Finally got enough cash for a new stereo, I have decided to go with the following:

Clarion 945 Headunit
Focal 180W (will they fit? any adapters or kits needed to make them fit?)
Focal 5.25 speakers for rear (forgot what model, previous owner had 5.25" speakers cut in behind the seat so I need to have something there)
Amp - Not really sure, was thinking Alpine 540. Suggestions?

What harnesses, adapters, speaker kits will I need?
Speaker Wires are pretty obvious


Anyone help and/or advice is appreciated! Thanks!

-Audio Noob

 

Applause on the focal. The front is a 6.5" speaker hole and the 165w's are tight - I just can't picture the 180w getting in there without being destructive, ugly, and poor sounding. Also the 165w's are FINE. Trust me, you don't need anything more up there. Here is my install and questions on the topic.

https://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=229179

The existing rear speakers are probably pretty flat. I don't think you'll be about to get the 136w's in there, and with the 165ws I am not sure you will care. I am looking for a set for my Spods.

I got a Zapco AG360 from ebay for $240 shipped. Zapco is top quality competition stuff, and is more than enough amp for the 165w's, but you need to have an easy hand with the gains - this is enough power to blow the speakers (RMS 180wpc Zapco vs 100wpc Focal).

If you go with Alpine instead of the clarion, you will be able to use the Alpine-Ipod interface, so you could have 40gb of MP3's at your fingertips.

I was very frustrated by Lucid's install kit and baffles, although eventually my kludge of them worked out nicely. I'd recommend cutting a ring out of particle board.

-JD

 

Thanks for the write up, I have the guys at work doing the install. He has Utopia's in his RSX-S so he knows how to make em fit. I figured to buy Lucid's adapter/speaker install kit. I am still undecided on the amp. I don't mind spending around 800 or so on an amp. Its a matter of where I will put that sucker. I was hoping there is enough room under the passenger seat but after looking down there, I don't think any good amp's would fit down there.

The rear speakers are Focal 130CV. Just using them to fill rear sound. I compared the Alpine 9831 and Clarion 945. I can get them both for the around the same price so the Clarion won.

I started looking at the Soundstream Amp's. Particularly at the Van Gogh VGA500.4 and the Tarantula TR500/4. Any opinions on these? I want 4 channel so I can power the rear speakers. Also, would either of these fit under my passenger seat?

 

Be aware that the stock lucid adaptor is too short for the speaker - it will hit the glass. The extended lucid adaptor is too big for the door. You can do a kludge like mine, or if you have the time cut the spacers in half and trim the screws it might work out for you. I think the ultra-compressed foam ring is a benefit, though.

I have my Zapco behind the passenger seat - it comes right up to where the carpet ends and the seat begins. I was looking at the under the pass seat, but after taking it off I see there just is no way - The hump in the floor and the hump in the seat will make it not happen.

You can spend $800 on an amp but there isn't any need to. I started looking at the Soundstreams too, originally... I doubt you can fit any of them in the cockpit.

The fills are fine, why replace?

If you can get them for the same price, why not Alpine? I guess I am showing my age - when I was growing up Clarion was the brand you bought at Pep Boys, I hear they have come up in the world. But the Alpine will let you hook up an Ipod... No interest in that?

-JD

 

I have no real interest in the IPOD set up. If i did, i would have bought the alpine. I like the Van Goh since it is smaller and specs are slightly better. My friend also has me looking at Mcintosh's now. I know they are up there in price. I can't find size specs but they don't look small to me. All these amps are so confusing

can you explain what you mean by behind the seat?

 

hello,

like you i was wanting to improve my stereo while looking stock and without losing trunk space.
for $275 i did the following:

first pass was to add an amp and speakers to the stock radio:

bought a/d/s pq10 40wx4rms on ebay for $35 (7yrs old - exc cond)
(was $450 new)
don't let the 40w/ch fool you...a/d/s amps are super high quality and are very conservatively rated in power compared to newer amps.
plus they are small - 13x8x2. this fits perfectly under the drivers seat. not sure if anyone today makes a 4 channel amp that will fit under the drivers seat. (nothing will fit under pass seat).
i've owned a/d/s amps in the past - they are fantastic!!

bought a/d/s 246is 6.5" components for the doors $139 (ebay). ($400 retail)
bought the 2004 s2000 factory tweeter grills for $45/set.
bought mb quart dkd113 5.25" co-axials for rear fill for $40 (ebay) ($150 retail)

WOW!!! what an improvement!!!!

second pass (future) would possibly be a nakamichi mb100 or cd400 with a dci ($400-$600)
but for $275 so far - i am thrilled with the results.

i know you had mentioned that price is not too big an issue with you but i thought i would chime in and let you hear about an inexpensive alternative with very few compromises..

 

I've had system where i spent under 800 and compared to what high end stuff, it didn't sound great. Yes it was better than stock but not super.

Any other opinions on the AMP? I looked at the McIntosh 404. IiTs nice and small but pricey....around 1500. I don't want to spend that much, but if i don't find anything else, it will be time for debt

 

If you don't put the seat all the way back, there are a few inches of space behind the seat. I tilt mine back a little anyhow. if your amp is thin and runs cool enough it is OK. I just picked up another Zapco AG360, guess I'll try to fit it behind the driver's seat for the Sub.

You are correct, there is NO comparison between the ADS stuff and Focal Utopias!

-JD

 

sounds like you are going with some pretty great stuff!

one thing i can't get past is - it's a convertible!!...and a noisy one at that!! as much as i would love to have $700 utopias and a $1500 macintosh amp (fantastic choices) - i just don't think i'd hear the difference at 20 or even 0 mph. in a sound studio - yeah sure..

if you guys are car people, (and i think it's safe to say we all are), why not stash the $2,000 stereo upgrade money and put it toward a 911 (or whatever knocks you out) in a few years.. you'll never get the spent stereo money back in resale and serious alterations to the car decreases it's value even further...

it would be really funny to me if, in addition to this stereo system, you also had an extra loud exhaust system...

i dunno... go ahead, let me have it now.........

 

I keep seeing people say that it doesn't matter because our car is a convertable, and it continues to blow my mind. I firmly disagree; the better the stereo, the better the sound, and I believe the incremental performance is worth the incremental cost. The stock system is hard to hear at 20mph. A low grade upgrade probably can't be heard anywhere near 50. If these examples are your basis for comparison, then I see how you could reach that conclusion but it is erroneous. I can hear my stereo clearly at 70 mph and up. BTW, at 0mph the difference is significant.

I also see people complaining about multiple soundstages, but since I live in LA I just have (1) in my car - the one with the top down and windows down. The 2-3 times a year I have to drive in rain I am usually too busy dodging LA drivers to listen to the stereo.

I am a car person. I am also an audio person. YMMV. A stereo need not be a 'serious alteration' and unless you are doing something really wacky you aren't gonna decrease your resale. You won't get the $ out of it what you put in, but the same is same of performance mods, and it isn't about the resale its about the ride. Besides, if you shop used someone else has already taken most of the 'resale' hit, and if you shop carefully and buy performance instead of bling the resale won't drop.

Oh - the 165W's are $600 not $700, and I got mine for $500 new on ebay. I'd agree that a new $1500 Macintosh amp is overkill though - My Zapco AG360 amps are avery well respected brand and model, but since it is a few years old I got it one for $240 and another for $175 shipped.

But that's just my perspective.
-JD