Arcticcl9

Am I the first to do this? I installed them myself...yes, they are totally out of specs (too big, too deep) but I was able to mount them in the car. Details are in the picture gallery.

http://andylee.us/gallery/speakers

accsuperstar

blakestsx did it over at clubtsx

nice install though!

Arcticcl9

Rad..good to hear someone else has the same listening taste. Most people here seem to cherish the Polks, but I really went out of the way and got something that actually matches the head unit (at least by brand)

accsuperstar

ic. are you running those components off the stock amp??

Arcticcl9

Yup, running the stock amp for now. It works fine so far. I will save my crossover boxes when I decide to upgrade the amp later. Probably not soon since the sound is great as it is now.

accsuperstar

how big were your tweets that you stuck in the dash mount? i was thinkign of getting some image tweeters to replace those. was it hard to take them out? notice you had to cut them out. i am wondering if should order .75 in tweets or 1 in tweets. Thanks!

Arcticcl9

Removal of tweeter is a snap. Just pry the lid..and out comes the tweeter with it. A clip holds the grill and tweeter in place. The stock tweeter quality is awful, if you're gonna change speakers, I think the tweeter will make the most difference. You'll get a lot more high end and clarity.

Tweeter itself is 1 3/4" diameter, 7/8" deep. The enclosure for the tweeter is 1 15/16" in diameter. That's too big, but I just sanded it down and it fits perfectly, and it's not noticible at all from the outside. There is also a top "edge" of the enclosure that is 2 1/4" in diameter..that acts like a brim that covers any imperfections.

captainjack

arctic:
Nice work and great pix. You may have steered me towards the Alpines now.

but I have zero install skills. Would that level of customization cost a lot extra at a decent stereo shop?

accsuperstar

if you are thiking about alpines, for the price you can get CDT components. the HD line. i am a car audio enthusiast and i read up on car audio forums. I hear the midbass on the type Rs are good but not much else. If you want CDTs the HD line you can get them for around the same price if not cheaper ( i dont know price on the alpines). www.thezeb.com or www.outerlimitsaudio.com both sell CDT and the are licensed dealers so you get 3 year warranty with them. 90% of people will agree that CDTs cannot be beaten at such a great price. Anyways just a heads up b/c people usually buy alpine and think its like really really great (it is good stuff) but for maybe cheaper you can get better.

website for cdt is www.cdtaudio.com

Arcticcl9

I thought CDTs were really expensive. I spent 130 bucks for the front 6.5" Compenents...and much less for the 6 x 9 (it's Type -S). I spent a bit over 300 bucks and I got all the speakers replaced. That's just a little money over other decent quality speakers. I think it's a good deal for the price, sound quality.

As for installation, it's the "worst" type of install possible (crutchfield guide calls it modify fit). If you have no idea on how to install it, take it to a professional.

As for the Alpine Type-Rs, I give them my seal of approval. great sound and value.

accsuperstar

cdt cl-61s are on clearance for 150 at thezeb and outerlimits. outerlimits offers free shipping. they are really cheap b/c of the color defect. that is all just the color is not as bright as it was supposed to be on the frame.

but im sure they type Rs are a great improvement over the stock

nice install though haha i keep looking at your tweeter

Arcticcl9

Ahh, I see why they are so cheap now. Usually CDTs are more expensive.

I keep starting at my tweeters too when I drive! They look pretty cool..and they get pretty loud, too.

The front Alpines 6.5" have very good frequency response, they have very good, clean bass coming from them

I actually haven't installed the type-R two-ways into the rear doors yet, since they shipped separately. When I get them I should have more balanced sound.

Does anyone know if the rear door speakers are crossed? Do they get the full frequency, or are the bass crossed so it will go into the rear deck?

accsuperstar

im pretty sure they are full freq in the rears

KJLite

Arcticcl9 nice install, but you gota pull the plastic off your door sills.

Arcticcl9

Hahaha..no way! I'm trying to keep my car mint!
They seem to match my car well, so I'm leaving it on until it gets scratched or messed up :P

ortiz

Just so you know the head unit is a panasonic. The amp is poineer. The optional mp3 player is a kenwood.

The only thing that is Alpine is the Navi. BTW nice set up!

Arcticcl9

Hmm...the CD changer is Matsushita (Panasonic is one of its brands), but I'm pretty sure the headunit/amp part is Alpine. Can anyone else vouch for this? I've never ripped that part out myself..

ortiz

The amp is pioneer. Headunit is panasonic. I found out to when I put my system in and tried to bypass the amp (not easy to do since each speaker has a neg, pos, and a ground).

The each component has its brand name on the part. You can also call the Acura customer support and they will verify everything but the amp. They don't know who make the amp (but is does have a pioneer sticker on the underside.).

tuan209

where is the amp located? and i get a good amp and place it where it is originally?

accsuperstar

amp is located under the radio unit in the center console. it is pretty much behind the 2 storage bins in the center console. the stock amp is tiny!

Arcticcl9

I saw that tiny amp when I removed the storage bin, it's a bit bigger than a deck of card. It's rated at 360W...I wonder if that is 360W Max, or 360W rms?

accsuperstar

360 max. each speaker is about 20W rms. 360/8 speakers is around 45 watts max to each speaker. but even for such a small amount of power i think it sounds pretty decent for stock

Arcticcl9

I think for a stock amp it's decent also. It drives my new speakers well. If I were to install an aftermarket amp, I'll have to figure out a way to install it under the passenger seat. My new speakers are 200W Max / 50W rms, so I'm not taking the full advantage of them yet with the stock amp.

ortiz

That's sounds good. The only problem is that the head unit has three lines for each speaker (positive, neg, and ground). I can't find anyone who will touch it yet.

When I added the amp for my sub I had to install a high to low signal converter off the two rear deck speakers.

BTW, if anyone adds a sub in the trunk, remove the two 6X9's on the rear deck and it sounds soooo much better.

Arcticcl9

Removing the 6x9 if you have a sub is a good idea, that way your trunk is "ported" and the bass and pass through. One thing I'm thinking is that road noise from trunk may also pass through..but the bass from the sub should drown all of that.

accsuperstar

not much to work with under the seat if you havent cheked it out

Arcticcl9

Check what out? I need to find an appropriate amp (size, arrangement, etc) for the right fit /clearance. Also, if anyone know how to connect the line out from the headunit, that would be great

tuan209

whts a good bang for the buck amp? wont add a sub just gonna run 2 sets of 6.5 or maybe 3. any ideas?

acuratsx03

i bought a pair of alpine 6x9s about a month ago, thinking that in the future i wouldnt want a sub... but now i do and i dont really wanna take em out seeing as i already bought em and i dont wanna have to sell em... does the sound really suffer if you have the 6x9s and the subs togehter?

ortiz

The sound doesn't suffer too much. but you will need a lot of power to push the sound from the subs into the cab of the vehicle.

acuratsx03

hmmm... thats due to the fact that it wouldnt be ported as mentioned above... any way on improvising this? or will i just have to deal?

ortiz

Part of it is ported. The other part of it is the sound has to pass through the thick Seat back.

spelldog

Arcticcl9 -


On the tweeters / speakers, it sounds like you just wired them in using the existing connections and did not touch the crossovers. Is that correct?

I am looking to install the alpine type s but was not sure how to run a crossover. I have done basic speaker install before so I think I can handle replacing the speakers / tweeters as long it is just a matter of using the existing wiring.

Thanks.