Kenwood and Elemental Designs Install...

DIGItonium · 08-17-2009, 12:59 AM

Hello everyone! Here is my completed install from last weekend. The installation was quite tedious especially in the hot and humid weekend weather experienced. I've tested a DVD, and the bass output is very much like a home theater subwoofer (deep!). I'm still trying to tune the sub to improve electric bass and kick drum sounds (punchiness). Apparently the current setup seems to respond too well with hip hop and electronic music in which the bass is deep and strong.

[EDIT] SWI-JACK is now working. It's finally getting power for some odd reason. After following the online instructions, I've got the controls for MUTE (source isn't useful), VOL UP/DWN, and TRACK UP/DWN. The control response is a tad slow, but it works well nonetheless.

[EDIT] e5.12 started to fail, so it was replaced with a JL 12W6v2.

Current Hardware:
12" Subwoofer Enclosure by CustomBoxMan
2x Elemental Designs NINE.2 Amplifiers
1x JL Audio 12W6v2
Diamond Hex S600s
Kenwood DDX-814 DVD Receiver
PAC SWI-JACK

FYI: Changing Kenwood Startup Image
- To enter setup Mode, Press and hold [SOURCE] & [VOL DOWN] keys, then press [RESET] Key.
- Release [RESET] key, and hold [SOURCE] & [VOL DOWN] Key until illumination activates.
- Connect the USB Thumb drive containing image file. All files must be in the root directory.
- If you want to change the opening image to your own image (i.e., company logo), Press [OEM Image].
- The [OEM Image] will be grayed out till files are seen on USB device.
- If you want to put original KENWOOD opening back, press KENWOOD image.
- Select the image you want to use.
- When the image is loaded, select [Enter] Your new opening will remain for few seconds and then switch to the Source Select menu.

DDX-814 with Custom Startup Image:

NINE.2 Amplifiers mounted on the back of the subwoofer enclosure.

View from the hatch. I still have room for beer and stuff :-)

speedoflife · 08-17-2009, 01:21 AM

Nice, clean install man. What are the specs on that box?
PS- Are you not worried about the nice viewing panel for the amps/sub (the rear window lol)? I'm hinting at your equipment being stolen.

DIGItonium · 08-17-2009, 08:15 AM

Haha you have a point there, so I'm not quite sure about the security aspects. In the 350Z, my equipment was hidden in the rear passenger side glovebox and panel behind driver seat where the Bose sub is normally installed. I can't think of a cleaner way of doing this install besides sacrificing the spare tire or stepping down to a 10" sub.

I'm not sure if CustomBoxMan is still selling the box, but you can get a similar one from Zenclosures. Try to look him up for specs. I think it's alil over 1 cu in. with 8" mounting depth. The sub I have is double magnet and clears the box clearance with no issues.

kdo2milger · 08-17-2009, 09:00 AM

looks good, and clean

+1 to you

as for the stuffed bear behind the passengers seat

dainedazz · 08-17-2009, 09:32 AM

nice install!
this is gonna be my set up for my sound system as well
but i'm gonna have 2 10" RF subs

my amps are gonna be mounted in the same place where u have it

+1

bigaudiofanat · 08-17-2009, 09:34 AM

Not bad man so did you finally realize that the head unit would not power up because of the ground wire needed to be grounded or what did it come out to be?

DIGItonium · 08-17-2009, 11:29 AM

@kdo2milger, does this make you feel better? :P

@dainedazz, thanks! I caught some great eD deals that saved me hundreds with this build. You should definitely try to prewire the box and run the cables a couple of feet longer. I use distribution blocks (4AWG to 8AWG) attached underneath the box. Slide the box in and wire/tighten the cables from inside the car. Honestly, it was PITA. The idea of routing the cables through the center console (shifter/storage) was an excellent idea, and it was not as tedious. I routed audio connections on one side, and power on the other. It seems to have paid off because I've not heard any noise or static... but then the exhaust is loud so I can't quite tell if there is any noise.

@bigaudiofanat, everything powers up fine. I soldered the ground wires together and found a single bolt behind the navi compartment to tie the grounds together. SWI-PAC ground is common with it, and I also soldered the IGN (red) wires together as well. I did a power up test without anything connected to program the module before plugging into the vehicle harness, but I never saw any LED flash. I may pull the module out and try to power it alone, but I've not been able to get around to working on it. :-(

sig11 · 08-17-2009, 12:23 PM

Any chance I can talk you out of that startup image?

kdo2milger · 08-17-2009, 01:05 PM

[QUOTE=DIGItonium;154397]@kdo2milger, does this make you feel better? :P

lol...thats a good place for it

when i was stationed in germany, i use to always see german truck drivers with stuffed bears attached to their grills...

