Stereo Plan
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Chicago; South Side
Stereo Plan I've got a 2000 TA with a Corsa catback and FLP LT's and cats in the future. This info is just for the exhaust noise factor.
I'm installing a system for my own pleasure, no competitions. I am only interested in SQ. My musical tastes are all over the map, from Alternative to Country to Pop to Italian Opera Okay, no opera.
After a week of research this is the basic setup I'm looking at:
Sub: JL Audio Stealthbox 10w3v2
Sub amp: JL Audio 250/1 or 500/1
Main System: Focal 165K 2-way or
CDT HD62
Main System amp: JL Audio 300/2
So, a couple questions. Can I get by with the 250/1 or is there a good reason to move up to the 500/1?
Then, 165K's or the CDT HD62's. The tweeter and midbass are the concerns. I do not like an overly bright system. I'm thinking the CDT's might be smoother Also, the CDT's might have a more robust midbass and a better transition from the sub
From a cabling perspective, I need some hints in regards to how much to spend and what brands to look at. The sub will be installed first and I plan to wire the entire car for the future installs. I only want to rip the interior apart once.
I would like to stay with this equipment list please. Any opinions are very welcome.
I'm installing a system for my own pleasure, no competitions. I am only interested in SQ. My musical tastes are all over the map, from Alternative to Country to Pop to Italian Opera Okay, no opera.
After a week of research this is the basic setup I'm looking at:
Sub: JL Audio Stealthbox 10w3v2
Sub amp: JL Audio 250/1 or 500/1
Main System: Focal 165K 2-way or
CDT HD62
Main System amp: JL Audio 300/2
So, a couple questions. Can I get by with the 250/1 or is there a good reason to move up to the 500/1?
Then, 165K's or the CDT HD62's. The tweeter and midbass are the concerns. I do not like an overly bright system. I'm thinking the CDT's might be smoother Also, the CDT's might have a more robust midbass and a better transition from the sub
From a cabling perspective, I need some hints in regards to how much to spend and what brands to look at. The sub will be installed first and I plan to wire the entire car for the future installs. I only want to rip the interior apart once.
I would like to stay with this equipment list please. Any opinions are very welcome.
Re: Stereo Plan well.....I'm going to say you could get away with the 250 Watt amp. You will be supprised how much base you get with that. The coupes are EXCILENT for bass production. That rear window area acts almost like an amp and boosts base.
Do you still have the factory head unit and amp? The reason I ask is that you need to remember that the factory stuff does not have much power so its going to be hard to power aftermarket speakers. You might look into installing a small 4 channel amp when you go to install the speakers (not the sub....thats ok for now). If you get one that has "high level" inputs, you won't need to change the head unit, you will just need to take some time and match wires (front left/right, rear left/right, etc....).
Chris
Do you still have the factory head unit and amp? The reason I ask is that you need to remember that the factory stuff does not have much power so its going to be hard to power aftermarket speakers. You might look into installing a small 4 channel amp when you go to install the speakers (not the sub....thats ok for now). If you get one that has "high level" inputs, you won't need to change the head unit, you will just need to take some time and match wires (front left/right, rear left/right, etc....).
Chris
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 104
Likes: 0
From: ATX
Re: Stereo Plan I am running some focal 165k and I love them...great sounding comps...for all types of music...especially trance....for help on installation/fabrication/stereo equipment...check out this site...and make sure to sign up... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
www.fbodyaudio.com
www.fbodyaudio.com
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Denver metro area
Re: Stereo Plan I think you'll be fine with that set up. You didn't mention what deck you're using. If you're using the stock head unit, then just be sure to use a LOC (Line Output Converter) for the line level inputs of the amp.
I can't really tell you what speakers to go with, I can only tell you that you need to listen to both with the same amp, head unit and music on both speakers while you're in the shop. Choose the ones that sound best to you. When I used to install, I installed a set of the $900 MB Quart speakers, they had plenty of power, but to me - even though the sound was clear - it was VERY disappointing. It was :blah: IMHO, especially for a $900 set of speakers. Just listen to the speakers and get the ones that sound best to YOU. You're the one that will spend the most time listening to them.
If you haven't already checked it out, there are alternatives to the JL stealth box. That box is kinda pricey IMO compared to the other options which have the same or better quality. Check out http://www.subthump.com to see some other boxes there. There's a box similar to the stealth that he sells there. I do't recall the price, but it's less than the JL.
Back to the amp, you should be fine with that 250 watt amp. If you were going with 2 12s, I'd say go with the 500/1. You'll get PLENTY of punch out of pretty much any worth while 12 with a 250 watt amp behind it.
Let us know how it goes, get pics and install it yourself. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> Don't pay some installer for that, you can do as well or better. You have us to help. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
I can't really tell you what speakers to go with, I can only tell you that you need to listen to both with the same amp, head unit and music on both speakers while you're in the shop. Choose the ones that sound best to you. When I used to install, I installed a set of the $900 MB Quart speakers, they had plenty of power, but to me - even though the sound was clear - it was VERY disappointing. It was :blah: IMHO, especially for a $900 set of speakers. Just listen to the speakers and get the ones that sound best to YOU. You're the one that will spend the most time listening to them.
If you haven't already checked it out, there are alternatives to the JL stealth box. That box is kinda pricey IMO compared to the other options which have the same or better quality. Check out http://www.subthump.com to see some other boxes there. There's a box similar to the stealth that he sells there. I do't recall the price, but it's less than the JL.
Back to the amp, you should be fine with that 250 watt amp. If you were going with 2 12s, I'd say go with the 500/1. You'll get PLENTY of punch out of pretty much any worth while 12 with a 250 watt amp behind it.
Let us know how it goes, get pics and install it yourself. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> Don't pay some installer for that, you can do as well or better. You have us to help. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth
Re: Stereo Plan I am going to tell you one thing on line inputs make sure your amp that you purchase has them you can get a clean and I mean clean base signal with this setup us the wires off the center panel speakers taht put out nothing but bass they are allready crossed over so there is no need to buy an aftermarket head unit.
