My new system ... sounds good!
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,707
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From: Camarillo
I just upgraded my MY'02 stereo system. Here's what I did:
- Upgraded door components to Kenwood KFC-Xr61p components
- JL Stealthbox (purchased from another board member)
- Rockford Fosgate Punch 501x amp (4-channel, 65W/channel RMS at 4 ohms, so I'm at 3 ohms on the Stealthbox, which gives me a bit more wattage from the amp)
Amp is installed directly on top of the Stealthbox for ease of removal for track days. Still debating if I will actually do this, as that means NO TUNES on the drive to or from the track.
I kept the stock head unit, as I just couldn't swing the cost of upgrading that at the same time. The entire system, installed by a local shop, was just about $1200.
My overall reactions so far are:
1. When I first picked up the car on Friday, it was raining so I couldn't put the top down. The new front speakers are much crisper and clearer than the OEMs ... in fact, almost TOO crisp with the top up. Not sure if this is what some have referred to as being "too bright" of a sound. I almost wanted to put my hand over the tweeter, but found that lowering the treble level helped.
2. Saturday I got out and put the top down and reset the bass/treble to 0. The system sounds absolutely perfect! The "too bright" sensation completely disappears top down.
The Stealthbox/amp combo is perfect. It's not a super-thumping, boom-boom type of sound, although with some music, like Prodigy, there is a definite BOOM factor. I haven't stood outside the car to hear it, so I'm not sure how it sounds to passersby yet.
I'm amazed at how various different types of music sound. Some of my downloaded CD's have songs that I can really hear how crappy they are now, so I'll need to find better versions of some music.
Overall, I am thrilled.
I can barely tolerate how loud it is when I really crank it up (and I like it loud), and I'm able to reach a nice loud, clear sound at 90 mph top down with no distortion at all, and with excellent sound.
Thanks to everyone's posts in this forum, and for answering the various PM's I sent around.
- Upgraded door components to Kenwood KFC-Xr61p components
- JL Stealthbox (purchased from another board member)
- Rockford Fosgate Punch 501x amp (4-channel, 65W/channel RMS at 4 ohms, so I'm at 3 ohms on the Stealthbox, which gives me a bit more wattage from the amp)
Amp is installed directly on top of the Stealthbox for ease of removal for track days. Still debating if I will actually do this, as that means NO TUNES on the drive to or from the track.
I kept the stock head unit, as I just couldn't swing the cost of upgrading that at the same time. The entire system, installed by a local shop, was just about $1200.
My overall reactions so far are:
1. When I first picked up the car on Friday, it was raining so I couldn't put the top down. The new front speakers are much crisper and clearer than the OEMs ... in fact, almost TOO crisp with the top up. Not sure if this is what some have referred to as being "too bright" of a sound. I almost wanted to put my hand over the tweeter, but found that lowering the treble level helped.
2. Saturday I got out and put the top down and reset the bass/treble to 0. The system sounds absolutely perfect! The "too bright" sensation completely disappears top down.
The Stealthbox/amp combo is perfect. It's not a super-thumping, boom-boom type of sound, although with some music, like Prodigy, there is a definite BOOM factor. I haven't stood outside the car to hear it, so I'm not sure how it sounds to passersby yet.
I'm amazed at how various different types of music sound. Some of my downloaded CD's have songs that I can really hear how crappy they are now, so I'll need to find better versions of some music.
Overall, I am thrilled.
I can barely tolerate how loud it is when I really crank it up (and I like it loud), and I'm able to reach a nice loud, clear sound at 90 mph top down with no distortion at all, and with excellent sound.Thanks to everyone's posts in this forum, and for answering the various PM's I sent around.
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