4 replies to this topic

[dunitt_e36]

Hi guys,

Well im pretty new to the whole SQ scene...or the whole car audio scene for that matter....but hey, better late than never

I just wanted to hear what you guys think of my plans so far and suggestions you may have as to what else i could do to improve my system.

Ive bought a set of JBL got506c Splits, and im picking up an Audison SRx2 amp this week to run them.....does anyone know what the quality of these splits are like? ive only heard a bit about them, but bought them coz i got them for a great price...

Im not sure what headunit i want just yet...i was looking into a Rockford, but im still looking around...if i could pick up a good deal on a 2nd hand eclipse headunit, maybe a 5441, id probably take it.....does anyone else have suggestions for a good sq h/u? probably looking to buy 2nd hand...

In the future, im also going to be getting a JL 12w3v2 sub....but not sure what amp to run it from, anyone have idea's on what to use?

...so im finally to the point of this post, lol....do you think this would make for a good first SQ setup? im after something nice and clear, but still want something that will pump if i want it too

If you guys have any suggestions on my setup, or recommendations, itd be much appreciated, as im pretty new to this scene, as i mentioned above

Thanks alot guys,

Daniel

[shiny_car]

dunitt_e36 said:

if i could pick up a good deal on a 2nd hand eclipse headunit, maybe a 5441, id probably take it.....does anyone else have suggestions for a good sq h/u? probably looking to buy 2nd hand...

eclipse make excellent SQ HUs, so definitely worth a look.

however, the jbl splits will probably be the limiting factor in the overall SQ or your system. as such, i'm not sure you'd here the very subtle differences between a high-end eclipse and say an alpine or clarion, etc.

if the eclipse offers all the features you'd require (which the 5441 should), then cool. otherwise, look around. a late model alpine of similar cost will feature additional features like inbuilt 'time alignment', and maybe parametric EQ. such features can be useful for fine tuning a system to acquire that 'extra little bit'.

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In the future, im also going to be getting a JL 12w3v2 sub....but not sure what amp to run it from, anyone have idea's on what to use?

you'll need to give us more clues, like budget. i could recommend you a car too.

if you can afford $1K, then look at audison's LRx1.400 monobloc. excellent grunty amp. you could decide how much power you really need and buy the sub accordingly; it produces 1x350/660/900WRMS into 4/2/1ohm respectively. so if you want 660WRMS on tap, then get a 2ohm sub.

down from there, you could look at alpine's range of class D monoblocs. the sub-$1K models retail for $799 and $599 respectively, offering 500/300WRMS into 2ohm. below that, look at the coustic 401DB class D monobloc; 1x400WRMS into 2ohm, and streetprice around $450.

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If you guys have any suggestions on my setup, or recommendations, itd be much appreciated, as im pretty new to this scene, as i mentioned above

i'm not sure who will be doing your install; yourself? obviously cost will be a factor to have a pro do the work. but if you want to get the very best from each component, you'll need to have it installed optimally and tuned.

pay particular attention to the installation of the splits. sound deaden the doors and seal off the big service holes in the frame with mdf panels or similar. make solid (mdf) baffles or preferably angled pods for the woofer, allowing it to vent into the door cavity; a solid door, and as airtight as possible will make for a good enclosure for better midbass and natural response. you'll need to experiment with tweeter location and angle; often the stock up-high locations are poor. down low in the kickpanel areas near the woofers and angled up can work best. but spend time trying different positions for best soundstaging and imaging.

use powerwiring, speakerwiring and RCA cabling of decent quality. no need to spend the $$ on high-end stuff coz it all sounds the same in the car. but don't buy poor build quality or wiring too thin. consider upgrading the battery to the biggest capacity you can fit; or even a deep-cycle if you have a risk of running the battery flat repeatedly.

but it seems like your're starting off on a good footing to get a nice SQ system happening. once you have all the equipment, it's time to focus on the installation side of things coz that's what makes and breaks it.

[dunitt_e36]

Great thanks for your help mate...

So do you think the JBL splits would make the system sound noticeably worse? Obviously i dont expect something like focal standards, lol...but i was hoping for something that would sound good, just not unbelieveable....id like to upgrade splits later down the track, to possibly focal's k2 range...

