Audio Ugrade in Phases, what's first?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
Audio Ugrade in Phases, what's first?
Looking to gain some insight to others "lessons learned" Not exactly thrilled with the stock Bose in my 01 Coupe.
Looking to work in phases for budgetary purposes, as well as utilize available "leftovers" from various other installs.
I would like to keep stock HU for now, due to cost and complexity, as that upgrade would likely be DVD / Nav System. Although if it is a "must do" first step then a disposal $150 HU can be actioned.
My current first step is to install rear Sub/Amp for bass. I have a set Polk Subs and 500watt Amp. i also have a decent set of Boston 6.5 2-way components, thinking of dropping in rear factory location.
Now is where I am stuck:
1) Do I put in set of 3.5 in fronts and call it a day and enjoy for awhile?
2) Do I forget about the 3.5 and just call it a day?
3) Do I rip out the fronts and replace with the Bostons from above and forget about the rear for now. Run these just off stock HU without an amp?
4) Do I bite the bullet and get a decent set of components and amp for the fronts and run it all off the stock HU.
Any opinions greatly appreciated !
Thanks!
Looking to work in phases for budgetary purposes, as well as utilize available "leftovers" from various other installs.
I would like to keep stock HU for now, due to cost and complexity, as that upgrade would likely be DVD / Nav System. Although if it is a "must do" first step then a disposal $150 HU can be actioned.
My current first step is to install rear Sub/Amp for bass. I have a set Polk Subs and 500watt Amp. i also have a decent set of Boston 6.5 2-way components, thinking of dropping in rear factory location.
Now is where I am stuck:
1) Do I put in set of 3.5 in fronts and call it a day and enjoy for awhile?
2) Do I forget about the 3.5 and just call it a day?
3) Do I rip out the fronts and replace with the Bostons from above and forget about the rear for now. Run these just off stock HU without an amp?
4) Do I bite the bullet and get a decent set of components and amp for the fronts and run it all off the stock HU.
Any opinions greatly appreciated !
Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
Since you already have the sub, components, and sub amp, I'd start by putting the sub in the trunk and components in the doors. The stock radio doesn't put out enough power to make components sound good, so all you'd need to buy for that upgrade is an amp for the components (if you don't have a 2 or 4-channel sitting around). Keep the rears as they are now, or drop in some coax upgrades, but leave them powered from the stock radio. All you'd need is an AOEM-Vet1 to get the signal and a cheap amp for the components ($100 goes a long way on ebay). Once the mod money builds back up you can do the HU.
I went through many generations of 'upgrades' in my C5 without any real plan, but in the C6 I started with the HU. Almost all decent aftermarket radios have some type of digital sound processing in them. They can be adjusted to make almost any speaker system sound good, definitely much better than the stock radio with it's basic EQ and bass/trebel *****.
I went through many generations of 'upgrades' in my C5 without any real plan, but in the C6 I started with the HU. Almost all decent aftermarket radios have some type of digital sound processing in them. They can be adjusted to make almost any speaker system sound good, definitely much better than the stock radio with it's basic EQ and bass/trebel *****.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
Thanks guys, been reading a lot of different posts on the subjects and you all confirmed what I was thinking. Almost dropped them in the back yesterday but I knew it would be wasted and not give me the proper stage I am after.
Got a few Amps I can play with laying around, and with the components up front and the Subs in back it should be huge improvement over current stock!
Thanks for all your advice, you guys are more than helpful to all who need it!
Got a few Amps I can play with laying around, and with the components up front and the Subs in back it should be huge improvement over current stock!
Thanks for all your advice, you guys are more than helpful to all who need it!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
I actually have three different sets,
A pair of Polk Momo 8"
And digging out the stash yesterday found an old favorite set of mine
A pair of Pioneer TS W201C also 8"
Also have a pair of Infinity 12"
Looking to run the pair of 8"s in sealed cargo box, might start with the Pioneer and see if they sound as good as I remember!
A pair of Polk Momo 8"
And digging out the stash yesterday found an old favorite set of mine
A pair of Pioneer TS W201C also 8"
Also have a pair of Infinity 12"
Looking to run the pair of 8"s in sealed cargo box, might start with the Pioneer and see if they sound as good as I remember!
Last edited by BACNBLK; May 30, 2011 at 01:24 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
Also will be reusing my Polk C300:2 Amp
http://www.polkaudio.com/images/car/...num/c300_2.jpg
Curious if this can wired to run both back Subs and front speakers?
If not then I have a C500:1 Amp that can do subs and use C300 to run fronts ?
And any preference on front components if these BA don't sound as good as remembered, looking to spend $200-400?
Thanks!
http://www.polkaudio.com/images/car/...num/c300_2.jpg
Curious if this can wired to run both back Subs and front speakers?
If not then I have a C500:1 Amp that can do subs and use C300 to run fronts ?
And any preference on front components if these BA don't sound as good as remembered, looking to spend $200-400?
Thanks!
Last edited by BACNBLK; May 30, 2011 at 01:40 PM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 7,035
Likes: 134
From: North Augusta, SC
A quick google shows that amp at 150w x 2 at 4ohms, that should be more than enough for the front components (you can tweek the gain down if it's too much), but you can't use it for ther sub also. Use the single channel 500w amp for the sub(s) and it should come out sounding pretty good. Just be careful of the load you put on the sub amp (2/4/8 ohms), you don't want to fry anything.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 79
From: West Coast
Thanks guys!
Also considering to add a set of Tweeters into the door handles, any chance I can go old school and wire a set of crossovers to the them and pair them off the front speaker wires to add some crisp highs ?
Thinking that would add some depth and clarity to the cabin? And if so agreed, which tweeters would you recommend?
Thanks !
Also considering to add a set of Tweeters into the door handles, any chance I can go old school and wire a set of crossovers to the them and pair them off the front speaker wires to add some crisp highs ?
Thinking that would add some depth and clarity to the cabin? And if so agreed, which tweeters would you recommend?
Thanks !
Last edited by BACNBLK; May 30, 2011 at 08:44 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 51,504
Likes: 6
From: Sacramento CA
I have a dual 8" stealth box. It's yours if you want it.
its tan, but its a stealth box.
tweeters in door handles will have bad side bias and some weird audio issues because of the shape of the door handles.
its tan, but its a stealth box.
tweeters in door handles will have bad side bias and some weird audio issues because of the shape of the door handles.
