Ever since getting his first car in high school, Nick Galvin had always wanted a custom audio system. When he got his 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 in January, he saw an opportunity to do just that. "It came loaded with factory nav and the Kicker-upgraded system. But that wasn't good enough," Galvin states. "I wanted something more to set it off." With a goal to do something different and to prep his new daily driver for competing in USACi, he headed over to Cyclone Stereo in Ames, IA.
Shop owner Travis Sobaski and installer Joel Fleming helped Galvin pull off his custom 5.1-surround system. "The whole reason I wanted to go with a 5.1 system is to do something different from the norm of standard stereo sound," explains Galvin. To bring 5.1 to the 300c, Galvin upgraded the head unit with the Alpine IVA-D310, the PXA-H701 Multimedia Manager and the KCA-420i iPod adapter. "I wanted something that I could integrate an iPod, TV tuner, 5.1 surround and control other monitors," he says. "So I chose to go with Alpine, for they offered the ability to do these functions plus they are known for building good-quality products."
Alpine was also the manufacturer of choice for another essential component of a 5.1 system - the center channel speaker. The Alpine SBS-05DC was dropped in the dash because it was a "perfect fit for the vehicle and sounds great for a small speaker," Galvin reveals. The system's remaining 4.1 channels and the amps came from JL Audio. "I chose the JL subs and amps for the fact that I have always had good luck with JL and really like the quality of sound that JL makes," proclaims Galvin. Choosing to go stealth for the cabin, he had JL Audio XR series 6 1/2" component speakers installed in the factory locations: mids in the doors and tweeters in the dash. In the rear deck, Fleming dropped in JL Audio TR690-TXi coaxials.
The remaining 0.1 channel (i.e., rump-shaking sound-effect bass) often appeals the most to people in Galvin's youthful age group, but unlike some of his friends, Galvin "was going for more clarity." With the pair of JL Audio 12w6v2 subs, he got the sound quality and performance he was after. However, just because you're after SQ, doesn't mean you can't put on a little trunk show. The enclosure, tricked out with mirrors and acrylic, provides a perfect complement to the JL Audio amps. "I went with the chrome JL amps for their great sound and cosmetics," Galvin explains. The 1000/1 feeds the subs and the 300/4 handles front and rear speakers. Additionally, Fleming hid an Eclipse EA2212 for the center channel.
Galvin utilizes the 5.1 surround for movies, so monitors are a given. The Alpine IVA-D310 has a built-in monitor for the driver and front passenger. Rear seat passengers watch the Myron and Davis APKT80 headrest monitors. Lastly, for tailgaters, the Concept 17-inch LCD is embedded in the trunk lid, chosen because it was the "largest panel that looked good for the application." In addition to DVDs, video comes from the T.151 TV tuner and a back-up camera. All of the switching between the different sources goes through an Alpine VPE-S431. "It's kind of like being at home watching a movie, but inside the car," Galvin beams.
Movies aren't all that flash across the 300C's multiple screens. Once in a while, Galvin also likes to plug in an Xbox and enjoy the sound within the confined area of the car. Once football season starts, though, a lot of the action will take place outside of the car. Galvin has one thing in mind - tailgating. From the look of things, the 300C is more than equipped to handle that function, and everything else Galvin has in mind. "I wanted to show off because I'm interested in doing shows," Galvin states, "and I kind of wanted something that fit my needs and would look great at the same time." With the help of Cyclone Stereo, Galvin has certainly reached his goals.