I just ordered the
B.A. Designworks ultimate kit to upgrade the standard (non-UHFS) audio system in my Model S 75D
- $995
- 4 door speakers
- Rockford Fosgate P1 Punch 10" sub
- Rockford Fosgate r500x1d amp
- Wiring/install kit
I tried the Light Harmonic S4D door speakers and they were a definite improvement, but not $1k worth better than the standard audio, especially without a sub being included. For the same price, getting the "same" speakers plus sub is a no-brainer.
I also added some Armaflex 1/2" pipe foam (6' piece from Home Depot for $6) in the front doors around the speaker and in the port holes on front and rear doors as described in
this post and it did make a small improvement to the stock speakers.
I will update once I install and try out the new kit. Hoping this is the ultimate way to go vs the $2500 UHFS upgrade (now bundled with the premium package for much more).
It has been awhile since I installed this system (June 2018) in my Model S myself.
INSTALL
It did take a day of work to get all the wiring run. The most difficult part was running the power cable through the firewall to connect to the 12V batter in the frunk. I ended up finding a hole far back up under the driver footwell that had a plastic cap inserted into it. I simply removed this cap and used a wire fish from the frunk side to pull the power cable through. Removal of the door sill pieces and trunk carpet to complete the wiring was as simple as the
B.A. Designworks instruction video. After that, installing the speakers was easy. I mounted the LC2i controller with zip ties to the metal frame to the left of the steering column after removing the panel cover. Mounting there allowed me to access and tune the LC2i afterwards by only needing to remove the "half round" panel on the side of the dash console that adjoins the drivers door -- no need to remove the panel under the steering wheel again.
TUNING
After tuning the subwoofer appropriately, using the line level controller, it sounds amazing. With the subwoofer disconnected, I ensured I was getting the "max" light to just light up when playing at volume level 9. This guaranteed I was sending the cleanest amplified signal to the subwoofer. After that, it was a means of tuning the amp for the sub to my preference. I did wire in the punch controller in the cubby under the center console screen to be able to turn down the bass if needed, but find myself keeping it at the max setting.
As the rear door speakers have a high pass filter enabled in the main console system, they have 0 bass response. After installing the BA door speakers with the bigger drivers, the mid range coming from the rear was quite strong to my ears. To address this, I simply set the fader "circle" to be over the center arm rest cupholders in the configuration view on the screen, removing some signal from the rear doors.
SOUND COMPARISON
I recently had a loaner Model S with the UHFS and was feeling it lacked the bass that my system had. Only when the bass of a track was highly amplified would the UHFS sub kick in. The UHFS system definitely has stronger high end response than the standard/upgraded BA system, creating a "clearer" sound. Overall, I would say the UHFS, while having sharper highs, isn't as "full" as the upgraded BA system, due to the lack of subwoofer response, while the upgraded BA system has a good overall full sound, but it missing the clarity in the super high frequency notes.
OVERALL
It all comes down to preference of course, but at the time of my order, the UHFS system was still a $2500 upgrade vs the BA system at $1000. Saving the $1500 was completely worth it and I am very happy with the purchase and overall sound of the BA system. Now, the UHFS is standard on Model S orders. Overall, for anyone with the legacy standard system, I would recommend the BA upgrade.
