Mobile Electronics

2012 F150 with Focal Audio

Posted by csdadmin

When Nascar driver Michael Self heard his buddy’s new Scion FR-S featured in our blog here, he just had to have a Focal system for himself! This Ford already came fully loaded with the Sync, Bluetooth, and Navigation, but the Sony audio system just didn’t cut it. It was seriously lacking in both detail and output. CSD Audio to the rescue!

We retained the stock cosmetics and functionality of all the OEM electronics and added new amps, speakers, and two 12 inch subwoofers. All the equipment was hidden behind factory panels or under the back seat, out of sight. The only indication there has been any work done to this truck is the bright blue glow coming from the subwoofer enclosure.

At least until you crank the volume, that is! Focal Performance 6″ Component speakers were installed in the doors and tweeters mounted in the a-pillars. Two 12″ Focal subwoofers were tucked neatly under the rear seat in a custom LED illuminated enclosure. Two Focal Performance amplifiers were stacked under the passenger rear seat, providing plenty of clean power for this system.

CSD gave this truck a massive improvement to both sound quality and cool factor for this up and coming Nascar star!

Scion FR-S with Focal Performance

Posted by csdadmin

This customer is used to high end sound and the audio system in this new Scion coupe just didn’t measure up. In additiona to a major Audio overhaul, CSD filled the dash with the latest technology including Navigation, DVD, SD video, iPod a/v, Bluetooth hands free phone and streaming audio. Now it has the features and performance to match its good looks.

Radar & Laser Protection – 2012 Audi A5

Posted by csdadmin

Our friends over at Streamline Industries sent us this gorgeous A5. After upgrading the wheels, tires, suspension, engine software and exhaust, it was CSD Audio’s turn to add a little peace of mind.

This customer needed the ultimate advanced warning and protection from those pesky speeding tickets. CSD Installed the Beltronics Pro RX-75 laser/radar detetcion system. Laser diffusers were mounted in the front grille and rear license plate to protect this A5 all the way around. The display unit was hidden away inside the ash tray. With it cleverly stashed out of sight, the RX-75 gives both visual and audible alerts via a dash mounted LED and an amplified speaker hidden inside the dash.

Trent’s Lancer Evolution – Audiophile sound on a budget

Posted by csdadmin

This client had a chance to listen to the CSD Audi v3 and was immediately hooked. The challenge though, was to design a system that exhibited may of the same qualities of the reference system while sticking to a limited budget. We chose the control center of this unit to be the Pioneer DEH-80PRS. We used the front channels to power the midranges of the Pioneer D Series component speakers and used the rear channels of the head unit to power the tweeters. This allowed a precise blend between the sound of all 4 front speakers and allowed us to use the time delay features of the DEH-80PRS to ensure the output of all the speakers in the car arrives at the listening position at the same time. This gives the amazing sense that the music is coming out of the windshield, making it sound far more ‘real’ than most car stereo systems. A Pioneer 12″ Championship Series Pro woofer rounds out the system and provides punchy, accurate bass. For less than $1500 for the entire system, the sound in this car is truly amazing!

Single DIN to Double DIN conversion 99 Ford Mustang

Posted by csdadmin

Owners of the 99-01 mustang no longer have to be jealous of the newer models that already have a double DIN opening. With some clever fabircation CSD updated the tech in this ride adding iPod connectivity with ap mode, bluetooth hands free calling & streaming audio, cd, USB, and DVD all controlled through a 5.8″ touch screen. Our friends at Liquid Innovations added the finishing touches with custom Hydrographics.

2012 VW Golf R with Focal Audio

Posted by csdadmin

This VW came equipped with the optional Dynaudio system. It sounded pretty good but that wasn’t good enough. CSD designed the new audio system to provide massive improvements to the quality of sound in this car without modifying the interior cosmetics. We replaced the 4 front stock speakers with Focal K2 Power 6.5″ components driven by 360 watts of power from a Focal FPP 4100 four channel amplifier. All the new speakers were installed behind factory grills to keep them out of sight. A JL Audio 10w6 Stealthbox was mounted in the rear quarter panel adding lots of bass without sacrificing any cargo room. All the amps and the Audison BitTen processor were cut into the foam below the floor, keeping all the electronics out of sight. This new system sounds amazing and is far better than any OEM installed audio equipment!

