I've just purchased a new Suzuka Blue S2000 and am loving it, but the audio needs help. I've already put a Kenwood KDC-X569 mp3 head unit in as I had it from my last car. I also have a Crossfire VR-354 four-channel amp that I would like to use. I listen to all types of music and want a good all around system that I can hear with the top down on the freeway. I am thinking that a set of 6 1/2" components in the doors and a single 8" sub in a WLAURENT box. I don't need trunk-rattling base but I would like to hear some nice low frequency thumps. My budget? I don't know, 200-600$. I want a good value system. I'm willing to spend a little more for large improvements but I'm not willing to spend a lot more for small improvements if that makes any sense.

The problem is, if I use the amp I already have I will not have a lot of power to work with. My amp will do RMS
35x4 @ 4 Ohms
70x4 @ 2 Ohms
140x2 @ 4 Ohms bridged

So if I understand this correctly, I would only have 35 Watts RMS x 2 for the front components (unless there are 2 ohm components, are there such things?) and 140 Watts RMS x 1 bridged rear channels for the sub (4 ohm single voice coil).

So the question is - If this is all the power you had to work with, what quality 6 1/2" components and 8" sub would be a good choice? Focal 165A's? JL Audio 8W0?

If I could get speakers that would work well with this amp but still handle more power I could change the amp in the future for a nice upgrade.

Or, I could spend more money, ditch this amp for one with more power and then spend more on nicer components and a sub that the amp would allow for. This option I would really like to avoid for now as it would require a more substantial budget.

I

 

I have a set of Boston Acustic 6 1/2" components. They are the FS60 model (I think, pretty sure.) When I demo'ed them at the shop they were running off the HU only and sounded GREAT. They are rated for the kind of power you are pushing and can handle more. I personally think that 140watts for an 8" sub should be plenty for now.

The component speakers were $220.

I would continue down the path your on now. Get a sub and new fronts. Reuse your existing gear. if you need more, add it later. However, I think you will be impressed by how much of an improvement you will see.

 

I would look at a JL 8W3v2 for the Wlaurant enclosure, and a set of Infinity Kappa 60.5cs components. Alot of S owners have the Infinity speakers in there cars and are very pleased with the results, and they are not power hungry. If you want to upgrade your amp later they will also handle more power. However, I would recommend that you go and listen to several sets of speakers before you buy.

I ran the 8W3v2 in my Wlaurant enclosure and I was happy with the result. You don't have to worry about waking up the neighbors with your sub.

Need an amp rack to mount the amp?

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'll be checking out all your recommendations.

The JL 8W3v2 is a dual voice coil sub. If I got the JL 8W3v2-D2 (2 ohms per coil) and wired the coils in series, then ran the sub from two channels of my amp bridged, is it correct that total speaker resistance would be 4 ohms and the bridged amp would see it as 2 ohms? Thus since my amp will do 140W RMS with a bridged 4 ohm load everything would be within spec, am I right?

Also, is there any particular advantage or disadvantage to using a dual voice coil sub?

JeffA