Newbie audio build. Am I nuts?

I have been thinking about replacing by 07 JBL System for sometime now, but now that I have made the big purchases, I am getting nervous about doing the build. I live in the middle of tennesee and am three hours from a reputable shop, so hoping to learn a lot fast and lean on YouTube tutorials and great people like yourselves. Here is what I have so far.

• Arc Audio Blackbird DSP Amp
• Focal Flax Evo 3-way componet speakers
• JL Audio 10 TW3-D8 subwoofer
• Zenclosure sub enclosure
• Rockford Fosgatw Ampkit
• Samsung S9 Ultra tablet (14 inch)
• ICS AMS mount (replaces center speaker grill)
• Trackform tablet mount
• Front door speaker adapters
• Odd and ends ( speaker wire, sodder connectors, heat gun, etc.)

My last big purchases are the sound deadening and perhaps a new battery.

I plan to forgo a headunit and connect the tablet directly to the DSP Amp via optical connection. However part of me is still considering an aftermarket HU.

My biggest concern is getting the speakers to fit and the sound deadening. It seems so tedious and complicated. I will post pics as the build progresses. Let me know if you know of any threads that might be helpful.

 

Looks like fun!

Couple of questions, though... Given you have selected an 8 channel amplifier, three way components, and a subwoofer, I'm assuming you are going to run the three way system active (six of the eight available amp channels) and the subwoofer bridged (the remaining two amplifier channels). IMO, the subwoofer may be a little bit lean at 250 watts. 250 watts RMS is a good match for that little JL, but it's rated sensitivity is fairly low at 82 db. It DOES have good XMAX so it should be capable of decent low end even with the limited wattage, but Hoffman's law shows us that it will it won't play super loud. That may well be what you are going for - and I think the entire system will sound great - just might not but a big thumper.

Also, I'm not a huge fan of running the system off of a tablet, but that's just me. It can be hard to isolate any noise/buzz from - for example - charging the tablet while having it plugged in to the amplifier. Admittedly, I'm not up to speed on Samsung's new hotness, but I'm assuming the IO is a single USB C that you can use various adapters to get power in, Digital audio out, etc? I know that's more of an issue when using an analog output, but I've seen them act up on digital sources as well. It all may work perfectly well, so don't let me steer you away from it. Honestly, I'm pretty interested to see it all go together given it's relative simplicity.

How are you planning on controlling the volume, given you plan on using a digital source signal from the tablet? Are you able to configure the LR1 port on the amplifier as a master volume control?

As for fitting the speakers - that's gonna be fun. I'll let you figure that one out But sound deadening is pretty straightforward. I prefer to dampen resonances with CLD tiles (basically strips or squares of Dynomat type material that dampen a panel) rather than simply covering EVERY surface with the stuff. I then like to add mass with something like Mass Loaded Vinyl to give a general sound barrier (I feel it does a better job at quieting a cabin and giving a more solid sound than dynomat everywhere). Lastly, various density foams and butyl tape to seal or fill gaps, leaks, etc. I know it sounds kinda complicated, but it's actually pretty simple. That was the FIRST thing I did to my truck when I started upgrading things on my truck. The look on my wife's face when she walked out to find the interior of my nearly brand new truck sitting on the garage floor while layered "aluminum foil and plastic sheets" all of the place... She still likes me, so it all worked out.

 

Thanks for the detailed reply. I am focusing on sound quality for this build, but if the sub feel week, I will add a mono amp as my receiver has 8 output channels plus four DSP-controlled RCA outputs capable of up to 8V output.

I may leave an rca cable run from HU area to the amp, but leave unplugged. Then I only have to add the new HU and plug it in if the tablet fails as a HU. I fo need to find a good 12v item in the car to connect a remote wire to the amp so it knows when to turn on and off.

Do you have a recommended location to mount the amp? Was considering center console or under passenger seat.

What CLD did you go with? Was looking at dynomat or soundskins.

I know my wife will have a similiar reaction. She is the anti audiophile and already thinks I'm crazy when I complain how bad somw songs streamed over bluetooth sound.