It's done. Here are some pics:

HU - Sony CDX-m850mp - I wanted to go with the clean, streamlined look:
http://home.covad.net/~jordanblaza/ElementAudioUpgradeProjectUpload/HU/HU1_day.jpg


Amps - SoundStream Rubicon II 300-2 (75wx2 @ 4 ohms) & 500-1 (400wx1 @ 2) - I didn't want to cut any of the plastic under/around the seats and these amps are the best sizes that I have found. They are attached using velcro. I will be fabricating some covers for them.
http://home.covad.net/~jordanblaza/ElementAudioUpgradeProjectUpload/Amps/RUB300-2-01_closeup.JPG
http://home.covad.net/~jordanblaza/ElementAudioUpgradeProjectUpload/Amps/RUB300-2-03_closeup.JPG


Sub: Infinity Perfect 12.1d, Downfiring. I made the box to fit in the middle behind the front seats. Sorta like a center console. I posted some in-progress pics of the box a while ago. The box was finished off with a coat of resin, polyfill stuffing & gray textured paint. The aesthetics didn't come out as well as I hoped. That's due to my impatience. I might eventually find the right vinyl covering for it later, though I am satisfied for now. It's usually covered up anyway. The driver is fastened to the baffle using t-nuts, a terminal cup is also installed for ease of removal. The stand-off/feet are attaced to the box also using t-nuts. The box is held in place using velcro, which is working better than I thought it would.:
http://home.covad.net/~jordanblaza/ElementAudioUpgradeProjectUpload/Sub/SUB_FROM_BACK_02_small.JPG
http://home.covad.net/~jordanblaza/ElementAudioUpgradeProjectUpload/Sub/Sub_profile_small.JPG


Power distribution:

From the battery. I had to use ANL type fuse because of the amps' current ratings.
http://home.covad.net/~jordanblaza/ElementAudioUpgradeProjectUpload/Power_Distribution/Batt_Fuse_01_small.JPG

There was enough space under the center console, between the front seats, for the distribution block. Turns out, the space also had one of the best grounding areas. I decided to use the Streetwires combo block for simplicity. I also thought it looked good, but in the end the look doesn't matter since it's hidden away.
http://home.covad.net/~jordanblaza/ElementAudioUpgradeProjectUpload/Power_Distribution/DISTRIBUTION-01_small.JPG


I used a relay other than the typical Bosch type relay. The coil of the one I used has a significantly lower current draw. The relay is turned on by the HU's remote line fused (0.5 amp fuse) at the HU end. A diode is used across the coil's terminals to protect the HU from kick-back current. The 12v supply for the normally open contact is taken from the fused distribution block (20A fuse). The line is fused again (1A fuse) before being fed to the relay's N.O. contact. The common contact is split and fused (0.5A fuse) before getting sent to the amps' remote turnon terminals.
http://home.covad.net/~jordanblaza/ElementAudioUpgradeProjectUpload/Power_Distribution/RELAY-BOX_small.JPG

I didn't include pics of the front and rear stages but they are Infinity Kappa 60.5 comps for front stage and 62.5 rear fill, all in stock locations with new 12ga wires.

All wiring (RCA, Speaker, Power), except remote turnon wires, are StreetWires. The Dist. Block, Fuse Holder, Terminal Rings are all StreetWires as well. I did that just to be consistent.

So Ubersam, how does it sound? The sub box/console looks really good.

Thanks georgeyew. Not being an audiophile, I think the system sounds great. A couple of friends from work who both have professionally installed systems think it sounds good too. It's clean, clear and can get loud enough for me. Although, it doesn't get quite loud outside the vehicle. But that's o.k., the less attention it gets the better. I still want to play around with phasing and tweeter placement on the front stage to get a better image. I want to get a more stable center image. But it's fine for now.

You can benefit from a large amount of testing I've done with the help of my own ears and a RTA system...

For optimal front soundstage imaging in the Element, the tweeters do not belong in the A pillars.

That's right - not in the A pillar location!

I have found that the front soundstage spatial quality, presence, and time alignment is dramatically better with the tweeters positioned low in doors (on axis or near the midbass) and aimed directly at the rear view mirror.

It seems that the large, horizontal dash and almost vertical angle of the windshield reflects and traps the sound quite badly and in a manner that almost feels as if one tweeter is out of phase w/the other. Time alignment and crossover adjustment helps but only gets you about halfway there. Placement and angle is the key to success here.

Hope this helps! :D

I am curious how this is possible. I thought generally the rules of thumb are tweeters/woofers should be on axis/near one another and the tweeters should be mounted near the ear height of your listening position. By mounting it low wouldn't it be obstructed by the legs of the passenger therefore hindering imaging?

I think I understand your argument about sounds getting trapped in the very frontal area between the windshield and the flat dash. But it seems to me that the slight angle of the windshield would bounce out the high frequency sounds.

I want to be clear at the onset that this is not written in a challenging tone or manner. I just want to better understand car audio imaging.

I just did a little experiment just now. I placed a sweat-shirt on the area of the dash, right around where the stock tweeter locations are pointing. My initial impressions where that the highs sounded a little cleaner. On some songs, without the sweat-shirt, there's a noticeable delayed repeat of some high registry sounds (cymbals, higher fret guitar work, etc.). Some of which do not sound like they're coming from the right direction. With the sweat-shirt in place, the highs are not as cluttered. It's easier to identify where they're coming from. Although the center image seem to have improved, it still isn't as stable as I think it should be.

One, of these days I'll get around to playing with the tweeter placement. Maybe some custom speaker pods are in order. Gotta read up on 'glassing and make some pods.

http://members.rogers.com/x2e/images/psclosed.jpg

Here is what I had done a few months back, and they sound great IMO.

[quote:6f5699b461="X2E"]
[img]
Here is what I had done a few months back, and they sound great IMO.[/quote:6f5699b461]
Nice! That's exactly what I'm thinking about but in plain ol' gray. Did you make that?