I working on getting my S right now but i'm trying to decide how to do the stereo. I've decided on an MB Quart setup, that's what seems to fit my satisfy musical thirst, but i don't know how to decide on/setup the amps. I want to have a tweeter & a 4" or 5.25" in each door, then a pair of 6.5"s & another set of tweeters behind the seats, and a couple of 10's in the trunk.

1. Ok, so now do i need a 4/3/2 ch. or 5/4/3 ch. or 2/1 or what, and how many?
2. And what about crossovers? (How many, characteristics to look/watch out for, any help)

Now, to give you an idea of what i'm looking for. I don't want to wake the neighbors up down the street w/ my stereo (now exhaust is totally different), but i'd like to be able to hear it loud and clear @ 90 with the top down. Not so much bass that i lose the fillings i got as kid, but enough to know it's there.......you know kinda like home theater, but for the car. And for all of you out there who are curious about the other stereo details, it decided on an Alpine Nav/DVD/CD setup (IVA-C801, DHA-S680, NVE-N752A, PXA-H510).


P.S. - No comments on how i should concentrate on getting the car first, THEN talk about doing the stereo. I decided on the S a while back, but music is an important part of my driving experience, so that does influence my decision.


AND THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR ALL THE HELP I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO ASK FOR THAT I'VE GOTTEN OFF OF THIS BOARD SINCE I BECAME A MEMBER.

 

Here are my suggestions: I would put the 6.5's up front and the 4's in the rears. Run the rears off of the HU's internal amp (if it has one). Run the fronts off of 2 channels of a good 4-channel amp. Bridge the other two channels of the amp to feed your woofer. You'd be looking at 75-100 watts to your componants and around 200-250 watts to your sub depending on what amp you choose.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xxmerlynxx
[B]I working on getting my S right now but i'm trying to decide how to do the stereo.

 

Crap. I just re-read the part where you list your HU and signal processing gear. If you are going to use the PXA-H510, you can't run your rear speakers off of the HU. You will need external amps for everything, because you will be getting pre-amp signals from the H510, not the HU. In that case, you will need a 4-channel amp + a sub amp, or a 5-channel amp. The 4-channel + sub amp combo will give you more flexability. I'd go for something like a memphis 3004, blaupunkt PA4100 or PG Tantrum 600.4 for the cabin speakers and a memphis 500d, PG Tantrum 500.2 or JBL 600.1 for the subs. The only 5-channel amps I would recommend are the JL 500/5 and the memphis belle.

 

That sounds great! I don't know much about the memphis amps, however i've heard them mentioned on here many times. Seems like mostly good experience & with your taste in cars, i prolly wouldn't even hesitate.

What about the Infinity Basslink? I've got one now in the trunk on the 318 & it doesn't do badly, but i'd like something that would hit a little harder, especially w/ top down high-speed driving.

Also, as i was prowling around some of the members' sites & stereo pics, i just noticed the overlap of the climate controls over the HU. Do you think i'd still be able to use a motorized screen for the nav system or would i need to consider some kind of custom dash install & a separate HU ? ( which sounds like a lot of work (*read - money*), not to mention more tempting for the criminals looking in or the fact that i'd lose that OEM look, which are more important than the $ ).

 

More importantly, a motorized screen will hit the gear shifter on the way out. I don't know of any successful flip-out installs that use the stock DIN slot. You're looking at a custom dash if you want the lcd. For a little more than a basslink, you can have a MUCH better sub: Elemental Designs E10kd4 ($125) + JBL 300.1 ($145) + speakerhole.com .66cu ft box ($20) = $290, where basslink = $245.

 

except that i've already got the basslink, so no expenditure there.

Thanks for the tip on the flip-out, i was afraid of that. I did just see some pics of the new 9815 from Alpine and I love that. Maybe, just scrapping the nav system is the way to go.....cheaper, easier, cleaner looking.........not to mention, if i get lost in the S, who cares.....just shut up and enjoy the ride

 

Right... I didn't catch that you would be re-using the basslink -- I thought it was staying in the 318 and you were just using it as a comparison. I need to pay more attention Definitely throw that in the S and see if it gives you the bass you're after.

If you don't want to ditch the navi, you can always get a visor-mounted lcd or even one of the tiny 2.5 inch in-mirror screens. I've considered a 2.5 inch mounted in the radio door, but just haven't had the time/desire to fiddle with it. Just a thought.

 

I've thought about the visor screens, just tried not to dwell on them, seems like putting those things in would be a total pain-in-the-a**.......but I really like the idea of putting one in the radio door, that would be sick! What about clearance with the btwn the face of the HU & the back of the LCD?

Don't spend too much time thinking about it 'cause i'll prolly end up scrapping the nav idea, sadly.......at least for a few mths, maybe something new will come up.........or you'll get a chance to test out the radio door LCD & post pics if you do.

Another quick ?..........do you know what the measurements(hxwxd) are for the area where the toolkit is stowed or can you tell where to find them? (Trying to plan for hiding a sub in there)........again, Thanks for all of your help and advice, it's truly appreciated.