A repeat client from four hours away in northern Virginia brought his 2016 Cadillac ATS-V to Adrenaline Autosound in search of an upgraded audio system for his vehicle. When he arrived, we sat in the vehicle with him, auditioned the stock Bose audio system and listened as he explained his goals for the upgrade. He wanted a stereo system with more dynamics, better clarity and great-sounding bass, while keeping all of the stock integrity of the vehicle intact. Our team took this information and worked up a solution that he liked, so we set about installing the upgrades in his vehicle.
JL Audio Processor Cleans Up Bose Sound
Right from the beginning, we knew the stock navigation system in the dash was going to stay, so we added a JL Audio FIX82 processor to the outputs of the Bose amplifier. This is a neat device that eliminates the nasty equalization Bose adds to the music when trying to get their inexpensive speakers to sound better, as well as summing all of the musical signal back into one full-range output. This gave us a good platform for building a great-sounding audio system.
Focal Front Speakers
In the front, we installed Focal 165 KRX2 components in the factory locations, using in-house machined composite speaker adapters, as well as acoustical coupling rings to improve the midbass response. We ran all new wiring for the front speakers and designed the upgrades so each speaker has its own dedicated amplifier channel. Doing this gives us better control over the speakers while improving the sound quality of the system.
Audiomobile Subwoofer Upgrade
Once the front sound was taken care of, we turned our attention to the bass. We removed the stock subwoofer in the rear deck and fabricated a custom ported enclosure for an Audiomobile Elite series 12” subwoofer. Our installers made a custom finishing panel covered in factory matching carpet that fit tightly into place, forcing all of the sub’s energy through the factory opening in the rear deck.
Power By JL Audio
When it came time for power, we went back to JL Audio, choosing the XD1000/5v2 amplifier. It sends 75 watts per channel to each front speaker and 600 watts of clean power to the subwoofer. We were able to hide the amp and the FIX82 processor under the false floor in the trunk, making them easily accessible yet completely hidden. We placed a bass level knob conveniently in a pocket under the stock stereo.
Client Loved His Cadillac ATS-V Audio Upgrades
Once the install was completed, we went over the system with the client and he loved it!
When you are ready to upgrade your sound system, we invite you to contact us HERE at Adrenaline Autosound in Clayton, North Carolina.
Thanks for hooking me up with “exactly” what I was looking for. I’ve have a lot of sound systems in my days however, none quite like this. The sound quality and bass have exceeded my expectations, but what else would anyone expect from Adrenaline Autosound!!
Adrenaline Autosound, or Brian,
Did you retain the rear door speakers and rear deck speakers? If so, did you continue to run them from the Bose unit? I have a 2017 ATS-V and am impressed with what ya’ll did with this customers caddy. Clean and I’m sure the sound is brilliant with those Focals.
Hi Matt. Thank you for your comment. You are correct about the performance of this audio system. It does sound brilliant, with excellent detail and dynamics throughout. We did, in fact, retain all of the original equipment Bose rear speakers. Based upon Brian’s goals for this audio system, this was the optimal design. The fader adjustment in the factory head unit still allows for adjustment front to rear, so the presence of rear fill is variable. There are of course a variety of variations of this audio system design that can be implemented depending upon a client’s specific goals for the audio system. Thanks again Matt. Have a great day!
Thanks for the feedback Dave. One more question. Where did you mount the remote bass knob. I can’t find a decent place in the ATS.
You’re welcome Matt. We mounted the remote level control knob for the sub-bass inside of the pocket just forward of the center console. I’ll send you a couple of photos via email to show you exactly how it’s oriented in there, as space is fairly tight in there. This position worked out really well and was very user-friendly in addition to being completely invisible while the door to that pocket is closed. Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback Dave. One more question. Where did you mount the remote bass knob. I can’t find a decent place in the ATS.
You’re welcome Matt. We mounted the remote level control knob for the sub-bass inside of the pocket just forward of the center console. I’ll send you a couple of photos via email to show you exactly how it’s oriented in there, as space is fairly tight in there. This position worked out really well and was very user-friendly in addition to being completely invisible while the door to that pocket is closed. Thanks!
I wish I lived closer, I would drop my vehicle off and let you handle my upgrade. I have a ATS luxury and looking to install some focal or morel door speakers. I’m seeing conflicting info on depth clearance in the doors. Did you have to custom fab brackets and door panels for the Focals or did they fit the factory holes? Thank you, Ron
Hi Ron,
I’m not sure where you live, but we do regularly have clients from other states that seek us out and either drive to us or have their vehicle transported to us. We’d be more than happy to take care of your Cadillac and provide you with a great audio system. To answer your question about the speaker mounting, we did custom fabricate adapters in order to properly mount the speakers. If I remember correctly, for those Focal 165KRX2 woofers, we spaced the woofers a total of 1 3/8″ forward of the inner door skin. Thank you.