Ummm no, I am looking to standardize on one manufacture. I did get to audition the Hertz MLK 165 2 way today and these were considerably better than the HSK165XL.4's in that they were almost completely flat in their response (IMHO). A/B between the two sets clearly demonstrated a very decisive difference in presentation. I will be getting the Hertz EP2X 2x220W amp put in to power these babies vs the 75W Alpine PDX5. This changes the format completely and brings tons of power to these speakers.

So I believe I've settled on an acceptable front end with the Pioneer AVIC Z2 (taken from my Acura that my son destroyed on running a red light (no one hurt thank god)), MLK 165's and the EP2X to power the speakers. Will have to address how the 6.5 woofers fit into the 5x7 Explorer doors and mount the tweeters up on the posts. Total cost on components, parts and installation, $2,700 for the front (Vernon BC prices - no deals up here).

Jim

 

Hey Pen,

I just finished an install in my wifes '98 explorer. Up front are Eclipse SC8365 3-way components. They have huge magnets and the most trouble I had was getting enough depth. I made a baffle out of 3/4" MDF and the door panel barley fits over. The mids and tweeters are surface mount in the factory pods that came with them. I found out yesterday that since I finished the install the passenger side power window switch doesn't work so I'll be opening it up tonight to fix it (again!!). I'll take a picture of the baffle behind the door panel for you and one of the tweeter/mids to help out with some ideas.

 

P.S. those Eclipse cost me $157 CAD total, brand new.

 

good choice in speakers, i have the hertz mlk 165's as well and they sound amazing. I have the same power going to my mlk 165's as you're planning, from my Audison amp(around 2x230) as well. Only thing is that you will want to put the tweets in the A-pillars or the dash. I drive a 98 ford explorer so i know what the installation is with the mlk's. I have my tweeters beside the mids on the doors cause of the size of the magnet on the tweeters, but will be moving them to the A-piilars this summer. Don't like the tweeters where i have them but they will do for now. Like i mentioned image dynamics makes a 5x7 component set that supposed to sound really good and they are pretty inexpensive. It's their top of the line xs series, incase you want a easier install. Only thing is i haven't heard them to compare to my mlk 165's

 

t money - Thank you for the response. Can you share with me where you have the cross-overs. The installer is considering under the dash and running 16 gauge to the woofers in the door through the door hose and up to the pillars for the tweets. Should I be concerned with such a light wire from the cross-overs? He's talking 12 gauge from amp (located on the metal slider that protects the back seat). I'm asking as the amp is presenting 220W at 4ohm to each of the cross-overs and then about 105-115 from the cross-overs to each of the speakers. Distance will be about 3-5 feet (not that long).

The installer was able to complete the install of the amp today and did a wonderful job - very clean - a two thumbs up on the workmanship. If he continues to do the same workmanship on installing the HU and speakers next week (booking time is real difficult), I'm expecting to be very pleased.

I'm committed (or committable) on the mlk 165's. They sound (of course this is off of the demo board) perfect for the SUV due to their non-colored and very clean presentation (very flat response).

Jim

 

A lot of people don't like the idea but i have my crossovers in the doors and have had no problems with them being there at all. Running 16 guage to the woofers isn't gong to be a problem and 12 guage isn't necessary but works well too. I would have him run 14 guage all around or even just 16 guage all around. He is also going to need to make spacers for the mids to go in the factory door location and the mids have big magnets as well. Heres a pic of where my tweeters are but like i said this summer their going in the A pillars.

 

Thanks t Money. Eric the installer spoke in depth last night about the mounting of the woofers and how he is going to cut out the door metal to fit the 6.5's and then use high density wood to raise the speakers enough to accommodate the magnets. Dynamat the doors and then mount the woofers. Cutting into the A-pillars should be fun but he will have the plastic off to run the mic for the HU/Bluetooth (phone). Sounds like he's leaning to the high side on the cabling and that I don't have a problem with. The installer is taking pics of this install and has offered to share them with me. I will be happy to post them to the board once we have finished for the benefit of all of us.

May I ask how long it took to burn in your woofers. When I had the Focals in the Acura installed it took about 20 hours and the Focal Twin6 Be's on my studio DAW about 40 hours continuously.

The shop is offering their demo mlks at a discount or bring in a new unit. I don't know how long the demo units have been on their board. Which way would you go.


Jim

 

Thats a good question, not sure how long it took to break in the mid woofers, probably around 20 hrs. I never really noticed when they broke in as i don't turn my stereo up too loud. If the demo's are in mint condition and they're going to give you the same warranty than i would save the money and get the demo's. He sounds like a cool guy for taking the install pictures to share with you. I had a shop install my components for me as well. I don't think they cut the door metal though as my mids hit the door panel speaker grills. I think this summer i will redo everything, the door speakers and the tweeters. I would have done it myself in the first place but i didn't want to mess up my door panels and have to pay to fix it myself. The shop did a great job but i think i will redo it, so my tweeters will sound better cause they will be in the A pillars. Too bad i wasn't closer, i would give you a demo of how they sound in the explorer.

 

[QUOTE=t money;638557]A lot of people don't like the idea but i have my crossovers in the doors and have had no problems with them being there at all. Running 16 guage to the woofers isn't gong to be a problem and 12 guage isn't necessary but works well too. I would have him run 14 guage all around or even just 16 guage all around. He is also going to need to make spacers for the mids to go in the factory door location and the mids have big magnets as well. Heres a pic of where my tweeters are but like i said this summer their going in the A pillars.

The problems with Crossovers in the doors is rusting, I remember taking out my Crossovers for my old components and the screws and terminals were rusted to all hell.

Just my two cents, Mount them inside the car if possible.

 

As I grew up in that area and know a thing or two about both the climate and audio, I too will recommend that you do not install the crossovers in the doors UNLESS they are on the interior side of the vapour barrier to prevent them from rusting. Next issue is how to secure them properly so they do not bang around in the door. This vehicle it is fairly simple to install the crossovers inside the vehicle, even by the amp if you like and run a new wire through the boot and into the door. There should also be zero need to cut any metal in the door to install a 6.75" round driver. All one needs is the proper ABS (not mdf as it will get wet and swell, thereby damaging the speaker) mounting template in order to mount the speaker properly. Make the template from cardboard first, then onto mdf to test fit, then use the mdf as a template for the ABS.

I also would highly recommend that Eclipse 3way component set, they are one incredible set of speakers that are discounted heavily right now. Normal retail on them was close to the $700 mark last year.