Some opinions, please...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
Some opinions, please...
I am planning to replace the Bose system in my 96 CE this spring. I have already installed a Kenwood DNX 5120. I am not an audiophile, but if I go to the trouble and expense to do this, I want to feel that I have really made a difference in the performance of the sound system in my car. I like the mids and highs. I like hearing the stick hit the cymbal. I listen to all kinds of music, but mostly pop and rock in the Vette. I have been reading all the posts and many of you serious audiophiles recommend putting two 8" subwoofers in the rear and seriously upgrading the front speakers. I won't like pounding subwoofers, but I would enjoy a solid bass. I would like to hear thoughts on why the front and subwoofer approach may be desirable over the front and rear speaker arrangement. I am going to put 5.25" fronts in with a decent amp to power everything. I was thinking Alpine or Focals (components) in the front with an Alpine PDX 4.150 or JL Audio HD600/4 amp. What would be your recommendations for the configuration with a budget of about $1000?? 
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
There just aren't that many with C4 experience around here 
If it were me, I like the rears, so I'd probably go for a 5-channel amp with a single sub that was as big as you can fit.
If it were me, I like the rears, so I'd probably go for a 5-channel amp with a single sub that was as big as you can fit.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Your on the right track w/ the subs in the rear compartment, the reason is that the install will remain stealth, and you will still have the space in the rear of the car. Don't think your car will sound like some some import thumping down the road, it won't unless you turn the bass all the way up. Subs are nessasary for full sound reproduction. Think of a large stereo speaker-it has a sub, a midrange and a tweeter. That is what you want in your car. In the front, I had the mids mounted in the stock speaker location, and the tweeters mounted on the dash-this "raises" the sound stage, so that you can hear the music better. Mounting the tweeters down low makes them muffled, and hard to hear.
If you have any more questions, please let me know.
Randy
P.S. If you mount the tweeters up on the dash, be carefull w/ Focals. I had a set of TN-52 tweeters in my car, and they sounded too "bright". Lots of options on amp's, I had a Zuki Eleets, and loved it. If you look around, I am sure you can build a good system for less then 1k.
Have you ever checked out DIYMA's web site? Good place to start www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/
Last edited by RandyJ75; Jan 10, 2010 at 01:32 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 7,639
Likes: 326
From: Greenville SC
I think the best place for a sub is the rear compartment. I didn't want to do all that so I just put 6x9s in the rear speaker area and built mounting pieces for it and covered w stock grils. I have my amp placed on a board in the very back upright under the sade w carpet covering the board. It looks good, but you can plainly see the amp.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 160
Likes: 2
From: Indiana
I experimented w/ the system in my C4, and here is what I learned;
Your on the right track w/ the subs in the rear compartment, the reason is that the install will remain stealth, and you will still have the space in the rear of the car. Don't think your car will sound like some some import thumping down the road, it won't unless you turn the bass all the way up. Subs are nessasary for full sound reproduction. Think of a large stereo speaker-it has a sub, a midrange and a tweeter. That is what you want in your car. In the front, I had the mids mounted in the stock speaker location, and the tweeters mounted on the dash-this "raises" the sound stage, so that you can hear the music better. Mounting the tweeters down low makes them muffled, and hard to hear.
If you have any more questions, please let me know.
Randy
P.S. If you mount the tweeters up on the dash, be carefull w/ Focals. I had a set of TN-52 tweeters in my car, and they sounded too "bright". Lots of options on amp's, I had a Zuki Eleets, and loved it. If you look around, I am sure you can build a good system for less then 1k.
Have you ever checked out DIYMA's web site? Good place to start www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/
Your on the right track w/ the subs in the rear compartment, the reason is that the install will remain stealth, and you will still have the space in the rear of the car. Don't think your car will sound like some some import thumping down the road, it won't unless you turn the bass all the way up. Subs are nessasary for full sound reproduction. Think of a large stereo speaker-it has a sub, a midrange and a tweeter. That is what you want in your car. In the front, I had the mids mounted in the stock speaker location, and the tweeters mounted on the dash-this "raises" the sound stage, so that you can hear the music better. Mounting the tweeters down low makes them muffled, and hard to hear.
If you have any more questions, please let me know.
Randy
P.S. If you mount the tweeters up on the dash, be carefull w/ Focals. I had a set of TN-52 tweeters in my car, and they sounded too "bright". Lots of options on amp's, I had a Zuki Eleets, and loved it. If you look around, I am sure you can build a good system for less then 1k.
Have you ever checked out DIYMA's web site? Good place to start www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
