Building SQ System
 

Hey all, I guess I'll start off by introducing myself. Im Chris, I just registered today, and basically im here for some help.

So im in the process of puttin a stereo in my 02 Jimmy. So far I have a Kenwood x890 headunit installed. I have a 12" Kicker L7, and an Orion 1200d waiting to be installed. Now im looking to build a good sounding stereo. Not for comps or anything(at this time anyway), but for a daily driver who likes music loud and clear. So here is where I need your guys opinion. I need to know what sort of speakers to run, and what type of amps to power them. As of now my truck has spots for 4x6s in the dash, 6.5 in the doors, and 6x9s, in the rear.

I plan on a set of good components up front but not sure what else. So your guys opinions would be much appreciated. Thanx alot!:smilie_da

You have loads of options available to you, it all depends on your budget. Different budgets dictate different systems and how they are built. A good set of components up front with a amp behind them is a definite start in the right direction. I like rear fill personally and in a vehice like that you might as well, I would add a matching (by brand) set of rear speakers and throw an amp behind them as well. For this a 4 channel amp is what you should be looking at.

Well Im on a moderate budget. I think ive bought pretty good stuff so far so I dont intend to go downhill from here.

I would look to Focal with some speakers in either the Polyglass or Polykevlar line for some incredible speakers. You are going to need a good amp to keep up with the back end. The new Eclipse 4 channel XA4000 amp would fit this bill at 125w rms x 4. Some good size power ground wire is a must as well. Sound deadening to keep the vehicle as rattle free as possible and improve tonal response in the mids in the front doors.

I am a rear fill guy aswell. I was thinking staying with the 6x9's in the rear, but alot of people on the blazinlow.com audio forum totally bashed 6x9's. What do you think about that? I want to have my speakers matching just like you said, but I couldnt descide what brand to go with.


Sound deadening is gunna be a big thing in my truck. With just the stock 6.5s in the doors, they rattle a bit. And I had already planned on buying a 0 guage Stinger Amp Kit.

When it comes to the component set up front, where would you put the tweeter? The stock stereo has the tweeter in the dash(it also fits a 4x6), and I like the sound. But is there a better place to put it?

There's nothing wrong with 6x9's, in fact I've heard a few good sounding systems with nothing but a properly set up pair of 6x9's(nothing that would win a sound off, but clean, clear, tight,and punchy). With the speaker locations you have, you might want to consider putting a 4" mid and tweeter in the 4x6 locations, and put 6.5 midbass drivers in the doors( since you like the factory set up and sound), put the 6x9's in the rear, and add your sub. As for brands, lots of good ones to choose from, go listen to them and then decide based on your budget, and what sounds good to you.

I have heard some trash about 6x9's also. The thing i've heard is that they aren't as crisp and tight as a round speaker would be. The only logical reasoning behind that I think would be the oval shape, so sound isn't going to be coming off the speaker at the same time all the way around. I've heard nice 6x9's but have converted my 6x9 rears into 6.5" components. YOu can buy adapter plates, some with the tweeter mount some without depending on what you need.

Ok so with all this said, with my truck, what would you guys put in it for a SQ winning system? I mean I dont know if I will compete but it is tempting:smilie_da So I guess I wanna head in that direction with my stereo.

SQ comp setup
 

Really that's all up to you. Sound quality is a very hard comp to be in because it's all up to someone else's preferences. I mean, don't go out and buy a jensen setup, but really it's all up to you.

especially if you aren't even running comp yet, you're gonna wanna have something you like more than anything else. If you're good with crossovers and phasing, you can work on just about anything to make it sound as good as it can. If you don't, find someone who does and learn from them. You're going to want some nice stuff in your car, but remember just because it costs the most it may not always sound the best. I'm limited in my experience with components, as I've personally owned only 4 brands- alpine, orion, eclipse, and infinity. Out of all of those I think I'd have to say infinity had the nicest SQ, and Orion had the loudest. Go to a local shop and ask to play around with their demo board. Keep a sharp ear and if you don't like a specific thing then don't get it, find something w/o any impurities.

Also you're going to want to run external amps for your full-range speakers/components. That will give you the best quality, and also think about getting a pre-out only (deadhead) HU. That's how i've got mine set up and it is very nice sounding, 5x better than running anything off the internal amp from a HU.

Re: Building SQ System
 

I was just thinking about my factory Toyota Camry sound system...untouched, virgin factory system. It took me about 4 years out of the 7 years that we have owned it, to accept that the sound I was hearing all this time, was ...good! Other than the extremes on upper and lower end of the scale, and a large lack of volume, the actual music the system reproduces is very enjoyable. It's not fatiguing, you can listen to it all day on some long road trips...Can you do that with your 'custom installed mobile hi-fi'? I, for sure can't! Think about it...the auto manufacturer hires an audio engineer to design their vehicle specific systems for them. They are engineers! They went to school for a long time to be able to understand this stuff and put their knowledge to use. They REALLY know what they are doing. Do we? We Think! we know what we are doing but are we not 'always' trying to improve our systems? I know the temptation is always there with new and improved products...If we knew what we were doing with this stuff and if we could get it right, we wouldn't need so many improvements. So if you luckout and find someone who really understands physics and architectural acoustics (only doesn't see it like that) and your system sounds fantastic when he's done, don't mess with it! I know from experience! Somehow I really lucked out and chose the right components to put together the first time. Fantastic system, and it cost me under $1000! I had another great system in a pick-up I had a few years ago: D.I.Y. Dynaudio 3-way speakers with custom passive x/os, Alpine 7903 deck powered by a Nakamichi PA-304 amp 45 watts x 4 & 90 x 2 bridged. I used the amp in total bridge mode which gave me 90 w/p/c x 2. At that point I found myself to be a little confused on what is considered as loud. I used to have to sit and wait for a loaded coal train to go by with it's 100 car load. With the great sounding, 90w/p/c/ I had, I could EASILY remove the train from the soundstage by turning up the volume! Anyway...I know they won't teach us, but can we learn anything from how the engineers work by observing?