Custom Audio Design in 458 Italia - New speakers, Amps and Subwoofer

Hi Guys,

I am looking to have a system installed in a 458 coupe.

I am looking to utilise some equipment from my last car which includes:
- Audison Bit One to integrate with the Ferrari head unit
- Morel Limited Edition Carbon Fibre Mids and Limited Edition tweeters
- Selling/Trading one of my Audiowave Pro Amps (they are amazing) for a JL Audio HD 600/4 and a 750/1. The JLs are Class D which means much smaller form factor and less weight.

I am looking to have either one or two subs installed behind the seats on the rear shelf but have little experience with slim subs that can fit.
I would like at least a 10" but would prefer a 12" or 13".

Does anyone know of a good 10" or preferably 12" sub that can fit behind the seat?

As I am 6ft I like to have the seat all the way back. I am thinking of the 13" JL Audio 13TW5 behind the seat or perhaps a Morel Carbon Fibre Ultimo 10" between the seats. I suspect behind the seats are better as it will diffuse the sound, whereas a sub in the middle will not and will bounce off the windshield and dashboard.

Any advise from people who have custom installs would be appreciated. It would also be great to know what components you used.

Thanks

 

Here's what I have in mine and it sounds fantastic.

Focal Utopias in doors, Two 6.5" digital design subwoofers which are true subs and sound like 12's in a ported box behind the seat. Audison Voce which is around 1600 watts and very clean in the front trunk.

It sounds really good and doesn't take up much room as most people that get in my car don't even know it's aftermarket. Here is a picture of the amp.
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Nice trunk install!

 

Pics please of the ported speaker box behind the seat. Thanks.

 

Does anyone know if there is an optical audio feed in the 458?

This would be great to eliminate ground noise when interfacing with an Audison Bit One.

 

Great thread! I want to do a system in my car... does the box restrict seat travel?

 

Thanks!

Depending on the sub you choose it can be done with no affect to seat travel. I had 4 8" subs in my 430 and allowed for the seat to be all they way back with a slight recline as well.

If a shallow JL 13" fits in the available depth of the rear shelf (fingers crossed), then a design could be made that would allow for the sub to be right behind the drivers seat with enough space for amps and maybe a little storage as well on the remaining space on the rear shelf.

Does anyone know the depth of the rear shelf? This would be useful as I don't have access to a 458 at the moment.

 

I have 2 10" Alpine SWR-T10 in my 430 spider. They are very thin. Also used the class D Amps with Dyn Audio up front. Really sounds awesome. Had the Audison in my ML63 with the JL subs. I think this setup is the best I have had yet.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/360-430/366387-new-stereo-matts.html

 

Can you post more pics when you get the chance. Who did the install and roughly how much do you have in it.

 

WOW, nice and clean install. Perfect addition to a car like this, looks great!

 

Nice F430 and nice install!

 

Car is booked in for the 8th of July. I am told it will take about 7 days to do the work.

 

What are you doing? What do you figure the total cost will be?

 

Setup subject to fitment and depth available at time of install:
- Morel Elate Limited Edition Carbon Fibre Mids and Limited Edition Tweeters. The tweeters will be repositioned from behind the seat to next to the door pillar.
- JL 13TW5 sub
- JL HD900/5 (due to size and weight)
- Audison Bitone to integrate and EQ with ferrari oem system.

Cost is a bit unusual as I am utilising my Morel kit and Audision Bitone from my last install. I am also trading one of my Audiowave Aspire amps for all the JL kit. So I will basically be paying $3k for about 10 days labour.

As a guide for someone buying all the kit let me give a guide:
- 2 way component system (I recommend Morel, Focal and Hertz Mille) $1,500 to $2,000
- Audison Bit One $900 (crucial don't cut corners here)
- JL amp and Sub $1,500
- Labour $3,000 (this is so crucial and believe me, a good install, setup and EQ makes more difference than anything else you do). I am based on the middle of London and drive 3 hours just so a top installer can do the work.

Estimate for a decent system (great for a loud italian sports car) supplied all at once and installed by a top installer is $7k. This will destroy the JBL system sold as an option by Ferrari.

 

Great info and thank you. What type of enclosure and where will you mount it?

 

You are welcome.

It is a bit too early to finalise enclosure location and type. I will need the installer to decide on this.

Most likely the sub and amp will go behind the drivers seat, leaving some storage behind the passenger seat.

 

my business partner recently passed on buying a 2010 california.
the car was mint and had lo mileage.
the problem was the car had a $30K aftermarket stereo system installed by the original owner.
as a result, ferrari would not offer an extended warranty because the car was "modified".
i suggest you make sure the system you install can be removed so the car can be restored to "stock".

 

This is standard for me.... No holes and totally stealth. It can be returned to stock with half a days work.

 

What does the installer do about improving the speakers/tweeters on top of the dash? I understand that these stock speakers/tweeters cannot be touched because of where they are...

 

I have no tweeters in the dash. Mine are behind the seats and sound terrible.

I think the solution is to locate the tweeters above the door panel next to the pillar. There is currently a plastic triangle that will be replaced with a custom tweeter build.

 

Update

The car is being worked on as we speak.

The JL 13TW5, JL 900/5 and Bitone are all being located in an enclosure across the rear shelf. The enclosure will likely be covered in either Alcantara or Nero leather with a collar around the sub and another collar around the amp, both in the other material and in a slighty contrasting colour. For example, Nero Leather enclosure with the collars in Grigio Alcantara.

The morel tweeters are likely going to be mounted in a custom A Pillar build the puts the tweeter at the optimum height and angle. The pillars once built, will then be covered again in Nero Leather.

I am trying to locate a black metal Ferrari horse (or something similar and not to harsh on the eye) to mount in between the seats as a feature of the audio install. Can anyone point me in the right direction please?

Also I need to match the Ferrari Nero leather, can someone please confirm who makes/supplies the Ferrari leather? Is it Conolly?

 

Ordering the Nero Paltrona Frau Leather from Ferrari has proved really difficult and time consuming. All going well, I hope to have it in by next week to get the custom A Pillars covered along with the enclosure for the rear shelf.

 

Texasz,

I am having problems sourcing matching leather so a custom fabricated A pillar is out.

Can you please advise where the tweeter was installed? A pic would also be great.

Thanks

 

I put the following in mine. The speakers need to ware in . The treble Is a little harsh but told this will calm down.

custom sub box covered in matching leather/alcantara and stiching fitted with 10" carbon fibre morel subwoofer
Morel virus speaker all round
2x alpine power amp
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