Nothing real fancy, just simple and sounds real good, which is what I wanted.
Alpine CDA-7897
Fosgate Punch 750X (94wx4 to the front)
Fosgate Punch 500S (500wx1 for the sub)
Boston Pro 653 fronts
Boston Pro 125LF sub

Sound is very clean, tight and dynamic. The transition from the fronts to the sub is pretty seamless. Soundstage is eye level and pretty wide, stereo separation is good, the high end is very nice, not harsh at all when you turn it up.

Because the overall clarity is very good it's not really necessary to crank it up but when you do the system does not get harsh or annoying at all, it just keeps sounding better and better. The sub is like a physical assault at high volumes, you literally feel like someone has been beating on you if you play loud for any length of time.

The install is a little cheesy looking because the installer couldn't match the carpet exactly, I didn't feel like waiting so I'll replace it someday. The rear cargo area is not affected at all despite the fact that there is a 12"sub, 2 amps and 2 big x-overs back there.

The only really important thing to note is the placement of the mids & tweets up front. This little "pod" arrangement results in a perfect eye level soundstage (the 6" drivers are in the doors). It's a little instrusive visually but works very well. I've heard a lot of people complain about how you can't get a good elevated soundstage in a Vette, this is how you do it.

I originally planned for Soundstream amps but they weren't immediately available so I went with the Fosgate's figuring I can always swap them out someday if I want.

The tilt feature of the Alpine comes in very handy during the day when the sun hits at wierd angles, you can always find an angle that allows good visibility of the head unit.





If you want good clean sound that can hit high spl's without losing it's composure in a simple system this is a good way to go. Any additional drivers would just be overkill.

 

VERY NICE! :cool: :cool: :cheers:

 

:cool:

 

Good stuff!

 

Looks awesome....

How do you like the 12.5LF?

I am seriously considering installing one in the place of the JL Audio I currently have. Do you have the dimensions of your sub enclosure? Wondering about the measurements to get it to 1 cubic foot.

Great job

 

like the pods by the seat, do they help with your imaging.

 

The Sub enclosure is a fiberglass shell that matches the contour of that storage bin so the true measurements are a little hard to say. I will caution you that the enclusore must be 100% absolutely sealed air tight. As much as I love this sub I have to admit they seem to need a true air tight enclosure or they have problems.

 

They help with both imaging and pulling the soundstage up over the dash instead of feeling like the sound is down at your knees. The logic is they are actually firing up into the windshield and I was skeptical but it really does work. I think they are also much less affected by having a passenger than a door mounted side firing arrangement.

 

I have researched the sub quite a bit and fully understand the exact correctness of the enclosure. I started a thread on what is the best way to get the exact measurement of the enclosure. I think that the dry sweep in a one cubic foot box is about the way to go. I can adjust the inside dimensions to fit. I too have a fiberglass mold made of the center compartment. I am going to work on it this winter. I am shooting for exactly one cubic foot. I read that people blew the sub with the box being 1.2 cubic feet, so I am going to get it right on the money if at all possible.

I am curious as to how a person checks it for pin holes though. Do they put a rubber seal or plug and apply lp air? Do they put in a light and seal the opening and step into a dark space? Just curious on that.

Thanks,

 

Interesting kick pod set up, most people have them in farther. Hmn.. I'll have to play with that Idea a little. Nice set up.
:cheers: :cool:

 

Remember they actually fire forward a bit, not just up and in. The best part is they are self contained modules that can come right out without leaving a trace they were ever there. If any of you guys want to try this but don't have the resources to build them yourself you can contact Drew at Audio Express in Tempe AZ - 480-968-3078.

One other note on the Boston Pro 653's - they need a good week to break in, out of the box they sound like they came from Kmart. When everything breaks in and it all comes together it's pretty cool.

 

Could you give me more information about your equipment arrangement in the hatch. Where is the second amp and what does the sub enclosure look like? Can you take a pik of it with the center cover off? I would really like to see it. Thanx. :cheers: i have my amps located right behind the seats right now but I would love to figure out how to get them hidden a little better. :yesnod:

 

:cool: :cool:

 

Your install looks great. By the way, I finally installed your 12 disc changer,
all went will with help from tech-tips (3 wire plug wasn't there) :)

 

I would like to see more pics as well (the other amp, how the sub is setup, etc). How much did those boston components cost ya? They are supposed to be nice.

BTW - You aren't worried about anyone stepping on the pods? They look to be right in the way.


[Modified by ZippoMan, 11:15 PM 9/18/2002]

 

Sorry, I had some pics of the install process, including the fabrication of the pods and the sub enclosure but I lost them :cry

Here is the rear hatch with the covers off everything. One Boston x-over is in the right compartment (I'm not actually sure where the other one is). The visible amp is the 750x for the fronts, directly behind where it is mounted (between it and the rear facia) is a fairly large empty space and that's where the sub amp is located.


Closeup of the amp .I never even noticed the stapled on velcro until I just pulled off the cover/frame that goes around the amp. lol.


All I can tell you about the sub enclosure is it is fiberglass that was poured to exactly match the contours of that large storage compartment. He fabricated a heavy duty protective cover over top of that. This won't work with tall subs because there is not a lot of vertical clearance inside the enclosure.

Big plexiglass sub boxes with shiny chrome subs and snazzy amp racks with lots of glowing lights look cool but there is also a lot to be said for not having to give up a single square inch of your hatch area. My car is a grocery getter among other things so I went this route. I was back over there the other day and they were installing an awesome looking Infinity System in an SUV, big rack with 3 amps and a huge box with 2 downfiring subs. I was a little jealous until I realized my Vette has about 75% more cargo capacity than that suv will when they are done. Looks nice though.


[Modified by buddha, 1:50 AM 9/19/2002]

 

The 653's were about $600, I couldn't find them at much of a discount anywhere. It's a tough call, the regular 65 2-way set may perform pretty similair for 1/2 the price, but I didn't want to have to drive around wondering if I was missing anything. Total cost for everything was about $3300 including the installation and all the fabrication. Not too bad when you consider the head unit was almost $600 too. It is not as glamorous an install as some but I can tell you functionally it is all top notch, he put a lot of work into the pods and there is not a single buzz or rattle anywhere.

One thing that sets the Boston sub apart from all others is at anything over moderate levels it vibrates my rear view mirror right up and off the little bracket that it slides on to. I bet most guys don't even know it's removable, I never knew before I had the Boston. No other sub I tried makes it budge at any volume level. I'm going to have to glue it in place or something.

The pods are not as intrusive as they look in the pics. They do not sit where your feet would natually be and the drivers are protected if someone did step on one. You might drag your foot across the top when you get it everyonce in a while but it wouldn't hurt anything. They don't have any effect on driving the car at all, they don't get in the way or anything. I would much rather have them be not visible at all but the soundstage is worth it to me.

 

Very :cool: setup. I had never thought to put the sub amp behind the rear wall. That is a very interesting idea. :yesnod:

 

Very :cool: install. Nice, clean and good choice of components. Amp looks good there. :cheers:

 

Great looking setup! I considered the pods but decided I'd end up putting a foot through them, so I just went with the doors...Don't bash the simple installs man! A clean, professional, simple install looks much better IMO!

I had the same problem with my rearview mirror...The solution...just tighten it! It slides over a little metal plate and then the screw holds it in place. The metal is slightly soft so you can tighten the screw into it. Don't break it, but make it tight and it'll solve your problem.