Inside Entertainment from Blaupunkt & Icon TV

The mobile audio scene has come a long way since the eight-track and 6x9-inch speaker days. Today, enthusiasts demand more from their cars' stereo systems. When driving to work or on long road trips, drivers want to be kicked in the back with bass from a wicked drum solo or be enthralled by the wail of a screaming guitar from one of Van Halen's classics. A well-balanced audio system is great for listening to any type of music you can throw at it. When putting together an ear-pleasing audio system for your vehicle, it is important to do extensive research on the components to find the right combination for your musical taste. High-performance audio components are like horsepower for your music. A killer jam from AC/DC just doesn't sound as good on stock low-volume speakers and a stock low-output head unit. The other part of the equation that is important is finding a good installer that will design and tune your system for maximum enjoyment. Things like speaker location and bass control can turn even a most modest system into an exhilarating mobile audio experience. If tuned properly and constructed with proper wiring, cabling, and materials, a quality-engineered system can make drivers and passengers feel like they are at a band's concert. Amplifiers intensify the depth of the speakers and let their performance potential be recognized. The midrange and high-range speakers deliver astounding guitar wails while subwoofers produce the bass needed to give music definition.

Recently we had an opportunity to spend a few days with the audio experts at Serenity Sound Performance in Fountain Valley, California, as they installed a all-out, take-no-prisoners audio and video ensemble in our project Hog Hauler '01 Chevrolet HD dualie. The system included four Blaupunkt Odxa663 dual voice coil 6-1/2-inch separates for the doors, two Blaupunkt Overdrive Odwa1000 10-inch Competition subwoofers for bass duties, two Blaupunkt PA2150 two-channel amplifiers, an Icon TV DA-301-1 tuner module, an Icon TV DA7169 7-inch motorized in-dash monitor, Two Icon TV MT 5600 headrest TV monitors, and a 10-disc Icon TV V10DVDC DVD player.

Not only does this high-end audio artillery rock when cranking our favorite jams, but a bit of visual entertainment can be on hand instantly with the touch of a few buttons. While Blaupunkt's supreme audio goods are shocking your eardrums with quality sound, the components from Icon TV can be used to pass time on a road trip or keep the kids occupied on long drives. The folks at Serenity Sound Performance made the system even nicer by doing an exceptionally clean install, from building a bulletproof speaker box to wiring up the subwoofers and mounting the amplifiers. Follow along as we replace our stock, no-frills head unit and speakers with a combination of audio and video components that work together to create a cabin filled with ear- and eye-pleasing entertainment.

1. This is the whole audio/video ensemble from Blaupunkt and Icon TV just prior to the installation. Pictured are two Blaupunkt Odwa1000 10-inch subwoofers, two Blaupunkt PA 2150 two-channel amplifiers, four Blaupunkt Odxa663 6-1/2-inch separate speakers, an Icon TV V10DVDC 10-disc DVD player, an Icon TV 7-inch motorized in-dash monitor, a DA301-1 Icon TV tuner module, and two Icon TV MT 5600 headrest TV monitors. Once they are working in unison, these components will provide a pleasing audio and video experience in our project Hog Hauler.

2. The first step our friends at Serenity Sound Performance went through was to remove the truck's door panels, pull out the factory door speakers, and make the necessary electrical connections to the factory wiring to power the Blaupunkt 6-1/2-inch speakers.
2. The first step our friends at Serenity Sound Performance went through was to remove the
3. The speaker was inserted into the opening and a mark was drawn around it, in order to determine how much lining material would be needed to ensure a snug fit that would minimize rattling.
3. The speaker was inserted into the opening and a mark was drawn around it, in order to d
4. A foam rubber sealing strip was wrapped around the inside of the speaker opening.

