A new client from Westminster, Maryland, came to WSS Westminster Speed & Sound looking to do several upgrades on his 2004 Chevy Silverado. We took the time to get to know him and his goals for the truck, and we went outside and looked at it together. We worked up solutions for him and he liked our ideas, so we set an appointment for the work to be completed.
Pioneer Radio Upgrade Provides iPhone Integration
One of the client’s primary goals was to improve the sound quality of his car stereo system significantly while giving him integration with his iPhone. We chose a Pioneer AVHX-3700BHS in-dash touchscreen unit. It gives him full control over his iPhone for music, Pandora and phone book operation. We flushed the USB for his iPhone into a convenient spot on the dash and gave him a second USB port specifically designed to charge any of his portable electronics. He really liked his steering wheel-mounted audio controls, so we integrated them with his new Pioneer unit.
JL Audio Speakers Offer Big Upgrade In Sound Quality
Since this client wanted significantly better sound, we installed JL Audio C3-650 speakers in the front doors in the original locations – a 6.5” woofer and a 1” tweeter. Chevy uses a unique mount for its factory speakers, so Westminster Speed & Sound made custom mounts for the woofer and tweeter. We also installed F.A.S.T. rings onto the front of the woofers, coupling them with the door panels. This gives the speaker more midbass output and is a great accessory for the money. The JL speakers are efficient, so they work fine with the power inside the Pioneer stereo we installed in the dash.
Powerbass And JL Audio Provide Authority To The Low End Frequencies
One of the greatest things about a car stereo system is the ability to have real bass in your music. Since you are in a small, enclosed environment, you can have bass that is articulate, tight, and able to reproduce things like a kick drum or a bass guitar with authority. In this Silverado, we installed a Powerbass enclosure under the rear seat. It fit perfectly there and houses a 10” subwoofer. To power the amplifier, we went back to JL Audio and chose the JX250/1 amplifier. It supplies 250 watts of clean power to the subwoofer and fits nicely under the back seat.
Final Audio Tuning Maximizes Overall System Sound
We used the stock rear speakers in the vehicle so anyone who may ride in the back seat can also enjoy great sound quality. In our usual Westminster Speed & Sound fashion, we adjusted all of the sound settings in the Pioneer unit to maximize the sound quality for the customer. This included setting up the crossovers to take the bass out of the door speakers and adjusting the time alignment, so the sound now comes from the front of the vehicle and not the driver’s door. These minor tweaks may not sound like much, but, when done by a qualified technician, can make the stereo system sound significantly better.
Backup Camera Provides Enhanced Backing Safety
Better safety was another goal for this client. If you have ever driven a truck with a backup camera, you know how much it can improve your backing skills. We installed our top-of-the-line backup camera, centered on the rear of the truck at the top of the license plate. Mounting the camera in this location allows it to still work if the tailgate is down, which is a plus. This particular camera has great low-light resolution – unless he is in a pitch-black area, he will be able to see clearly at night.
WeatherTech Rain Guards And Floor Liners Protect And Add Convenience
For a finishing touch, we installed rain guards on the front windows to let fresh air into the vehicle in inclement weather, and added a set of Weathertech floor liners for the front-seat occupants.
The Outcome Was Another Thrilled Client, Blown Away By The Chevrolet Silverado Audio Upgrade
The client was thrilled with the improvements to his Silverado. From the moment the new stereo was turned on, the sound improvement was immediate, and pronounced. There is now a level of detail and clarity that was lacking until he found us. He appreciated the ease in which he can use his iPhone safely while driving, and the backup camera looked great, according to him.
If you own a vehicle and need upgraded electronics, or would like your stereo system to sound better, we invite you to stop by our facility with your vehicle. We can look it over together and talk about what you like and what needs to be improved or changed. You can try out and listen to all of our suggestions in our state-of-the-art sound room. And then we will design a solution that best fits your unique needs.
You can also contact us here for more information about any of our products and services.
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