design on the 4.150, but they are strong performers. The 4.150 definitely rocks those DLS components, and the 1000.1's perform every bit as well as any comparably rated 1kw monoblock thats 2x3 times the size. Sure, they aren't for everyone, with the tightly regulated power supply and all,but they prove their worth any time a minimal footprint is critical. It would be hard to fit any amp that could do 1kw @ 4 ohms into the space that all three of these could occupy.

Oh yeah, the best part is that this entire review was with no eq'ing whatsoever

Edited November 21, 2008 by manbeer

[Mark LaFountain 1,054]

awesome! Glad to hear...can't wait for the pics..

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

That is awesome. Any chance you have install pictures? We could put them on the rides page for the SSA sub woofer site.

[diablo_331 23]

sounds sweet...you know u have made a good quality product when it can be compaired to a XXX and be completely happy with it.cant wait for the x-cons to come out...

[johnecon2001 82]

Great review!

[ABXX49 20]

Makes me want to get my Icon installed! (Stupid snow )

[Tmax98 3]

waiting for the pics! ttt...