5. The appropriate electrical connections were made in preparation for the speaker to be set into the door pocket opening.
5. The appropriate electrical connections were made in preparation for the speaker to be s
6. The speaker was secured into position with an electric screw gun and the supplied speaker hardware.
6. The speaker was secured into position with an electric screw gun and the supplied speak
7. Here is a shot of one of the Blaupunkt Odxa663 6-1/2-inch separate speakers installed into our project Hog Hauler's door panel.
7. Here is a shot of one of the Blaupunkt Odxa663 6-1/2-inch separate speakers installed i

8. In the dualie's back doors, the factory speakers sat on adapter plates, which needed to be removed and slightly trimmed to mount the Blaupunkt door speaker units. The mounting plate was removed and install guru Wendell Frowein used a wooden ring template based on the size of the Blaupunkt speaker to determine how much material to cut so that the speaker could fit. Using a grinder and continually checking clearances, Wendell finally got the speaker into its new home.
8. In the dualie's back doors, the factory speakers sat on adapter plates, which needed to
9. With some minor trimming, the Blaupunkt 6-1/2-inch separates for the rear doors were mounted into position and ready to produce some quality sound.
9. With some minor trimming, the Blaupunkt 6-1/2-inch separates for the rear doors were mo
10. This was the tough part. In order to perform an install this extensive, Serenity Sound always removes at least the front seats of the vehicle so that the carpeting can be pulled up and the wiring hidden underneath. Wendell removed the front passenger seat in preparation for mounting the Icon TV tuner module and running all of the necessary Tsunami and Phoenix Gold wiring for the speakers, amps, and head unit.
10. This was the tough part. In order to perform an install this extensive, Serenity Sound

11. The DA-301-1 Icon TV Tuner Module was mounted to the passenger side floorboard where it would be hidden under the carpet and out of the way.
11. The DA-301-1 Icon TV Tuner Module was mounted to the passenger side floorboard where i
12. Tsunami RCA signal cables were run from the tuner module to both amplifiers and speaker output wires were run from the amps to the door speakers. The purple cabling runs from the tuner to the subwoofer amplifier, while the yellow connects the door speaker amp to the tuner.
12. Tsunami RCA signal cables were run from the tuner module to both amplifiers and speake
13. The Icon TV antenna components were mounted neatly in the cab corners.

14. Mounting the Icon TV headrest monitors takes patience and a steady hand. Serenity Sound Performance owner Thai Nguyen took a few moments to show us how it is done. First, the headrest was removed from the seat and the Icon TV's mounting frame was centered on the back of the headrest. Then, the inner opening on the frame behind where the TV will sit was traced onto the headrest with a permanent marker. The corners of the frame were marked where they lay on the headrest.
14. Mounting the Icon TV headrest monitors takes patience and a steady hand. Serenity Soun
15.
16. The upholstery material was cut to create an opening for the Icon TV headrest monitor mounting frame, as shown. The mark was followed while cutting to ensure a clean, straight cut. A razor blade or X-Acto knife can be used for this task. Push lightly and try not to rip or tear the material.
16. The upholstery material was cut to create an opening for the Icon TV headrest monitor

17. The Icon TV mounting frame was pressed into the opening just cut into the headrest to test fit it before snaking the wiring for the TV through the bottom of the headrest.
17. The Icon TV mounting frame was pressed into the opening just cut into the headrest to
18. A hole just big enough to feed the supplied wiring for the Icon TV monitor through was poked in the bottom of the headrest. The wiring was snaked up through the bottom of the headrest, as shown, before the connection was plugged into the monitor.
18. A hole just big enough to feed the supplied wiring for the Icon TV monitor through was
19. The Icon TV headrest monitor electrical connection was secured before the screen was clipped into the frame.
19. The Icon TV headrest monitor electrical connection was secured before the screen was c

20. Here is the Icon TV headrest monitor installed into the back of the headrest. By taking their time, the Serenity Sound Performance installers did a great job in making the monitor look almost factory.
20. Here is the Icon TV headrest monitor installed into the back of the headrest. By takin
21. After the headrest monitors were mounted in the headrest and the electrical connections were made up top, the supplied power wire that connects to the top wire and runs to the power source had to be run through the seat under the external material. To do this, Wendell poked a small hole with a screwdriver into the seat material beneath the headrest and tied some spare scrap wire to the connection plug to pull the wiring up through the center of the seat from the bottom.
21. After the headrest monitors were mounted in the headrest and the electrical connection
22. Then Wendell connected the plug coming out of the headrest from the monitor and the plug coming from the power source blocks mounted on the floorboard under the passenger seat. Push the headrest down once the connection is made so that the wiring is out of view and none of the holes will show.
22. Then Wendell connected the plug coming out of the headrest from the monitor and the pl

