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AUTO PLANET / THE WORKSHOP ARCHIVE

THE BUILDS.
THE OBSESSION.

Five-way front stages. Bespoke fabrication. Systems that earn their place on the competition floor. This is what happens when we follow the music all the way.

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01 / COMPETITION CRAFT

Helix amplification, fabricated panels and a finish composed around the system.

Helix amplifiers and processing integrated into Auto Planet's red-lit competition boot build
FROM THE EXPERT UNLIMITED BUILD

FROM OUR INSTAGRAM / IN DETAIL

LOOK CLOSER.
THERE’S MORE GOING ON.

Explore the configuration, then watch the original workshop film on Instagram. Every project here comes from our own build archive.

Original Auto Planet film cover: Five-way active system
FIVE-WAY ACTIVE SYSTEM

Five ways to build a soundstage.

Morel Elate Carbon anchors a five-way front system, with a front kick-panel subwoofer and two compact rear subs.

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Inside this system 5 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Morel Elate Carbon — Family photo: Elate Carbon three-way set

Speakers within the five-way front system

Morel Elate Carbon

Family photo: Elate Carbon three-way set

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14-channel DSP amplifier — Example: Helix V Twelve DSP MK2

Signal processing with 12 amplified channels

14-channel DSP amplifier

Example: Helix V Twelve DSP MK2

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10-inch front subwoofer — Example: Helix IQ W10-DVC2

Bass from a custom kick-panel installation

10-inch front subwoofer

Example: Helix IQ W10-DVC2

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Twin 8-inch rear subwoofers — Example: Helix IQ W8-DVC2

Rear bass in custom compact enclosures

Twin 8-inch rear subwoofers

Example: Helix IQ W8-DVC2

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Two monoblock amplifiers — Example: Helix C ONE

Separate amplification for front and rear bass

Two monoblock amplifiers

Example: Helix C ONE

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THE CONFIGURATION

  • Five-way front / two-way rear configuration
  • Morel Elate Carbon speakers
  • 14-channel DSP / 12-channel amplifier
  • 10-inch front subwoofer + twin 8-inch rear subwoofers
  • Separate monoblocks for front and rear bass
Original Auto Planet film cover: Tata Harrier
TATA HARRIER

Brax at the centre of it all.

A Brax processor and dedicated amplification bring together Helix Compose i7 speakers, twin JL Audio subs and an Astell & Kern source.

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Inside this system 6 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Helix Compose i7 — Example: Helix Compose i7 woofer

Four-way front and two-way rear active speakers

Helix Compose i7

Example: Helix Compose i7 woofer

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Brax DSP — Historical model reference: Brax DSP internals

Digital processing for the active system

Brax DSP

Historical model reference: Brax DSP internals

Two Brax MX4 amplifiers — Model photo: MX4 shown

Separate amplification for the front system

Two Brax MX4 amplifiers

Model photo: MX4 shown

Brax GX amplifier — Family photo: GX2400 shown

Centre and expansion channels

Brax GX amplifier

Family photo: GX2400 shown

Twin JL Audio thin-line subs — Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Custom bass enclosures designed around boot space

Twin JL Audio thin-line subs

Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Astell & Kern audio player — Example: Astell&Kern SP3000

Dedicated digital music source

Astell & Kern audio player

Example: Astell&Kern SP3000

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Helix Compose i7: four-way front / two-way rear active
  • Brax DSP with two MX4 amplifiers for the front
  • Brax GX for the centre channel and expansion
  • Twin JL Audio thin-line subwoofers
  • Astell & Kern digital audio player
Original Auto Planet film cover: Toyota Fortuner
TOYOTA FORTUNER

Utopia, across three rows.

Focal Utopia M serves the first two rows of this Fortuner, with a pair of Helix processors managing an active system throughout the cabin.

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Inside this system 7 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Focal Utopia M — Family photo: Utopia M 6 WM woofer

Three-way speakers for the front and middle rows

Focal Utopia M

Family photo: Utopia M 6 WM woofer

Focal K2 Power ES100 K — Model photo: ES 100 K woofer

Two-way rear speakers, powered actively

Focal K2 Power ES100 K

Model photo: ES 100 K woofer

Helix DSP Ultra — Model photo: DSP ULTRA shown

Digital processing for the active cabin system

Helix DSP Ultra

Model photo: DSP ULTRA shown

Helix Pro DSP — Family photo: DSP PRO MK2 shown

Second processor for the extended cabin system

Helix Pro DSP

Family photo: DSP PRO MK2 shown

Four Helix G Four Pro amplifiers — Related model example: G FOUR, not PRO

Separate amplification for the active speakers

Four Helix G Four Pro amplifiers

Related model example: G FOUR, not PRO

Sound Magus EA1500.1 — Model photo: EA1500.1 shown

Monoblock amplification for the bass system

Sound Magus EA1500.1

Model photo: EA1500.1 shown

Twin JL Audio thin-line subs — Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Low-frequency extension in compact enclosures

Twin JL Audio thin-line subs

Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Focal Utopia M three-way front and middle rows
  • Focal K2 Power ES100 K two-way rear, all speakers active
  • Helix DSP Ultra + Helix Pro DSP
  • Four Helix G Four Pro amplifiers + Sound Magus EA 1500.1
  • Twin JL Audio thin-line subs / Dr. Artex Skyline Pallium treatment
Original Auto Planet film cover: Mahindra XUV700
MAHINDRA XUV700

Every row gets its own stage.

