Kia Sportage – car soundproofing, FineVu GX4K dash cam installation and car audio upgrade
In this project, a Kia Sportage arrived at Sound Audio System in Lublin for a complete upgrade focused on driving comfort, safety and sound quality. The work included car soundproofing, front and rear FineVu GX4K dash cam installation with parking mode, and a full car audio upgrade based on ESB Audio, Zapco and Steg components.
The soundproofing package covered the front doors, rear doors, front and rear wheel arches, trunk area and tailgate. We also installed the FineVu GX4K front and rear dash cam set, which records both the road ahead and the area behind the vehicle. Thanks to the parking mode connection, the system also helps protect the car when the engine is turned off.
The audio system was upgraded with ESB Audio 4.165 mid-woofers working actively in the front, ESB Audio 4.28 tweeters, ESB Audio 3.6C rear coaxial speakers, a Steg ST-10P subwoofer and a Zapco HB 501D II monoblock amplifier. The whole setup is managed and powered by a Zapco ST-6X DSP amplifier, which drives the front speakers actively and powers the rear section in a standard configuration.
If you are planning a similar upgrade for your car, you can check our car soundproofing configurator or contact us directly:
Sound Audio System
Północna 67, 20-064 Lublin, Poland
phone: +48 534 346 658
Car audio upgrade in Kia Sportage – ESB Audio, Zapco and Steg
The second key part of this project was the car audio upgrade. In this Kia Sportage, we used components from ESB Audio, Zapco and Steg to achieve better dynamics, improved control, stronger bass response and a much more natural sound compared to the factory audio system.
The front system was built in an active configuration. This means that the mid-woofers and tweeters are driven by separate amplifier channels with DSP processing. This setup allows us to precisely adjust the sound stage, time alignment, equalisation and crossover points. As a result, the sound is not random — it is tuned to the vehicle interior and the driver’s listening position.
Active front system – ESB Audio 4.165 and ESB Audio 4.28
The front sound stage is based on ESB Audio 4.165 mid-woofers and ESB Audio 4.28 tweeters. The ESB Audio 4.165 speakers are responsible for midrange, vocals and the lower part of the front spectrum, while the ESB Audio 4.28 tweeters add detail, air and precision in the high frequencies.
The front stage is powered actively, so each part of the front speaker system can be adjusted precisely from the DSP processor. This solution works especially well when the goal is not only more volume, but above all better sound quality, control and a properly built music stage.
You can also read more about these mid-woofers in our dedicated review: ESB Audio 4.165 speaker test.
Rear speakers – ESB Audio 3.6C
In the rear section of the car, we installed ESB Audio 3.6C, a 6.5-inch / 165 mm two-way coaxial speaker set. The rear speakers were designed as a support section, so passengers also benefit from improved sound quality while the entire system remains tonally consistent with the front stage.
The rear speakers work in a standard configuration, but their installation was combined with proper door soundproofing. This helps reduce metal panel resonance and improves the working conditions of the speakers. In practice, the sound becomes fuller, cleaner and better controlled in the lower frequency range.
Zapco ST-6X DSP – amplifier with DSP processor
The central element of the system is the Zapco ST-6X DSP. This amplifier with DSP is responsible for powering the active front system and the rear speakers in a standard configuration. Thanks to DSP processing, it is possible to adjust time alignment, levels, equalisation and crossover settings.
In a properly built car audio system, choosing the right speakers is only the beginning. Installation quality, door soundproofing and tuning are just as important. Only the combination of these elements allows the system to sound clean, organised and enjoyable during everyday driving.
Steg ST-10P and Zapco HB 501D II – bass section
The low-frequency section is handled by the Steg ST-10P, a passive 10-inch / 25 cm subwoofer in an enclosure. This solution clearly extends the low-frequency range without taking up too much trunk space.
The subwoofer is powered by the Zapco HB 501D II monoblock amplifier. Thanks to a dedicated amplifier, the bass section works with proper stability, power reserve and control, without overloading the amplifier responsible for the front and rear speakers.
Car audio equipment available at Systemy Car Audio
The components used in this project are available in our Systemy Car Audio store. This way, the customer received not only professional installation, but also a proven set of components selected for this particular vehicle and the expected sound effect.
The Kia Sportage system included:
- ESB Audio 4.165 – front mid-woofer speakers,
- ESB Audio 4.28 – front tweeters,
- ESB Audio 3.6C – rear coaxial speakers,
- Zapco ST-6X DSP – amplifier with DSP processor for system control,
- Steg ST-10P – 10-inch subwoofer in an enclosure,
- Zapco HB 501D II – monoblock amplifier for the subwoofer.
The result after the Kia Sportage audio upgrade
The combination of soundproofed doors, an actively powered front system, DSP processing and a dedicated bass section made the system sound much better than the factory audio setup. The sound became more dynamic, clearer and more stable. The bass is better controlled, vocals are more precise, and the sound stage has been tuned to make music listening during everyday driving more natural and enjoyable.
FineVu GX4K front and rear dash cam installation in Kia Sportage
The next stage of the Kia Sportage project was a professional dash cam installation using the FineVu GX4K front and rear camera system. The set was connected to record while driving and to provide additional protection when the vehicle is parked thanks to parking mode.
For this car, we used the FineVu GX4K complete set with a 128 GB memory card and built-in power module for parking mode. It is a solution for drivers who want high-quality front and rear recordings, as well as additional protection when the car is left unattended.
FineVu GX4K front camera near the rear view mirror
The front camera was installed in a clean and discreet position near the rear view mirror. This placement provides a wide field of view while keeping the camera out of the driver’s way during everyday driving. The wiring was routed invisibly, without loose cables on the windscreen or dashboard.
In practice, the dash cam looks neat, works automatically and remains ready to record as soon as the vehicle is started. A proper dash cam installation is important not only for aesthetics, but also for the reliability of the entire system.
FineVu GX4K rear camera
The second camera was installed at the rear of the vehicle to record what happens behind the car. This is especially useful in city traffic, parking situations, manoeuvring and road incidents that take place behind the vehicle.
A front and rear dash cam set provides a much more complete record of what happens around the car. The front camera records the road ahead, while the rear camera captures events behind the vehicle. This gives the driver stronger video evidence than a single-channel recorder.
Parking mode – protection when the car is parked
The FineVu GX4K was connected with parking mode support. This means the dash cam can help protect the vehicle even when the car is parked. It is a very useful feature in residential car parks, shopping centre car parks, underground garages and any place where the vehicle may be exposed to parking damage, door hits, scratches or other incidents.
Parking mode requires correct power connection, so we install it safely for the vehicle’s electrical system. This allows the dash cam to work reliably while reducing the risk of unnecessary battery drain.
FineVu GX4K – product and review
The FineVu GX4K used in this project is available in the Systemy Car Audio store. Drivers who want to learn more about its recording quality and functions can also read our dedicated review: FineVu GX4K premium dash cam test.
In this Kia Sportage, the FineVu GX4K set perfectly complemented the rest of the work. The car gained improved acoustic comfort, better sound quality and additional protection while driving and parking.
Kia Sportage door soundproofing – better comfort and improved speaker performance
One of the most important stages of this project was door soundproofing. In this Kia Sportage, we worked on both the front and rear doors. This is a crucial p