Let me start by stating that I have no clue about stereo components. I am definitely not an audiophile and am simply attempting to put together a good stereo.

I have researched this and other forums for awhile now and I have come up with a list of some things. I just bought the Alpine 9887. Other than that and the Modifry DCI, I have purchased nothing. I would basically like to upgrade the door speakers, get an amp, and get a sub.

Please let me know your thoughts on the darkside sub for toolwell and the stereo integrity mag v4 sub. Any suggestions for a good amp and door speakers? Also, what else would I need? What kind of speaker wire, etc.? Again, not trying to get too sophisticated; just want a good soundin' system!

I know this question about stereo components has been asked several times(and I have looked at them) so any recommendations are much appreciated!!

By the way, I just picked this car up about 30 days ago, and besides the stereo this is one hell of a machine! Thanks!

 

Welcome Walshman.

The SI Mag V4 has been discontinued, so while it's a great sounding sub - if you don't have one or can't find someone selling theirs (or with a spare or 3 like I have ), then you're kinda out of luck on that. SI is supposed to be releasing their BM (slimline) 12" shortly. It will handle 450W, require only .5cu ft of volume, and has a 3.5" mounting depth (that means a 5" overall enclosure height if using 3/4" mdf, 6" of space required for install). All of that while maintaining the high SQ of the Mag V4. Perfect for squeezing into the spare tire area next to the fuel tank.

As for components, I'm sure you've read my recommendations ()

I'd go with SEAS tweeters (metal or soft dome is up to you) from Madisound.

Woofers are a bit more difficult.

Amp...I would go with two amps - one for the door speakers, one for the sub. Really, you can't beat the Sundown quality for the price. I suggest the SAX 100.4 for your door speakers. It might be more power than you need, but it's better to be able to turn down the power than to not have enough to really push your speakers. For the sub amp, I'd go with the Sundown 1000D and wire your sub VC in series for the higher resistance.

 

Wow, some great info! Thanks. Had no idea that sub was discontinued. I thought I just saw it on their website the other day. Anyways, any recommendations on a box, wire, and door speakers (is this the same as woofers)?

I am trying to accumulate everything I need and then am going to either try and find someone to help me with the install or have it professionally done because I don't even know where to begin... Thanks for the info!!

 

Where are you located, Walsh?

For enclosures...I have a DarksideSubs tool well enclosure for my Mag. I think it sounds phenomenal (in fact, I'm looking into upgrading my JL 500/1 to a Sundown 1000D) with only 500W to it. (I have 2 in my truck with 1000W each...even better sound ) The mag is up on their website, but I can assure you - I got the last Mag V4 (literally)

However, the subs you can install in the Darkside enclosure are pretty limited (depth/enclosure volume).

I'm already in talks with Nick at SI about receiving one of the very first BMs he receives so I can build a fiberglass enclosure for the area I was referring to (where the spare tire mounts). This would be an ideal setup - 500W 12" high-SQ sub with no real loss of trunk space.

Woofers = bottom door speakers. Depending on how much work you're willing to do, there are a number of options here. The woofers I have are absolutely amazing, but they require fiberglass pods (untreated paper cone), shaving of the inside of the speaker grill in the door, and are relatively expensive at $220/ea. On the other hand, you can run something more like the SEAS woofers I have in my truck with simply shaving the inside of the door grill. While the SEAS woofers in the truck sound great...they're much warmer than the woofers in my car, but they're still quite clear and run $75/ea.


Wiring...I've used KnuKonceptz in my truck and prefer them to anything else I've ever used (Monster/Streetwires/PG/Rockford/et al).

 

Thanks again for all the info! I'm located in Cincinnati, OH. Alot of information... Just trying to figure it all out. I wish I were more technical when it comes to this stuff, but it's almost a foreign language to me. Let me know if you hear anything else about the sub coming out or any other recommendations. I am not in a huge rush but would like to start getting things together. Thanks again.

 

some other things to think about:
- what kind of music do you listen to?
- do you want your bass to pound, or just fill in the lows?
- are you a bling or stealth kind of guy?
- how much trunk space are you willing to give up?
- do you want to keep your spare tire, or live with a can of fix-a-flat and
an AAA card?
About the last point - if you plan on retaining your spare, you should
remember that the flat tire gets stowed in the trunk tool well, so if you do
get a flat with a tool well sub, you'll need to either put the sub box or the
flat tire somewhere else.

 

See my sig for an install similar to what you're after.

Keeps the spare tyre and tool well free.

A simple, but expensive solution would be an Alpine PDX 5 which'll power the whole system and fit on top of the fuel tank.

 

These two really shouldn't matter. A good system can play back anything and do it very well (with minimal or maximum poundage).

The rest are definitely good questions the OP needs to address.

 

I agree with you, though everything is a matter of priorities and tradeoffs.
I personally am unwilling to give up my tool well, so I use a Darkside
passenger side sub, which is perfectly adequate for the music I listen to,
but might not be for someone whose music contains earthshaking lows.

 

Fair enough.

My personal preference is not to have earth shaking lows as much as provide adequate coverage of the low range (10's don't get low enough, IMO).

This is why I'm looking forward to having one of the new BM's in hand (and installed in my S)...12" practically zero distortion 500W sub without losing any trunk space and can be completely hidden?