Illusion Electra 4.1 in Alto - Upgraded with Clarion DXZ 785 USB HU + 6.5 mid bass

Technocrat · 7th February 2008, 09:50

Hi All,

Its been a little over a month that I have got the 4.1 components in Alto.

These have been the most expensive set of speakers I have ever bought especially considering their size but boy they sound superb.

I am totally happy with my decision to get them installed

This was My Old Setup

HU: Pioneer 5650 with 3 pre-outs
Front: Sony 3 way 130W speakers
Rear: Pioneer 6X9 oval speakers mounted on rear tray.
Sub: Sony Xplode 1300 Watts 12 Inch sub
Amp: Sony 554ZR 4 Channel Amp, powering the rear ovals & sub
Wiring: Flashy blue RCA for rear & normal speaker cables that came with speakers

Current Setup

HU: Pioneer 5650 with 3 pre-outs
Front: Illusion Audio Electra 4.1 Components
Rear: Pioneer 6X9 oval speakers mounted on rear tray.
Sub: Sony Xplode 1300 Watts 12 Inch sub
Amp: Sony 554ZR 4 Channel Amp, powering the front comps & sub
Wiring: Illusion Audio 16g OFC kit for front components & normal RCA for amp

Here are the pics

The unpacked set

Old Vs New

If you notice two of the brackets in Sony were folded as the Alto stock location doesn't accommodate these

So the installer cut the two brackets from the EL

Old Speaker at Stock location

EL at stock location

Flashy RCAs which were removed(almost 5 meters of it)

New RCA + Illusion Audio 16g OFC kit

XO's Placement

A few Install Pics

I didn't like the placement of XOs over the amp as I thought they might get affected from heat from amp but the installer said otherwise stating he has done lots of install like this.

There was some problem with the amp once it was reconnected in new form as it was contnuosly tripping, the installer said that it had water on the board & hence the problem although he did show me rust marks on the board I was still not sure because the amp was running fine till I drove in. It seems he changed some transistors or something & got them working.

All this took lot of time even when I went on a week day to avoid weekend rush. Had to go back to office. Called up in eve & went to pick the car found another glitch the fronts have been connected to Rear Pre -outs & the rears on front speaker out

. He said the front pre-outs are not working. I don't buy that & am sure the installer guy must have goofed up anyways didnt have enough time to get this checked.

Thanks to Shrivz who came there & was present there. We did lot of permutation combination for placement of tweeters, he even suggested putting them in door but i didn't want any cutting job. As of now they are facing skyward with tilt towards passengers.

At the end I am one happy customer of the EL 4.1s

Looking forward to comments\queries\suggestions

johy · 7th February 2008, 10:06

Congrats Technocrat!

The Illusion Electra 4.1 is a awesome speaker (for that small size) - very sweet sounding indeed.

The crossovers over the amp! Well that is a new one for me. I wonder if that was a good idea. I placed my crossovers below the dash (near the doors). I thought that was a good spot for them.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2...sovers1bv9.jpg

Also, perhaps you should change the RCAs to Scosche or a similar?

Dhar's · 7th February 2008, 10:19

@Technocrat
Congrats on new Illusions.
Howz the listening experience?

Why not DIY redo the wiring and placement of XO? It isnt that tedious to do that in Alto.

low_bass_makker · 7th February 2008, 10:34

Congrats on the new 4.1 looks many people are going for 4.1 speakers. I have heard few wagon R with this location used with cheap speakers and it sounded quite good. But with Illusion installed it will be out of the world experience.

saintsinner · 7th February 2008, 10:39

looks good technocrat! i have the same amp too

it is still going strong!!

moralfibre · 7th February 2008, 12:21

Techno, I don't agree with the XO location. Please remove them from there and just place them next to the amp. I see that you have spare speaker wire anyways.

Good install otherwise.

snaronikar · 7th February 2008, 12:25

Hmmm. Good choice. Howz the music now? Might be shattering, right?

Technocrat · 7th February 2008, 12:27

@Johy: Thanks, one of the reason for going to these speakers was your install :-) I know RCAs are avg but got no money :(

@Dhar: It is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L

@saintsinner: Yes me too hasnt found any problem so far except the one which came during installation(it was running fine before & after too :-D)

@MF: I know but had no time to argue with him, I am not sure where can I actually put the XOs close to amp, lets figure it out next time we meet :-)

@snaronikar: The music is sweet & sound is much more whole some, I hear a lot of instruments on my favorite songs than I could before :P

shrivz · 7th February 2008, 12:28

Great to see the thread up finally.. now get rid of that amp and HU..

