Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio Ideas Please

I want to replace the factory deck and speakers with something I can get some good sound out of. I had a huge system in my old car running about 2500 watts. But those days are over and I would like the use of my trunk. I would still like to hear a little bass every once and a while but would like to have everything fit in the factory openings. I love listening to DMB so they're music if a little demanding. Opinions Please I've always been partial to Kenwood in the past but I can change.

Are you opposed to an unobtrusive sub in the trunk?

I have a Clarion DRX 9375 deck that sounds sweet its one of the ones that are not self powered. It is awesome. The speakers are stock But I have a Rockford Fosgate 400 4 ch punch running them. As for the bass I have a Kicker Solo Baric in a box thats about the size of 2 of those old pepsi Cube soda boxes so not to big with a Rockford Fosgate 250 2 ch Punch running Mono to the sub. The sound is great and you still can use the trunk. I always put the HUMUNGOUS Graco stroller in there and have no problems!

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i would recommend buying a head unit with 2 or more pre amp outputs (apline recommended www.alpine1.com) then a 5 channel amp. use seperates in the front (5.25"+tweeter and mounting bracket for 5x7 hole. it has been said that you can use 6 1/2" speakers, check the other posts for info. use coaxials in rear. this draws stage forward and should sound sweet! i recommend jl audio for this, great bass response and good balance of high and lows. on the fifth channel, it should run about 200 watts or something like that. i would use two 8" subs, put a nice deep sound that will totally fill the cabin. use a mono block amp to power a subwoofer. with a single sub, i would press you for about 500 watts, no more or less. also, a 15" would put the serious lows on with no prob. audiobahn is good for price and reliability, but subtract 100 watts from its rms and use that for its rms. the planet audio big bang is designed for serious excursion, and rms is 500 watts, which is perfect. for the 5 channel amp, infinity kappa (its highest end line) 255(a?) runs 50x5+200x1 or 75x4+300x1, which is very well suited to the task. planet audio also has an amp called the "zetar" 500 watts rms, also perfect for the job. 4 gauge power wire, use lightning audio 12 gauge wire to connect amp to speakers, and lightning audio rca cables. also, two .5 farad caps (one for each amp) if you want more control of the subs from where you are, audio control epicenter has a small knob which you mount anywhere you want, but it has a seperate unit that goes elsewhere, crank it up! i recommend sealing the entire car with a sound deadener, lowers road noise, creates better sound stage, and prevents loss of spl so that you dont have to push components as hard. also, your doors close with a solid thump, like a nicer bmw. contact me with more info, i found this guy who will sell a dynamat type deadener, that is like the extreme that reflects heat. he has said he layered his car 3 times with it, and won his forst sound quality competition. 69 square feet for 70 plus shipping, im going to buy some after christmas. to create an even better sound stage, add a small amp, about 20-35 watts, and put it to a 4" coaxial and use as a center speaker, then your totally wrapped in sound! sya "hell yeah!"

smp291: how do you like the rocksford fosgate 400a4 punch amp? Im thinking of getting that or an mtx 4ch amp? Which way should i go? (try to give an unbiased opinion =)

I know the question wasn't directed towards me but i'll answer anyway. RF makes extremely good quality amps. Unfortunately they are very costly even compared to their direct competition. MTX has achieved a very good reputation with their amps in the last couple of years. Unless you have no budget and plan on competing, go with the MTX. If you have no budget go with McIntosh, a/d/s, PPI, or PG.

I am not sure how the MTX sounds but I really like my RF it has awesome power and sitting in the trunk it doesnt over heat when played at high levels of volume, like some amps.

Im not sure but it might have a lil fan that cools it down. anyone know?

I'd rather not go the amp rout it I don't have to. I think that the factory amps will get a litte kick in the ass with a new deck. I really wanted to get a little info about the speaker openings and what I can fit in there that will put out some better highs and deeper lows. Or if you guys think the factory speakers would do good with a better deck.

OK. If you are looking to go without an amp, and you are a fan of Kenwood, I'd get a Kenwoood head unit. By itself, it will make a noticeable difference even if you keep the stock speakers. IMO, in the 200-300.00 range, most decks are so similar so you should get the one you like the best. Real differences won't be heard until you upgrade substantially from this price range.

Start with that and then determine if you are happy with the sound. If not, many members of this list have installed 6x9 without modification in the front doors. Kenwood Excelon or whatever their called 6x9s have the deepest mounting depth that I could find and they still supposedly fit well. The rear doors require a little modification to fit but it can be done.

Good luck.

Dave

if you want no external amp then buy a alpine cda7864 i have one of these and it is sweet it can be had for 500 and it has a built in v series amp pushing 60x4 max it also has built in crossovers so no need for eq very one says these high power h/u's are junk but i beg to differ the internal amp in this hu is a mosfet amp and is the same technology as in the v12 amp(s) i only need to turn the volume up 1/2 of the way to loud clean sound