This is the factory A-pillar cover. It is held on to the A-pillar itself with a plastic lanyard, which probably keeps the pillar cover from becoming a projectile when the side airbags deploy. This can be removed if you want to but it turns out to be just fine left connected, and the pillar cover just rotates up and out of the way to be worked on.
This is what we're here for. Compared with the Sony setup in my 2010, this tweeter looks much more weak. Also, the mounting spot is enlarged and seems to hold a bigger tweeter than the 2010 Sony unit.
This will be its replacement. It is a Bravox tweeter that came out of the Carbon Fiber 5x7 component set I used in my 2010 Flex build. In that one, the factory Sony tweeters were used instead of these because I felt the Sony tweeters were high quality and good sounding. These then were available and look a lot more appealing for this particular build.
To mount, I didn't want to get aggressive and start cutting holes in the A-pillar. That might come later if I go upgrade crazy. But for now, I opted to keep it stealth and place the Bravox tweeter inside the factory location. I used butyl rope to create a secure mount with some flexibility to it, so I was able to angle the tweeters up and toward the cabin slightly while still locking them in place. I also used more butyl rope to seal off the chamber the tweeter sat in, since it didn't have the stock shape and gasket.
I ran 16 gauge 2 conductor sheathed wire through the A-pillar area on both sides, and soldered this to the Bravox wiring.
This is the MS8 output wiring harness. With the input done and out of the way, this then reconnects to the factory wiring as well as my custom wiring to the tweeters. Specifically, the MS8's internal amps power the LR, RR, and LF tweeter, RF tweeter.
More carnage. Specifically what is happening here, is the input and output harnesses are being routed, while the add-on wiring from the tweeters is run. Also, extra wiring from the amp location to the factory wiring is added, so the LF woofer, RF woofer, and Center all get amplified power.
The amps are wired and just about ready to go
So is the processor side
RCA wires run between the two sides. This is a temporary run, I've already ordered 90 degree bend RCA's from overseas in the UK, apparently one of the very few places available to purchase such things.
Factory oversized all-weather mat fits, which was a design requirement.
For now, that's all the pics I have. I've decided to put the MS8 processor's display panel in the glove box just to be there whenever I need it. In my 2010 build, I mounted it in the center console under the radio but I almost never used it or looked at it, so it seemed silly to go through the trouble again. This time I just ran the display cable through the glove box with some slack built in, and when I need the display I just pull it out and use it, then put it back in the glove box when done. This works, and its one less thing to worry about being exposed for thieves or whatever. Also, I threw in my 2010's spare tire well subwoofer box, and got it functional. Clearly I've got more work to do to make it pretty and perfect, but for now I've got my bass and the car sounds great as-is.
To reiterate, right now the system is running the stock door woofers all around, and the center is stock too. This will all likely change as the build progresses, but right now I'm at a point where I'm happy with the sound and I'm enjoying the enhanced clarity, power, and dynamics even with stock speakers. Heavy deadening/sealing will also come in pretty soon, and that will all be documented as well.
