You've all heard it before...but I'm a new stook owner, and my first job (after the alarm, of course) is to install a new sound system. After visiting Tweeter - got a lot of help there - and Good Guys - they don't know the difference between car speakers and computer speakers - this is the system I'm considering:

Deck: Alpine CDA-7873 ($300)
Amp: Alpine MVR-T707 ($330)
Component Speakers: Boston Acoustics RC650 ($300)

My questions are:

Do you guys think its worth 200 bucks to upgrade the deck to the CDA-7977?

Do you think its worth 150 bucks to upgrade the speakers to the 65Pro's?

Would I be an idiot not to get Lucid's rear speakers?

What do you all think about that system in general? Will it be solid enough to overcome the road noise driving 95mph (on a private course only...of course ) with the top down?


A few months down the road, I'm also planning on upgrading the air intake and cat. I don't know anything at all about those, unfortunately. I read in another thread that the new K&N air filter is good, but I haven't read about any good intake systems themselves. I'm looking for performance first and good sound as a close second. What do you suggest?

I'm skipping the supercharger and some of the cosmetics for now...I'll look into those farther down the road.

Thanks for all your help.

 

Yes! Any good brand name deck is far better than the stock one.
It's not necessary, they are better, but as for being better sound wise, you would need to listen to them and determine for yourself if it's worth the extra $$$. I have the RC620's and they're great.
Don't know, someone else can comment.
[QUOTE]What do you all think about that system in general? Will it be solid enough to overcome the road noise driving 95mph (on a private course only...of course

 

My $.02:
If you're going to go "above and beyond" a standard CD player, check out Alpine's CDA-7878; it plays MP3s and has gotten rave reviews on this board.

As for amp/front speakers, get a pair that are suited for each other - a monster amp with wimpy speakers is a waste, as is having beefy speakers and a wimpy amp. Don't know the specs of the gear you mention, but 50 watts per channel both in amplifier power and in speaker RMS power handling should be plenty. If you're going to go all out, look for 100 or more watts RMS per channel. You're never going to completely overcome road noise, but you can fight it, and power is the way to do so.

I would definitely recommend a subwoofer too - again, matching amp power with the sub's power handling. You'll find lots of ideas and info by searching around on this board.

Tweeter is a good place - the new one in Mission Valley has some nice stuff - lots of JL Audio, Eclipse, etc. They even have a chick salesperson!


-Jason

 

I've been talking to Lucid, and he says that with his rear speakers, good separates, and a solid Alpine deck, the system may not even need an amp.

I'm against going with the subwoofer just because of space considerations. Plus, I'm not a big deep-bass kind of guy, so I'll be happy without it. For now.

 

Need is a relative term - it all depends on what you're used to. Indeed, a great many people have been very happy with the rear speaker setup running off an aftermarket (or even the original) head unit's power.

I'd get a head unit with 2 or three sets of RCA preouts though, just in case...

-Jason

 

If you are gonna get a separate AMP, definitely upgrade to the 7977, as it is a tuner only and you need an external AMP for it. I actually got my 7977 at Good Guys for $425 on sale. I had it installed elsewhere of course. Also, think about the number of channels you want your amp to have... If you get a 4 channel, you can always add Lucids rear speaker setup later or even a subwoofer later...
Personally, I've got a 7977 running to the MRV-F307, which is driving MBQuart RS's in the front and a sub in the trunk. Thought about rear speakers, but the sound is clean and clear, even at 95MPH. Take your time deciding and good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply, Chuck.

I'm considering the following two setups right now:

1.
Alpine deck (7983 or 7977, leaning towards the 7977...it just looks so smooth)
Boston Acoustics RC620 components in the front
Boston Acoustics RX47's in the rear panel
Alpine MRPF200 75x4 (40x4 RMS)

2.
Alpine deck
Cheaper 2way/3way speakers in the front
4" components in the back, with the midrange in the speaker panel and the tweeters in the roll bar.
Alpine amp.


Question: Is it better to install the tweeters right below the mirror, or down in the door right next to the 6.5"'s? My install guy says you'll get better imaging down by the door, and that people only install it up higher because they like the loudness over quality.

Another question: I've been looking at the technical specifications between some of the Boston Acoustics speakers, the Rockford Fosgates, and some Infinities. The Rockfords and Infinities have a better frequency response range, more peak power, and yet they cost half as much. Are they really better than the Boston Acoustics for half the price? My local Good Guys and Tweeter only have the Bostons in their audio room, so that's all I've been able to listen to.

Lastly: Do you like the first setup or the second setup better?

I'm having Tweeter do the installations...

Going with the 7977 and the 4 channel amp is getting a little pricier than I had planned to pay...hmm.

 

Sorry to butt in again on this thread but I'm bored and don't feel like doing math homework...

Bostons?
To analogize, comparing speaker companies is like comparing auto manufacturers. I'd say Boston is more upscale than Infinity or Rockford - think Audi vs. Honda or Nissan. There is some overlap in quality - the best Honda is probably better than the worst Audi. When comparing competing models of similar specification, the more upscale brand can usually accomplish the task at hand with more poise and panache, in a way that you can't quantify. To sum up: Get the Bostons.

Tweeters?
The reasoning I've heard for keeping tweeters close to their woofer pals is to minimize the phase shifting that occurs when speakers are placed at radically different distances from your ears. It may not seem like much, but putting the tweeter up high on the door panel cuts the distance at least in half. Of course having them in the perfect sonic location does no good if they're blocked by the passengers' legs. Mine are low in the panels, just forward of the woofers. No problem on the driver side (me 5'7"), and only blocked on pass. side by the leggier (6' and taller)passengers. Me, I'll take a hot long-legged passenger and a miffed right channel over sonic perfection in an empty S2000 any day. To sum up:
"tweet 'em any way you want to"

Setup?
Do like what Chuck did. And start thinking about a small sub somewhere. It would be a letdown to the rest of your quality system to not get one.

I would show you my system as a demo (by no means the best example of an S2000 install, just one that's local) but my new sub's not here yet and frankly I'm embarrassed below 80hz. Maybe next week...

Happy shopping!

-Jason

 

Depends on your listening preference. I would install the midrange, then run extra wire to the tweeter so you can tape it to the location you want. Listen to each location you're thinking of and go with what sounds better to your ears.
Go to someplace else that has what you want to listen too. Never buy speakers on specs alone, always listen to them before you buy.
I personally like the first the first for two reasons: one is, that I'm already partial to Boston Acoustic speakers since they sound great in my car. Two is mounting the tweeter in the roll bar is too close IMO. Other people have done it and like it, but again, it's going to come down to your ears and not someone else's.

 

What The,
I did get part of my system installed at Sound Innovations. When I first got the stook, I went to a local place in Santa Clara, just to have an AMP and speakers installed with the factory head. Not really satisfied with that, I had the Alpine 7977, PAC SWI-3, and Cd changer installed by Sound Innovations. They are real pros. The sub is just a Bazooka Tube that sits in the well. It actually sounds pretty good. I eventually want to get a sub enclosure that fits in the well... I've got the AMP and changer just sitting on the left side of the trunk, so it'll be easy to change subs or add rear speakers.

I've never had Boston's in my car, but I've got a full surround set in my house and they are great. I would have gone with Boston's if the MBQ's didn't sound so great.

S2k Newbie - Setup #1 looks good. Think about a sub, though.

--> Chuck
(My wife's name is Joy --> hence the 'chuckjoy' handle)