Jacksonville Client Gets 1987 Caprice Audio Upgrade

A new client from Jacksonville, Florida, came to Audio Designs & Custom Graphics to upgrade his 1987 Caprice audio system. He had seen our work on Facebook and our website, and liked what he saw.

We met with this client to discuss his goals for the system. We knew from his enthusiasm and passion for music that this was going to be a fun build. The customer wanted a system that would play loud – really loud! He had already had some audio-related work done to the vehicle, so we had to take that into account during the design process. We were able to propose a system that would provide lots of bass while still offering great overall clarity and detail.

Custom Dash Design

The custom dash kit for the Caprice was made with the Audio Designs CNC machine, for a perfect fit.

The client chose a Kenwood DDX9702S as his source unit. The inclusion of Android Auto and Carplay has made this a popular radio option for owners of smartphones. Integrating the Kenwood into the dash of the Caprice required fabricating a custom dash kit. We took detailed measurements and programmed our CNC router to cut a one-off 2-DIN mounting kit for the multimedia receiver. The new bracket provides solid support for the Kenwood radio and a mounting solution for the temperature control panel. If you own a Caprice, we can create a mounting bracket for you – click here for details.

Hertz Speakers And Kenwood Amplifiers Do The Talking

The Hertz speakers take the place of an existing component set that the client had.

The front speakers of this Caprice audio upgrade are Hertz Energy 6-1/2” components. The customer already had component speakers in the door, so we re-used those mounting locations. The rear deck is home to a set of Hertz Energy ECX690s. Both speaker sets get power from a four-channel Kenwood KAC-X4R amplifier. As much as 75 watts of power is available for each of the speakers to ensure they sound great and get loud.

Massive Amounts Of Bass Thanks To Digital Designs

Raised vinyl panels were used to trim out the enclosure in the trunk.

The acrylic window over the subwoofers allows the client to he his awesome new subwoofers, as well as allows for future servicing.

The Digital Designs logo was CNC cut into the acrylic window, for a custom look.

Opening the trunk of the Caprice reveals the true intent of the audio system – it’s all about attention! We housed four Digital Designs Redline 500 series 12-inch subs in a massive fourth-order bandpass enclosure. Each pair of subs is powered by a Kenwood KAC-X1R for a total of 2,400 watts! We included Plexiglas windows to see into the enclosure, and red LED strips to light it up when the trunk opens. We finished trim panels in vinyl for a clear and modern look that matches the angular style of the Caprice.

In preparation for delivery of the vehicle, we confirmed the amplifier sensitivity settings using our oscilloscope. This procedure maximizes system performance while preventing the amplifier from distortion and high volume levels.

The Client Loved His Caprice Audio Upgrade

To say that the customer was thrilled with his new system would be an understatement. His music and his style come through clean and clear. The Caprice is a big car, and this one rolls on big wheels with a sound system that can more than talk the talk.

If you are interested in discussing a system for your vehicle, we invite you to drop by Audio Designs & Custom Graphics or contact us by phone or e-mail. We’d be happy to help realize your dreams.