12 replies to this topic

[Nuddy989]

Hey Guys

I'm new to the forum here and have had a look around and like the way everything works - It's nicely laid out and easy to use.

As I've gotten older (i'm still only 22 though lol) I have come to terms of not trying to cram 4 12" subs into the boot of a car so you can here it coming from 10 blocks away.

I just got my hands on a 2008 Holden VE SSV - impressed with the car lol but no the audio in it

I had an alpine type R lying around and a cadance amp so I just hooked up a LOC and threw it in the boot but I'm getting tired of the sound that's in the car and want a little more.

I'm a really big fan of alpine gear in terms of quality for how much you pay.

Im going to be installing an alpine IVA-W520EBT Into my car as it is the only head unit that will work with an aftermarket facia to control my aircon and all the other random buttons I have. I think alpine have done a good job in providing this as the standard head units are for lack of better word - crap.

I'm going to put splits in the front in place of the standard ones - $400-600 Budget and as for the speakers in the rear doors I'm not sure whether I should be putting splits in there or just putting coaxials or what in the door again the budget for these speakers will be around $400-600 I will then also need either a 4 channel amp or 2, two channel amps. The budget for this will be up to $1000

Could you please recommend what speakers would provide good sound quality and go to a reasonable volume but I'm not going to be doing SPL drags. The doors will be dynomatted aswell. I listen to everything so I need a good all rounder speaker. when I say everything I'll go from listeining to aussie hip hop to death metal to trance. pretty much anything that isn't opera or classical music.

I'm very stuck in terms of the subs I want. In a previous car I had 2 Alpine Type R 12" subs. I'm chasing this sort of volume but a little better quality, that being said they were both powered by pioneer 600rms monoblock amps and I'm not sure if the sub or the amps let down the quality. While they were better then my polk/kicker/pioneer subs in terms of quality I would still like to have something a little more accurate. I have been told to look at IDMax subs as they are really nice sounding, I've also been told to look at the Focal 13" KX sub series. The budget I have for the subs is around the $1800 mark and about the $1000 mark for the amp. The boot will also be dynomatted.

I want to do this properly as I expect this car to be mine for man years to come

Thank you in advanced

[Tezza_VESSV]

FYI, the Alpine headunit you mentioned isn't the only headunit that can be used with an aftermarket fascia. The fascia Alpine uses can be purchased seperately and used with any double din unit, although for the steering wheel controls to work, the fascia needs to be coded for the headunit brand I believe.

BTW, the SSVs are pretty good, but I wouldn't be biased or anything

Edited by Tezza_VESSV, 14 December 2011 - 02:08 PM.

[Nuddy989]

haha with a name like that then i would think not! I know you can buy the facia separately but I didn't know that the dual zone climate and all the rest of the stuff that is displayed on the factory HU would work with other head units. I know that the alpine one will show like the fan speed of the aircon, the outside temprature and all the controls and that will still work. I also love the alpine Head units compared to kenwood/clarion/pioneer I've not had experience with other head units but would like to stick with that unit and get a different processor/eq if needbe.

[~Spyne~]

Headunit: Nice choice. Just be certain that it is a simple replacement and still allows you full control over all the extras (aircon, etc). Are you planning to add a processor, such as the Alpine PXA-H800? This will give you very useful features such as time alignment, individual level control, phase control, equalisations and crossover control.

Front splits: Depends on what you want - you could stay with 2-way splits and use the factory mounting positions, or you could build new a-pillars for the tweeters so you get better height and angle. You could alternatively go 3-way and either build new kicks or a-pillars for the midrange and tweeter, keeping the midbass in the door (or even build floor pods for the midbass...all depends how 'far' you want to go with custom installation)
Brands such as Focal, Morel, Crescendo, Dynaudio, Hybrid Audio Technology (HAT), DLS and SEAS all make great speakers. There are DIY drivers that can be used too, but you would need a processor to control crossovers at the very least.

Speaker amplifier: Focus on the front speakers. If you stay with a passive set of splits, then you only need amplification for left and right; 2 channels. If you go active (with the use of a processor) you will need more channels of amplification, but less power per channel (passive crossovers 'absorb' a % of the power fed to them). DLS, Mosconi, Audison, Sinfoni, Helix, Arc Audio, Tru-Technology, Focal, Zapco, JL Audio...all make very nice amplifiers.

Rear speakers: I would either stick with the factory ones and fade mostly to the front, or replace with coaxials (trying to stick with the same brand as the new fronts, though this isn't absolutely critical). Halve your rear speakers budget and add the difference to getting better front speakers (or towards a processor). This is where you sit, so put the $ into buying the best quality up front where it will make the most difference.

Subwoofer/s: 2x 10" or 2x 12" sub, given your budget I would recommend Morel Ultimo, Focal KX, Image Dynamics IDMAX, Seas SW300, JL Audio w6, as all worthy of investigation. The Morel and SEAS in particular are very good "SQ" subs.

