A client we’d previously worked for contacted the Westminster Speed & Sound team to install a radar detector in his new-to-him 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost. We’d implemented a speeding-ticket prevention solution on a previous vehicle, and he wanted the same protection in his new car. While at the shop, the client mentioned that the sound system was having trouble. An inspection led to a discussion about a performance upgrade, which then blossomed into a full audio system and technology enhancement package. After providing the client with a quote to upgrade his luxury car, we scheduled an appointment to begin the work.
Uniden Radar Detector Installation
Our team worked on the Rolls-Royce Ghost in two groups. While the first team tackled the radar defence system, the other started work on the audio upgrade. For radar, we used a Uniden R9W-180. This kit includes a front radar receiver along with three laser transponders. Our team drew up custom mounting pods for the laser units in Fusion 360 before printing them on our in-house 3D printers. The pods are designed to mimic the look of the car’s front grille and feature IR-transparent acrylic front panels.
We used our CNC laser to create a trim panel for the center console, housing the Uniden system’s control panel and display. We added the Rolls-Royce Double-R logo for a little splash of style.
Sound Deadening Adds Comfort
The client enjoys listening to music and wanted the audio system to sound great. We started the stereo upgrade project with our stage-three sound-deadening treatment. After removing the interior trim panels from the doors, we applied a layer of Hushmat butyl sound-damping material to the inner and outer skins. We then moved to the door trim panels, which received SoundShield triple-layer damping material for additional noise abatement and to prevent buzzes and rattles from the wiring and door handle control rods.
Speaker and Amplifier Upgrade
This Ghost has a fairly elaborate factory-installed audio system for its vintage. We started by removing the worn-out stock speakers from the front and rear doors, the center channel and the rear parcel shelf. In their place, we installed Helix Compose i7-series four-inch midrange drivers and matching 0.75-inch tweeters. We used passive crossover networks to divide the audio signal from the new amplifier between the two transducers. Overall, there are seven new speaker groups in the car. One in each of the front doors, another in each of the rear doors, two sets on the rear parcel shelf and a seventh in the center channel location on the dash. Rolls-Royce-specific mounting brackets were used to ensure that every driver was securely held in place.
The next upgrade was to remove the woofers from under the front seats and replace them with a pair of eight-inch Helix Compose i5 woofers. These woofers have impressive excursion capabilities given their shallow mounting dimensions.
The new speakers are powered by a Match UP 10 DSP amplifier that we mounted on a custom panel in the trunk. We used a mObridge MOST interface to extract a digital audio signal from the factory-installed radio. The amp has a built-in DSP that we configured and calibrated with our real-time audio analyzer. This calibration process is perhaps the most important single step in achieving great sound in a car.
Adding CarPlay and Android Auto
We mentioned that the client was interested in a technology upgrade. We used an RDVFL CarPlay and Android Auto module to enhance the capabilities of the factory-installed infotainment system. The system works with the radio’s auxiliary input and provides wireless connectivity to the owner’s smartphone. Now he can make phone calls, get navigation instructions or listen to almost any streaming service using simple voice commands.
Maryland’s Luxury Vehicle Enhancement Experts
While there was more than a week’s worth of work on the vehicle, our two crews had the Rolls-Royce Ghost wrapped up in just a few days. The client returned to Westminster Speed & Sound to pick up the car, and a member of our sales team walked him through using the laser defence system and helped pair his phone with the upgraded radio. He put on some of his favorite music and was thrilled with how much clearer and louder the system played.
If you have a luxury vehicle with outdated technology or that needs a radar detector, drop by our store and speak with a member of our award-winning team. We’d be honored to design a solution that meets your needs and exceeds your expectations. You can also contact us by filling out our car audio estimate request form.
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