Hi,

Long time lurker, very little postings.
My focus is on SQ. I have a 2005 Passat.

System:
Clarion DRZ9255
Butler TDB 475 Amp (75W x 4)
Focal 165 K2P (mounted in stock locations - doors have been matted).
Van Den Hul Interconnects
JL 10W7 Prowedge sub driven by JL 500/1.
System is an Active config.

Question: I have about $1000 to spend and am debating best bang for the buck to increase overall SQ.

Current complaints are:

1) Not sure I like the tweet setup in the sails (strange imaging), so no matter what I buy, the tweets will move closer to the mid drivers in the stock door location.

2) I don't feel like I am getting the kick I would have expected from the Focal Mids but its not that bad, I'm just being picky.

So on to the real question:

I have two scenarios I am toying with...

1) Buy new dedicated mid range drivers like some Morel CDM 54's (I think thats what they are) and mount them close to the tweets (wherever the tweets end up) and add a small amp to drive the tweets, leaving the Butler for the new mids and the Focal Midbass drivers (doesn't solve the lack of midbass kick, but it is an accepted compromise).

2) Forget adding a dedicated mid (for now) and just add a new Butler TDB 2150 (150W x 2) and run the existing 475 in bridged mode, getting me 200W x 2, for the midbass. This would provide an upgrade path later for dedicated mids if I want them.

I am really liking the idea of number 2 as I have heard that the Focals really come to life with gobs of power.

Thank you,
Tim

 

#2 and building an enclosure for your mids would probably make a big difference. I would say focus on getitng them in a box. You might not want\need dedicated midbase afterwords.

 

^ It sounds more like a tuning issue then the components issue. i asummed you have the TN-52 tweeter.... the position of the phase difffuser on these tweeters are quite critical for getting the soundstage coherent across the dash usually. and also the tweeter level should be turn down like -3db etc.

#2 sounds more practical... running more power, then #1 to swap speakers to morel.

and for the best bang for the buck to increase SQ..... i would say, find an experienced installer that actually knows "sound". and get it dialed in.

 

k2ps like the a piller for the tweeters ,so move them
#2 the mids like air them other speakers if you can open up the air space in the door
i like your #2 if your mids are getting 200amps the tweeters can get up to 150amps
yes focals love power

 

this is where i would would pay

 

Thanks for the responses so far guys. Couple of points that I have to make...I have been told by two different installers that I can't mount the tweets in the A pillars due to the airbags, hence why I had to put them in the sails. My current installer is Point Zero Autosound and I think the owner (Will) knows his stuff. He is very passionate about sound quality. He is suggesting we move the tweets down closer to the mids, which I have no problems doing.
As far as the dedicated mid, I am talking about making the system a 3 way, by keeping the Focals and adding a dedicated 3 inch mid like the Morel. The intent would be to have the new mid and relocated twet very close to ech other so I have no path length issues.
As far as the doors go...I have them sealed up real good. The Passat already has great sound deadening but we still installed 3 sheets of Dynamat in each door and built special mounting rings to insure a very tight seal between the Mid Bass drivers and the door.

Tim

 

Any chance that you have room in the door for a dedicated 6.5" midbass driver making that set a 165 K3P? Then add the power to it? Will be a boat load of work to do to the doorpanel but should solidify the front end as well. It will then allow you to add another amp in the future should you want to bi-amp the fronts. To me adding a 3.5" midrange to cover a range of frequencies already being produced accurately might lead to some issues with response that might be a PITA to set up properly. A bandpass crossover is going to be needed as well as a new amp to properly integrate the 3.5" into the Focal 165K2P setup and bring the system all active from the passive setup that it is now. Can it be done, yes, can it be done with great results, yes, the latter totally depends on the installer. Experiment with the tweeters before you solidify the location as well. Do it with two people in the car as well, no point in dropping them way down just to have your passengers leg in front of them

 

can we see a pic or two of the dash

 

You're in good hands with Will, a number of quality competition cars came from his bays...i know i was his installer

 

I just put about 20 sq ft of deadening in each of my doors and I still think I need some more, mainly on the back of the door panel which I haven't done yet.

Anyways, I would lean towards #2... are kickpods an option for you, or do you want the car mostly stock looking? Moving the midrange to a pod and going dedicated midbass might work.