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

As of now they are facing skyward with tilt towards passengers.

Facing towards the windshied?? Don't do that
My memory tells me that we stuck them on the A-pillars...

in any case.. dont fire them towards the windshield.. please!

enjoy the ice!

Bass&Trouble · 7th February 2008, 17:42

Hi Techno, looking good. Congrats!

Just one question: Is there some gap around the 4" driver and the cutout in the dash? Looks like it from the pics. Use some damping material to seal that off. Mid bass will sound much better.

Vid6639 · 7th February 2008, 17:49

B&T, does that gap make a difference? The bottom opens out into the footwell so it's open everywhere. How will that gap make a difference to the mid bass?

Bass&Trouble · 7th February 2008, 18:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by vid6639

B&T, does that gap make a difference? The bottom opens out into the footwell so it's open everywhere. How will that gap make a difference to the mid bass?

Yes vid, it makes a difference. The front and rear of any bass producing speaker should be sealed from one another or they will cause cancellation.

The frequency at which this cancellation will occur is inversely proportional to the size of the baffle. Hence, if he seals the space immediately around the speaker, the baffle size will become very large and hence cancellation will occur at a very low frequency that falls out of the speaker's range.

Technocrat · 7th February 2008, 18:34

@Shrivz: The dual tape is not able to hold the tweets at A pillar hence the upward placement :(

@Ajay: Thanks to you for delivering it promptly to the installer :-)

Yes, there is gap but this place is so awkward that even the screws for speakers are tightened using washers forget putting anything else. Btw some of these gaps are places where the grille's hinges fit in.

I too feel that damping would improve the output.

Let me know when ever next you plan to come to Pune

RAC · 8th February 2008, 13:39

Congrats again Techno. Good to see the thread up.

On the gaps, there is another install with pics somewhere (didn't search - guilty) on the damping material used to isolate the front and rear frequencies as suggested by B&T.

If i am not mistaken, you have also raised some questions on this earlier on how the damping was done.

FATAL3RROR · 8th February 2008, 14:22

hey Technocrat!

Congrats on your new ICE setup. I really want to hear the Electra 4.1s sometime! Will do when we meet up next.

Enjoy your music!