Demon Z · 08-17-2009, 03:34 PM

Looks great, but how visible are the amps with the hatch closed? One small aspect on the 350 that was better was the cave behind the stock sub in which to mount these kinds of things.

DIGItonium · 08-18-2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

Any chance I can talk you out of that startup image?

Talk me out of it? Hehe... I'm tired of the Kenwood image. Stinks I can't get custom skins...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Demon Z

Looks great, but how visible are the amps with the hatch closed? One small aspect on the 350 that was better was the cave behind the stock sub in which to mount these kinds of things.

It is quite visible even from the front view. I really miss being able to hide my amp in the rear compartment like the 350Z. There might be room to squeeze in a flux capacitor between the amps to disguise it... think it'll work? Haha.

sig11 · 08-18-2009, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DIGItonium

Talk me out of it? Hehe... I'm tired of the Kenwood image. Stinks I can't get custom skins...

Aaahhh I mean talk you into posting a copy of it.

I want to use it on 9140.

rreign · 08-18-2009, 12:26 PM

Awesome install. That's exactly the same route I would have taken it. Except I'm big on 10's rather than 12's. As far as security goes, you can always get an aftermarket security system. If you wanna go big, buy a Pitbull and chain it to the bumper, lol.

DIGItonium · 08-18-2009, 11:45 PM

I didn't have a security system in my 350Z at all. Regardless of security system, if someone is desperate enough to get it, they'll use any means necessary. Since I'll have to fix the damages and/or to replace the lost components, I'll have to pay either way even if I have a security system. :-/

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

Aaahhh I mean talk you into posting a copy of it.

I want to use it on 9140.

Sure thing! Check the first post for attached file.

Plasmaball · 08-19-2009, 12:50 AM

i like how you can change up the start up screen. How far can you push that?
Can you upload a video for the start up?

08-17-2009, 12:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Kenwood and Elemental Designs Install... Hello everyone! Here is my completed install from last weekend. The installation was quite tedious especially in the hot and humid weekend weather experienced. I've tested a DVD, and the bass output is very much like a home theater subwoofer (deep!). I'm still trying to tune the sub to improve electric bass and kick drum sounds (punchiness). Apparently the current setup seems to respond too well with hip hop and electronic music in which the bass is deep and strong. [EDIT] SWI-JACK is now working. It's finally getting power for some odd reason. After following the online instructions, I've got the controls for MUTE (source isn't useful), VOL UP/DWN, and TRACK UP/DWN. The control response is a tad slow, but it works well nonetheless. [EDIT] e5.12 started to fail, so it was replaced with a JL 12W6v2. Current Hardware: 12" Subwoofer Enclosure by CustomBoxMan 2x Elemental Designs NINE.2 Amplifiers 1x JL Audio 12W6v2 Diamond Hex S600s Kenwood DDX-814 DVD Receiver PAC SWI-JACK FYI: Changing Kenwood Startup Image - To enter setup Mode, Press and hold [SOURCE] & [VOL DOWN] keys, then press [RESET] Key. - Release [RESET] key, and hold [SOURCE] & [VOL DOWN] Key until illumination activates. - Connect the USB Thumb drive containing image file. All files must be in the root directory. - If you want to change the opening image to your own image (i.e., company logo), Press [OEM Image]. - The [OEM Image] will be grayed out till files are seen on USB device. - If you want to put original KENWOOD opening back, press KENWOOD image. - Select the image you want to use. - When the image is loaded, select [Enter] Your new opening will remain for few seconds and then switch to the Source Select menu. DDX-814 with Custom Startup Image: NINE.2 Amplifiers mounted on the back of the subwoofer enclosure. View from the hatch. I still have room for beer and stuff :-) __________________ Last edited by DIGItonium; 05-27-2015 at 11:05 AM.

