Stereo System Upgrade! Suggestions PLEASE@!$

[pcmike]

I'm looking todo a stereo system upgrade and so far this is what I'm looking at:

(Head Unit)
Alpine CDA-7894
-Link: http://ecominet2.alpine-usa.com/pls/...y=45&p_main=10
*NOTE* I already own this, so this isn't up for debate! :P

(Mids & Highs)
JL Audio XR525-CSi
-Link: http://www.jlaudio.com/evolution/XR525CS.html

(Bass)
JL Audio Stealthbox: one 10W3v2
-Link: http://www.jlaudio.com/stealthbox/minicooperD.html

I'm open to suggestions on everything but the Sub. I'd like to at least retain some trunk space, so I'm trying to stick with the Stealthbox.

Questions I have:
1) The speakers in the back I presume are for more mid-range sound quality, or am I wrong? If so, what are people normally replacing them with? High-end 6x9's or what?
2) I reckon' that I'll need at least two amps, no? If so, which amps should I go with? I was looking at the JL Audio Slash 250/1 for the sub, even though that would mean the sub would be alittle underpowered.
3) What about juice.. am I gonna need one of those farad capacitors' in order to get maximum performance?
4) Where is a good place to mount the amps to keep them out of the way? I was thinking in the two side panels in the back, but I'm not sure there is enough room for two decent-sized amps! =\
5) I just realized the head unit that I already have is capable of putting out 60Wx4 channels, would that be decent enough for the components speakers I mentioned or should I power them separately?

I'm not a real big caraudio geek, so I don't know much of what I'm talking... all I know is I want some nice deep bass and rich audio all around. Overall, what do y'all think about what I've come up with so far?

Please.. do NOT hesitate to respond to this post with suggestions.. I need all the help/advice I can get! Thanks!

[FLiPSiDE]

not a bad selection of components, i'd personally go for 6" splits (not 100% sure that 6.5" of the same series will fit either, i assume the would however depending on the mounting depth which i couldnt seem2 find on the site perhaps im blind ) just because they tend to give just that touch more midbass

as for 6x9's as said plenty of times already, i believe in a well defined front stage with no rear fill. although i understand most average joes like to be "enveloped" in sound.. not for me, personally i disconnected the 6x9's and wouldnt reconnect them again.

as for amps, yeah 2 would be best around the maxium continuous rating of the gear.. but it could possible find a good quality 4x100w amp (dont have an brand in mind atm but most amps bridge to about little more than double the power when put into a mono channel) that could handle the job of powering front stage and sub quite well.. of course it depends on the efficieny of the sub and enclosure and im not all that familiar with JL stuff, although are aware of thier excellent quality reputation.. u start feeding your sub too much more power than your front stage.. it'll be all to bass heavy and sound terrible.. sure it wont impress the kids as u drive past, but it'll sound alot better inside where it counts

capcitors.. waste of time and money for what they do.. u wont need one, and upgrading the grounds and/or battery is usually a cheaper, better option

yout head units "60x4" is marketing nonsense
look at a 4x60w amp anywhere.. its twice the size of our head unit.. its a peak power rating, not RMS.. it'd really be lucky if it was anywhere over 20wRMS also because of the size and usual inefficiency of head unit amps, they distort early and this kills all your expensive gear, dont do it

[pcmike]

What do you mean by splits?

I've also been told that MB Quart makes better components than JL Audio and that I should go with a Q-Line set of components from MB. Anyone have any opinions on MB Quart?

Also, from what I gather what you were saying about the amps is to get two 100x4 and bridge them to obtain 200x4, no? If that isn't right, can you please explain. Like I said, I don't know much about caraudio.. I just want some decent sound quality!

Thanks for the prompt reply with sound advice, I appreciate it!

[FLiPSiDE]

no it'd b a 4 channel amp bridged on 2 channels so 2x100 with a 1 x 200w+ channel for sub..

splits just mean ccomponent system with woofer and tweater... just another name, nothing different than what u're already lookin at for the fronts

I've heard quite a few MB quart splits.. excellent, a little "bright" in that the tweaters are a little prominant and harsh, but they can be turned down a touch on the crossovers so no a big drama at all..
i'd lean more towards the MB's over JL's, but thats just a personal choice.. best to go to a store and hear them first hand on a demo board side by side if u can.. even ask if u can listen to your own CD so u're familiar with what u're listening to..its better to let your own ears decide

[yukclee]

Just my personal opinion here.
Maybe you should look at components from Focal, Seas and Dynaudio. These are genuine speaker unit manufacturers. Home use high end speakers costing thousands of dollars (USD) are using those components, e.g. Wilson audio, ProAc, Sonus Faber, etc. The others are just OEM.
For myself, I am going for SEAS (see www.seas.no) I may not use the Lotus range but something similar to the ProAc Response speakers at home would be nice.
yclee

[minhi]

i say listen then buy, if you can't hear the difference from $200 speakers and $400 then don't spend the money! i love my focals, but some people wouldn't appreciate them--so what's the point?

the largest amp you could fit in the cubby holes would be about 9.5X9.5X2.5 (approximately), at that size you can only fit a 2 channel normal amp. the blaupunkt "plastic" amps will fit if you take off the outer case (which you can). most people that are using normal class a/b amps are hiding them under a false floor in the boot.