Fatal3rror

7th February 2008, 09:50	#1
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	Illusion Electra 4.1 in Alto - Upgraded with Clarion DXZ 785 USB HU + 6.5 mid bass Hi All, Its been a little over a month that I have got the 4.1 components in Alto. These have been the most expensive set of speakers I have ever bought especially considering their size but boy they sound superb. I am totally happy with my decision to get them installed This was My Old Setup HU: Pioneer 5650 with 3 pre-outs Front: Sony 3 way 130W speakers Rear: Pioneer 6X9 oval speakers mounted on rear tray. Sub: Sony Xplode 1300 Watts 12 Inch sub Amp: Sony 554ZR 4 Channel Amp, powering the rear ovals & sub Wiring: Flashy blue RCA for rear & normal speaker cables that came with speakers Current Setup HU: Pioneer 5650 with 3 pre-outs Front: Illusion Audio Electra 4.1 Components Rear: Pioneer 6X9 oval speakers mounted on rear tray. Sub: Sony Xplode 1300 Watts 12 Inch sub Amp: Sony 554ZR 4 Channel Amp, powering the front comps & sub Wiring: Illusion Audio 16g OFC kit for front components & normal RCA for amp Here are the pics The unpacked set Old Vs New If you notice two of the brackets in Sony were folded as the Alto stock location doesn't accommodate these So the installer cut the two brackets from the EL Old Speaker at Stock location EL at stock location Flashy RCAs which were removed(almost 5 meters of it) New RCA + Illusion Audio 16g OFC kit XO's Placement A few Install Pics I didn't like the placement of XOs over the amp as I thought they might get affected from heat from amp but the installer said otherwise stating he has done lots of install like this. There was some problem with the amp once it was reconnected in new form as it was contnuosly tripping, the installer said that it had water on the board & hence the problem although he did show me rust marks on the board I was still not sure because the amp was running fine till I drove in. It seems he changed some transistors or something & got them working. All this took lot of time even when I went on a week day to avoid weekend rush. Had to go back to office. Called up in eve & went to pick the car found another glitch the fronts have been connected to Rear Pre -outs & the rears on front speaker out. He said the front pre-outs are not working. I don't buy that & am sure the installer guy must have goofed up anyways didnt have enough time to get this checked. Thanks to Shrivz who came there & was present there. We did lot of permutation combination for placement of tweeters, he even suggested putting them in door but i didn't want any cutting job. As of now they are facing skyward with tilt towards passengers. At the end I am one happy customer of the EL 4.1s Looking forward to comments\queries\suggestions
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 10:06	#2
johy BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Siliguri Posts: 972 Thanked: 621 Times View My Garage	Congrats Technocrat! The Illusion Electra 4.1 is a awesome speaker (for that small size) - very sweet sounding indeed. The crossovers over the amp! Well that is a new one for me. I wonder if that was a good idea. I placed my crossovers below the dash (near the doors). I thought that was a good spot for them. http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/2...sovers1bv9.jpg Also, perhaps you should change the RCAs to Scosche or a similar?
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 10:19	#3
Dhar's BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: QLN/TRV/DXB Posts: 420 Thanked: 626 Times View My Garage	@Technocrat Congrats on new Illusions. Howz the listening experience? Why not DIY redo the wiring and placement of XO? It isnt that tedious to do that in Alto.
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 10:34	#4
low_bass_makker Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Faridabad Posts: 6,815 Thanked: 305 Times View My Garage	Congrats on the new 4.1 looks many people are going for 4.1 speakers. I have heard few wagon R with this location used with cheap speakers and it sounded quite good. But with Illusion installed it will be out of the world experience.
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 10:39	#5
saintsinner BANNED Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Noida Posts: 612 Thanked: 11 Times	looks good technocrat! i have the same amp too it is still going strong!!
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 12:21	#6
moralfibre Team-BHP Support Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: MH-12 Posts: 8,443 Thanked: 13,956 Times	Techno, I don't agree with the XO location. Please remove them from there and just place them next to the amp. I see that you have spare speaker wire anyways. Good install otherwise.
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 12:25	#7
snaronikar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,845 Thanked: 29 Times View My Garage	Hmmm. Good choice. Howz the music now? Might be shattering, right?
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 12:27	#8
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	@Johy: Thanks, one of the reason for going to these speakers was your install :-) I know RCAs are avg but got no money :( @Dhar: It is B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L @saintsinner: Yes me too hasnt found any problem so far except the one which came during installation(it was running fine before & after too :-D) @MF: I know but had no time to argue with him, I am not sure where can I actually put the XOs close to amp, lets figure it out next time we meet :-) @snaronikar: The music is sweet & sound is much more whole some, I hear a lot of instruments on my favorite songs than I could before :P Last edited by Technocrat : 7th February 2008 at 12:28.
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 17:42	#10
Bass&Trouble Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bombay Posts: 2,754 Thanked: 124 Times	Hi Techno, looking good. Congrats! Just one question: Is there some gap around the 4" driver and the cutout in the dash? Looks like it from the pics. Use some damping material to seal that off. Mid bass will sound much better.
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 17:49	#11
Vid6639 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 17,727 Thanked: 43,457 Times View My Garage	B&T, does that gap make a difference? The bottom opens out into the footwell so it's open everywhere. How will that gap make a difference to the mid bass?
	() Thanks

7th February 2008, 18:34	#13
Technocrat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: GTA Posts: 14,813 Thanked: 2,700 Times	@Shrivz: The dual tape is not able to hold the tweets at A pillar hence the upward placement :( @Ajay: Thanks to you for delivering it promptly to the installer :-) Yes, there is gap but this place is so awkward that even the screws for speakers are tightened using washers forget putting anything else. Btw some of these gaps are places where the grille's hinges fit in. I too feel that damping would improve the output. Let me know when ever next you plan to come to Pune
	() Thanks

8th February 2008, 13:39	#14
RAC BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 192 Thanked: 10 Times	Congrats again Techno. Good to see the thread up. On the gaps, there is another install with pics somewhere (didn't search - guilty) on the damping material used to isolate the front and rear frequencies as suggested by B&T. If i am not mistaken, you have also raised some questions on this earlier on how the damping was done.
	() Thanks

8th February 2008, 14:22	#15
FATAL3RROR BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Leeds, UK Posts: 116 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	hey Technocrat! Congrats on your new ICE setup. I really want to hear the Electra 4.1s sometime! Will do when we meet up next. Enjoy your music! Fatal3rror
	() Thanks