biff2bart

Hey All:

I've been kind of out of the car audio scene for a while, but I recently bought a new car and am - well - looking to get rid of the sucky factory system and put something NICE in it

I am into SQ more than SPL, but I do like to crank it once in a while of course - I just don't need my ears to bleed!

Some history

My older car was a 2000 Jetta and it had a pretty decent set of audio gear in it installed by the great folks at AudioLines near Vancouver. Ok - the fact is that I LOVED this system as it was my first seriously high end car audio system. The install was done early 2000 and included an Alpine head unit, two JL 10W6 subs (V1s - this is over 10 years ago!) in a sealed box, Focal 165 K2 (I think similar to today's 165 KR2), and two amps: an Alpine powering the Focals, and a PPI for the subs. The build was probably a bit underamped, but levels were set not to clip. Overall the SQ was great and while originally, I was worried that the Focals would be too soft, everything gelled nicely after a month or so once broken in. Apart from a slight dip around 100 Hz which I needed to deal with (with hardware), it was a very solid system that I got a LOT of enjoyment out of. I remember that the installers at Audiolines were pretty stoked because the rigidity and seals in the doors really helped the front speakers.

Anyway, long story short: new car is an Audi A3 - yes, a hatch... I really liked my twin subs in the Jetta - even thought about moving up to 12" subs - but the speaker box took up a fair bit of space in the trunk.

So, first question: is any of this gear worth saving or should I just start from new again?

Secondly: what are good install options for a hatch back? I do a lot of stuff with my car: sports, road trips, hauling sh** around, etc... I need space inside the car, don't want to give up my spare tire, and would prefer a completely stealth install. Should I look at a sub like the JL 13TW5? I've heard it's decent, but more on par with the W3 series and quite expensive. how much space can I save with a sub like the 13TW5 vs. a conventional sub and will I hate it compared to my original V1 10W6s?

Also, again, I'm looking for SQ here first... Also, can the install be done in two parts: like doing the fronts first (and an amp), and then the subs later on? What about the factory head unit? The stock "Audi Concert System" sounds like Bose: "No highs, no lows, it must be Bose". OK - well, that's not quite fair, but it's typical generic muted sound: no liveliness, seriously poor detail, confused bass. Essentially I want to replicate the sound and detail of my Grado headphones in my car.

Should I just phone up the guys at Audio Lines again and start there?

Any advice (yes, I know it's the Interweb and advice is like @$$ holes - everybody has them...) with ideas on how to tackle this car would be greatly appreciated.

Oh ya - music tastes: Alt Rock, metal, industrial, electronic, and occasionally classical and jazz. I like good, well mastered recordings like I'm sure we all do

Thanks!

SOULMUSIC

iTrader: (8)

I'd say if you enjoyed the sound with your gear before, it should sound good now. Replacing all the gear would just cost you alot of money.
I'd install it and see what you think now, just replace any part you feel is lacking at a later date.

There is some fiberglass sub "forms" that may fit your cars hatch, placed at the side to keep space, you may look into those to keep some space and add some stealth.

Good luck with the redo.

Tony Dehnke

The gear you have is good as long as it all works fine and fits without costing you extra money (or space your concerned with).. Are you wanting to leave the stock deck in your A3 or change it out?

Easy to tuck a box into the side and keep pretty much all of your trunk.

If you want to save room, you could swap out your amps to some of the new ones that are a lot more compact.

As for the SQ of the TW-5 - You will love it. I'd almost say it's along the lines of a w6 than a w3.