6.5's will fit in the door you just need to make a deeper spacer then you would for a 5.25, max mount depth is about 75mm for the door.

do a search for your other questions this has been discussed a lot, at least once every 2 weeks.

[pcmike]

I just went outside and checked the two spaces on either side of the boot. Here's what I came up with...

Left side:
-Depth : about 3"
-Height: about 10"
-Length: about 13.5"

Right side:
-Depth : about 3"
-Height: (didn't really check) about 10"
-Length: about 15.5"

With those sort of dimensions I think I should be able to find a decent 300-500x1 amp for the JL Audio 10W3v2 (or maybe a 10" W7!), as well as a decent 100x4 amp for the components, no?

[yukclee]

Seas entry level components are at around USD200 for a set, which is the same components (but tailored for car environment) for the home speakers ProAc Response50 selling for thousands. Try some of the speaker component sites like www.madisound.com if you are in US and you may be amazed with your findings.
This is not a typical approach and most people may not take this route. I am just offering another view if you are very keen on sound quality, with limited budget and don't mind doing a bit of research.

yclee

[minhi]

Quote:

Originally posted by pcmike
I just went outside and checked the two spaces on either side of the boot. Here's what I came up with...

Left side:
-Depth : about 3"
-Height: about 10"
-Length: about 13.5"

Right side:
-Depth : about 3"
-Height: (didn't really check) about 10"
-Length: about 15.5"

With those sort of dimensions I think I should be able to find a decent 300-500x1 amp for the JL Audio 10W3v2 (or maybe a 10" W7!), as well as a decent 100x4 amp for the components, no?

are you talking about behind the plastic panels in the rear?

i would make a mockup cardboard box and try to fit it in there. you'll be suprised to find that due to the irregular shape behind the plastic panels you won't be able to use all that space. in particular just forward of the door opening there's a hump that limits how far into the panel you can go. there are also bolts sticking out, a grounding pad you need to stay away from, etc. you're gonna need to bolt the amp down somehow as well.

and keep in mind, if you put amps in the side panels, they're not very serviceable, access to any adjustments like x-over settings will be difficult.

[pcmike]

minihi, yes.. I just thought about all that last night. I also (while lying in bed) remembered seeing somewhere that someone made a false floor (two of them actually) and put the amps in between the two. I was thinking about that last night, and from what I can tell that seems like a perfect idea.

Basically cut two MDF boards to the shape of the boot and put a gap of about 3" or so in between the two. Just mount the amps to the bottom board and put some hindges in between the two boards so that you could lift the top one up to service the amps. Seems like it should work out fairly well since the depth (from bottom floor upto the lip the hatch closes onto) of the boot is about 4" or maybe slightly more. Upon more thinking I even started coming up with some more elaborate false floors w/ plexiglass and neons and what not, but for the sake of everyone else I won't explain.

If anyone has constructed the false floors and installed them, do you mind posting some pictures? The idea intrigues me very much!

[dunce223]

1)the speakers in the rear could be replaced by some nice mid range speakers....i'm sure it would sound good
2) two amps may be a little much....if you want the absolute most out of your speakers you should get an amp for speakers...but i have the same head unit and it sounds just fine with the head unit's amp. and asa for running 250 watts to the sub isn't a great idea. it is acutally possible to under power a sub so much that it blows. i would recommend the jl 500/1 amp (since you are going with all jl audio stuff it seems right). there are plenty of other amps that are just as good as jl...be sure to look around.
3) Caps are your choice...your lights might lightly dim every now and then without one....but since i spent alot of money on my system already, i decided to throw a little more in to make it perform at its best. the amp will have continous power with the capacitator and keep the sub continously hitting at its peak.
4) If you want to go fancy, build an amp rack! if you are spending so much on your stuff, you could add a little something to please the eyes. on the other hand there are many small amps out there that could probably fit easily into the rear panels, but the jl seems a little big.
5) yes the head unit itself has enough power to run your speakers. if you did add the amp it would give a little more to your speakers that would put out the most out of your music.

hope this helped.