7 replies to this topic

[mihai]

Lately I've been messing about with my sound system, and a few changes have been made. All upgrades from what I previously had.

Anyway, this has led me to thinking about possibly entering MEASQ events in the future. At this stage, I'm looking at starting up next year and adding to my current setup until then.
If I complete my setup prior to this years events finishing, I may even enter a few events towards the end of this year.

At the moment, I have the following in my 2007 Subaru Liberty:

Headunit: Alpine IVA-W502E
Front speakers: Hertz HSK165
Rear speakers: Stock
Subwoofer: 12" Alpine Type R 2ohm DVC
Sub box: 0.6cu ft Sealed Box.
Amp: Alpine PDX4.150
Wiring: SoundQuest 4gauge power and ground, Stinger HPM3 RCA's
Sound Deadening: Dynamated parcel shelf and outer front door skins.

Whats planned:

More sound deadening for the front doors (inner skin), boot lid, and attempt to stop rear bumper vibrations.
Upgrade craptastic battery to a D34 Yellowtop.
Alpine PXA-H100 processor

Is the above setup a good start to MEASQ? Or would I have to upgrade speakers and/or add a mono block for the sub to achieve good results in MEASQ comps (Novice/Intermediate Classes)?

[Pulse-R]

Looks like you have a decent system already.
personally I'd avoid the H100, but for the battery and sound deadening - good stuff!

[data_mine]

Best thing to do is to show up at an event and give it a go. You don't need all the best gear, a big % of the work is installation and tuning get those right and even supposedly 'ordinary' gear can be winning.

Plus of course, you'll get some valuable feedback from the judges, and possible other entrants.

[Langas]

Sounds to me like you already have a fairly nice system!

As suggested above, I'd be avoiding going the H100 route and put that money towards some other aspect of the system. When your ready for processing, if you can find a second hand H710 you will be able to control that directly from the W502 and gain allot more than the H100.

I'd really recommend heading along to a comp and entering - that way you get a great idea of where your system lacks and excels which will help you plan your next move!

I would possibly look at deadening and sealing the doors, upgrading the battery (can't go wrong with a yellow top) and possibly playing with speaker positioning and tuning. Later on, adding a second amp for the sub wouldn't hurt as well as possibly changing to a different sub.

Good Luck

[muzzy66]

I think your setup is fine to start competing with - doesn't mean you'll necessarilly win events (but who knows?) but it's definately fine components to start competing with.

At the end of the day it all comes down to three things:
1. Components
2. Installation
3. Tuning

When you have a two way passive system, to be brutally honest there isn't really all that much to tune. All you really have is your crossover from your midbass to your sub, and your subwoofer level. Getting those two things right doesn't take rocket science. Tuning plays more of a role with more complex active systems (especially three way) where all crossovers, crossover slopes, time alignment, etc all need to be considered - as well as complex EQ tuning.

So then, a 2-way passive install pretty much all comes down to components and install. If they are the previous gen HSK165's then they are actually a very nice set for the price -definately one of the better 'budget' sets I've heard. I heard cars that got pretty good results with those speakers, and which performed better then they probably should have. Get the deadening done and get the tweeter position right and there is no reason why you wouldn't be able to get some pretty decent results, and possibly upset a few cars with fancier setups

[mihai]

Thanks for the reply's guys.

I'm happy that I don't have to replace the Hertz speakers, but who knows, as I gain knowledge I may end up swapping them out and going to a 3 way setup or moving up to a different 2 way system running active. in regards to what generation of HSK165's I have, I'm pretty sure that they are the current model.

Was planning on heading down to the MEASQ event on the 27th down at Frankston Car Audio, but that was more to have a look. Might enter just to see where I stand. (Novice class to start)

In terms of the H100, I shall be keeping an eye out for a H701 instead. If I cannot find one in the near future, then I'll probably get the H100 and possibly swap it out when I find a H701 or even for the H800 eventually.

At this stage, I'll just be adding to my sound deadening, and playing around with better speaker/tweeter mounts or possibly talking to PAC regarding speaker/tweeter mounting.

Will also be upgrading battery as soon as I can to a D34 Yellow Top. Also upgrading terminals to Stinger HPM (looking at the one with the inbuilt voltage meter).

[wazzab4]

Them speakers are not that bad i would look at dynamating and D34 before replacing the speakers. then even a processor with a but more freelance tuning then the H100 like the new H800.
But yes a good start.


Wazza

[scraverX]

I'm with the others on the processor if you choose to get one, wait for the H800 (if you want to stick with alpine).