Speaker recommendations...
 

Hello all,

I have a 2013 non-nav bose (ew) set up, but will have a new head unit installed in a week or so.

I would like to do a total replacement of all the bose garbage speakers and such after that HU swap.

I was thinking of going focal as far as speakers go, but id prefer to get speakers that will fit in the speaker areas without any major modifications. I realize I will need some minor modification like different mounts and such but don't want to be enlarging anything or having custom door panels made.

If you had to build me a complete speaker/amp setup for $1000-1500max for parts -- what would you recommend?

EDIT: As far as music genres, I am all over the place. Listen to a lot of classic Jazz but will switch to electronic stuff or soul pretty often.

I have these and they sound fantastic:
ESK 165.5 - Hertz Energy car audio systems

They work fine off HU power but really want an amp though. Needed to make some mounts for them but nothing crazy.

What amp are you using?


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Just a Sony XAV-AX100 for now (headunit). I'll be putting the Hertz HDP5 in eventually when I add a small sub, but I've been happy with them as is. Very natural and clear, strong smooth bass. Passengers note how good the stereo sounds.

If you're as picky as I am, they do muddy up some with power hungry rock at high volume. The sub and amp would solve that, but I rarely listen to it anymore.

After doing some research, this is what I've got as of right now on my list. Would this all work?

arc audio xdi 850.5 $569
stereo integrity bm mk5 subwoofer $349.99
stereo integrity tm65 mkiii mid woofer $329.99 (pair)
stereo integrity m25 tweeter $180 (pair)
zapco dip-z6 III $324.99

This would only work if you were going to run and active setup with your DSP. Otherwise no, you need a component set with crossovers. With all due respect if you're asking what speakers to get I'd advice to stay with a passive setup sense you can easily blow tweeters if you don't setup your crossover points properly.

So what would you recommend?


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Hertz MPK
Illusion L5
Morel 602
Focal PS130F

And if you want to get really serious Audio Frog just make sure to buy the crossovers.

NOTe all speakers with adapter rings will fit without any modifications to the opening. You will for any speaker need to run new speaker wire though.

Speaker recommendations...
 

I’ll take a look at those. I do plan on getting this professionally installed as well.


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Then I'd suggest getting an idea of what you're wanting, then buy direct from the installer. Tends to save you money, usually install them for free and have better prices than Crutchfield or whatever.

Yeah. That’s why I’m trying to get an idea of what would work for me now before an installer tries to up sell me because I’m clueless haha


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The point of getting the DSP is to run active.. Time alignment will not be nearly as useful with passives.
If the setup is to be installed by someone with experience, blowing the tweeters is a non-issue. Its as simple as setting the crossover points in the DSP.
He has stated that it will be professionally installed.

That was kind of my idea with the dsp — time delay for better imaging. While I’ll never get true audiophile quality sound in a car, no matter how much I spend, having the soundstage centered will be a huge improvement. From what I’ve read about the stereo integrity speakers, they seem to perform above their price range. I’ve read people who say they’re even better than some brands like focal which are quite a bit pricier.


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I'm inclined to agree. My Z has 2 BM mkV subs, TM65v2 midbass, M3 midranges, and the M25 tweeters.
I also have the BM mkiv sub in my Titan, as well as the TM65v2 midbass, and My crosstrek has the TM65v1 midbass.
Needless to say... I love the Stereo Integrity lineup.

I especially like how compact the bm sub is. Can make a custom enclosure that can fit hidden in the hatch area without compromising the spare or trunk space, which is ideal for me.


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How dare you make such a claim... I'm not happy with that statement.. lol.

On a side note, you've now gone over your budget already for the system, which isn't surprising since I've never met one person that has stayed in their budget range. If you want to truly keep the cost low, look up Hivi B3N for use as a mid-range. I think you'll be amazed at the sound quality from such a cheap speaker.

I think Ron mentioned at one point a really cheap mid-bass as well that he runs in the off-season instead of the Stereo Integrity mids. You can get good sound for pretty cheap.

Well. I have a hifi system at home that will always outclass car audio, especially in a car with such a road noise issue.

I am ok with going above budget some. Christmas is fast approaching


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I may be able to shave some $ off by getting a different amp or dsp or buying used ones, however.

Amp wise I want to be sure it’s 5 channel, and provides enough power on the 5th channel to drive the sub which wants between 200-400w for its happy zone.


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Yup. The Lanzar OPTI-6pm Midbass. https://www.parts-express.com/lanzar...aker--292-2598

Speaker recommendations...
 

The stereo integrity guys got back to me and said that the arc amp delivers sub par power for the subwoofer. They recommended this:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500PDX...SABEgKcA_D_BwE

The problem with this amp is it’s size. It’s too wide to fit in the space it needs to go in. From what I measured, about 6.5 inches is the max width. See the photo below to see where I’d like to put it.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...95f7d54d3a.jpg


I also managed to snag a NIB zapco for $150. If I can find a good deal on the amp I could get the total cost of all the gear down within my original budget. Then it's just install costs, which won't be cheap either.

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While I agree with a pro install and the benefits of going active. Unless the tuner at the shop has done their fair share of DSP installs with active setups, it can turn out bad. I've had a hand full of customers come to me after a pro installer put their DSP in and tuned it. Only to find out they set it up passive and hid the crossovers. Do your research with the shops if you're going to go active.

PS the stereo integrity mid mass are awesome just make sure you can run them at the ohms rating they want so you don't fry your amp. I actually have a set sitting in my basement.

Yeah. I don't plan on just using some random shop. Theres a small handful of really reputable shops in the Atlanta area that I'll be reaching out to once I have everything set in stone as far as what I want to do. That way I can have a discussion about it and see if it's something they have experience with and are comfortable doing. Most of them have experience with building super custom setups for people, so this should be relatively straight forward for them. Should being the keyword there.

Just a thought for tuning - You could head out to a car audio competition (MECA, IASCA) and ask/pay someone there to tune your car. I've gotten some great help and advice from fellow competitors in MECA. In fact, I'd recommend doing this over paying a shop to tune.

Installs and tuning are two completely different ballgames. A shop that does amazing installs won't necessarily be able to do a good tune, although they are going to tell you otherwise. I went to one shop over the past summer that has done immaculate installs, and asked the owner to tune my car just to see how it would end up sounding. He made the audio so much less dynamic over my previous tune, but he thought it sounded great.

You could as long as the person competing didn't have a shop do it for them but also keep in mind everyone's taste in what it should sound like can be different. Also tuning can take up to 2 weeks as mine has taken a month.

[IMG][/IMG]http://www.the370z.com/members/mezzz...oundstream.jpg

I went with a Soundstream, 5 channel, myself. Works well for the 370. MB Quart tweeters in dash, Focal 6.5" 2-way in the doors, Soundstream 3.5" 2-way, in Qtrs and American Bass ES shallow mount 10" Sub in corner box.

Nice. I'm trying to do a stealth system though. I don't want to lose cargo room (lol) or functionality.

I've been thinking on it more and it may be wiser to go for speakers with crossovers as I'm looking for a fairly straight forward install.