With headunit, yea, id like to go an eclipse 5441, or a high end alpine amp....but i only wanna spend around $500 max, hence the reason im looking 2nd hand....i saw a 5441 go for $450 2nd hand just recently, but they dont seem to pop up too much ...so maybe alpine is the go? any other suggestions for that price range?

With the sub amp, i was hoping to spend maybe $500 max, possibly 2nd hand also, if a good one comes up......seeing that the JL sub has 300watts, what sortta amp could i look at in that price range?

For installation, definitely wont do it myself, wouldnt have a clue where to start, lol....anyone have ideas on installation places in melbourne? i live near freeway car audio on malvern rd, and i know they have a great reputation, but they charge through the roof, and ive recently heard of a few people being not too happy with the quality on boot installs considering what they paid....

Appreciate any help guys

Daniel

[shiny_car]

[quote=dunitt_e36]So do you think the JBL splits would make the system sound noticeably worse?[/quote]

i'm not very familiar with jbl stuff. but i don't think they'll be up to the standards of stuff like the focal K2's. it doesn't mean they won't sound great. and this is where installation technique is important to get the best from them.

it's not just the bandwidth they play (ie: their frequency range, from midbass up to treble; eg: how much midbass they have), but also soundstage height (ie: as if the performers are up as high as your dashtop line) and imaging (eg: that instruments on the left actually sound like they appear from as far left as they should). those elements have less to do with the quality of the actual speakers compared with how they're installed (eg: angle the tweeter is place, and position).

so top quality stuff can sound pretty 'average' if installed poorly. but i'm sure the jbl's have good potential. don't worry until you hear them in the car! i'm sure they'll be good.

[quote]id like to go an eclipse 5441

any other suggestions for that price range?[/quote]

it depends on the age of the HU. of course older stuff will be going for less of a fraction of their initial cost. some high-end older HUs crop up every now and then (eg: alpine CDA-7949E, clarion 9255, pioneer 9-series, etc). worth a look too.

[quote]With the sub amp, i was hoping to spend maybe $500 max, possibly 2nd hand also, if a good one comes up......seeing that the JL sub has 300watts, what sortta amp could i look at in that price range?[/quote]

if you have a choice in version of sub, then you can match up a DVC 4+4ohm version (ie: can be configured for 2ohm overall) with a 1-channel (monobloc) amp that offers good power when driving a 2ohm subbie.

for $500 you should find the likes of alpine's monobloc series, including the MRD-M300 or M500, rated at 1x300/500WRMS into 2ohm respectively.

[quote]anyone have ideas on installation places in melbourne? i live near freeway car audio on malvern rd[/quote]

freeway have a good rep. i've not heard of disatisfaction. indeed quality installation costs lots and lots coz of the labour involved, especially of custom stuff. and lots of the quality is hidden, including passage of all wiring/cabling through tricky areas, quality connections, designing layouts of installations, etc.

even if it seems expensive, you will be often underquote for what you may really, really want. the showy stuff WILL cost heaps, cos it's never cheap or easy to produce. which is why DIY is so appealing; you can do it in your own time at your own cost.

aside from freeway, there's stylyn out in boronia, GL Pro sound in essendon, and gary's car radio in preston (i believe one of the better 'gary's' stores).

otherwise, read and be involved with CAA. check out the tech articles, visit the 'your cars' section and learn for yourself.










Daniel[/quote]

[dunitt_e36]

Well ive changed my mind, and im getting some Focal polykevlar 136k (not k2 )

About installation position....i was actually going to just put them where my standard speakers were? would that be alright? in the kick panel, and the tweeters are in the door...not sure if thatd be alright, but would it cost alot to put them in another position?

Yea, ill just keep my eyes peeled in the forsale section, and hope for a h/u i want to pop up...

Yea, ill probably look into alpine amps, or if im lucky, i might find a better amp in the FS section that is going for cheap too

Yea, freeway do a good job, but just that my friend said recently they got new installers, and they werent AS good....but im guessing not as good still would be awesome, considering their reputation....a couple of people just werent too happy with finishing touches...

Thanks for the help mate,

Daniel