Kirkwood Client Upgrades 2015 Audi Q5 Audio System

A repeat client from Kirkwood, Missouri, came to JML Audio for a serious 2015 Audi Q5 audio system upgrade. Our team has done work for this client in the past, so we knew he had high expectations for the sound quality of his audio system. We scheduled an audio consultation at our facility to allow time for us to go over the vehicle with the client and explore upgrade options together. We always spend significant time on listening as the client lays out important objectives for a project. Once we have gathered all of our information, we worked up a proposal that we felt will best suit the needs of our client. He liked our proposal, so we set an installation date.

Video Interface And Backup Camera Increase Vehicle Safety And Convenience

The backup camera in this Audi was installed in the factory location, just above the license plate.

The output of the backup camera was interfaced with the factory screen for a seamless OEM function.

Navigation was added to this non-nav factory system to aide the client in finding destinations.

This particular Q5 did not come with the navigation or backup camera option, and we knew early on that the client wanted these features. JML has lots of experience with integrating technology into German vehicles. In this case, we were able to add a navigation brain that works with the factory LCD screen in the dash and the MMI controller in the center console. We added a rearview camera to the vehicle as well, and it displays on the factory color screen – again, working like the factory camera.

Complete Environmental Package Enhances Driving Comfort

Once that we had done the technology upgrades to the vehicle, we turned our attention to quieting down the interior and eliminating any possibility of rattling or vibration for the performance audio system. We call our sound-damping work “environmental packages,” since we design them to insulate the occupants from the outside environment. We put our stage-three package on the front doors and our stage-two package on the rear doors and rear hatch area.

Audison Processor Integrates The New Audio System With The Audi Factory Stereo

At this point, the Audi Q5 was ready for the main event: the audio upgrade. We chose an Audison Bit One processor to integrate the factory audio system to our new amplifiers. The BitOne gives us the capability to take the musical signal coming out of the Audi and restore it to a full-range, unequalized signal that is a perfect starting point for music nirvana. It also provides seven discrete output channels, allowing us to choose individual crossover points, 31 bands of equalization, digital delay, and output levels for each and every speaker. Having this kind of detail available lets us bring out every last nuance in the music.

Audison Amplifiers Provide Reference-Level Amplification

Is this a before or after picture? Hard to tell, isn’t it? Hidden behind all the factory panels is a complete reference-level audio system!

The Audison BitOne processor was mounted in the driver’s side rear of the Audi. The factory panels completely conceal it.

The two Stinger batteries, two Audison amplifiers, and Dynaudio subwoofer all fit underneath the factory floor.

Once we had the musical signal set the way we wanted it, we sent the discrete outputs to a pair of Audison Thesis Quattro amplifiers. Quite simply, these are some of the best-sounding amplifiers available, whether for the car or home. In this particular setup, we had almost 1,000 watts of clean power running the front speakers along with more than 500 watts of power going to the subwoofer. We knew this vehicle would never lack in dynamics or output capability.

The fabrication team at JML Audio made a custom metal amp rack to house both of the amplifiers in a false floor under the cargo area. They also installed two Stinger batteries under the false floor in a metal battery rack. We mounted the BitOne processor behind the driver’s side rear panel in another custom metal mount.

The idea behind this installation was to have a completely stealth install. It was a tall order for us, but it worked out beautifully. If someone would look over this vehicle, they would never know there is a state-of-the-art audio system in it until they started removing panels. We surely love this aspect of our job!

Dynaudio Subwoofer For Incredibly Detailed Bass

The last stage of the audio journey is the speakers. In the rear of the vehicle, we made a custom enclosure to house a Dynaudio Esotar 12” subwoofer in a sealed space that hid under the cargo floor behind the amplifiers.

Dynaudio Speakers Provide An Impressive Sounding Front Stage

We were able to keep the dash of the Audi looking stock by building pods that sat slightly above the factory tweeter grills and covering them with an acoustically transparent cloth.

In the front of the vehicle, we used the factory speaker locations and made custom composite mounts to hold a trio of Dynaudio speakers. We installed the Esotec 8” woofer to handle the midbass duties, while an Esotar 4” handles all of the midrange sounds. Rounding out the speaker package is an Esotec 1.1” tweeter, which handles all of the high frequencies. Just as with the rear of the Audi, when we were done with the speaker installation, the interior looked completely original, keeping with our stock theme.

Audison Controller  And Client Smartphone Mounted Within Easy Reach Of The Driver

The Audison DRC was flush-mounted into the top of the center console forward storage compartment. This gave the client easy access to the audio controls.

Now able to be used as an audio source, the client’s smartphone is right at his fingertips.

The metal bracket we fabricated is able to rotate underneath the armrest when not in use.

The only thing in this installation that didn’t look stock was the controller for the Audison BitOne. We flushed it into the center console in front of the shifter, making it look like Audi put it there as a factory upgrade. Only a well-trained person would ever know the controller did not come factory-installed.  Our final audio and convenience upgrade was to build a custom mount for the client’s smartphone.  The addition of a USB input to the factory stereo gave the client the ability to use the phone as an audio source.  Our metal bracket is able to slide back under the armrest when not in use, keeping the interior looking stock.

Window Film Protects Occupants And Interior

We wrapped up the installation by applying our full window film treatment package to all of the windows and both sunroofs, and our clear treatment to the windshield. That protects the occupants and the interior from damaging UV rays and dramatically lowers the vehicle’s interior temperature on those hot summer days.

Extensive Tuning Of Audison Processor Maximizes Audi Q5 Audio System

As with any installation done at JML Audio, we spent extensive time on fine-tuning the audio system to extract every last ounce of sound quality. It is our opinion that our clients should get all the performance they pay for, so we never skimp in this area.

When we delivered the vehicle to the client, he was thrilled with the outcome. From the stunning realism of the audio system to the upgraded technology, and the fit and finish of the installation, he thought we delivered on all counts. And that made our day.

When you are ready to upgrade the audio system in your vehicle, we invite you to contact us HERE at JML Audio. Let’s set up a time to do an audio consult, and our team will show you all the possibilities available for your vehicle. We look forward to meeting you.