🔁 Returning Client, New Challenge
This week we had the pleasure of welcoming Ben, a long-time MC Audio client and true automotive enthusiast. We've worked on several of his vehicles over the years — from tech upgrades to full audio transformations — and each time, the expectation is the same: perfection.
This time, he brought us a 2019 Land Rover Range Rover Sport equipped with the base factory audio system — a setup that offers very limited sound performance and no dedicated amplifier from the factory.
But if there's one thing we've learned with Ben: every car deserves to sound amazing. And we were ready to make it happen. 🔧🎵
🧩 Step 1: No Plug-and-Play? We Build It.
Unlike premium sound variants (like Meridian), this base audio system didn’t come with a digital signal or amplifier to work from. There was no off-the-shelf plug-and-play harness available to extract the full-range audio signals.
That didn’t stop us.
Instead of compromising, we got to work reverse-engineering the MMI interface, tracing signal by signal to determine where and how to intercept front stage output, speaker feeds, and ground references. We created a custom harness from scratch, ensuring that every channel could be safely routed to our DSP amplifier.
This kind of work is highly technical and time-consuming — but the reward is absolute signal integrity, full OEM compatibility, and no need to tamper with factory wiring. 💡🔌
🔇 Step 2: Sound Deadening – Full Front Door Treatment
With the front stage being fully active and dedicated in this setup, we took no shortcuts.
We used premium-grade acoustic damping materials to cover:
- Outer door skin
- Inner metal panel
- Plastic inner trim panel
This took nearly half a day, but it was essential to reduce panel resonance, road noise, and rattles — laying the foundation for a clean, distortion-free listening experience. The front doors are now silent chambers ready to project sound with accuracy and impact. 💥
🔊 Step 3: Match UP10DSP – Installed & Integrated with URC.3
For this system, we chose the Match UP 10DSP amplifier — a 10-channel DSP with incredible tuning capability, time alignment, crossover control and 30-band EQ.
The process included:
- Removing the driver’s seat to safely run power and signal cabling
- Creating custom bracketry for DSP mounting — ensuring it's fixed, ventilated, and secure
- Installing the URC.3 remote controller in the dash to give Ben quick control over presets and volume
- Running and securing a USB tuning lead from the DSP to the glovebox for easy tuning access with DSP PC-Tool
Every connection was crimped, soldered, heat-shrunk, and tested for reliability. This isn't just installation — it's integration done at a professional level. 🧰
🔊 Step 4: Subwoofer Selection – Match PP 7E-D
For bass reinforcement, we installed the Match PP 7E-D, a 6.5” passive subwoofer in a sealed enclosure.
While compact, this little powerhouse adds depth, warmth and weight to the sound — perfect for creating a balanced low-end without sacrificing boot space. It integrates beautifully with the DSP, allowing us to time-align and balance it with the rest of the system for seamless, musical bass. 🎶🔊
🔉 Step 5: Focal Flax Evo PS165FXE – Precision for the Front Stage
We selected the Focal Flax Evo PS165FXE 6.5” component speaker set for the front stage. These speakers feature:
- Flax fibre midrange cones (natural, detailed sound)
- Aluminium/magnesium inverted dome tweeters (clear, controlled highs)
- Advanced crossover networks
Each component was mounted with proper support rings and positioned to maximise imaging.
We dedicated two channels per side from the DSP amplifier — allowing us to fully customise crossover points and frequency ranges for both woofer and tweeter. 🎛️
🎼 Step 6: Tuning to Ben’s Music Style
Tuning isn’t just about numbers — it’s about listening.
We spoke with Ben about his favourite genres (mostly instrumental, jazz, and cinematic-style soundtracks). From there, we adapted our tuning philosophy:
- Broad stereo width
- Warm midbass presence
- Non-fatiguing highs
- Tight, musical low-end
Using DSP PC-Tool and calibrated microphones, we ran through time alignment, phase matching, and fine EQ correction. The system came alive. 🧠🔊🎚️
✅ Stage 1 Complete — What’s Next?
This upgrade marks the end of Stage 1 — and what a result!
Ben now drives a Range Rover Sport that sounds as premium as it looks.
But the journey’s not over. Stage 2 will include:
- Rear door speaker upgrades
- Potentially upgrading to a 3-way front stage
- Optional second subwoofer or underseat bass
And as always, we’ll be ready. 💪
📍 Performed by the Experts at MC Audio Sydney
Location:
📍 Unit 10 / 5–7 Bermill St, Rockdale NSW
📞 0415 072 361
📧 info@mechatronicar.com.au
🌐 www.mcaudio.shop
