Ok here we go.

Started poking around for audio for the MY04. While I was shopping for head units, I was at the local Mid/High end shop and the tech was installing a head unit in the wall.

When I looked, he was installing an Alpine CDA-9833. Turns out they sold all theirs at close out and got a new unit from another store that had several and they were selling it as a demo close out. Hmm, says I, how much? $265 + tax.

Well that sure made my head unit choice simpler. So now we have a start.

First question, I am ordering the DCI today. Do I need to get the wiring harness from Modifry? The 9833 is already running in my dash with a standard off the shelf adapter harness.

BTW, boy do those factory speakers suuuuuuck. Can you say harsh?

 

The factory speakers in your 04 are actually way better than the poor folks that have a 00 or an 01... those are really bad

You will just have to wire it all up and you'll be good to go! Just solder them together to help cut down on the size of your harness. If you use a butt connector or plug type connectors you'll end up with a bigg bunch behind the HU... and it gets tighter and tighter back there as you add things. So its best to keep everything as neat as possible.

 

Thanks John. I got antsy and already ordered the harness adapter, though.

 

OK, on to the meat of the matter.

It is time for some awsome speakers and a solid amp. I have a supposedly trustworthy local vendor. Seems to be a pretty straight shooter. The higher end speakers in his business are Diamond Audio. I haven't started listening yet but on reputation, they should be nice stuff. Looking for recommendations, this dealer talked about a pair of Diamond Hex S600s (Silk dome tweeters) and a Zapco 350.2 amp.

I want something that will maintain it's sound characteristic as it gets louder, so Diamond's cone and basket build quality (looks stiff as hell)looks good.

The Diamond Hex pair of components and the Zapco 350.2 would run about $1150 installed including any spacers (probably not necessary for the S600s - they are not too deep although may want to tilt the drivers a bit), dynamat / hushmat throughout both doors (both the door skin and inner panel matted, rca cables, speaker cables, 4 guage power wiring and fusing, all labor, etc.

Can any of you guru's comment on this? Overpriced for what it is? Reasonable?

I would tend to shy away from a sub in the trunk based upon the fact that I really don't want to lose the space. I am looking for well rounded sound at speed with top down. Smooth mid range and a well integrated low end but not necessarily "thumpin" bass.

Discussing this with my potential dealer, he indicated that I could probably get all the bass I am looking for by moving to a more expensive and deeper reaching line in the Diamond Audio group. I can move to a D9 series set of components (D971) for about $400.00 more.

Comments?

 

If you are able to do it, I would suggest you consider doing modifry's footwell sub install. I've read through it and it sounds ike a good idea if you don't want to lose the trunk space. The only down side is he doesn't give any measurements of his enclosure. I believe I sent him a PM or email a while back asking for them b/c I was considering doing it. I never heard anything back from him.

 

Buying a better speaker is always OK as long as you can comfortable afford the price tag. But you have to remember that the S2000 is not exactly the ideal listening space. So don't expect a miracle out of a pair of 6.5" separates even if they cost a small fortune, especially in the bass department.

Good luck, if you don't like the setup you can always add a sub later.

 

Thanks Karl. That's really my biggest concern. I have no problem paying a premium for a top notch speaker if I can:
A. Get smoothness across the band.
B. Maintain smoothness at volume.
C. Get solid bass in the cabin.

BTW when I say smooth, I mean non-peaky response with a well integrated blend between drivers. Kind of like my B&W home speakers or like a nice set of Grado headphones.

What I am hoping is that I can get the bass I need without adding a sub. What I don't want to do is pay an extra $400 for speakers and then still end up wanting a sub.

 

You are probably not going to get the astounding bass of a sub, but my components shake my leg hair through my jeans when up loud. Bass volume is good, but the low tones are still missing (of course), as they are not designed to be subwoofers.

John

 

Thanks for the feedback jwa4378. Aren't you running Bostons? How much were they and which model?

BTW, the Diamond D971 components that I am looking at are a 7" that supposedly has useable output down to 35Hz. Of course, there is no associated rating in -dB so who really knows, especially since they don't control the enclosure (the door).

I don't know, maybe I am full of $hit thinking of spending over $800 for two speakers.

I hope someone with some Diamond Audio experience in an S2k can chime in. This is a lot of dough --- even for the Diamond Hex option.

 

Nope....I am a bargain shopper. Mine are Blaupunkts (ODCa660). They are also oversized (closer to 6.75" than 7"). They retail for $195 for the set, but I got them on sale for $60. They have a sensitivity rating of 93, so they are great off the HU power. Rated RMS is from 80-120, so I can amp them eventually. They came with a 1" silk dome tweeter, instead of the typical 1/2-3/4" tweeters. I put them under the A-pillars, and drilled speaker grill out of the pillar trim. The sound good enough for me. Like I said, hair shaking! Definitely worth the $60....worth the $195, IMO.....but not $800.

John