Mercedes E55 AMG Tech Upgrade

This 2001 Mercedes E55 AMG with its supercharged V8 can keep up with just about any new car on the road today. The only thing it was lacking was the current technologies found in newer vehicles. That’s not the case anymore! CSD added a Pioneer DEH-X9600BHS head unit, adding CD, USB, Auxiliary input along with Bluetooth hands-free phone and streaming audio.

One important concern about adding aftermarket equipment is how it will affect the cosmetics of the dash. Particularly in high-end cars, most of their owners want to preserve the integrity of the factory interior. This Pioneer head unit gives us the ability to precisely tune the color and even the intensity of its buttons and display to exactly match the rest of the dash. This makes the aftermarket equipment look perfectly at home in any vehicle in which it is installed.

Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Utopia System

This Taco got the works! The Pioneer AVIC-8000NEX navigation receiver with capacitive touch screen has all the bells & whistles including Navigation, DVD, HD Radio, HDMI input, USB, Bluetooth. CSD also custom integrated the factory USB plug and Back-up camera to use on the new in-dash screen.

The real star of the show is the amazing sound produced by this system. Focal Utopia Be 3-way front speakers were hidden behind the stock grilles with the Beryllium tweeters molded into the sail panels. A Mosconi 6to8 processor, tuned via laptop, sends signal to three Mosconi AS series amplifiers. An Illusion Audio Carbon C12 in a CSD custom enclosure provides the deep, articulate bass. With the amps & subwoofers behind the back seats and the speakers hidden behind factory grilles, this system sounds incredible and is darn near invisible.

CSD Owner Travis Pendley – Top 100 in USA

June 10, 2014 – Torrance, CA – Travis Pendley, a mobile electronics installation professional at CSD Audio in Murray, UT, has been named to Mobile Electronics Magazine’s Top 100 Installers list for 2013 -2014. The Top 100 list is compiled each year from nominations by factory and independent sales and customer service representatives throughout the USA & Canada from the mobile electronics industry.

“The magazine’s job is to highlight the best examples of business people and installation professionals in our industry, in order to create the standard that thriving specialist retailers and installers should aspire to,” said Solomon Daniels, editor-in-chief of Mobile Electronics. “The Top 100 Installers lists reflect those who work hard to represent the best our industry can offer. They have been recognized by their peers with this award and we are proud of them”

Toyota Tacoma Stealth System

In a truck, there’s not a lot of spare room. So we had to think small to get big sound! A custom subwoofer enclosure housing two 10″ Pioneer shallow woofers was stashed behind the back seat. On the driver’s side, two Mosconi amplifiers which power the system were mounted to a custom amp racks and hidden behind the seat as well. Focal K2 Power component speakers were installed in the front doors after thorough sound deadening. Focal Access SG coaxial speakers were added to the rear doors to fill in the sound. The owner of this truck wanted to keep the factory cosmetics of the dash intact so this system was integrated into the stock Toyota navigation unit. The end result is a a tremendous upgrade in sound without any impact on the interior of the vehicle!

Focal Utopia System in Audi RS5

Over the years I’ve auditioned hundreds of different speakers and the Focal Utopia Be are the best i’ve ever heard. The Audi RS5 is among one of my favorite cars I’ve ever driven. It made perfect sense to combine the two and create one of the best driving experiences available.

A Mosconi 6to8 sound processor was integrated into the stock audio system allowing CSD to keep the factory head unit and cosmetics of the interior completely intact. The 6to8 features integrated equalization, 4-way electronic crossovers and time delay allowing flexible and precise tuning of the car for amazing sound quality. Two Mosconi AS100.4 amplifiers send their power to Focal Utopia Be No. 7 3-way speakers and an 11″ Subwoofer. The amplifiers are fan cooled which allowed them to be mounted under the rear deck, up and out of the way. The door and dash speakers were stealthily installed behind the factory grilles and custom panels were created to house the Beryllium tweeters to keep a stock-looking appearance. The end result is an incredible soundstage from a nearly invisible installation.

