I just picked up focal 165 v slim components. They handle 60 rms and 120 peak. What kind of amp should I get for them (power, brand)? These are going to be the only speakers that I get for it, but I want the amp to fit under the driver's seat. I am also not sure if each speaker (i.e. woofer and tweeter) is 60rms or if that is the power handling for both. Basically, I am trying to decide if I need a 200Wx2 or a 100Wx2. Also, is it possible to use the stock head unit with this set up? My brother used to install speakers and says that I would be able to do it without a huge difference in quality. I am not sure if I trust him. Thanks.

 

if you're bothering to use good-quality components like the Focals,
IMO you'll want to upgrade the headunit as well, it's pretty crappy.
As for the amp size, with those speakers rated at 60 Watts RMS
(that's per side - there's only one input into the crossover per side,
you odn't have to worry about per speaker), anything greater than
60 watts RMS x 2 is overkill; that said a little overkill is not a bad
thing as a) you won't need to run the amp close to its limit, and
b) you'll have a little more headroom for those low notes that need
a lot of transient power. 100x2 sounds more than sufficient.
there aren't too many amps that will fit under the driver's seat,
but you may find one. another stealthy spot is above the gas tank -
there have been numerous installs there.

 

Sundown or Audison would be great choices. Sundown comes highly recommended by a SQ installer I know and is probably what I'll be running in my SQ truck install.

For Sundown:
http://www.soundsolutionsaudio.com/zencart...ndex&cPath=3_11


For Audison:

www.audison.com

 

Thanks a lot! I have heard good things about Audison. After looking at some set-ups on this site, I hve seen that another good spot to put an amp is behind the seat. Does this restict the seat's adjustability? I am 6'1'' and need every inch of space that the S offers.

 

The amp behind the seat will lose about 3" of seat travel. For a guy like me (5'7), it's no biggie since I sit with my Recaro all the way forward anyway...

A guy your size is going to run into issues.


Another favorite place is where the spare is mounted or just to the left of that, over the fuel tank hump.

 

Those are good suggestions for amp placement. I originally was going to mount my four channel amp in the spare tire well. Then I found the amp would fit on the other side of the gas tank, the second well just past the gas filler line. It's been there ever since, about four years now. Mounted the subwoofer amp on top of the tank.

Still have spare tire mounted, amps out the way and out of sight. Glad I did this, when my car was vandalized, roof was slashed and nothing important was taken, but I did have to put in a new roof, sound system is still okay.

 

nice choice on speakers, i was going to go with them but they are a bit pricey for me. I got the CDT Audio Classics instead, had to fashion speaker ring spacers out of MDF but they fit in ok. But for an amp check out Xtant 1.1i. They are TINY, they are what im using for my door speakers. The things are literally the size of a crossover, and pack huge punch.

 

I had a set of these speakers years ago in my RSX (actually still upstairs...) powered with a Nakamichi amp that put out about 75W per channel. Sounded absolutely beautiful. I'd target something around 70-80W RMS to give you a little headroom.

 

Sorry for the late reply! I just got the speakers installed. Thanks for all the advice. I powered them with a 150x2 memphis- wanted plenty of power. They sound pretty good. The mid and low end is a little weak, but I have only had them in for a week, so I expect that to get better. Mounted the amp next to the spare tire- just enough room. They are a definate huge upgrade from stock, but I hope to get a little more low/mid out of em with a break-in. For what I paid- ($700 for speakers, amp, HD Head Unit, install) I am happy. Any advice on how to tweak the amp and crossovers for the best sound? I listen to mostly rock and like bright highs and punchy low to midlow end. Thanks!

 

focals are nice but they are airy, can't help that As time passes, the speakers are going to sound better and more airy, but you probably won't hear the difference in bass due to S2k's environment.

Since you listen to rock most of the time, you'll definitely need to pick up a 10" sub for the mid bass and bass. You should look for a 10" that is accurate and can play up to 150Hz without issues.(stay away from JL, they don't do well with rock imo) And, sorry, you'll need another amp for the sub...

btw, set the high pass filter to 80~85Hz and see how it goes