I was just looking at the XENON amp, because then I could get just about any impediance / Voice Coil combo and still be set, instead of having to search for a 4-ohm 400WRMS rated sub (kinda hard to find for a decent price).

I am now thinking that I will just keep my components and sub and get the Hifonics amp. If I am un-impressed, then I will change the components and sub as needed. (I am entering Grad school, and my Financial Aid is not set yet, so I want to save a bit JUST IN CASE). If I get mucho Financial Aid, then the system will get upgraded (plus after X-mas sales are the BEST! :LOL )

John

 

Sounds good to me!

 

[/QUOTE]I'm planning to mount the speakers in stock location, with the crossovers hidden behind the door panel, as well. I want to mount the tweeters at the base of the A-pillar(where the dash and windshield meet)

I'm not looking for a thumping system. Just a nice upgrade from stock that doesn't pierce my ears.

I also plan to add quiet coat on the door and maybe dynamat.

"So I guess my Q's are;

1. Will this setup provide the mellow sound that I want? (Given that I was halfway satisfied with the stock system)

2. Will I need an amp?

3. I don't want any vibrating or rattles happening so.......Will quietcoat be enough? Or should I go with quiet coat and dynamat just to be safe?"



suggestions:

1. it's probably enough, i would consider a compact sub like ones from clarion or kenwood.

2. you probably dont need an amp

3. quiet coat in the doors is NOT going to be enough. i have quiet coat in the truck, below the soft top, under passenger seat, in the doors and that is NOT enough to tame the wind, road and engine noise. you probably have to quietcoat every metal surface from fire wall to the trunk to make this car quiet enough to enjoy high fidelity audio.


i dont think rear speaker adds anything other than volume. i have two 5" polk audio speakers with steerable tweeters behind the seats. the audio quality from those speakers are pathetic. they do make music louder, but you can easily do that with a set of good HU, front speakers and a compact sub.

 

Is it now common practice to recommend running components w/out an amp? I've been out of the car audio scene for a while, but I thought you pretty much never want to run components with just a headunit. I know no one explicitly agreed, but I think there is the impression that amp=high volume, and you only need an amp if you want high volume. I think of it like your speakers are a car, and the amp is the engine. Just because you don't want to drive fast doesn't mean you don't need a powerful engine, because by adding "bigger" speakers with more potential, you need more power to drive them at every day levels. I'd never drive components with a headunit, no matter what volume you plan to play them.

BTW, to the original poster, nevermind what you HEARD about how the speakers sound, go listen to them for yourself. Personal preference plays a ton into which speakers you like, go spend some quality time with some cds at your local car audio store-won't give you the exact sound you will get in your car, but will give you more of an idea than "I read it on teh intarnet."

 

Thanks guys and I'm still undecided.

 

i use the infinity basslink. its lightweight and brings up the low end enough for me. it's not the best, but it saves on weight and room vs. normal amp and sub setup.

 

FWIW, I installed the Infinity Reference components (6010cs) in my doors with just a Pioneer 'high output' HU (DEHP80MP) and Modifry's DCI and I have found this setup to be more than adequate for my needs. At highway speeds, etc., I can turn up the radio enough to hear it but not enough for it to overwhelm the ambient noise. I would not want it any louder anyway because I aim to preserve what hearing I have left (after going to too many rock concerts years ago). At city speeds this setup sounds great.

Its worthwhile to remember that we have a noisy car and unless you want to get into the quieting game there are limits to what you can realistically expect out of an audio system. I did run better speaker wires, but I honestly don't know whether even that was necessary. The tiny factory wires bundled up with other things int he wiring harnesses just seemed inadequate for even my setup and I figured that while I had everything apart I might as well do them too.

That said, I second the notion that you really need to go out and listen to the speakers you are considering. Even Circuit City or Best Buy should be able to let you listen directly from the HU or through an amp so that you can hear the difference for yourself. Also, you -really- need to compare speakers using the kind of music you intend to listen to. If I had based my decision on just what people say I would have bought Polk DBs for about the same price and ended up wondering why everything sounds so sssssss! YMMV

 

Ummmm......I think you are incorrect here. MY02+ cars came stock from the factory with component speakers (and Honda DEFINITELY did not spring for an amp). Almost all cars now a days have component speakers. It helps raise the soundstage, as the highs can be positioned higher.

I think you are mistaken here too.....People buy amps for a variety of reasons. Volume is definitely one of them, but sound quality is definitely another. On most HU's (that are worth their salt), you can have the internal amplifier bypassed, so a clean signal gets sent to any amp. Most amplifiers produce MUCH cleaner / crisper sound than HU's do. Their filters / processors are just much better, as size is not much of an issue (when compared to HU's). That is why there are amps out there that only produce 40wrms.....for people who want clean sound, but are not fans of volume.

And for your analogy, speakers are like your car, but the amp is more like the fuel. The speakers already have all they need (but fuel / signal) to run. Speakers can run off an un-amped signal (rather poorly), but a car cannot run without an engine. Just being anal.....sorry .

John

 

Dave-

Do you know of a decent Alpha sub to match this (needs to be SVC 4-ohm or DVC 2-ohm for wiring)? I also need a potential dealer, as no one in my area carries Alpha products). Pikkashoe had nothing but good stuff to say about Alpha products. I was thinking of going all alpine on the speakers, but they are too pricey, and do not have the handling capacity for the Hifonics amp. I am going to see what my Blaupunkts sound like with this amp, if i am not impressed, I will probably get those Alpha components you suggested, and just go all Alpha on the speakers.


John

 

[QUOTE]Ummmm......I think you are incorrect here.