23. Here are the power source blocks for the Icon TV MT 5600 headrest monitors mounted cleanly on the passenger-side floorboards. To power the monitors, Serenity Sound tapped into the video out coming from the Icon TV DVD player. They ran power to one monitor first and then daisy-linked the power out of that wire to the other side.
23. Here are the power source blocks for the Icon TV MT 5600 headrest monitors mounted cle
24. Here is a shot of one of the Icon TV MT 5600 headrests on and ready to play your favorite DVDs. No more hearing bored kids in the backseat asking, "Are we there yet, Dad?"
24. Here is a shot of one of the Icon TV MT 5600 headrests on and ready to play your favor
25. The dash bezel surrounding the gauges and factory radio and climate controls had to be removed to prepare for the installation of the Icon 7-inch motorized in-dash monitor head unit.
25. The dash bezel surrounding the gauges and factory radio and climate controls had to be

26. The Metra 70-1858 wiring harness was wired to the radio head unit as well as the speaker output wires of the amplifier.
26. The Metra 70-1858 wiring harness was wired to the radio head unit as well as the speak
27. The Metra wiring harness was plugged into the factory harness.
28. In order to accomodate the smaller-than-factory head unit, a Metra 99-3002 face kit adapter was clipped into the dash.
28. In order to accomodate the smaller-than-factory head unit, a Metra 99-3002 face kit ad

29. The Metra 40-GM10 antenna adapter was plugged in.
30. The DVD changer was plugged into the back of the Icon head unit.
31. The power supply line from the wiring harness was prepared to be plugged into the back of the in-dash Icon unit.
31. The power supply line from the wiring harness was prepared to be plugged into the back

32. The power supply wire was plugged into the back of the head unit.
33. After a bit of work making wiring connections, here is the Icon unit installed and ready to slide out and play some DVDs.
33. After a bit of work making wiring connections, here is the Icon unit installed and rea
34. The monitor slides out at the touch of a button and is in clear view for visual entertainment. Just don't let it distract you from your first responsibility: driving.
34. The monitor slides out at the touch of a button and is in clear view for visual entert

35. After a bit of over-analyzing positioning, Wendell decided to mount the Blaupunkt PA 2150 amplifiers on the back cab wall to save space. The back cab wall provides a nice flat surface for the amps and keeps them out of plain sight.
35. After a bit of over-analyzing positioning, Wendell decided to mount the Blaupunkt PA 2
36. The power distribution block and fuse block were mounted to the back cab wall.
37. The four-gauge battery cable was wired from the battery to one side of the fuse block and distribution block. From the other side of the fuse block, the battery cable was wired to the amps.
37. The four-gauge battery cable was wired from the battery to one side of the fuse block

38. Here is a shot of the amplifiers all wired to run the speakers. The left amp was used to power the subwoofers, while the right runs the door units. Purple Tsunami wiring was used to tap into the subwoofer amplifier from the tuner, while yellow Tsunami wiring was plumbed into the amplifier for the midrange speakers in the doors.
38. Here is a shot of the amplifiers all wired to run the speakers. The left amp was used
39. The professionals at Serenity Sound Performance even made us a cover board to go around the amplifiers and cover all the wiring. Plush gray carpeting was used to match the upholstery. The finished product is certainly fit for show use.
39. The professionals at Serenity Sound Performance even made us a cover board to go aroun
40. A hole was made underneath the center console at the back to feed wiring through to the Icon TV 10-disc V10DVDC DVD player.
40. A hole was made underneath the center console at the back to feed wiring through to th

41. The console was set flat on the floor over the transmission hump, and the DVD player was lowered into the console where it will stay. To secure the DVD player to the bottom of the console or wherever you chose to mount it, Blaupunkt equips the bottom of it with sticky back tape. Get the player centered and press it down. Wendell installed the Icon unit into the console and made the appropriate electrical connections for its operation. The wiring is run through the hole cut in the console in step 45.
41. The console was set flat on the floor over the transmission hump, and the DVD player w
42. Another neat feature of our new system is this handy bass control knob mounted next to the DVD player in the center console. Depending on what we are listening to, the bass can be adjusted quickly and easily by flipping up the console lid and adjusting the bass up or down.
42. Another neat feature of our new system is this handy bass control knob mounted next to
43. The four-gauge battery power cable was routed through the firewall and into the engine compartment where it was later routed through a circuit breaker to the battery.
43. The four-gauge battery power cable was routed through the firewall and into the engine

