Stereo System

[suki243]

Hey guys, I need some insight on my speaker system setup.

What I have currently is 2 Pioneer 4 way 6x9s in the package tray, and it was powered by a 400w Firestorm amp. I didn't install it, and I'm not planning on using the firestorm amp again. an extra 60w 5x7, and a dual 4x4 in the front under the dash.

I want to also have a sub, nothing crazy just so you hear some kind of bass. I don't want the whole car to shake, tremble and fall apart . I'm also gonna purchase 2 pioneer 6 1/2s to run in the front in the kick panels, or do you guys suggest component speakers? if so which ones?

Anyone suggest any amp or amps? Would i need capacitators? Would i need another battery? Would I need to upgrade my alternator? I currently have the stock one.

 

[afterglow]

Good call on the Firestorm amp. While you're at it, you may as well yank out the dual 4x4's in the dash. All they're doing is to muddy up your soundstage.

How much money and how much space are you willing to give up for this project?? We'll be able to give you much more detailed information if we knew.

First of all, you can do much better than Pioneer for not much more money. Infinity, Alpine and JBL should have something nice for only $20 more. Component speakers should sound better since they are more tweakable than coaxials but the trade-off is that you'll either have to drill holes for a clean install or you'll have visible wires. A good compromise might be get one of the coaxials that have pivoting tweeters.

How much space are you willing to devote to a sub?? If you're willing to give up significant trunk space then a 10" or 12" sub with a box is what I recommend. JL Audio and Image Dynamics are the top brands but there are a lot of very good brands out there.

If you're not willing to give up trunk space then one possibility is to use your 6x9's in the package tray as a sub. You'll just tell your amp to route only the low frequency sound to the 6x9's. Depending on how they perform, you may or may not want to upgrade them. You'd probably want to put some small boxes on them regardless.

As far as amplifiers go, you'll probably want to get a 4-channel amp regardless of how you end up integrating a sub in your system. You'll use two channels for the two front speakers. If you end up using a single 10-12" sub, then you'll bridge the two remaining channels for that and use your headunit to power the 6x9's. If you use the 6x9's as the sub, then you'll use the two remaining channels either in stereo or bridged and the speakers wired in series. If you go with the last scenario, you'll want to get an amp that's 2-ohm stable in bridged mode. Lots of good brands here but I'll stick with Alpine, Infinity and JBL unless you're willing to spend more.

I can't say for sure whether you'll need to upgrade your electricals but since it seems like you don't plan of really playing your system at high levels, you'll be okay with what you currently have.

 

[suki243]

Really? sure, the 4x4 isn't really hooked up that well, the previous owner used zip ties to mount it

For the entire project I dont want to spend more than 800-1k, but i will if completely necessary. Space is not an issue, I'd like to keep enough space to put a spare tire in it (not sure how to mount it though).

Hmm, any suggestions on coaxial with pivoting tweeters or component speakers?

As for subs, originally I was looking at Digital Designs' 1512, it has 900w peak power. The only problem I have with it is that it doesn't come with a box and amp, I dont know where to get a custom box made or how to make it myself. They say that the box makes or breaks the sub. I've also heard that a 12" is the best compromise between the 10"s issues the 15"s deep bass.

The goal of my system is to match an Escalade's I love the Escalade's sound system, it needs a tad more bass but that is it, the tweeters and everything else is absolutely perfect. It has a Bose speakers.

 

[afterglow]

Hmmm....the DD1512 is a serious sub that needs a rather large ported enclosure and requires some serious amplification. You're looking at getting a dedicated sub amp of 500-800 watts. You're definitely going to make your car shake, tremble and fall apart with this sub.

