OK guys,
I have decided after three yrs. of ownership of my '04Z that I am going to completely replace the stock stereo (up to this point I had added an aftermarket changer and replaced the 3-1/2 front and 5-1/4 rears, but otherwise remained stock).

So far I have purchased an Eclipse CD5000 HU w/ IPOD module, GPS module, and an Eclipse 8-disc CD changer; I don't beleive the Kenwood I have was going to integrate easily.

I plan to purchase JL Audio 300/4 and 250/1 amps, JLAudio stealthbox w/10W3 sub and JL Audio ZL650CSI, ZL525CSI's to replace existing speakers.

Not sure of how or where I am going to mount the amps. THe two options are in a low profile box just behind the seats behind the cargo ridge or mounted to the backwall. This would have to be configured so that I could still use my partition if I choose to. My objective is to have a very high quality sounding system with minimal intrusion/space given up. Any advice as to where to look for a custom box? I would build this myself but really don't think I have the time do this (I may have to have the install done professionally for the same reason). I thought I might favor the amp box because it would provide an accessible place for me to mount the speaker crossovers as opposed to in the doors. Again, I don't want this to be very noticeable, I prefer a stealthy set-up as a prime objective.

Thoughts? Advice?

Thanks!

 

i vote for behind the ridge. i had that in my last install and it was very clean. as far as boxes i audio dave can build you one or subthump.

 

First off why a 4 channel and rear speakers, get a nice 2 channel and nicer components for the front. You need some sounddeadening in the doors to really get the full benefit from your compoents. I forsee some issues mounting a changer and sub box in the hatch but im sure you will figure something out. And finally send that ipod adapter back the controls are absoultely horriable, forum memeber DPG can chime in we put the same radio and ipod control in his car and it sucks to be nice.

 

I would scrap the rear components as well......most of the best sounds sound quality competition cars out there have no rear fil speakers. I would ...however...keep the 4 channel (I wouldnt use JL Audio amps myself though)...because with 4 channels you can individually amp the components up front allowing you to use features such as time correction (or time allignment) for the front speakers. For the box...I would move it as far back as possible...so I would put it behind the hump as well....this is for a couple reasons...many subs (such as the JL you were talking about) have a little bit of mechanical noise that is of a higher frequency caused by things such as the tinsel leads slapping...if the subs are right behind your head...at lower volumes you will hear those little mechanical noises. If they are moved to the rear...you wont hear them. Also, with the subs moved to the rear...you minimize cancellation of the sound by the reflection from the back wall (this hapens by moving them as close as possible to the back wall...so the sound wave from the sub..and the reflection off the back wall are in phase)....

As far as the box....Id be happy to build you a fiberglass box if I could find someone in the Chicago area to let me take a mold of that area...

 

I thought the ZR series were nice speakers. I've heard them and like them. What is a better option without spending over a $1K? I have already sound deadened the car with a mix of Dynamat, Frostking and Fatmat pretty well. I'm also not sure that I will prefer the sound only coming from the front speakers- it seems all the road noise comes from the rear and I was thinking that rear fills would help to mask this
How is the HU itself? I chose it do to recommendations and it's features...

What kind of box did you have in mind? What would you recommend over the JL Audio amps? I was leaning towards those as I have heard them demoed, they're affordable, compatible with speakers, and integrate well (black) with my black interior as far as space and mounting?

 

most of us dont run rear speakers, drive around for the next few weeks with them turned off (faded to the front) and see if you like it. it takes a few weeks to get the thought 'needing' rear fill out of your head. in the end, if you do want them i'd just run them off of the deck power.

as far as the jl components. if you liked the way they sounded, they were in your price range then you should be good to go. jl makes quality components. you're not getting low level stuff. most important is how you like the sound. not us.

as far as getting the four chan amp. you could do this, but i'm not sure you will see a lot of advantage out of this. maybe if your deck has time alignment or you want to play around with mixing and matching different drivers from time to time (it's fun, ask -=jef=- and fej) but if you like having rear speakers you may not appreciate that feature so personally i'd save the money and get a jl 2 chan amp.

fiberglass box is not needed for our cars with most subs. specially the 10w3. it will fit most mdf boxes. if you go to the c5 faq you'll see links on one off corvette specific parts. choose the box that fits your needs. plan on spending ~200 for the box

 

Looks pretty solid. I am a big proponent of more $$$ spent on quality front components and save your money on the rears. The corvette cabin is very small, especially so if you have a partition and rear speakers regardless of the quality chosen will do nothing but pull the image of the "stage" behind you ... the rear drivers also have poor paths to the listener and unfortunately due to their proximity to the ear vs the stock door location can overpower the fronts.

