New system advice sought...
08-06-2007, 03:27 AM
#1
0 Watt CAFz'r
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 2
New system advice sought...
Hey Everyone. First post...
Currently have a VW with a set of Focal k2 165s 2 ways in the front and twin JL10w6s in a sealed box in the back. I've had this system for about 7 years. The head unit is by Alpine and there are two amps: a 75 x 2 alpine for the fronts and a PPI powering the subs in the rear (which are at about 2.8 ohm each). It's probably slightly underpowered (the subs see about 180 watts each), but overall it sounds pretty decent. The VW has been generally really tight and there aren't much in the way of rattles. Overall, I've been very happy with the system.
Anyway...
Work is going to probably require me to get a new vehicle - something with a little more space than my VW golf has.
i've been out of the car audio scene for several years. I definitely prefer SQ over SPL (and won't sacrifice SQ for SPL), but I do like to crank it fairly often
Once the system is installed, I just want it to work reliably for several years. i don't have the time to spend all my weekends tuning it and fooling around. I know, I know... :P (obviously, it will have to be tuned a bit, after the speakers burn in).
The question is: I'm starting to look at a new vehicle. Choices are a wagon (Passat wagon or A4 wagon) or a minivan like an Odyssey (probably the most realistic choice from a practicality point, though it's the "least cool" :P
Sooo... new vehicle most likely means a new system. It would be nice to take some of the old system with me, but it's probably easier just to start from scratch. I might rip out the sub box and the sub amps and just sell it off since the car is probably going to be used as a trade in (the new vehicle will be leased through my business).
I really, really like the Focals and will probably buy them again. Really can't see any reason why I wouldn't as they have been just awesome for the past 7 years. The question is what is the difference between the three K2 165 lines - the pictures on the Focal site show differences in the crossovers and the 6.5 driver, but don't really explain it. Utopia line looks great, but I think that's probably just too much money for a vehicle that's effectively going to be used for work.
Next question: subs. I really like the 10w6s (original version) in the sealed box. However, i find I wouldn't mind a little more lower frequency from them. So i'm thinking about either doing two 12"s or perhaps a 12 and a 10. Is a 10 and a 12 in the same car a good idea? Other subs that I would consider would be twin Focal 27kx's or 33kx's (or maybe one of each). Currently my system is a little weak in the "mid bass" (around 90-150 Hz) - I think that this is due to a fixed 90Hz cross over point in the PPI amp used for the subs. Would an active X-over be worth investing in?
How much power should I be looking at to drive these speakers? Are the new Focal amps good and are they reasonably priced, or are their other high quality amps that work well with Focal speakers that i should be looking at.
I won't even ask about HUs - it seems there are a million different opinions on what to get. I've had a few Alpine decks in the past and always liked them - so unless there are good reasons not to look at Alpine, I'll probably go that way again just because i know them, and like their ergonomics. Any other suggestions for good SQ desks? Ipod / MP3 CD capability would be nice as well (funny when we talk about SQ, then go play a 128bit mp3 through the system
Any suggestions on solid, professional installers in the area (Vancouver lower mainland).
Finally, is this reasonable? Like I've said, I've been out of the picture for several years. This new car / purchase / system install probably won't happen for at least another 4-7 months, but I want to get up to date on the important stuff again
Thanks for any advice - cheers!
Currently have a VW with a set of Focal k2 165s 2 ways in the front and twin JL10w6s in a sealed box in the back. I've had this system for about 7 years. The head unit is by Alpine and there are two amps: a 75 x 2 alpine for the fronts and a PPI powering the subs in the rear (which are at about 2.8 ohm each). It's probably slightly underpowered (the subs see about 180 watts each), but overall it sounds pretty decent. The VW has been generally really tight and there aren't much in the way of rattles. Overall, I've been very happy with the system.
Anyway...
Work is going to probably require me to get a new vehicle - something with a little more space than my VW golf has.
i've been out of the car audio scene for several years. I definitely prefer SQ over SPL (and won't sacrifice SQ for SPL), but I do like to crank it fairly often
Once the system is installed, I just want it to work reliably for several years. i don't have the time to spend all my weekends tuning it and fooling around. I know, I know... :P (obviously, it will have to be tuned a bit, after the speakers burn in).The question is: I'm starting to look at a new vehicle. Choices are a wagon (Passat wagon or A4 wagon) or a minivan like an Odyssey (probably the most realistic choice from a practicality point, though it's the "least cool" :P
Sooo... new vehicle most likely means a new system. It would be nice to take some of the old system with me, but it's probably easier just to start from scratch. I might rip out the sub box and the sub amps and just sell it off since the car is probably going to be used as a trade in (the new vehicle will be leased through my business).
I really, really like the Focals and will probably buy them again. Really can't see any reason why I wouldn't as they have been just awesome for the past 7 years. The question is what is the difference between the three K2 165 lines - the pictures on the Focal site show differences in the crossovers and the 6.5 driver, but don't really explain it. Utopia line looks great, but I think that's probably just too much money for a vehicle that's effectively going to be used for work.
Next question: subs. I really like the 10w6s (original version) in the sealed box. However, i find I wouldn't mind a little more lower frequency from them. So i'm thinking about either doing two 12"s or perhaps a 12 and a 10. Is a 10 and a 12 in the same car a good idea? Other subs that I would consider would be twin Focal 27kx's or 33kx's (or maybe one of each). Currently my system is a little weak in the "mid bass" (around 90-150 Hz) - I think that this is due to a fixed 90Hz cross over point in the PPI amp used for the subs. Would an active X-over be worth investing in?
How much power should I be looking at to drive these speakers? Are the new Focal amps good and are they reasonably priced, or are their other high quality amps that work well with Focal speakers that i should be looking at.
I won't even ask about HUs - it seems there are a million different opinions on what to get. I've had a few Alpine decks in the past and always liked them - so unless there are good reasons not to look at Alpine, I'll probably go that way again just because i know them, and like their ergonomics. Any other suggestions for good SQ desks? Ipod / MP3 CD capability would be nice as well (funny when we talk about SQ, then go play a 128bit mp3 through the system
Any suggestions on solid, professional installers in the area (Vancouver lower mainland).
Finally, is this reasonable? Like I've said, I've been out of the picture for several years. This new car / purchase / system install probably won't happen for at least another 4-7 months, but I want to get up to date on the important stuff again
Thanks for any advice - cheers!
Last edited by biff2bart; 08-06-2007 at 03:38 AM.
08-06-2007, 06:45 AM
#2
Add me to msn, forbidden@telus.net and we can BS in real time when you like, or call me toll free at 1-888-881-9911 when it is convenient for you. My shop is closed for the holiday tomorrow but I will be around on msn for part of the afternoon and evening perhaps.
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