5 replies to this topic

[teK]

My current setup is:

- Midrange Panasonic head unit (3 pairs preout)
- Kicker Impulse 5.25" splits
- Polk EX693a 3-way 6x9s
- JL 12W0 in a 2.1cf slot ported box.
- Coustic 321QE 4x40WRMS (2x160WRMS)

The splits are running 40WRMS a side, the sub gets 160WRMS bridged, and the Polks run from the head unit and are faded out purely for rear fill only.

It's a fairly balanced system but I'm aiming for (higher) SQ now.

I am looking at the 5.25" and 6.5" Hertz Energy and High Energy series but not sure if 40WRMS will be sufficient for the High Energy series.

The Kicker splits are 88dB/Wm so by getting the Hertz I will gain 3-4dB more volume automatically. The Polks are 93dB so you can imagine they run quite loud off the head unit already.

Should I go for HSK-165 because it better matches a 12" sub or shall a HSK-130 be sufficient? Also an ESK-165 would save me some money but it doesn't have an outboard crossover. Is it possible to use these with my Kicker crossovers since they are 4.5KHz @ 12dB/octave?

Lots of questions yes but I'm sure the results will be worth it . Thanks for help all!

[shiny_car]

the front splits are arguably the most important component in the whole system in terms of influencing SQ. so worth buying the best you can afford.

of course installation may be an issue? fitting 6.5" woofers in place of your existing 5.25" ones?

still, the midbass should be much better with the bigger speaker, which definitely makes it worth the effort (if any).

you should find your amp is plenty enough power for the hi-energy HSK165's. no probs there, but of course more power will mean more volume...up very loud. but for normal use, no probs.

the HSK's are much better than the ESK's. but the ESK's do have a xover, just a simple capacitor as a HP for the tweeter. the woofer feeds off fullrange, and relies on its naturual 'roll-off' up high (ie: as the frequency climbs, it no longer reproduces them properly, so it fades out naturally). somewhat crude, but it works pretty well and is common for entry level splits.

so go the HSK165's if you can afford them and fit them in properly.

[teK]

Hey Thanks Shiny_car, I think I will be settling for the HSK165s. I figure if I'm upgrading the quality of the speakers I may as well go slightly bigger so they can produce better midbass. $350 is not a huge investment for speakers I will keep and take care of for 2+ years . I am also hoping to recover $130 from sale of the Kicker splits too.

5.25 vs 6.5 dilemma was primarily transient response. I love to give the system a good bass hammering sometimes but I guess music taste has changed now and I also like good vocals and percussives.

My doors are extremely deep and solid (Verada); I have blocked off service holes and sound proofed with Gspot paint-on and Serenity Max. The 6.5"s will fit in no problems since they are only 6mm thicker than the Kickers.

I suppose 40WRMS (probably underrated) should suffice since the HSK165 is rated at 100W and if I run that much I am only getting around 4dB increase anyway. Most noticeable will be the 4dB efficiency gain from the new speakers.

Thanks for the advice and will be posting photos of install once I get the new gear .

[ January 18, 2003, 01:16: Message edited by: teK ]

[Maz]

u'll be gaining an average of 4db across the whole frequency range, but down low the 6.5inch splits will be more than 10db louder at producing the deep midbass when running at full excursion before distortion.

I'd go with the HSK 165's if you can afford them

[Sonic Nirvana]

If a real SQ increase is what you arwe after with your system, HSK-165s for sure, you won't regaret the better option.

[Dr DJ Choss]

i would say invite some non-car audio people (parents,etc no i'm not kidding) to sit in your car and let them play what ever they listen to.

Now ask for some analysis and comments and thoughts, you'd be surprised what people who have several decades of music, concerts and all sorts of home and cinema audio experiences can tell you.

I did, and i got good feedback that I then used to purchase things...