Sub amplifier: At least 400wrms per sub. The more power you have 'on tap', the less likely you are to try and push the amp past its limits, so as much power as you can buy from reputable manufacturers. DLS, Mosconi, JL Audio, Audison, etc all make great amps.


And MOST importantly, make sure you get the installation done RIGHT. Be willing to pay good $$$ for a good installation. Anything from ~$700 up to $1800+ for a good installation, more depending on how much custom fabrication you want.
You can save money by doing parts of it yourself such as building a sub box or applying the sound deadener.

[Tezza_VESSV]

Nuddy989, on 14 December 2011 - 02:12 PM, said:

haha with a name like that then i would think not! I know you can buy the facia separately but I didn't know that the dual zone climate and all the rest of the stuff that is displayed on the factory HU would work with other head units. I know that the alpine one will show like the fan speed of the aircon, the outside temprature and all the controls and that will still work. I also love the alpine Head units compared to kenwood/clarion/pioneer I've not had experience with other head units but would like to stick with that unit and get a different processor/eq if needbe.

The aircon display, etc. uses a reverse camera input as far as I'm aware, so any headunit with one can be used.

Keen to see how you go with the install

[Nuddy989]

Hi Spyne

Thank you so so so so much! I have another friend who is a bit of an audiophile and he is also recommending Morel, they seem to be your choice so I might have to go with this. In Terms of modifications to my car I'm thinking I will go with just leaving them in the original places so the front will be 2-way splits, could you recommend a good set of Morel series for this? and are they good all rounders? for the rear speakers I'll take your advice and go with Morel Coaxials (if they make them ) In terms of amplifing them would it be best to have the rears run off the head unit and put the money towards buying a sound processor? so that I don't have to spend so much there.

I like the idea of going for 2 10's or 2 12's in the boot. You have also recommended the Morel Ultimo subs, in terms of volume how would they compare to 2 alpine 12" type R's? It doesn't necessarily need to be as loud as that but certainly needs to be louder then the 1 type R i have at the moment as it's very lack luster when cruising above 50km/h with the windows down or even 100k's with the windows up.

[~Spyne~]

The Morel Ultimo will cream the Type-R in terms of sound quality and should definitely be louder too (especially since there will be two).

Morel wouldn't be my first pick for front speakers with the budget you have, but that's just the thing, sound is very subjective so you should really try to get out to a store (like Northfield Moorooka for example), or to a QLD comp or meet to listen to various speakers and see which ones you like best. Remember though that everyone will have a different tune or different installation set-ups, and if you go to a store, speakers on a board often sound very different to how they sound in a car...
Although in the scheme of things it shouldn't count for a lot, my preference would be for Crescendo Opus9.6 (you can contact OZBLISS on here or via email to check availability as they are a run-out model at the moment from memory), SEAS Reference 165/1, DLS Gothia or some Scan-Speak drivers (midwoofer + tweeter), which would require some form of crossover control (processor or suitable crossovers on the amplifier)

[Nuddy989]

Hi Spyne

you've been a great help to me in this thread!

I think i'm going to get the IDMAX 12's or 1 Morel Ultimo. I'm having trouble deciding on an amp. I think I will go with JL Audio for the amp.

I had a look around at the reviews here and this is what I have so far.

HU: alpine IVA-W520EBT
Front : 2way component splits Morel Dotech Ovation 6
Rear: still undecided probably morel coaxials powered by head unit
Subs: 2 x IDMax 12's or 1 Morel Ultimo
amps: undecided but 1 for subs 1 for front speakers
audio processor/eq: still undecided

While this unit is nothing perfect or overly expensive I believe it will be a really nice sounding set-up and I'm looking forward to having it all installed early next year

[~Spyne~]

There will be a BIG difference between 2x IDMAX or 1x Ultimo. 1x IDMAX will get VERY loud with good power (800wrms+) and sound good doing it, while 1x Ultimo will sound EXCELLENT with good power (400wrms+) and get reasonably loud if needed.
They are both priced very similarly, so why not get two of whichever one you choose, rather than 2x IDMAX or just 1x Ultimo?

[Nuddy989]

To be honest I haven't been able to get prices on either of the 2 and the general census is that the morels are very expensive and the ID a cheaper option hence why 2 vs 1.

If I were to go with 2 ultimo's I would be looking at 1500-2000wRMS between the 2 from 1 amp this would provide me with more then enough volume and great SQ

[~Spyne~]

IDMAX 12" (non-chrome basket) = $799rrp
Morel Ultimo 12" = $898rrp
According to the pricelists on FHRX Studios' website.

However, they are advertising a run-out sale on Ultimo subs at the moment - perhaps see if your local Morel seller can match prices.
FHRX also advertise ex-demo units of both subs; the IDMAX12 for $450 and an Ultimo12 for $650.

[Nuddy989]

well for an extra $100 it's not a bad idea going with the morels

[YT1987]

If you are still chasing Morel gear, Complete Car Sound are the only Queensland dealers at this point in time and we would be happy to help with any enquiry