Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Audio New System?

Hello all,
I had another system in my SVT but I sold the SVT and decided to buy a new audio system as well. This will be going into a Protege5. I have already bought the equipment ad am waiting for the time to install it all. I work at a car audio shop, so our cars come last! I was just curious to see what you guys thought of the system? Here it is:

HU- Alpine CDA-7977
Speakers- JL Audio 6.5" XR650cs(front doors)
JL Audio 6.5" XR650cs(rear doors)
Amps- PPI PCX-480(for the mids/highs)
PPI PCX-2125(for the subs)
Subs- 2 10" Alpine Type R's

I'm anxious to see how the subs perform. If I don't like them I'll just trade them in. The only items from the old system are the interior speakers. Since I work at the shop, all of the product was bought at quite a discount, and I do the installs myself, so that helps save some $$$. Depending on how lazy I am, I'm either going to build the sub box out of 3/4" MDF, or do some sort of custom box out of fiberglass! If I use the MDF, I will probably redo box with fiberglass, in the spring, when it is warmer.

So there it is. Any criticisms or comments? All replies are welcome. Even the criticisms!!!

cruises8

Great HU
Good door speakers
Great Amps
Good Subs.

Overall system seems very solid from top to bottom. The install will make or break it, so don't be afraid to spend some money there! Good luck on the install and post some pics!

Thanks dnewma04. I'll post some pics when it is done, or close to it! The head installer here really wants me to do some fiberglass for the box. I may just do it the first time after all! Oh yeah, I will probably end up picking up a PPI PCX-250 so I can by-amp the fronts. I will use the PCX-480 to power the rears and the front 6.5" drivers and the PPI-250 to run the front tweeters.

cruises8

What kind of crossover would you use if you wanted to biamp? Or do the stock crossovers allow it?

I definately agree with dave here; Hu and amps are great, but you can do better with mids and subs. However, I have not heard those alpine subs. Let us know how they sound when it's hooked up.

dnewma04,
Last years crossovers for the XR's didn't allow biamping. This year, the new crossover is made to allow it. Believe me, I was pretty damn excited to see that when they came in. So I traded the old crossovers for the new ones!

vinny,
I had these mids in my last car and I love them. I like the tweeters a lot as well. They are very smooth sounding, and the drivers actually produce a sufficient amount of midbass. Who knows, I don't keep stuff all that long anyway, I may end up putting the new MB Quart PSD's in. I had them before the XR's and like those as well. They are a very different sounding speaker. Personal preference I guess! As far as the subs go, those are up in the air. We put 2 10's in a Viper GTS we did and they sounded great. We shall see, maybe they will stay, maybe not?

cruises8

I'm not too familiar with the high/mid end of the spectrum, but i can comment on what you're using for subs. A friend of mine (also an installer) is running 3 of the type R's on the PPI PCX-5800. The subs honestly sound more like 12's then 10's, in a custom box facing down in the hatchback. I think you'll be extremely happy with them.

-Chris