Jordan’s Saab 9-3 Viggen

Posted by csdadmin

The speakers in this car had a very rough life and desperately needed to be replaced. We chose the Focal Access line of speakers to freshen up the sound in this rare Saab. A Focal 12″ subwoofer and German engineered Audio System 600 watt amplifier provide the low end impact to compliment the sweet sound of the mids & highs. All the speakers fit neatly behind the factory panels to keep the interior cosmetics nearly unmodified. Even the Pioneer in-dash stereo changes colors to match the instrumentation in the car.

While we were at it, we opted to bring the technology up to the latest 21st century standards adding USB iPod control, wireless streaming audio and hands free phone as well as HD radio.

Lessons Learned

Posted by csdadmin

I’ve had my A4 for a year now… Put 20k miles on it, spent over 630 hours behind the wheel, and spent darn near every minute of it listening to music. There aren’t many mods you can do to a car that make it more enjoyable to drive more of the time than a killer audio system.

500 Horsepower makes a car really fun to drive. But let’s face it, the speed limit is at max 65 mph around here. Big horsepower numbers aren’t very beneficial outside a racetrack. It’s fun to brag about, but unless you really enjoy getting pulled over a lot, you really can’t use it.

Big wheels; chrome, brushed aluminum or painted some crazy color, make your ride outstanding to look at. They make you look really cool when posting shots of your car on Facebook or your favorite forum. But you can’t see them when you drive.

Lowered suspension, air bags etc are cool until you try to leave a parking lot or go over a speed bump. They increase your cool factor but usually make the car worse to drive.

Great sound may not look cool in an instagram photo or may not turn heads as you drive by, but it absolutely makes your vehicle much more more enjoyable, more of the time for YOU.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Custom Subwoofer

Posted by csdadmin

This jeep needed a bass upgrade but even with the extended wheelbase, cargo space is at a premium. A fiberglass mold was taken of the wheel well and this custom subwoofer enclosure was created. This new woofer blends perfectly with the interior of the Jeep and retains nearly all of the rear storage compartment.

***Note – This enclosure, like most everything else you’ll find featured in this blog, is a one-off custom piece. I’ve had great response from all over the country asking for a copy of this enclosure but unfortunately I am only able to build one if the vehicle can be brought to my shop in Salt Lake City, UT. There is no option for me to build and ship at this time. Thanks for all the interest! ***

Custom dash for 07 Mercedes GL450

Posted by csdadmin

This SUV needed a major technology update. A Pioneer AVIC-Z130BT was swapped in giving this Merc navigation, Bluetooth, iPod video, Pandora, USB, and DVD. A custom, one off, dash bezel was fabricated to make this new receiver look right at home in the dash. The rear screens were tied in with the front and factory back-up camera was retained as well. The stock speakers were also retained but the power output was upped to over 500 watts!

Older cars need love too

Posted by csdadmin

Andy was about to drive this newly restored VW Vanagon AWD to Colorado and on to Massachusetts and we couldn’t let him make the journey with a tape deck and blown speakers! This 25 year old van received a technology upgrade including CD player with iPod, USB & Bluetooth. The front doors were modified to accept 5.25″ speakers (up from 4″) and the rear speakers were also upgraded with Pioneer’s D Series coaxials with Basalt Technology.

In addition to sound upgrades, we made this VW a much quieter environment to enjoy long drives with the thorough application of sound deadening material down the length of vehicle. Check out the video below to see the substantial difference. This Vanagon went from the acoustics of a tin can to the quiet ride of a Lexus!

Stealth Audiophile Excellence – Ford F150

Posted by csdadmin

Day after day at CSD Audio, vehicles come in for substantial sound upgrades but often aren’t featured on the website because great lengths are taken to maintain the integrity of the factory interior cosmetics. There’s not much to see once the system is complete! For this F-150 project, you get to see some of the details that comprise a great sounding and nearly invisible audio system.

Technology upgrades include a Digital Media Receiver which features a 2″ color screen, and USB connection which controls an iPod, iPhone or other mass storage class USB device. A Bluetooth hands free system was connected to allow the customer to safely talk on the phone while the vehicle is in motion.

This system delivers crystal clear, detailed sound powered by 7 channels and nearly 1300 Watts of amplifier power. The front speakers are bi-amplified using the electronic crossover built in to the Audison LRX amplifier and an Alpine Imprint processor adds a parametric equalizer, phase shift & time delay to optimize the listening environment in this brand new Ford.