Just ordered the rear speakers (Kenwood 3-way) and the Polk 3650 component replacements for the door and tweets. I'll install these and see what I think before going amp and sub. I don't want to drown out the engine, just want to improve the quality around town and actually hear it when cruising down the interstate.

 

Please post what you think when you get it done. I'm thinking of doing the exact same. TIA

 

I second what BEC 71 requests. Please share your results as that is what I want to do with my new S2K.

Thanks,

Steve

 

I can tell you about my experience w/ Lucid. (Keep in mind I don't know that much about electronics, wires and/or setup).

I've just recieved complete stereo setup from Lucid this Monday. The weather was terrible so, I've only finished installing the rear speakers and the SWI-X.
I have Alpine 7893, so here's what all I ordered from Lucid (all recommended by Lucid) for my 2002 S.
Rear speaker setup w/ 5.25 Panasonic speakers w/ wires, JVC 3 ways for the door speakers, SWI-X, all harness and wires setup easy "plug and play" style.

The sound quality just from the rear speakers w/ original front speakers are not bad at all, actually they are 5 X better than original alone. Both speakers rattle a little w/ big bass songs, but not too bad. Can't wait to replace the door speakers (Hoping sound quality 10 X better than original setup). I have not yet installed a 4 channel amp yet, but will soon. They look awesome too.

The SWI-X set up for my Alpine is not as great as I expected. Slight delay w/ signals, but I'll get use to it. I'm having more fun w/ my Alpine remote though. I'll contact LUCID to see if I did anything/something wrong.

The best thing about Lucid's setup. I requested "plug 'n play" style and he delivered. Easiest hook-up/installation I've ever done. I would highly recommend LUCID on his work. Tell him what you want and he'll set it up for you. E-mail him, he's a great guy, extremely helpful (Both Jim and Jen at LUCID).

The main reason I asked for my setup, I just wanted some decent speakers inside the car while I drive w/ the top down or up w/o my sub. My Solo-Baric 12" L7 w/ Kicker amp is plenty of bass in the trunk, but that has to comeout sometimes. And, I can also upgrade the rear speakers if I need/want to due to it's current setup.

I'll wait for the one-touch-windows and convertible top to arrive from EMC2 before I tear into the door speakers. It should arrive this weekend.

Sorry this was longer than you expected. I wanted to start a new thread just to thank LUCID, but I figure this was a good place to put it. Hope you don't mind chandler_hall, and hope this helps someone.

Thanks again LUCID,

LT

 

Installed everything yesterday. Took a total of about 3 hours. Very, very noticeable difference. Quality is significantly improved - crisp, sparkling highs are a big difference (cymbals, ultra high guitar riffs, etc.)

I've only been able to listen to a few songs off a few CDs so far, but I am very pleased and do not expect to be disappointed. However, I must state that I haven't had the chance to put the top down as it's been raining for two days now (including all day today it appears).

But, I generally had to play with the volume about 1/2 way when I wanted to "rock" with the top up (and 6/10 - 3/4 if top down and cruising high speed). Now, 1/4 way with the top up is a major difference in imaging, volume, and impact. 1/2 is on the border of "getting too loud" for me with the top up. Also, I can hardly hear the engine below 6K rpms with the stereo about 1/3 volume. Heck, I picked up my 13-yr old daughter last night and within 2-3 beats she asked if I had new speakers (which she knew nothing about and the volume was only about 1/4 way).

I'm not into ground-pounders, so when I say I'm quite pleased with the base, keep that in mind. However, one major item to note is two-fold. The base coming from the Polk door speakers can be felt by my arm resting on the armrest... something I haven't noticed before with the factory stock stuff. Also, it's MUCH more obvious when I unintentionally rest my leg against the door speaker -- you feel it right away -- which I think is a big plus as well. :-)

Here's how I have it setup and faded:
treb +2
Base +3
Fad F+2

So, I'm pushing a little more of the overall sound to the component speakers in the doors and just using the rear panel speakers as surround filler. IE, I expect I can get more volume by fading dead center, but prefer the quality components sound over the 3-way behind the seat (at least that's my first very quick impression).

No question if you are into crisp highs, upgrading to the Polk 3650 is well worth it and very noticeable.

THANKS LUCID!!! Another very pleased and very pumped customer/rocker!

Anyway, for people considering an upgrade.

 

Thanks to both of you for your detailed descriptions of your Lucid supplied components. Looks like Lucid is on my list for upgrades when I start to work on the interior mods for my S2K.

BTW, what is the SWI mentioned by Chandler Hall? Is that a remote for the Alpine?

Enjoy your sounds!

Steve

 

You guys should look into just a high quality component in the doors. You will see there is no need for rear speakers. I have done 3 cars already that wanted rears and once I did the fronts for them, they no longer wanted rears. I recommend doing Diamond Audio, Dyn audio or MB quarts in the doors you wont be disappointed !

 

Infamous, I'm new but everything I've read says otherwise. Lots of people have installed amps, and quality components and still comment that adding rears made a huge improvement.

 

Infamous, I'd also disagree STRONGLY (unless you are also assuming an AMP installation) because of the following update:

UPDATE: Took the top down this morning on the way to work. Rev'd to VTEC a few times and was able to hang in the above 70MPH range long enough to know that the total VOLUME this system puts out is slightly less than I wished. In other words, with the top down and reving high, I have to put the volume at about 1-2 bars past half-way to be within my "preferred range". This still allows me to hear the 6K-9K rpms decently and also hear most of the music.

My preference on volume vs quality shifted my settings when the top was down. I felt I needed a little more overall volume, so I changed the fade setting to either F1 or C (tried both) and upped the treble to +3. Just shifting the fade from F+2 to either +1 or dead center made a big difference in overall volume without changing the volume control upward.

So, I would definitely state you need the rear speakers if you don't add an amp.

 

With no amp, rear speakers can add a lot. However.....

Based on my pesonal experience, a solid component set makes more than enough sound to fill the vehicle. So, I chose to spend more on the one pair of premium components rather than two pairs of lesser speakers. Better components offer better sound quality and higher power handling capabilities (I'm running mine with 120 watts rms each). That's enough volume for any situation--top up, top down, 100mph, it does not matter.