44. The four-gauge battery cable was connected to the output side of the circuit breaker.
45. From the input side of the circuit breaker, the four-gauge battery cable was wired to the battery.
45. From the input side of the circuit breaker, the four-gauge battery cable was wired to
46. To make our new Blaupunkt 10-inch subwoofers rock to their maximum potential, we decided to have Serenity Sounds professional speaker box builder Vy Le build us one of his legendary enclosures that would fit under the back seat. To begin the process, the subs were set in the truck approximately in their permanent locations. We used a tape measure to determine the correct dimensions for the box.
46. To make our new Blaupunkt 10-inch subwoofers rock to their maximum potential, we decid

47. After the wood framing pieces were cut, they were placed in the truck loose and set up to determine proper placement and positioning. The bottom of the long pieces had to be slightly notched to go over the rear seat brackets. Once Vy was satisfied, the framing pieces were taken back out so that the floor could be masked with aluminum foil to fiberglass the base of the box.
47. After the wood framing pieces were cut, they were placed in the truck loose and set up
48. Once the framing for the box is glued and screwed together, it gets placed back in the truck. The floor of the box will be created from fiberglass so that it forms to the floor of the truck. To protect the carpet, strips of foil were taped together and laid across the floor where the box framing was about to be placed.
48. Once the framing for the box is glued and screwed together, it gets placed back in the
49. The first step in putting together the box was gluing the side, front, and back pieces together.
49. The first step in putting together the box was gluing the side, front, and back pieces

50. After the glue was given a little time to bond, Vy used screws to further secure the framing.
50. After the glue was given a little time to bond, Vy used screws to further secure the f
51. The box framing was now re-installed into the truck under the back seat. Fiberglass matting was laid inside the box framing and stapled to the inside edges before fiberglass resin was poured.
51. The box framing was now re-installed into the truck under the back seat. Fiberglass ma
52. Using a pair of gloves and a carton of freshly mixed fiberglass resin with lots of hardener, Vy proceeded to spread fiberglass resin over the matting with a brush. The box was left to sit in the truck for about an hour until the fiberglass had hardened up. Once the glass was hard, the box was pulled out and all the aluminum foil was stripped off the bottom.
52. Using a pair of gloves and a carton of freshly mixed fiberglass resin with lots of har

53. Now that the framing and fiberglass base of the box were complete, it was time to make the top panel, with circular cutouts for the subwoofers. Vy placed the subs upside down on a bare piece of wood pre-cut for the length of the box and marked the circles with a pencil. He then used a router saw to make the circular cuts.
53. Now that the framing and fiberglass base of the box were complete, it was time to make
54. After the openings for the subwoofers were cut, the top panel of the box was secured to the framework with screws all the way around.
54. After the openings for the subwoofers were cut, the top panel of the box was secured t
55. Seam sealer was used to seal up the edges where the top panel and framing come together. This keeps the box tight and free from air leaks.
55. Seam sealer was used to seal up the edges where the top panel and framing come togethe

56. Down to the short strokes, Vy sprayed adhesive glue all over the box and proceeded to wrap its surfaces with gray carpet.
56. Down to the short strokes, Vy sprayed adhesive glue all over the box and proceeded to
57. The carpet was cut out of the subwoofer openings with a razor blade.
58. Before the subwoofers were installed, Serenity Sound Performance owner Thai Nguyen showed how the subwoofers are wired in a series, parallel fashion.
58. Before the subwoofers were installed, Serenity Sound Performance owner Thai Nguyen sho

59. One of the Blaupunkt subwoofers was dropped into place.
60. A hole was made in the back of the passenger-side box in order to run the Phoenix Gold speaker wire to the Blaupunkt PA 2150 bass amplifier.
60. A hole was made in the back of the passenger-side box in order to run the Phoenix Gold
61. The Blaupunkt Overdrive Odwa 1000 10-inch Competition subwoofers were screwed down to the top of the custom-built speaker box enclosure.
61. The Blaupunkt Overdrive Odwa 1000 10-inch Competition subwoofers were screwed down to

62. This final shot shows the Blaupunkt 10-inch subwoofers mounted in the fully-carpeted, quality-crafted box underneath the rear seat. Speaker wire for the subwoofers was run from the speakers out of the box to the bass amplifier for power.
62. This final shot shows the Blaupunkt 10-inch subwoofers mounted in the fully-carpeted,