I am about to upgrade the stereo in my S2000 and have been looking at Focal splits (Utopias and the next ones down (yellow ones - Poly Kevlar??)

From what I understand these speakers are fairly deep. Assuming I am not altering my door trims and intend on mounting the woofer in the stock location, what size would I be best going with - the 5.x inch or the 6.5 inch? I am thinking the 6.5 inch may be too deep to mount in the S2000 doors.

 

I would say go with the 6.5's. You might need to make some spacers for the speaker but don't short yourself and put a 5" in.

 

Just wondering if I put spacers in whether or not I will have enough clearance for the window and the door trim (in it's stock form) with the Focal Utopia 6.5" From what I understand these particular speakers are deeper than most...

 

If you use a 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch MDF you should be fine... You may want to let a pro do it... but it is very easy. Just need the right equipment ..

 

I measured the distance from the back of the stock speaker encasing to the window (when its down obviously) and I came up with 1 inch of space. If you trim out the back of that plastic encasing and put in a spacer, IMO you should have room for just about any 6.5.

 

I just installed the 6.5 Utopia's in my 2001; no problem and I''m in love with the sound. Just be sure to invest in a similar quality amp to power them.

I went with a PPI 4125, 125 RMS/4 ohms x 4. Wow!

The only problem seems to be that the Utopia/PPI combo is so powerful that the plastic door lining under the inner door panel requires special care so it doesn't buzz. I'm gotten rid of most of it but there's still an occasional buzz. Slowly I'll get it all I'm sure.

Also, I wasn't satisfied even with the Utopis/PPi combo until I installed a pair of 4" Polks behind the seats. Very big difference in imaging and depth of field. And I may replace the Polks with something even better now that I see how much difference these rear speakers make.

Good luck with your upgrade,

Steven

 

Steven,

Have you considered a sub in the trunk?
How do you have PPI amp installed? In the trunk? Any pics?

Thanks.

 

I was considering a sub and went through a lot to determine what would be the best way to do it. But with what the system sounds like now, I doubt I'll want it, considering my goals.

I've owned a recording studio (now a project studio) for many years. I'm more interested in clarity and accuracy than in anything else. The bass is pretty darn clear, low, and punchy right now, and I'm replacing the Polk 4"'ers in the rear with the top of the line A/D/S/ 4", which will add even more clarity to the low end.

As for the way the amp is mounted, this was part of my choosing the PPI as the cooling fins are surrounded by a metal cover, open on both ends, and with fans inside so the air blows across the fins. This allowed me to mount the amp, which is all of 25" across, horizontally across the trunk well with no worry that if I put something on top of it that the cooling will be compromised.

Under the amp I have a 12 Pioneer disc changer and a 1 farad cap mounted on a panel which is recessed into the trunk well.

As for pictures, I have a little digital camera but I'm clueless about digital cameras.

Steven

 

StevenT,

Thanks for that. At least now I know that I will be able to fit the Utopia 6.5" in without too much trouble.

On the issue of your 'buzz', there is a couple of things that could be causing this. The first few things I would look at are the way your speakers are mounted, and also the clearance the speakers have with the door trim. These have both been issues with me with installations in previous cars.

Alister

 

StevenT,

What kind of speakers are you considering to replace your 4" Polks in the rears? Have you checked out Lucid's new site yet for the rear panels? I don't know what would be a good set of rears to compliment the Focal Utopias.