Helix speakers cover all three rows, with a V Eighteen DSP amplifier and a custom subwoofer enclosure using the stock provision.

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Inside this system 5 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Helix speakers — Example: Helix Compose i7 woofer

Four-way front, three-way middle and two-way rear

Helix speakers

Example: Helix Compose i7 woofer

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Helix V Eighteen DSP — Model photo: V Eighteen DSP

20-channel processing and 18 amplified channels

Helix V Eighteen DSP

Model photo: V Eighteen DSP

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Four-channel subwoofer amplifier — Example: Helix C FOUR

Dedicated power for the bass system

Four-channel subwoofer amplifier

Example: Helix C FOUR

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Custom subwoofer enclosure — Example: Helix IQ W10-DVC2

Bass fitted within the stock provision

Custom subwoofer enclosure

Example: Helix IQ W10-DVC2

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Dr. Artex sound treatment — Example: Dr. Artex Skyline treatment

Treatment throughout the vehicle

Dr. Artex sound treatment

Example: Dr. Artex Skyline treatment

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Four-way active front / three-way active middle row
  • Two-way passive rear row with Helix speakers throughout
  • Helix V Eighteen: 20-channel DSP / 18-channel amplifier
  • Separate four-channel amplifier for the subwoofer
  • Full-car Dr. Artex sound treatment
Original Auto Planet film cover: Four-way active MPV
FOUR-WAY ACTIVE MPV

An MPV, rethought in four ways.

Helix speakers and an air motion transformer tweeter form a four-way front stage, with dedicated bass at both ends of the cabin.

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Inside this system 5 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Helix speakers + AMT tweeter — Example: Helix Compose i7 woofer

Four-way front stage with high-frequency extension

Helix speakers + AMT tweeter

Example: Helix Compose i7 woofer

Explore the gear
14-channel DSP amplifier — Example: Helix V Twelve DSP MK2

Processing with 12 channels of built-in amplification

14-channel DSP amplifier

Example: Helix V Twelve DSP MK2

Explore the gear
12-inch JL Audio slim subwoofer — Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Rear bass in a vehicle-specific custom enclosure

12-inch JL Audio slim subwoofer

Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Front subwoofer — Example: Helix IQ W8-DVC2

Midbass extension at the front of the cabin

Front subwoofer

Example: Helix IQ W8-DVC2

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Dr. Artex door treatment — Example: Dr. Artex Skyline treatment

Five layers on each of the four doors

Dr. Artex door treatment

Example: Dr. Artex Skyline treatment

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Four-way front / two-way rear active configuration
  • Helix speakers + air motion transformer tweeter
  • 14-channel DSP / 12 channels of built-in amplification
  • 12-inch JL Audio slim rear subwoofer + front subwoofer
  • Five layers of Dr. Artex treatment on all four doors
Original Auto Planet film cover: Hyundai Sonata
HYUNDAI SONATA

A new reason to keep the keys.

A cherished Sonata gets a new listening system built around Morel Sensus speakers in custom three-way pods.

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Inside this system 4 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Morel Sensus three-way speakers — Example: Morel Sensus 63 set

Front speakers mounted in custom pods

Morel Sensus three-way speakers

Example: Morel Sensus 63 set

MATCH DSP amplifier — Example: MATCH UP 8DSP MK2

Speaker processing and amplification

MATCH DSP amplifier

Example: MATCH UP 8DSP MK2

Explore the gear
Sound Magus mono amplifier — Example: Sound Magus EA1500.1

Dedicated power for the subwoofer

Sound Magus mono amplifier

Example: Sound Magus EA1500.1

JL Audio thin-line subwoofer — Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Bass from a custom enclosure

JL Audio thin-line subwoofer

Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Morel Sensus three-way speakers in custom pods
  • MATCH DSP amplifier
  • Sound Magus mono amplifier
  • JL Audio thin-line subwoofer in a custom enclosure
Original Auto Planet film cover: Toyota Vellfire
TOYOTA VELLFIRE

Luxury at a lower volume.

Focal speakers and a MATCH DSP amplifier suit an owner who enjoys quieter listening, alongside vehicle-specific entertainment upgrades.

