So, I just had my new sound system installed and wanted to share what I did. Pictures to follow soon.

Background: I traded in my 1991 Mazda rx-7 convertible, and bought a 2005 blue s2000. In my Mazda I had a premium system, but the dealer wanted sound so all I could take back (I didn't have the stock speakers) was my Audison LRX 6x9 amp. Ok, a good place to start.


Current System:

1) Audison LRX 6.9 AMP (six channels, 950 watts, many 4ohm or 2ohm configurations).
2) Focal 165 K2P speakers up front
3) Kicker Solobaric 8 inch sub
4) lots of dnyomat in doors and trunk
5) Stinger 4 gauge speaker wire
6) Custom box for Kicker sub.
7) Headunit- Alpine 9887, with Imprint sound, and USB auxillary unit for my mp3 player


Location of AMP- under the trunk, where the tool kit used to be. I had a nice enclosure built, with a clear top so you can see the amp- looks very nice

Location of Sub- I put the custom built box and sub installed in the space where the spare donut tire used to be.

So far I like it, and I haven't yet run the Imprint sound manager. When I do it will be incredible. Speakers are brand new and have not broken in yet.

Main reason I did not go with the JL Audio 10 inch sub (which drops in the trunk) is that with the sub closer to the seats you get a different feel and sound, and so far I think my location works very well. I was spoiled with my Mazda- in the 2nd generation RX7 convertible you have room for speakers behind the seats, and there is a TON of room between the seats and trunk (where they spare tire is kept). So with my rx-7, I removed the spare and put in pioneer 10-inch shallow mounted sub in a large ported box. That set up I could literally feel in the back of the seats, even at low volumes! With my current kicker, the sub sounds fantastic, but I don't get that same seat shaking bass. I'm ok with that. I just can't see how I could get seat shaking bass like I had before given the small space to work with, and the Audison Amp. I think in order to get that, you have to get a much larger sub and pump 1000 watts into it. That means getting ride of my six channel amp and probably bi amping, and I don't see how you do that without completely wiping out the little trunk space I have. I play golf so I need the space!

On the plus side, the Focal 165 K2P are incredible, but probably overkill. I onlue use the volume right now at levels 12-15. I turned it up to 20 with the top up, and it hurt my ears. When the speakers are broken in you could probably turn it up to 60 without hurting the speakers. Anyways, even though I will probably never use that amount of volume, the depth of these speakers is awesome. My rx-7 had the focal A1 series speakers (6.5 up front, 6x9 behind seats) which were great too, but since it's pointless to put rear speakers in the s2000 I went with better speakers up front.

I'll put pics up soon.


Best,
Hobbes

 

very nice selection of equiptment all a+++ - please post pics.

 

I will post pics on the thread dedicated for this stuff- I didn't see that one when I created this thread.

Hobbes

 

this post is nothing without pics

 

Hey hobbes,
I'm looking into putting a system in my car too. Reading your setup and seems like your smart at this stuff so this is what im planning on installing, speakers are going to be Focal 165kf and a pioneer headunit that isnt out yet but i was wondering what you think and what amp would be best?

Thanks in advance

 

I would suggest Sundown amps. I just installed 4 into my truck, and they sound as good/clean as the Audison LRx in my S. www.sundownaudio.com

I'd also suggest stepping up to a larger sub, but that's from an audiophile standpoint where an 8" sub isn't going to hit the lower frequencies that I like to hear when listening to Jazz/Blues/etc. Stereo Integrity Mags have a 5.5" mounting depth and a 1cu ft volume requirement. SI is also developing a shallower mount flat-cone 12" woofer (SI BM) with a 4" overall height enclosure requirement (2.5" mounting depth). www.stereointegrity.com

 

This thread is useless without pictures... Post em up man.

 

I took pictures but they didn't come out very good- my phone is the only digital camera I have. The sub is really hard to see because the box is very secure and difficult to move to get a good view. I'll try again soon.

Hobbes

 

Neutered-


At some point down the road I may give in and go with the larger sub too. I built my current setup around my existing amp because I didn't want to start over completely. However, at some point I can see myself wanting to get the lower end I am missing, but that would be at least a year away.

IF/WHEN that time comes, I'll have to get another amp since my Audison won't be enough. What do you think about buying a mono amp and larger and then bi amping to my existing set up? I'm thinking it will be cheaper this way. Either way, I'd have to mount a bigger sub and I don't think I can find a place to put without a lot more work. If so, maybe next year.

Hobbes

 

s2000freak,

Audison amps are very good, but others are good too. My amp was originally chosen for another setup- 4 speakers plus a sub. I simply did my research on the internet and went to a few shops asking lots of questions. Previously I had a pioneer headunit, but a lower end one. I used to think headunits didn't really matter much, but I'm much happier with the Alpine. The big difference is due to the Imprint Sound Manager- simply an awesome tool that makes a big difference in your sound. Without that system, I could easily spend all day trying to tweak the sound and not get it nearly as good as Alpine's. Other companies make similar sound management systems, but I don't think they are as good. I also looked at Eclipse head units, but ultimately chose Alpine because they are considered more reliable. You may want something with more bells and whisltes though. Pioneer is pretty solid.

If on a budget, spend your money first on good amp, speakers and speaker wire. Upgrading the head unit is the easiest step, and one you should do later.

Hobbes