A client from Sykesville recently brought his 2015 Chevrolet Silverado to Westminster Speed and Sound in search of an audio system upgrade. He wanted a sound system that would play louder, sound better and deliver significantly improved bass performance. After inspecting the vehicle and inviting him to audition several options on our displays, we devised a two-step plan to deliver what he wanted. Here’s what was involved in step one.
Chevrolet Silverado Subwoofer Upgrade
After looking at several options, the client chose a JL Audio Stealthbox for his Silverado. This series of vehicle-specific fiberglass subwoofer enclosures is designed to optimize audio system bass performance without taking up valuable space in the vehicle. The SB-GM-SLVCC3/10TW3/BK2 enclosure that fits this Silverado, along with 2014 through 2018 GMC Sierra Crew Cab trucks, features a pair of 10-inch 10TW3 subwoofers and doesn’t affect the folding of the rear seat.
To power the subwoofers, the client chose a Helix M ONE X amplifier. This compact monoblock amp is rated to produce just over 700 watts of power into this enclosure. There won’t be any problems with having enough bass. We mounted the remote level control that comes with the amp in the front of the vehicle to make fine-tuning the audio system easy.
Factory Radio Integration
We installed an AudioControl LC7i in order to extract an audio signal from the factory radio. This premium line-level converter includes a circuit called AccuBASS that boosts low-frequency audio information to warm up the sound. Aside from providing the necessary audio signal for the subwoofer amp, the processor also provides a remote turn-on output to activate the amp when the radio turns on. We chose the six-channel interface so that the system would now be ready for a four-channel amp that will be part of the second stage of upgrades. The amplifier and signal processor are mounted to the back wall of the truck.
Upgrade Your Truck’s Stereo at WSS
After only a few hours of work, we had the stereo in this Chevy Silverado sounding a million times better. The client can leave the bass turned down so the speakers sound the best they can while letting the new JL Audio and Helix subwoofer system take care of the bottom end. He loves how much better it sounds and is excited to get back and upgrade the speakers and add a four-channel amplifier. If you are interested in upgrading your truck’s audio system, drop by Westminster Speed and Sound. We’d love to design a custom solution for your application. If you can’t visit the store during regular business hours, use our Contact Page to send us an e-mail or feel free to give us a call.
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