I'm ready to gut my Blose system. I went to a local stereo shop and he said he did a c5 vert recently. He said he put MB Quart components in the doors and just disconnected the speakers behind the seats. Then he ran a separate amp to 2 8" subs in the trunk area. I kinda like that idea especially since the convertible top covers up the rear speakers anyway when it's lowered.

So ... who thinks it would rock to have MB Quart components in the doors, an a/d/s/ amp to power them and then a separate a/d/s/ amp to power a 10" JL sub in the trunk?

I would like some specific amp references for this setup. In other words, should I get a two channel amp for the front and a 1 channel amp for the rear?

Please help! I'm dying for great sound in my new convertible. I want to get some of the best equipment available (hope my budget can handle it). :yesnod:


[Modified by MrVegas, 10:26 PM 3/3/2002]

 

I would think that it would rock.... MB Quarts are clean... and JL makes a good sub... A/D/S amps are highly recommended but I have never heard one..... I think that you should consider getting a fairly powerful 2 CH just in case you plan to upgrade... give yourself some headroom ... if the speakers can handle 70-100WRMS... get a 100-125WRMS amp....so you have some headroom....

I would consider the fact that a WATT does not equal VOLUME... you stock Blose... is probably "Loud" enough ... it just doesnt sound good... so dont get caught up in the High Powered Stereo stuff... get amps that match your speakers....

I have just recently ordered my audio equipment... I have gone a similar route. Even though my car is a coupe... the rear speakers are weak and I believe it is a waste of money to upgrade them to high end speakers,

this is what I have ordered:
Clarion VRX925VD ... a MP3/DVD/7in Screen
MB Quart PSC 316 - 3 way speakers...
MB Quart DKC Coaxial - 6.5 Speakers
JL Audio 10W7 ( this may not be for you if you are not into bass)...
I am running JL Audio Amps, 500x1 to the sub and 150x2 to the fronts....

I am doing the install myself, I plan to use the HU's 15-20WRMS to power the new MB Quart Coaxials ( just for rear fill ) ... then I plan to use the amps to run the front and subs...

Like your installer said, the rears are pretty useless... but I would suggest that you spend $40-50 for some cheap speakers and at least use the HU to power them for a "rear" fill.

My system cost a total of $2600 w/ a lot of e-bay shopping... it was about $3200 at a local shop....

If you have any questions please just ask... I think that you should realllly read about car audio... its a very interesting topic...

I would not get caught up in the hype that an installer my give you about a product... if you plan to buy something that you did not plan to originally... post on the forum... you will get a straiht answer....

People like 92TripleBlack and 99HT have helped me a whole bunch... one of them will reply soon enough..


[Modified by NewVetteLover, 10:52 PM 3/3/2002]

 

That's a pretty cool idea to use the amps built into the head unit to do your "fill" Quarts in the back. I wish I was good enough to do my own install. This guy here in Columbia was trying to sell me Kicker amps ... no way. I look forward to hearing how your install goes and HOW IT SOUNDS!

THanks a lot.

 

Clarion VRX .... I can't find much on the net about that unit. Can you provide a link or two? How much did the head unit set you back? $$? Sounds like a great head unit.

 

I would not hesitate to buy Kicker amps if they are the ZR line. Now I would not buy anything from the Impulse line, but the ZR line is a very good, clean amp. I bought a ZR240 to power a pair of Focal pk165k2's and a ZR600 to power an Image Dynamics 12" IDMAX. I don't know much about the 2002 line of Kicker amps though (if that is what he is trying to sell you).

Good luck with the system. :cheers:

 

Here is a link

http://www.clarion.com/products/multimedia/multi1.htm

 

Is there such a thing as a headunit that will play DVD's with MP3's burned on the DVD? The description of the Clarion made it sound like it would play DVD video only.

 

a good set up with front components 6.5 at least.. with 100 + watts each will really rock. MB Quartz is my second favorite speaker.. Should sound really nice... and A/D/S is top notch. I'm using a pair of Focal Utopia (they sound the best to me) with an ARC2100 amp powering just the two of 'em. With the top off, on the freeway, they are still loud enough to make my ears ring. The ARC is rated 100-115x2, but is widely accepted as underrated.. Imaging with just the front speakers is amazing.. no reflected sound waves from the back muddying things up.


[Modified by Smash, 10:23 AM 3/4/2002]

 

Smash ...

Did you disconnect your rear speakers? NewVetteLover put some cheaper MBQ's in the back just for fill ... but I like the idea of better imaging by just running the front speakers.

What are you using for subwoofer speaker and amplification? What head unit are you using?

What is the specific model/size etc of your Focals? Do you have to modify stuff in the doors to get them to fit?

Thanks

 

Head unit is hte Pioneer DEHP47 din1.5 unit. I'm going to change it out eventually.
Don't have a subwoofer, yet. Haven't decided which way to go with that.
They are Focal 165W Utopia 6.5 Seperates. They retail for a little over $1000 but you can find them near wholesale online.
I don't have rear speakers at all, just empty grills. I might put 5" subs under there.

Arc 2100 amp, retails $400
Focal 165w


I had to cut a little fiberglass, but with the C5, I don't think you will have to cut anything.



[Modified by Smash, 12:02 PM 3/4/2002]

 

One of the biggest problems with the C5 system is speaker placement. None of the speakers, specifically the high frequency drivers, point at the occupants heads.

Anything you can do to point the high frequency drivers at the occupants heads will improve the sound.

 

The Clarion will play CD-R's with upto 254 Files on it... but not anything more... any files above the 254 count will not play... but with 254 songs who cares....

It will play DVD's and Video CD's too but not MP3's on DVD's...