I haven't heard the Bose system in the Escalade yet so I don't know what exact qualities you'd be looking for in your system. I also don't know if the DD1512 is already in your possession or is something we need to budget for and whether the $800-1000 is for the speakers and amp only or whether you also need a headunit. Here's a sample system assuming you already have the DD1512 as your sub and also have a headunit (prices from woofersetc):

Front separates: Focal 165v2 ($329.99)
Front amp: Alpine MRP-F250 ($159.99)
Rear speakers: current Pioneer ($0)
Sub amp: Alpine MRP-M850 ($274.99)
Sub box: Custom Boxes KKP12SPL ($154.99)

This puts you right around $920. The Focals are admittedly in another league compared to the rest of your system so if there's something else you'd want to spend your money on, you could downgrade that. One option would be to downgrade to Focal 165CA1 coaxials ($189.99) or something similar from CDT/Alpine/JBL/Morel/Peerless/Diamond, ditch the sub box and use the money saved to have a sub box custom-made and have everything professionally installed.

It was quite a challenge to put together your system since your sub needs the dedicated power of a mono amp and there aren't too many quality amps that could give the needed power in your price range. I would have wanted something better than the Alpine "F" series as I consider this to be the weak link in your system. I'd seriously think about another sub that wasn't as power-hungry as the DD1512....say something that would be happy with around 300watts. That would open your options to a much wider choice in amps and you'd probably be able to store much more in your trunk as well!!!

 

[suki243]

Oh, Sorry, I typed it wrong, I was thinking of the 1512... it is no longer an option for me. I read into it, and it is indeed power hungry.

My goal is a car that you can enjoy music in, I listen mostly to the radio and Ipod, no cds, or cassette.

Thx for the input afterglow, and again i'm sorry i didn't clarify, i'm quite new to car audio.

Are focals available at major retailers? or are they only available online?

I don't mind spending less money on the stereo system either =).

What are some good head units? I was thinking of the JVC KDHDR1 because it has the built in head unit, and has had many good reviews. What do you guys think?

i'm planning to tackle the hard to access and ruining the stock look obstacle by doing this one thing i saw in another forum, I'm gonna use a cat 5 cable to extend the head unit's detachable faceplate. The base of the head unit will be under the passenger seat or in the glove box and the faceplate will flip down from under the dash.

 

[afterglow]

After re-reading your post it became obvious that you still don't have a sub. I'm going to recommend this instead:

Front coaxials: Focal 165CA1 ($189.99)
Rear coaxials: current Pioneer powered by your HU
Sub: JL Audio 12W3v3-4 ($209.99) or Image Dynamics IDQ12D2 ($199.99)
Amp: JBL PX300.4 ($340.99)

If you want separates, you could substitute the Focals for something from CDT/JBL/Infinity etc.

That leaves you with around $250 for professional installation and a custom box. The JL and Image Dynamics subs do very well in a small sealed box which will be cheaper to make and will take up less than half the space of the DD.

The above-mentioned components are first-rate and will work well together.

 

[afterglow]

If you need a headunit as well, I'm going to recommend going either with Alpine, Pioneer or Eclipse. Just pick one whose price fits your budget and whose looks and features you like.

With that in mind, here we go one more time:

Headunit: Alpine/Pioneer/Eclipse ($250)
Front coaxials: CDT/JBL/Infinity ($80-100)
Rear coaxials: current Pioneer powered by your HU
Sub: JL Audio 12W3v2-D2 ($179.99)
Amp: JBL GTO75.4II ($249.99)

This leaves you with at least $200 for the box and install (more if you choose a cheaper headunit/speakers). Still a very good system.

 

[ratio411]

I kept a stock head unit for looks.
I use a 4g MP3 player with built in FM tuner. (Sansa)
Run a cable from where you want to hide your 'pod', to the inputs of the primary 4 channel amp. Use the pod as a head unit.
Then the primary amp feeds the sub amp, so everything is covered, and you look stock.
Much cheaper this way too.

CDs and head units= R.I.P.

 

[iskwezm]

PM me, i'll get you some prices.I cant get Focal and dont want to. I dont care for them, but theres other brands for less and YOU wont tell the difference.

let me know.