As Scott mentioned you can just turn your rear speakers off to get an idea, but it is not a very accurate one as the stock blose system is pretty bad in the front stage. Even I kept the rear speakers on when I was stock, and those here who know me know I NEVER do rears heh.

Look into the JL seperates or even their 3 way system from their upper end line and see how you like the sound. Other brands to try are DLS Iridium/Nobelium, Dynaudio, Focal, and from what some friends have told me the Steal of the Century is for the Pioneer PRS components. Ebay brand new right now for $200 and are AWESOME. This is coming from competition level audio friends who have heard 100's of cars. I have heard they are so good I might just grab a set to have for my next "basic" install for a DD.

As for the 4 channel bi-amping option you can go that way to give the car more presence in the midrange as it does not take too much power to run tweets and make them loud, however most crossovers are not set up to do it which means you would have to rely on the amp crossover to highpass or ideally bandpass the midrange outside of the passive crossover provided with the components.

Side note: I am also not a very big fan of JL, but if that is what you like the sound of its all good. Generally reliable.

G'luck
Fej

 

Im not saying JL Audio doesn't make decent stuff....I just don't care for them because of some issues some of my friends had with JL Audio support at national competitions (or complete lack thereof)......so I won't touch them anymore...if they can't support their competitors. I am a pretty big fan of the MB Quart QSD's...I know some people didnt like the tweeters in the past...but I think they nailed it with the QSD series. Another great option..besides the ones already listed is the SEAS Lotus set....

As far as the box goes....while you dont necessarily need more airspace for most speakers...a fiberglass box will be lighter...and when you just get one with a fiberglass bottom...and an MDF top...you wont be spending any more than 200 anyways. What it will give you though...is a tiny bit more clearance for your magnet...which could allow you to flush the speaker further in....to make it more stealthy.

 

good advice. welcome to the forum btw

 

Thanks

 

OK - I am going to go with a JL Audio stealthbox as I don't want to lose anymore space then necessary (and I like the factory look). As far as amps and speakers, I can go with just about anything as long as it does not exceed my budget which is ~$2K, HU not included. I hear the Focal 2KP's and was not as impressed as much with them; I thought they had a little harshness about them. Isn't the next step up the Utopia's? I understand them to be extremely pricey and maybe overkill for our cars. I have considered the MB Quarts - Sound Domain has a killer price on those right now. Anybody familiar with Audison? I have a guy offering to sell me two of these but I don't know much about them. The box I was referring to was a flat low-profile box to mount my amps in, assuming I put them right behind the ledge behind the seats.

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I'm really trying to do my homework and get this right the first time...

 

If you thought the Focal's were harsh then I would stay away from MB Quart for sure. Only one worth a look might be the QSD line, maybe. Depending upon the "kind" of shop you went to they may have been set up for the bass head guys where it is all highs and subs, instead of having the tweet down a few db to balance it with the mid. /shrug

Find a DLS retailer, listen to the JL components, find the Pioneer's I mentioned, or if you want to get crazy check out diymobileaudio.com. Research it and put together your own 2 or 3 way component system. You can put together one hell of a 2 way for $250 there that will outperform anything you could pick up pre packaged for the same price. Only issue with that is either having to pick up a set of passive crossovers, or make your amp choices based upon the need to have crossovers built in that allow you to handle your frequency adjustments (or a HU with a built in crossover, used in conjunction with the amps if need be).

Infinity perfect 6.1 is nice as well, or try and find a set of the ED's to listen to.

Audison amps are highly regarded, good quality watts, good reliability, good resale value for the most part.

Fej

 

I have a theory about all these people that love MBQs and think they're smooth...

Theory goes that - over time, the harshness of the tweeters destroyed the corresponding fibers in their ears, so they can no longer hear it.

 

 

The Kevlar sound of the Focals is definitely not for everyone. You may want to take a listen to the Polyglass V series before you consider megabucks like Utopia. Kevlar is a tight-weave and fast-moving material and makes for a ton of punch. The Polyglass usually sound smoother and more laid back to most people. Speakers are VERY much in the ear of the listener!

 

Im tellin ya....yeah..that was the case for all Quart's other stuff (dsc, rsc...etc)....but the QSD tweeter is quite smooth.....but some people are just die hard anti quart anyways...so it doesnt matter what anyone says...they will hear what they want to hear.

 

it was a joke

 

So is this the Audio section's version fo the Zaino wars?

 

lol

 

There isn't enough man-estrogen to cause warring here like in the car care section. We were joking.