 Paul makes the initial amp...  Paul makes the initial amp adjustment now: The level adjustment is brought to the max (as there is sub adjustment through the head unit), the low boost is put in the middle, the low pass filter is set to 80Hz (which gives a lot of bass, with just a touch of highs). The subsonic filter is switched on, and he activates the illumination switch. |  The amp connections are now...  The amp connections are now made. From left to right: RCAs from the head unit, sub wiring, amp turn on, amp power, ground. |  For a stealthy look, Paul...  For a stealthy look, Paul will be mounting the amplifier on the inner spare tire well in the right rear, out of sight. He uses four self-tapping screws to do the job. The wire loom offers protection for the wires here, and you can see that he attached the amp ground here. |
 When it came to building my...  When it came to building my sub enclosure, John was confident in Damion DiJennaro. "I'd say he's one of the top 50 installers in the country," he quipped. "Well, let's say top 100--I don't want to sound too cocky." John needn't worry--Mobile Electronics said Damion was in the top 100 in 2004! Needless to say, the box was being left in very capable hands. |  "These new subs don't need...  "These new subs don't need as much space as the old ones did," says Damian. The average 12-inch sub needs 1.5 to .8 cubic feet. A 10-inch needs 1 to .6 cubic feet. And an 8-inch is anywhere from .6 to .3 cubic feet." The box he will be making for the Camaro will be around .4 cubic feet,... |  ...which is inline with Sony's...  ...which is inline with Sony's recommendation of .36 cubic feet. DiJennaro makes several trips to and from the Camaro with cardboard and a cutter, snipping away until the correct template shape appears for a nice fit in the driver-side quarter well. |
 Construction is of three-quarter-inch,...  Construction is of three-quarter-inch, medium density fiberboard (MDF) wood, held together with nails and wood glue. Once Damion is satisfied with the shape of the box, he uses adhesive to attach carpeting and sprays it black with some enamel. Sony's 8-inch sub is wired up and installed. |  The new enclosure goes in...  The new enclosure goes in and fits like a glove, looking great in the process. |  Oneil makes a fused amp power...  Oneil makes a fused amp power connection at the Camaro's driver-side fusebox. Folks, we now have power! |
Paul takes a moment to hook up an iPod and demonstrate the 820iP's abilities. I am immediately blown away by the clarity and strength of this system as Metallica rocks 1SC-YA! Initially there is a ton of bass, but I play with the EQ3 to reduce the sub's dominance and balance the mids and highs out. Even though the deck is powering the two rear speakers and the component fronts, there is more than enough crisp sound to complement the deep lows. Those A/C vent-mounted tweeters are ultra-crisp and look super trick, and can be turned toward or away from occupants to provide a low-tech treble adjustment! I try hard rock, rap, and even a little folk music for the hell of it, and all genres sound perfectly clean and well balanced.
The Camaro's rear plastic panel is replaced, and the install is complete. With the Sony deck's face off and the six speakers behind grills and vents, the only tipoff that I might have anything besides a stock system in here is the sweet, red Sony sub which can easily be covered up. Though this car--with some gear whine and a loud exhaust--is not the perfect vehicle for great sound, this Sony system is a fantastic, affordable, and lightweight mod that has greatly enhanced my driving experience.
Special thanks to Andrew Sivori and John Malakassis for their assistance with this article.
Car Tunes
45 Route 110
Farmingdale, NY 11735
631/752-1833
Sony Electronics, Inc.
800/222-SONY
www.sony.com/xplod