FS: Loaded Custom Color Matched Subs

[Backpain]

Chuck is pretty busy with some personal issues right now, but will be gearing up to go full steam on these again soon. I just got a Box done in black with the Jl 8 in sub, I also got an Alpine pdx-5 amd and 2 sets of Jl c2-525x 5 1/4's from him. Great guy to work with!! I have been installing it all this week and hope to have it all finished by next week. The box does not like the oem harness bar in the 08 exige 240, it pushes right up against it which is fine once you get to that point, but getting the bar back in without scuffing up the paint is very tricky..
That and finding room for all the add on goodies for a Pioneer avic-n5 inside the dash.. O and the biggest problem of it all, running the wires for all this stuff..lol
I'll snap some pics when I'm done..

[Andy_1985]

Well that sucks, hope everything gets better for him.

[chuck_risen]

Alright I am finally done. I will post pictures in the next day or two. As for pricing I would much rather sell a completed kit verses being picked to death over internet pricing for every little bit. Besides, if you buy a complete kit you get the speaker grills painted the same color as the box, the amp filters and gains set and the HU pre-tuned with two tunes for free and I include all of the wiring, signal cables and tubing and everything you need for the installation - no running bac and forth to Best Buy 5 times because you forgot something or buying something that is too short/long or not compatible. I have two options, 1 with DVD and navigation and one without. Both are all Alpine electronics and JL speakers. I will consider box only on a case by case basis. I spent a lot of engineering and design time into this system including trying tons of electronics and speakers and I would hate to see it end up not sounding (or looking) awesome because someone wanted some other trinket or wanted to try and save $50 on e-bay. I work on quality and am not looking at doing quantity. I can also handle the install for those in the Chicago land area. I am currently working on another Aspen White customer in the area but that is almost complete. I have two boxes ready to paint and another nearing completion.

[Andy_1985]

So what was the pricing for the complete kits?

[chuck_risen]

Here are the pictures of the DVD/NAV version. I am sorry I do not have one yet with the face open but I will take one eventually. I modified the wiper stalks and make a custom bracket for it to fit and it does clear the vents (open or closed) and the screen is able to come out 100% with no interference. For anyone ordering this set-up I will make the bracket to properly locate the head unit and will modify your stalks for shipping cost only, send me yours and I will return them. If you wish to modify them on your own I will explain the process to you over the phone. I modify both sides so they match as you can see in the pictures. The subwoofer mounting ring is painted in my version and I can do more like it but standard is black. I just wanted to do one color matched and see how it looked so I did mine first. I of course did the vent surrounds and other interior goodies and can do them at an additional cost but heavily discounted if done with the speakers and box.

[jim-clayton]

You do very nice work !

[skillzlikewhoa]

how much for a set up just like that back and front speakers and the sub just like yours

[skillzlikewhoa]

o and how much is a dvd nav and what brand is good thank you

[ewalberg]

I've got 06 base interior car where i had a red interior put in on my Aspen white car and one of the things i like about the red is that it's not so washed out like the all black interiors. The little amount of red color goes a long way to make the interior look more intersting than all black, which i find downright boring. The few bits color matched and painted like you have REALLY makes the all black interior look MUCH MUCH nicer. I really like it!

I'm not sure i'm willing to go through with dedicating the space for a sub and amp (which i would like to have, and you have a pretty darned sweet solution for... but i use every bit of space sometimes)... but a ready to install package including headunit (although i would prefer against a big flip out head unit), 4 speakers, your "tune" for sound, and what ever wiring etcetera would be VERY tempting for me. I hate the factory stereo. I amaze myself that i've managed to survive it this long...

i totally overhauled the stereo in my g500, but just don't think i have the energy to put the time into figuring all the stuff out that would go into figuring what to install on my own... so a ready to install package... VERY tempting... i know i'd end up spending 40 hours researching crap to install if i decided to do it... it takes me FOR EVER.

OH, can you still fit the soft top behind the seat if you don't put the seat all the way back?

[chuck_risen]

Originally Posted by skillzlikewhoa

o and how much is a dvd nav and what brand is good thank you

I work exclusively with Alpine electronics and exclusively with JL speakers at this time. For now I will not substitute anything unless the price was right of course.

This includes everything to install down to the friction tape for your wires, new speaker wiring, amp wiring, fuse blocks, tubing for the engine bay and unlimited phone support from me on your installation. This is as plug and play as I can imagine anything being for these cars. For those in the Chicago land area I can handle the installation - price will vary depending on if we go through a dealer or where the installation will happen. The wire harnesses come complete and will plug right into your factory harness. Any stereo installation shop should be able to handle the install and many Lotus owners I know could handle it on their own and some have. The only special tools you need is something like a Dremel to make the two holes for the wiring to go into the engine bay. That is really the best location for the amp for multiple reasons which I will not go into here.