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Inside this system 4 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Focal speakers — Example: Focal 165 W XP set

Front and rear listening system

Focal speakers

Example: Focal 165 W XP set

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MATCH plug-and-play DSP amplifier — Example: MATCH UP 8DSP MK2

Processing and power for the speaker upgrade

MATCH plug-and-play DSP amplifier

Example: MATCH UP 8DSP MK2

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Under-seat subwoofer — Example: Kenwood KSC-SW11

Compact bass for the owner’s quieter listening preference

Under-seat subwoofer

Example: Kenwood KSC-SW11

Vellfire-specific entertainment — Example: Alpine PXH12X-R-AV screen

Infotainment system and rear entertainment screen

Vellfire-specific entertainment

Example: Alpine PXH12X-R-AV screen

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Focal front and rear speakers
  • MATCH plug-and-play DSP amplifier
  • Under-seat subwoofer
  • Vellfire-specific infotainment and rear entertainment screen
Original Auto Planet film cover: Isuzu V-Cross
ISUZU V-CROSS

Bass takes the front seat.

Limited space behind the rear seats led to a custom front subwoofer enclosure and compact DSP amplification for this V-Cross.

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Inside this system 5 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Two-way component speakers — Example: Focal 165 W XP two-way set

Active front speakers and passive rear speakers

Two-way component speakers

Example: Focal 165 W XP two-way set

Explore the gear
MATCH DSP amplifier — Example: MATCH UP 8DSP MK2

Compact processing and speaker amplification

MATCH DSP amplifier

Example: MATCH UP 8DSP MK2

Explore the gear
Sound Magus monoblock — Example: Sound Magus EA1500.1

Dedicated subwoofer amplification

Sound Magus monoblock

Example: Sound Magus EA1500.1

Custom front subwoofer — Example: Helix IQ W8-DVC2

Front enclosure avoids the limited space behind the rear seat

Custom front subwoofer

Example: Helix IQ W8-DVC2

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Dr. Artex sound treatment — Example: Dr. Artex Skyline treatment

Three layers of damping

Dr. Artex sound treatment

Example: Dr. Artex Skyline treatment

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Two-way front active / rear passive speakers
  • MATCH DSP amplifier
  • Sound Magus monoblock
  • Custom front subwoofer enclosure
  • Three layers of Dr. Artex sound treatment
Original Auto Planet film cover: Mahindra Thar
MAHINDRA THAR

Morel, made for this Thar.

Auditions shaped the choice of Morel three-way speakers, paired with separate processing, amplification and a compact JL Audio bass enclosure.

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Inside this system 4 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Morel three-way speakers — Example: Morel Sensus 63 set

Chosen through auditions with the owner

Morel three-way speakers

Example: Morel Sensus 63 set

Standalone DSP — Example: Helix DSP PRO MK3

Signal processing separate from amplification

Standalone DSP

Example: Helix DSP PRO MK3

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Two Class AB amplifiers — Example: Helix C FOUR

Separate amplification for the system

Two Class AB amplifiers

Example: Helix C FOUR

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JL Audio subwoofer — Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Bass in a custom compact enclosure

JL Audio subwoofer

Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Morel three-way speakers
  • Standalone DSP and separate amplifiers
  • Two Class AB amplifiers
  • JL Audio subwoofer in a custom compact enclosure
Original Auto Planet film cover: Mahindra Scorpio N
MAHINDRA SCORPIO N

A full system, fitted in.

Focal speakers and Sound Magus processing meet a JL Audio thin-line subwoofer fitted within the vehicle’s existing provision.

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Inside this system 4 part groups

Real photos of the components. “Example” and “Family photo” labels show references where the build post did not name the exact model. Installation photos are labelled separately.

Focal speakers — Example: Focal ES 165 KX3E

Three-way front and two-way active rear system

Focal speakers

Example: Focal ES 165 KX3E

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Sound Magus DSP amplifier — Installation photo: Scorpio N console; DSP model not identified

12-channel processing and 10 amplified channels

Sound Magus DSP amplifier

Installation photo: Scorpio N console; DSP model not identified

JL Audio thin-line subwoofer — Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Installed within the stock provision

JL Audio thin-line subwoofer

Example: JL Audio 12TW3-D4

Dr. Artex door treatment — Example: Dr. Artex Skyline treatment

Sound treatment on all four doors

Dr. Artex door treatment

Example: Dr. Artex Skyline treatment

THE CONFIGURATION

  • Focal three-way front / two-way active rear speakers
  • Sound Magus 12-channel DSP / 10-channel amplifier
  • JL Audio thin-line subwoofer in the stock provision
  • Dr. Artex treatment on all four doors

The build doesn’t end at the reveal.
See the doors, racks, damping and details in our photo archive.

Explore installation photos

YOUR CAR COULD BE NEXT

LET’S BUILD
SOMETHING PERSONAL.

Tell us what you drive and what you love to hear. We’ll start with the music.

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