[Levi]

Nice setup Mark.    Got any pictures of the install?

[mcgsxr]

The trunk is still in progress, I will snap some pics of the tweets, woofers are in stock locations so totally stealth.  I have some pics of the woofer box, and will try to mock up the basic trunk view.

All DIY, no Unique Whips here!

[mcullinan]

Nice... I wish I was so handy... They audio shops really rip you a new a**hole for installation.
Mike

[Levi]

You can get a pair if Q-Logic Qpods and mount your midrange there if you are not into diy like myself.

I think kick panel mounted speakers works better than the stock door location as far as imaging is concerned.  I then mounted the tweeters on the dash. 

[KeithR]

I had fun with this 6 months ago and i have not regretted it at all! (i live in LA)

good installer is the real deal--i probably overpaid a hundred or two, but worth it in the end.

bought:

Focal 165 KPS mains
Audison LRX 4 channel amp
JL Audio "stealthbox"

I did not replace the rear speaks and run the amp off the stock stereo to look "clean" for now.  May put in a new front end at some point, but gotta figure out if i want Sirius, mp3, etc.

[Levi]

Hey Keith, that is a nice audiophile car setup you have.  Audison amps were on my short list.  I like the "stealthbox" unfortunately they don't make one for my 2003 Accord.  I am lucky the factory radio in my 7th generation Accord EX is a good one.  Well atleast for me it is.

I concur about getting a good installer.  I was quoted $1,200 just to install a kickpanels for the front speakers.  I opted for the Q-logic Q-pods and saved $1,000 on the installation.   If this is a Ferrari, Porsche, Merc etc yes I would probably go for a custom one offs.

Question:
Where did you install the Focal loudspeakers? 

Cheers,
Levi

[KeithR]

Levi-

I kept them in the door in my 4Runner (which already had components) just to keep it clean as its a leased car.  I was very surprised (pleasantly) how much value you get on the car audio end----my amp, considered one of the better ones, cost like 700 bucks.  The Audison amps do exude quality.  Very well built from everything i've read, and from what i see in my car

Any recommendations on head units?  I've heard the new Alpines are nice. 

KR

[KeithR]

btw, the installer dynamatted my doors for an extra 50-100 bucks, which is worth it for any car audio install.  last thing you want is rattles!

[Levi]

I agree with dynamat or something similar.  I did the same on my doors.  I also put them inside the doors and panels.

Here is a picture while it was being done.


I have a 165K3PS so the 6.5" woofers go into the door and 6.5" mids go into the kickpanels.

[Levi]

As for head unit.  I am currently using the priemium yet stock radio.  Higher Alpine model are excellent sounding receiver.   

[Levi]

Talking about thread revival.

Here is one receiver that I am proud to recommend .  My stock premium receiver does not cut it anymore.  I found Nakamichi will better the Mcintosh however, you are paying more for the Nakamichi.



Cheers,
Levi

[Folsom]

I did not read everything but the most important points to make.

1. You need an amplifier for your speakers, subwoofer or not. This could not be more over stated. Everything without one sounds like shit no matter what you spend on a head unit.

2. Throw away the rear speakers. All that they are good for is causing canceling waves. Trust me, just play with the stock one, fader to front, you might turn the volume up more, but you will notice how much more clear everything sounds.

3. A good install, sound deadening is good, things well mounted, things wired properly so you do not get noise etc...

If you do those two things then just buy nice stuff (haha easier said than done). A good head unit is key for a good DAC. Good amps are very important, speakers you actually can go semi inexpensive on and get nice sound.

[Levi]

Perfect match!

[Levi]

[JimJ]

I'm drooling over here

Some day I'd like to get back into car audio more. I just can't justify it now where I'm not driving as much, and my vehicle kind of sucks for kickpod placement.

[RAW]

Those new Pioneers are sweet I had a demo on the a few weeks ago.But the cost here in Canada is nuts online you can get them for less than $240.00 per pair of 6.5".

I just gutted my system out of my old van now getting ready for the new van system.
2-Rockford Fosgate Punch® P325.2 Car Amps
1-Rockford Fosgate Punch P4004 Car Amp
And the pair of SD12 woofers the JBL speaker i sold in the old van and left the pioneer head unit.

So for the new van I am using the same amps going to a pair of the new SDX10 woofers then these pioneer 6.5" they are stelller for the money.TSC171PRS

 

Head unit will be a AVHP5950DVD PIONEER 6.5 SCREEN



Plus a 12" screen for the little one in the back.

[Levi]

Nice!  Don't forget to take pictures of the installation.

[Folsom]

I was some what recently told by a Car Audio god that the Alpine Type X for the money, for the speakers, are real nice. In case you do not want to spend ridiculous amounts.

[JimJ]

I was some what recently told by a Car Audio god that the Alpine Type X for the money, for the speakers, are real nice. In case you do not want to spend ridiculous amounts.

Type X's aren't bad (they used to be built by Vifa, not sure who the OEM is now or if it's still Vifa/Peerless) but for the money, I'd rather buy the midbasses and tweets separately from Madisound and run them active...harder to set up at first, yeah, but will blow a passive setup out of the water once tuned.