molo

Hi all,

Over the past few months I've bought components for a system based on the reading I've done and the questions I've asked here and from other sources.

This is the first system I've ever done, so I'd like to get a few opinions on what's good/bad with it before I install it all.

This is just a daily listening system with emphasis on SQ, but hopefully with good power as well.

What I have:

Head unit:
Sony FFX-7705X (or something like that) CD/MP3 player with 3 pairs of 4V pre-outs

Front speakers:
Rockford Fosgate Fanatic Q 6.5" components - 100 WRMS @ 4 ohms

Rear speakers
Clarion SRS1684 (or something like that) 5.25" components - 40 WRMS @ 4 ohms

Amplfier
Kenwood KAC-629 (I think) - 100 WRMS x 2 @ 4 ohms or 300 WRMS @ 4 ohms bridged


None of this is installed except for the head unit.


What I need:

Amplifiers:
One more bigger amp in the 100 WRMS x 2 @ 4 ohms range, which will either be used to drive the Fanatics or bridged to the subwoofer (depending on how it stacks up to the Kenwood -- I'm hoping to get something better, obviously). I also need one small amp in the 50 WRMS x 2 @ 4 ohms range to drive the rear components.

Subwoofer:
This will be one 12" sub in a sealed box, something around 250-300 WRMS @ 4 ohms.

Questions:

1) My stock rear speakers are 6x9s, but I'm replacing them with the 5.25" components (with adapters to fit the mounting holes) in hopes of getting better SQ. Is this OK?

2) I think I could make a box for the rear 5.25" componenets reasonably easily, since they're pretty accessible. Is the effort justified for the SQ improvement? How big should the box be, and what thickness MDF should I use?

3) What gauge speaker wire is a minimum for the front components (100 WRMS). It would be a pain in the *** to run speaker wire from the trunk to the front doors, so I'm only gonna do it if absolutely necessary.

4) What should I do with the front doors? Is makeing a sturdy mounting adapter for the components enough? Should I seal the doors somehow and/or dynamat them? I don't think I could make a box for the fronts, since there's no room for MDF and I don't know how to fibreglass.

5) I bought the Fanatic Q's used, so they didn't come with a manual. Does anyone know if Rockford Fosgate recommends tweeters right next to the mids, or away from them?

6) How do people usually install amp remote wires for multiple amps? Is there a "remote wire distribution block" or something? Or do you just split the wire somehow?


I would welcome any other comments/questions about component choice/installation or anything you may think is missing (maybe a cap, or a bigger alternator, better battery, etc.).

Thanks to everyone for all the help up to this point, and I'm eager to hear your opinions on the system I have so far.

Thanks,
molo

[ September 06, 2004, 08:52 AM: Message edited by: molo ]

lizzard

1- I know a lot of people going into SQ dont even have rear fill speakers (I know I dont.) Mabye give the system a go without anythign back there.

3- I've heard two schools of thought for the wiring question. Some people will say stick with your standard 16g wire, and others I knwo have beefed it up to like 14/12g. Personally I'm running 16g, although not running 100w right now (although I have in the past with the same wiring)

6- I just used a relay up @ the headunit, and then when I got to the rear of the car, I just twisted/crimped the wires for my amps/eq

hope I was able to give you some help (anybody if i'm wrong, lemmie know)

-lizz

coulter

hey if your interested i got a set of Rockford FNQ 5.25" mids im lookin to sell if you wanna match up the rear with the front

maltesechicken

(5) I considered Rockford a few months ago. I opened the box and the owner's manual recommends the tweeter to be 2" or less from the mid, or 7" or further from the mid. If you go further and the sound doesn't "blend" well, try reversing polarity on the tweeter.

molo

Thanks for the input, everyone...

Here's a little update on the situation:

Amplifier:

I bought an MTX Blue Thunder Pro1502 amplifier. I think I'll use that for the Rockford Q's in the front. It does 75WRMS @ 12.5V, and 120 WRMS @ 14.4V, so I'm hoping it'll give me around 100WRMS @ 13.8V. Still looking for the small amp for the back speakers.

Subwoofer:

I bought an Infinity Reference 1230W. I think it should be OK with a good sealed enclosure (which I'll make myself, and I'll definitely overengineer rather than underengineer).

So I'm set at this point, except for the small amp, which should come pretty soon.


I went to Home Depot today and was happy to see that 14-gauge speaker wire was really cheap. Sweet. The only problem is gonna be routing it to my doors for the 6.5" rockfords. I was thinking of drilling a 1/2" hole in the doors and body, and making a water tight tube connection (with grommets/fittings and a rubber hose), so that I can route wires into the door easily.

The problem is that my door harness connector leaves zero room for additional wires (the car is a Dodge Neon).

Does anyone have any ideas on what is a good, easy, and reliable (asking a lot, I know) way to run wire into the doors?

Thanks again for the input so far,
molo

[ September 18, 2004, 08:23 PM: Message edited by: molo ]

Chadxton

iTrader: (1)

Coat hanger and some soap did it for me. You should be able to separate both ends of the conduit from the door frame. Dissasemble the coat hanger, straighten it out, and stick it up the conduit (it gets gross here) and have it stick out the other end a few inches. Tape the speaker wire to the end of the hanger and pull it through. Keep pulling on the wire until you have enough to reach the speaker terminals. Put everything back as it was. Done.

molo

The problem is that there is a connector on the door frame that the harness from the door plugs into. So the wires don't run into the car, they plug into the car. I would have to drill through the connector to run a new wire in. And I don't think there is room for that.

I'm thinking of going to a j-yard and seeing if a car has a small conduit-type deal going into the doors. Then I could rip out all the pieces, drill a hole in the doors/frame and hook it up that way...

[ September 19, 2004, 03:53 PM: Message edited by: molo ]

Drysuit John

I'd go for that But I drive a van BIG van so I just drill and use cable wrap.

[ October 07, 2004, 06:19 PM: Message edited by: Drysuit John ]