The owner of this 2020 Volkswagen Tiguan contacted the mobile enhancement experts at Elevated Audio in Denver about improving the sound in this little SUV. The client didn’t want to invest a significant amount of money in the project but hoped to improve the clarity and detail of the audio system. After inspecting the vehicle and listening to the factory-installed Fender-branded stereo, the Elevated Audio team suggested that reducing background noise would deliver the improvements the client wanted and set the stage for future upgrades. The client liked the plan and gave the go-ahead to begin the project.
SoundShield Noise Reduction Project
Phil Cantu, one of the fantastic techs at Elevated Audio, was assigned the task of making this Tiguan quieter and more comfortable. With the vehicle moved into the bay, he started by removing the interior door trim panels and disconnecting the harnesses and cables. Using pieces of cardboard, Phil created a template for each door that marked the location of fasteners and wire harnesses, as well as the contour of the door itself. He used these templates to cut sheets of SoundShield sound deadening to cover the interior door panel. While many shops place deadening directly on the door, then cut out openings as required, the template process makes sure that a knife or razor blade won’t damage any wiring or scratch the paint. Phil checked that the template would work for both front doors and noted any discrepancies so that coverage would be as complete as possible. He repeated the process for the rear doors before moving on to the interior trim panels.
Often called door cards, the plastic trim panels on the door’s interior were also treated to a prodigious helping of SoundShield sound deadening. Of particular interest were the areas around the speakers, as well as areas where wires might contact the panel and the large flat area above the armrest. The layered butyl rubber, aluminum foil and foam construction of the deadening material reduces sound energy transfer and helps prevent buzzes and rattles from detracting from the driving experience.
With all four doors treated, Phil carefully reassembled each door, taking the time to ensure that every clip was secure and all fasteners were tightened properly. He finished the project by testing all the switches and handles on each door so that everything functioned just as it did when the vehicle arrived at the shop.
Add Silence with Sound Deadening
When the client returned to Elevated Audio, a member of the team went out to the vehicle and explained the upgrades they’d performed. A light rap on the trim pieces with their knuckle demonstrated how much noise would be blocked. After taking the car for a drive, the client remarked that the difference was incredible! He plans to return to the shop for audio system component upgrades in the future.
If you’re interested in improving your vehicle’s comfort, drop by your local specialty mobile enhancement retailer and ask about adding a sound deadening product like SoundShield. Not only does it help to block wind, tire and road noise to let you hear your audio system with improved clarity, but it also improves the performance of Bluetooth hands-free systems and voice-controlled smartphone integration technologies like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
If you live in the Denver area, you can contact the team at Elevated Audio by visiting their website, and be sure to follow their Facebook page and Instagram feed. For more information about SoundShield, visit their website, Facebook page or Instagram feed.
