This is split into two parts because some of my photos didn't come out well. No biggie. I'll post photos of the sub, components, and head unit in a couple days. I want to take off the doors and adjust the crossover settings a bit more anyway. Currently, the setup is a bit bright and the crossover has a -1.5 db to tweeter setting that should help.

This install was done by Earmark Car Audio in Richardson. I highly recommend you go there if you are in the Dallas metro area. You will pay a bit more, but you will get a solid install and excellent service. They even sent me a thank you card in the mail. These guys know their sound. They can answer all of your questions and help you pick out equipment.

Here is the amp.



This is a Phoenix Gold Tantrum 400.4 amp. Note the custom carpet matched mounting board which is bolted onto the hull of the trunk. The missing carpet below it is where the feet from the old CD changer used to be. I haven't done a lot of tweaking to the settings, but the output is incredible. I'm running left/right and a non-fading output from the headunit that goes to the amp. The wiring job is very clean, nothing juts out or is in the way. The switches on the left side are easily accessible.

This is my second Phoenix Gold Tantrum 400.4 amp in this car. The first one they put in died the first day I went out and used it. When I went back to Earmark, they said nothing appeared wrong. They tested the amp and it was faulty. They replaced it for no cost. I was relieved because I thought I had blown something. The one I have in there now is excellent. I can run the Kenwood MP919 head unit up to about 80% before I experience clipping. I haven't done any tweak adjustments to the amp settings yet. I'm not sure I need to.

The amp cost me $429.99.

This is the music keg.



Pretty straightforward. It's very low profile. If you get one, you might even consider mounting it vertically instead of flat like this to give yourself more room to lay things in the trunk. This pic was taken without the cartridge in the slot. The cartridge is about six inches long. There is a USB cradle that you hook to your computer to upload songs. I use a very high quality compression so I can't fit as much as most people, but I have the 10 gig cartridge half full and it has 111 full CDs on it. (No, not stolen, I rip all my music and own all the CDs. Most of it is heavy metal. Hell yeah.)

The Music Keg is controlled directly by the head unit. The load times are very fast, about what you get from a normal CD. Sometimes it fails to load when I start the engine and it waits a bit, then sends a reset code, and starts right up. This happens maybe 1 out of every 20 starts.

Again, in this pic you can see where the carpet was cut for the old CD changer feet.

I bought my music keg off of EBay for around $450 bucks. Don't pay any more than that. There is an auction up now for the $750 MSRP. Don't do it. You can find it cheaper. If you do pay MSRP, buy it from an authorized reseller so you get the full warranty.

I'll post my second set of pics later. I'll take pics of the crossovers and speakers when I take the doors off to adjust the tweeter's output. If you have any questions, let me know.

I may also reprogram the SWIX by myself. They didn't hook up the mute button as a power control. Would be nice to have

 

You've got my interest in the music keg. Looks good so far. Looking forward to seeing your sub set up because that is my next step.

 

A friend of mine and I took more photos tonight, but the sub picture didn't come out well. I'll still post them when I get home, but it's a bit blurry. More info forthcoming.

 

MillenniumRX2 & I had the opportunity to listen to GreenMarine's setup. The JL stealthbox definitely sounds great. It hammered when needed. The only thing I didn't like about it is that there were 2 screws underneath the vehicle holding it in place. I'm sure it's necessary however, I'd hate to take out the stealhbox if I ever get a flat tire.