The original plan was to install the subwoofer into the rear quarter panel in a small sealed enclosure. After talking to the client, who generally listens to Hip-hop and electronic music, a CSD custom designed vented box was chosen for deep bass and much more output. We designed the woofer enclosure in a down-firing configuration to protect the speaker for when the client puts his golf clubs in the back. It’s also easily removable to save weight on track days.

Dual monitors in a Toyota Sequoia

This Toyota received a major technology upgrade including in-dash 7″ touchscreen DVD player, iPod video, Bluetooth streaming audio & hands free phone, back-up camera, and a 10″ overhead DVD player for the rear passengers. The whole family can enjoy a movie on both screens or the kids in the back can watch their own DVD player mounted in the roof and listen in using the infrared wireless headphones.

Pioneer Connects The Dashboard With A New Line Of In-Dash CD

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today unveiled the first eight models of its 2014 lineup of in-dash CD receivers, the DEH-X6600BS, DEH-X6600BT, DEH-X5600HD, DEH-X4600BT, DEH-X3600S, DEH-X3600UI, DEH-X2600UI and FH-X500UI. The new models offer Pioneer’s great sound quality combined with numerous smartphone-friendly features and technologies that match today’s on-the-go consumer lifestyle, including Siri Eyes Free for iPhone1, simplified Bluetooth®2 connectivity for hands-free calling and audio streaming, enhanced Android™ music playback compatibility, and Pandora® internet radio. Additional features like Pioneer’s exclusive MIXTRAX® virtual DJ technology, integrated HD Radio®, multi-line displays and customizable illumination provide greater listening and cosmetic flexibility to meet consumer demand.

“The smartphone has become a part of most consumers’ lifestyles and a source of both entertainment and communication,” said Ted Cardenas, vice president of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “Pioneer’s new CD receivers provide various means for integrating a variety of smartphones into the vehicle.”

SMARTPHONE INTEGRATION
Pioneer® CD receivers are equipped for connectivity with today’s advanced smartphone devices, incorporating Bluetooth technology, iPhone and Android device compatibility, and USB connectivity.

BLUETOOTH – The DEH-X6600BS, DEH-X6600BT and DEH-X4600BT offer Bluetooth capability for hands-free calling as well as music streaming.
When used with a compatible iPhone, Pioneer receiver models incorporated with Bluetooth support Siri Eyes Free for a safer and more convenient smartphone experience. With Siri Eyes Free users can utilize the power of voice control to make calls, select and play music, hear and compose text messages, get mapping information, listen to notifications, and add reminders.

To simplify the Bluetooth pairing process with iPhone devices, both models feature Auto Pairing utilizing a physical USB connection. Users simply connect the iPhone to the Pioneer receiver using an iPhone to USB cable and the receiver automatically prompts the user to confirm pairing, eliminating the need to go through the wireless “searching for devices” process.

Both models can store pairing data for up to three phones with the ability to quickly pair/add a new phone using Pioneer’s Guest Mode feature. With Guest Mode, the receiver prompts the user to choose which of the three registered phones to replace if an attempt is made to connect a new device.

USB CONNECTIVITY3 – In addition to USB connectivity with iPhone and iPod devices, flash drives and thumb drives, the new 2014 CD models can be connected using the integrated USB port to Android devices that use the USB Media Transfer Protocol for music playback. This new compatibility enables basic controls (Play/Pause/FF/Rev/Random/Repeat) and the display of song/artist/album and time information when used with a compatible Android device.
ADDITIONAL MUSIC FEATURES
Pioneer continues to add exciting and fun features into the new single CD lineup to enhance the driving experience:

