Accurately build a mobile Hi-Fi sound field: A record of Ford Edge’s modification of the German Rekal Rainbow two-way active system

Car audio modification is far from a simple stacking or replacement of equipment. It is a systematic project that is interlocking and requires careful planning. From the beginning of formulating a modification plan for a specific vehicle model, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the vehicle’s spatial acoustic characteristics, circuit carrying capacity and the owner’s personalized listening needs, and then carry out targeted system architecture design, professional and rigorous installation and construction, and finally achieve accurate tuning. A successful conclusion. In this complete chain, tuning, as the last step, plays a key role in determining the overall success or failure. Like a brilliant conductor, it condenses all independent “musicians” (equipment) into a harmonious whole, and its importance is directly related to the artistic height and auditory enjoyment that the whole system can achieve. It can be described as “success is tuned, failure is tuned”.

The Ford Edge owner who cooperated with us this time is a music lover who has a clear pursuit of sound quality. His listening preference focuses on pop songs with beautiful melodies and well-recorded fever vocals, especially on the texture of sound and the transmission of musical emotions. He clearly requires that the final sound presented by the system should have a thick and full musical foundation, and at the same time, it must have extremely high listening endurance-that is, it is not easy to fatigue after listening for a long time, and it can make people immerse themselves in the music itself rather than the stimulation of sound. This puts forward quite high requirements for the power amplifier, the core of the drive system: not only does it need to provide abundant and pure power output to ensure absolute control of the speaker, but its own timbre style must also be warm, delicate and neutral, which can faithfully restore the original flavor of music instead of adding too much dyeing.

Based on the above in-depth communication and analysis, we have tailored the following system configuration list for this Ford Edge:

1. Sound source processing center: Keep and use the high-quality audio signal of the original main machine, and connect an external Magic Cube DSP audio processor. DSP will be responsible for completing high-precision digital signal processing, active frequency division, time delay correction and frequency equalization to correct the impact of the complex acoustic environment in the car.

2. Front soundstage core: It adopts Rekal (German Rainbow) series two-way speaker set, and is planned to be an active crossover drive mode. This means that the treble and midwoofer units will be independently driven by different channels of the power amplifier, and the ultimate frequency division accuracy and unit control will be achieved with DSP.

3. Low frequency cornerstone: Add an eight-inch subwoofer of the German Zero brand to complete the details and energy of the ultra-low frequency band in music, making the overall listening experience fuller and more solid.

4. Main sound field dynamics: Matched with an Aiwei KING series four-channel power amplifier, which specially drives the two-way speaker of the front sound field (the active crossover mode occupies exactly four channels). This amplifier is famous for its excellent control and neutral timbre.

5. Low frequency exclusive power: Equipped with a zero two-channel power amplifier, which is specially designed to drive the zero eight-inch subwoofer, ensuring fast, clean and powerful performance at low frequencies.

6. Systematic context: All signal transmission wires are made of high-quality speaker wires of Barney brand to ensure the purity and low loss of signal transmission.

The following is a group photo of all the core equipment that will inject new sound into this sharp world:

Below, let’s walk into every rigorous detail of this systematic modification from foundation construction to final integration through detailed picture records.

 

Building the ideal acoustic foundation: four-door sound insulation and seismic construction

Quality acoustics starts with a quiet and solid platform. We have carried out comprehensive sound insulation and shock-absorbing treatment on the four doors: a high-damping shock-absorbing plate is tightly attached to the inner steel plate to effectively suppress sheet metal vibration; The outer layer is sealed and sound insulated to block the intrusion of wind noise and external noise. At the same time, the door is shaped into a “speaker” closer to the ideal state, creating good conditions for the speaker to work.

Rigorous craftsmanship of speaker installation

Horn installation is much more than just fixing. We have customized car-specific horn gaskets for Rainbow mid-woofer units to ensure a firm installation and no resonance. The terminal blocks are reinforced with solder and insulated to prevent oxidation and loosening. Every detail is related to the stability of long-term use and the purity of sound.

Inversion and installation of A-pillar tweeter

In order to achieve accurate sound field positioning and optimal sound directivity, the tweeter is installed on the A-pillar through an inverted mold process. We chose log texture-style decorative panels for covering. The texture is simple and natural, harmoniously blends with the original car interior style, reflecting the combination of visual aesthetics and acoustic functions.

Insistence on system purity: remove the original car’s center horn

The core of a system that pursues high-fidelity (HiFi) stereo effect lies in constructing an accurate and stable two-dimensional sound field image. The center channel in the original car’s multi-channel system (such as Dolby Surround) may interfere with the accurate sound and image positioning formed by the left and right channels in standard stereo music playback. Therefore, we chose to remove or mute it, which is the embodiment of the concept of “cutting the complexity and keeping the essence”, aiming at pursuing a purer two-channel stereo experience.

Core power hidden installation: Aiwei KING series flagship four-channel power amplifier

 

 

The core of the drive system, the flagship four-channel power amplifier of Aiwei KING series, is cleverly hidden and installed under the driver’s seat. As the top product of the brand, it not only shows its flagship style in industrial design, but its sound performance has fully reached the high-fidelity standard. The abundant power output of 160 watts per channel provides a solid control foundation for the speaker. What is commendable is that at the same time of high power output, its timbre still maintains a high degree of delicacy, softness and balance, and its dynamic response is linear and natural, which is the key to meeting the car owner’s “thick and listening” requirements.

Perfect frequency band: 0.8-inch subwoofer cabinet

The low frequency part is handled by a 0.8-inch subwoofer installed in a custom cabinet. The box has been scientifically calculated to ensure that the low-frequency response is quick and accurate, and the sense of volume is moderate, which can not only supplement the basic frequency band, but not overwhelm the host.

Safety Cornerstone: Installation of Sound System Power Supply Safety

Finally, a high-current fuse that meets the safety specifications is independently installed for the whole high-power sound system. This is the “goalkeeper” of the safety of the whole circuit. Ensuring that the power supply can be quickly cut off in any unexpected situation and ensuring the absolute safety of vehicles and systems is the prerequisite for all beautiful sound experiences.