08-17-2009, 08:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	Haha you have a point there, so I'm not quite sure about the security aspects. In the 350Z, my equipment was hidden in the rear passenger side glovebox and panel behind driver seat where the Bose sub is normally installed. I can't think of a cleaner way of doing this install besides sacrificing the spare tire or stepping down to a 10" sub. I'm not sure if CustomBoxMan is still selling the box, but you can get a similar one from Zenclosures. Try to look him up for specs. I think it's alil over 1 cu in. with 8" mounting depth. The sub I have is double magnet and clears the box clearance with no issues. __________________

08-17-2009, 09:00 AM	#4 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	looks good, and clean +1 to you as for the stuffed bear behind the passengers seat __________________ Project *NISMO*

08-17-2009, 09:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
dainedazz A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NY, NJ, Philippines Posts: 1,325 Drives: 09' SR 6MT Z34 Rep Power: 293	nice install! this is gonna be my set up for my sound system as well but i'm gonna have 2 10" RF subs my amps are gonna be mounted in the same place where u have it +1 __________________ DaineZ' Rosalena \| Kenwood \| Pioneer \| 3M \| 180 Custom \| Stillen \| Z1 \| Fast Intentions \| Setrab \| Eibach \| Varis \| UpRev \| TEIN \| UAM \| Amuse \| Bride \| Southbend \| WORK \| TWM \| BFGoodrich \| Robispec \| TAKATA \| GTSPEC \| *Instagram* @johndainez

08-17-2009, 09:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
bigaudiofanat Car Audio Installer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Magnolia DE Posts: 8,342 Drives: 2012 Infiniti G37x Rep Power: 853	Not bad man so did you finally realize that the head unit would not power up because of the ground wire needed to be grounded or what did it come out to be? __________________ Need help with car audio or electronics? Let me know!! Need Help Let Me Know Direct email address reimermatt@gmail.com Owner of: Dynamic Mobile Audio Follow me below https://www.facebook.com/Dynamicmobileaudio/

08-17-2009, 01:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
speedoflife Enthusiast Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: MS/TX Posts: 268 Drives: '06 Pontiac G.P. Rep Power: 16	Nice, clean install man. What are the specs on that box? PS- Are you not worried about the nice viewing panel for the amps/sub (the rear window lol)? I'm hinting at your equipment being stolen.

08-17-2009, 11:29 AM	#7 (permalink)
DIGItonium A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kansas Posts: 3,800 Drives: 09 Z34-TT 6MT Rep Power: 42	@kdo2milger, does this make you feel better? :P @dainedazz, thanks! I caught some great eD deals that saved me hundreds with this build. You should definitely try to prewire the box and run the cables a couple of feet longer. I use distribution blocks (4AWG to 8AWG) attached underneath the box. Slide the box in and wire/tighten the cables from inside the car. Honestly, it was PITA. The idea of routing the cables through the center console (shifter/storage) was an excellent idea, and it was not as tedious. I routed audio connections on one side, and power on the other. It seems to have paid off because I've not heard any noise or static... but then the exhaust is loud so I can't quite tell if there is any noise. @bigaudiofanat, everything powers up fine. I soldered the ground wires together and found a single bolt behind the navi compartment to tie the grounds together. SWI-PAC ground is common with it, and I also soldered the IGN (red) wires together as well. I did a power up test without anything connected to program the module before plugging into the vehicle harness, but I never saw any LED flash. I may pull the module out and try to power it alone, but I've not been able to get around to working on it. :-( __________________

08-17-2009, 12:23 PM	#8 (permalink)
sig11 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Detroit Posts: 1,294 Drives: 09 370Z Red Sport-MT Rep Power: 18	Any chance I can talk you out of that startup image?

08-17-2009, 01:05 PM	#9 (permalink)
kdo2milger OG Priesthood Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fargo, ND Posts: 17,859 Drives: NISMO T Rep Power: 59	[QUOTE=DIGItonium;154397]@kdo2milger, does this make you feel better? :P lol...thats a good place for it when i was stationed in germany, i use to always see german truck drivers with stuffed bears attached to their grills... __________________ Project *NISMO*

08-17-2009, 03:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Demon Z Base Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 229 Drives: '13 FR-S Rep Power: 17	Looks great, but how visible are the amps with the hatch closed? One small aspect on the 350 that was better was the cave behind the stock sub in which to mount these kinds of things.

08-18-2009, 12:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
rreign A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: South Carolina Age: 40 Posts: 2,341 Drives: 03 Evo 8 Rep Power: 709	Awesome install. That's exactly the same route I would have taken it. Except I'm big on 10's rather than 12's. As far as security goes, you can always get an aftermarket security system. If you wanna go big, buy a Pitbull and chain it to the bumper, lol.

08-19-2009, 12:50 AM	#15 (permalink)
Plasmaball Base Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 113 Drives: 6sp PG 370z Rep Power: 16	i like how you can change up the start up screen. How far can you push that? Can you upload a video for the start up?

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