Stereo Upgrade Phase 1 complete
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Joined: Nov 2001
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From: San Francisco
Though it cost a small fortune, I couldn't be happier with the recent upgrade of the stereo in my '02 S2000. The work was done by a guy named Ed at a shop in Daly City, CA called Motor Music.
The new equipment list is:
- Boston Acoustics Z6
- JL Audio 450/4
- Aura Pro Bass Shakers
There is one Shaker under each seat. They are fed by the 75 watt channels of the 450/4 by way of Lucid's harness for the unused channels of the stock head unit.
Since I've only had the car back for 2 days, I'm still just getting to know the capabilities of the new system. I can already say, though, that everything sounds better. Loud passages are coming through more cleanly, smoothly and without the "breakup" I often heard from the stock speakers. Bass, what there is of it, is very tightly integrated with the other parts of the spectrum. The highs have to be heard to be believed. They are smooth to a fault, even at high volumes. On Ed's recommendation, the treble setting on the stock HU is backed off to -3 but I plan to try something closer to 0.
If there is interest, I will ask Ed for photos and post them. There is nothing radical or highly unusual about the install but there are some nice touches:
- use of a circuit breaker instead of the more traditional fuse
- placement of the crossovers for the component speakers in the tool tray
- use of perforated aluminum in the amp cover for ventilation
- relocation of parts under the seats to make room for the Shakers
- use of an AudioControl Real Time Analyzer to make adjustments
What the photos may show is the quality of the workmanship and the meticulous attention to detail. I sometimes wonder why I ever thought of doing this stuff myself (but then I look at the bill and it becomes perfectly clear).
My future plans are:
Phase 2: another 450/4 to biamp the Z6s and feed a small subwoofer
Phase 3: an aftermarket head unit (Eclipse?)
One last comment on budget: to get components that sound good, it is in no way necessary to spend $1,000. In the process of choosing the Z6s, I heard some excellent speakers that cost much less. If you do decide to break the bank, though, I highly recommend that you give the Z6s a listen.
The new equipment list is:
- Boston Acoustics Z6
- JL Audio 450/4
- Aura Pro Bass Shakers
There is one Shaker under each seat. They are fed by the 75 watt channels of the 450/4 by way of Lucid's harness for the unused channels of the stock head unit.
Since I've only had the car back for 2 days, I'm still just getting to know the capabilities of the new system. I can already say, though, that everything sounds better. Loud passages are coming through more cleanly, smoothly and without the "breakup" I often heard from the stock speakers. Bass, what there is of it, is very tightly integrated with the other parts of the spectrum. The highs have to be heard to be believed. They are smooth to a fault, even at high volumes. On Ed's recommendation, the treble setting on the stock HU is backed off to -3 but I plan to try something closer to 0.
If there is interest, I will ask Ed for photos and post them. There is nothing radical or highly unusual about the install but there are some nice touches:
- use of a circuit breaker instead of the more traditional fuse
- placement of the crossovers for the component speakers in the tool tray
- use of perforated aluminum in the amp cover for ventilation
- relocation of parts under the seats to make room for the Shakers
- use of an AudioControl Real Time Analyzer to make adjustments
What the photos may show is the quality of the workmanship and the meticulous attention to detail. I sometimes wonder why I ever thought of doing this stuff myself (but then I look at the bill and it becomes perfectly clear).
My future plans are:
Phase 2: another 450/4 to biamp the Z6s and feed a small subwoofer
Phase 3: an aftermarket head unit (Eclipse?)
One last comment on budget: to get components that sound good, it is in no way necessary to spend $1,000. In the process of choosing the Z6s, I heard some excellent speakers that cost much less. If you do decide to break the bank, though, I highly recommend that you give the Z6s a listen.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, LA
wow... nice gear.
imo -- i would flip flop phases 2 and 3. get an aftermarket head unit before biamping, as cleaning up your input signal and upgrading your D/A converter will improve your sound quality much more than biamping will.... it'll just provide a better bang for the buck. biamping is a sweet solution, but is really only a final tweak that i'd do at the end.
also -- i would agree w/ your summary on the Z6's. very excellent speakers, but there are also good quality speakers that do cost less. i have an older top of the line set of VR series Bostons at home, and i simply love the way those sing. and the Z series is strongly derived from the VR Boston home series.
the biggest fault i found w/ the Z6's was that their off-axis accuracy was a bit lacking. where did you mount the tweeters? have you noticed anything of the same?
imo -- i would flip flop phases 2 and 3. get an aftermarket head unit before biamping, as cleaning up your input signal and upgrading your D/A converter will improve your sound quality much more than biamping will.... it'll just provide a better bang for the buck. biamping is a sweet solution, but is really only a final tweak that i'd do at the end.
also -- i would agree w/ your summary on the Z6's. very excellent speakers, but there are also good quality speakers that do cost less. i have an older top of the line set of VR series Bostons at home, and i simply love the way those sing. and the Z series is strongly derived from the VR Boston home series.
the biggest fault i found w/ the Z6's was that their off-axis accuracy was a bit lacking. where did you mount the tweeters? have you noticed anything of the same?
Former Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,852
Likes: 1
From: New York
Can someone educate me.......Ive done many systems in my day, but never used "bass shakers" WTF are they....are the a sub without the sub....do they just litteraly vibrate giving an illusion of a sub....thanks for the help.....
*sorryforhijackingthread*
*sorryforhijackingthread*
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, LA
i went to respond to your post Dave, and the 'Ads by Google' window to the right of the quick reply has 4 links to Bass Shakers.... i'm going to cheat and just cross link the 'good ones'.
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshowdetl.c...akers%20at%20PE
http://www.smarthome.com/8249.html
the funny thing is... PE wants $30 a pop and smarthome wants $150 a pair...
(edit: correction, they look to be on sale for $99/pair)
basically, bass shakers are just that... low power devices that you attach to your seat, which shake and vibrate to give you that 'deep bass' feel.
MacGyver has a setup using them in his car and he's always spoken well of them... there was a pretty extensive thread on them a while ago... i'll search it up if you'd like.
Registered User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 458
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From: Syosset
dude, don't go for the fake sub's (aka shakers). you have an amazing amp, the JL 450 so you should match that with a decent jl sub. Either get a stealthbox, though it'll cost a bunch or go for the 8" side-trunk enclosure made by someone on the board.. look through the electronics forum and you'll see what i'm talking about. good luck!
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,584
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, LA
the head unit would be the first move i'd make... even over a sub.
and the Z6's are a very smooth sounding speaker (i would agree)... but their off axis performance just lost a little clarity. the good thing is -- w/ them in the stock '02 locations, you've put the tweeters right up in a close to on axis location... so... nevermind...
i'm envious of you being able to get those babies....
and the Z6's are a very smooth sounding speaker (i would agree)... but their off axis performance just lost a little clarity. the good thing is -- w/ them in the stock '02 locations, you've put the tweeters right up in a close to on axis location... so... nevermind...
i'm envious of you being able to get those babies....
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