In an ideal world we wouldn't have to worry about someone breaking into our cars to rip out first-class audio components. We would be able to install what we want in the most ostentatious ways without worry. Of course, also in an ideal world components would cost about $20 each - and the manufacturers would still make a profit. Unfortunately, this world is far from ideal. And maybe it has to be this way. After all, where would car alarm companies be without car thieves. Disturbing thought. So unless you have a Klingon cloaking device (I admit, that's a pretty geeky reference), the best way to avoid thieves and vandals is to hide the goods. This is exactly what Jeff Smith did with his Honda Accord LX which his wife, Bridget, uses as her daily driver.
Like a lot of people in the industry, Jeff Smith, who is twenty-six, was able to turn his hobby into a career. He started by reading this very magazine, became an enthusiast, then set about learning everything he could from people working at established shops. At one point he even commuted two to three times a week to a shop about 50 miles from his home to build high-end cars. Now that's dedication! He became a part-time salesman/installer; but it wasn't long before it became a full-time gig.
His hobby which became his job has really been more of an obsession. In an attempt to elicit greater appreciation from his wife for what he loves to do Jeff designed a system for the above-mentioned '96 Accord. He teamed up with Doug Potter, who owns a shop called Glasswerks, and they began to design the system. The two installers split the work load pretty evenly with Doug performing all of the smooth fiberglass work while Jeff deadened and wired up the vehicle, as well as setting up the rest of the audio system. For them, having worked together before for high-end retail shops certainly helped the process.
Since the car is a daily driver the system has to be practical, functional and look factory. Everything can be concealed with factory looking panels. Jeff says that when he takes the Accord to a show people look at it then start to walk away because it appears there's nothing to see. But when he starts pulling down the hidden panels passers-by stop and fall in love with the system.
The source for the setup is a Sony CDXC-910. Jeff says he chose this for its extremely high sound quality properties. That's something he should know about, considering that he's been a competitor for some time now (currently he competes in IASCA and SLAP in the Pro Street 1-600 division). The Sony has quad 20-bit Burr-Brown D/A converters for precise CD playback at high resolution. It has a 4-volt pre-amp out section with a high signal-to-noise ratio which ensures a noise-free signal. The unit was bolted securely in the factory location to an aluminum brace with stainless steel 10 mm bolts. It's recessed into the dash to allow a faux Honda radio faceplate to cover it when not in use. To make sure his wife doesn't take her eyes off the road, Jeff installed the Sony RMX-4S joystick remote, mounted on the center console. Connected to the CDXC-910 via the Uni-Link input, Sony's CDX-T65 6-disc changer provides Bridget with a variety of music. The changer is flush mounted into the bottom of the rear seat cushion for easy access for long commutes.