Everything I have picked I feel is best suited for the Lotus Elise and Exige. I have not skimped on any of the materials and I picked things that should outlast the car. I have tested most of the major brands and picked components based on their ability to play well together and still look like they go with the car. Also, the components I have chosen can be done in stages so there is an upgrade path for those that want to start with the sub and amp at first and possibly the head unit. The tuning can be done later fairly easily as an add-on if the head unit comes from me and will also be plug and play. Everything is reversable if someone wanted a newer version and wanted to take the system with them.

I have been experimenting and tweaking everything since I yanked out the factory system in my car back in the summer of 2006 and I still do not know how I was able to last that long. I have been through 4 sub box designs in the last year alone and have been through 5 brands for the main speakers in the past year as well. I have also personally had 4 head units in my car and have worked with a half dozen other options in customer cars. I have to say I am finally happy with what I have and have no plans to change anything which is why I am offering a complete kit for the first time.

Full kits will be getting priority from me as I would rather make sure everything is done correctly and the best sound quality for these cars without sacrificing space or functionality or sending the price so high that your bang for your buck goes out the window. I also don't want to have to deal with some questionable serial number missing internet special devices causing poor sound quality or damaging one of the components. Besides, the quantity of boxes I will produce will be limited. I do quality, not quantity.

This should answer most of your questions. Please feel free to PM me and I can give you my phone number if I missed something.

Chuck

[chuck_risen]

Originally Posted by ewalberg

I've got 06 base interior car where i had a red interior put in on my Aspen white car and one of the things i like about the red is that it's not so washed out like the all black interiors. The little amount of red color goes a long way to make the interior look more intersting than all black, which i find downright boring. The few bits color matched and painted like you have REALLY makes the all black interior look MUCH MUCH nicer. I really like it!

I'm not sure i'm willing to go through with dedicating the space for a sub and amp (which i would like to have, and you have a pretty darned sweet solution for... but i use every bit of space sometimes)... but a ready to install package including headunit (although i would prefer against a big flip out head unit), 4 speakers, your "tune" for sound, and what ever wiring etcetera would be VERY tempting for me. I hate the factory stereo. I amaze myself that i've managed to survive it this long...

i totally overhauled the stereo in my g500, but just don't think i have the energy to put the time into figuring all the stuff out that would go into figuring what to install on my own... so a ready to install package... VERY tempting... i know i'd end up spending 40 hours researching crap to install if i decided to do it... it takes me FOR EVER.

OH, can you still fit the soft top behind the seat if you don't put the seat all the way back?

I have never tried to stuff the soft top behind my seats so I can't answer that one for sure. If it needs to be in the shelf area I would have to say no but if you put it exclusively behind the seat then maybe but you would have to be much shorter than the 6' I am to do it.

As for red with Aspen White that is pretty common and I thinks looks good. I have done a number of red interior bits and engine covers for Aspen White owners and it looks sharp. I have not done the vent surrounds in red yet though but I really just started doing the vent surrounds so there has not been time to try that out. Besides, I wanted to take the time to figure out the best way to paint them without sacrificing functionality or worrying about the paint wearing off from normal use. I probably over think everything I do but at least I do not have to worry about under thinking anything.

I put a lot of thought into what to paint and what not to paint. I wanted to break up the vast blackness that is our dashes without putting in some much color that it is overwhelming. I feel that if I painted just one more thing it would be too much and one less thing it would not be enough. I have changed my interior around about 4 times now and am finally happy with the result. I think the "boss" at home is certain that I am crazy.

[egoold]

I was just wondering if you ever got a RHD back panel to do RHD versions? Just stumbled across your sub box design and it looks fantastic, pick up my Exige next week and would love one of these for it.

[chuck_risen]

Originally Posted by egoold

I was just wondering if you ever got a RHD back panel to do RHD versions? Just stumbled across your sub box design and it looks fantastic, pick up my Exige next week and would love one of these for it.

I am still trying to get my hands on a RHD back panel. Currently our only option is to swap out your existing panel for a LHD and new foam piece as they look exactly the same once the subwoofer is installed.

[DaBriGuy]

After many hours of labor ripping my Elise's interior out, my audio system install is complete!

Chuck and Rich at C.A.R.S are selling a top quality product... The new audio system is infinity better than stock and the craftsmanship on the sub-box and color matched console is incredible.

My kit included sub-box, install kit (amp bracket, wiring and reinstall bits), 2 color matched console pieces and air control surround. Their kit included a CD that detailed the install and helped make this project a success.

I am a very satisfied customer...but kinda wished I went with their full kit, cause tuning the system is now going to take quite a few more hours.

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