PANDORA INTERNET RADIO – With the ever popular Pandora internet radio, Pioneer’s new CD receivers offer quick access to the music streaming service when a compatible smartphone is connected. Song and artist selection can be made directly from the face of the receiver when the Pandora app is launched from a connected smartphone. All eight new CD receivers provide these features when a compatible iPhone is connected via USB. Bluetooth integrated models (DEH-X6600BS, DEH-X6600BT and DEH-X4600BT) provide Pandora control and playback from Android based smartphones wirelessly.
MIXTRAX – The new receivers incorporate MIXTRAX, Pioneer’s virtual DJ feature that takes the music from an iPhone, iPod touch, USB device, or certain Android devices and plays it back with added transitions and effects. Following the beat of the music, the feature also includes six patterns of club-style illumination to enhance the mood with a dynamic dance club-like lighting effect.
HD RADIO – HD Radio is built in to the DEH-X5600HD model for playback of subscription free, high quality audio broadcasts. The integrated HD Radio tuner provides playback of both traditional FM/AM and HD Radio multi-cast broadcasts and display of artist and song title information on the receiver display (if available).
ADVANCED COSMETICS
The cosmetics of the 2014 CD receivers (excluding DEH-X2600UI and DEH-X4600) were redesigned for a more streamlined, sophisticated look and enhanced user interface. Improvements start with a more customizable illumination and display that can be matched to any vehicle dash illumination. The outer edges of each receiver’s faceplate can be illuminated in a completely different color from the main display and customized to the user’s preference. In addition, in all models excluding DEH-X2600UI, DEH-X4600BT and FH-X500UI, fade in/fade out illumination effects were added to visually represent the receiver powering up or down, incoming Bluetooth calls, and ¬ the loading /ejecting of a disc.

Pioneer’s eight single CD receiver offerings are available with suggested retail prices starting at $90.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is headquartered in Long Beach, Calif., and its U.S. Web address is www.pioneerelectronics.com. Its parent company, Pioneer Corporation, is a preeminent manufacturer of high-performance audio, video and computer equipment for the home, car and business markets and is celebrating 75 years of innovation in the consumer electronics industry.

Do not use your Pioneer system if doing so will divert your attention in any way from the safe operation of your vehicle. Always observe safe driving rules. In some states certain operations of devices while driving may be illegal. Where such regulations apply, they must be obeyed.

1Siri and Siri Eyes Free is available only on iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 and requires Internet access. Siri may not be available in all languages or in all areas, and features may vary by area. Cellular data charges may apply.

2Bluetooth functionality requires a compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. Certain Bluetooth features may not be supported by all compatible Bluetooth-enabled devices, and/or the functionality of such features may be limited in certain devices or by certain wireless carriers.

3Not every USB device is compatible with a Pioneer head unit containing an USB port. Pioneer receivers containing a USB port are compatible with USB MSC (Mass Storage Class) devices only, and are not compatible with DRM (Digital Rights Management) content. Android compatibility using MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) varies by device. For size and other limitations, please see Owner’s Manual. Unauthorized copying of music or other files is strictly prohibited. Optional USB extension cable is available for use with front USB ports.

PIONEER and MIXTRAX are registered trademarks of Pioneer Corporation.
ANDROID is a trademark of Google.
BLUETOOTH is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.
PANDORA is a registered trademark of Pandora Media, Inc.
HD Radio is a proprietary trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation.

CSD Audio Has Moved

After 3 years in Sandy, I’ve found a great new building near the Fashion Place Mall. It’s newer, nicer, more centrally located, and for anyone who visited the old place, it’s easier to find.

The address is 303 Quail Trax Place. It’s located at 300 W and 6200 S… one block north of the Fashion Place Trax Station.

Stay tuned for updates!

Upgraded sound for a Lincoln Hybrid

We had a unique challenge with this vehicle. The goal was to increase the quality of the sound in the car without adding major current demands on its electrical system.

CSD picked a Focal Performace subwoofer with high efficiency and coupled it with a custom designed and built enclosure to provide the a maximum amount of bass with a minimal amount of power. The Pioneer D-Class amplifier, because of its small size, was hidden below the trunk floor to be kept out of view.

The front speakers were also replaced by Focal Access 6-1/2″ component speakers & tweeters connected to the stock amplifier. Normally, to get the best performance out of your speakers, it’s best to add an additional amplifier. In this case, we wanted to draw as little power as possible so we chose the Focal speakers whose materials and construction were far better than the Lincoln factory speakers.

The end result of this design is substantially better sound with a very small electrical ‘footprint’ in the car.