Hey guys, I am planning on upgrading from the stock system in my TL sometime over the next 6 months, and Im looking for some advice... Im still a noobie to the audio world, but I'm looking for a quality setup that I hopefully won't have to change for a while. I listen to all kinda of music, but mainly electronic (+ some rap & rock). I would also like to keep the majority of my trunk.

Sounds quality is more important to me than being heard from a mile away. Here is what I am planning on a roughly 2k budget.
-Keep stock HU. Buy a sound processor(RF 3sixty.2 but can't find one) or line driver. What did you guys end up using?

Front stage: aprox $600-900 for front stage and amp. I want something that will fit in my door with out cutting the door. Im ok with making spacers.
Image Dynamics XS65
Image Dynamics Q450.4

Sub stage: aprox $600-900 for sub stage and amp. Going to try an IB setup. Planning on just one sub to start, then maybe add a second one if I want/need more bass.
Image Dynamics IDQ12 / Image Dynamics IDMax12
Image Dynamics Q600.1

I'm not necessarily set on Image Dynamics, its just the first good guilty brand that was suggested to me that I researched. I am open to other brands, just don't know where to start looking. Let me know what you think! Thanks guys!

 

The setup you suggested is very similar to what I have now and I'm really happy with how it sounds. You should send Jerry Niebur a message. He's an authorized dealer for Image Dynamics as well as several other companies. He gave me a really good deal on the XS-65 component set just this week. I've seen a couple 3sixty's for sale in the classifieds on DIYMA recently for around $200. You might also consider the Alpine PXE-H660 processor. You can get it new for about the same price. I've got it and it's a good processor.

I'm also running an idmax 12 IB and I highly recommend it. Sounds incredible.

 

There's a 3sixty.2 on DIYMA.com right now...

Damn...everyone's going ID lately. Might have to change er up!

Definitely send Jerry a PM. Here's his sn on here.....https://acurazine.com/forums/members/niebur3-293788/

 

I have talked to Jerry a few times and he has given me some good advice and input. I PMed one of the guys on DIYMA about the RF 3sixty and it had just sold!

I assume your running a single idmax12 IB? Are you more than satisfied with one, or are you thinking you should have gotten 2?

 

There were two 3sixtys if I remember correctly. One was listed by itself and another listed with a couple other items. Both were going for about $215-$225. There have been some pretty good deals over there lately. I also saw a PXE-660 for $175 and a BNIB Sundown SAX 100.4 for $200.

Yep. Just a single Idmax 12 IB. Definitely more than enough for me. I'm more worried about the car shaking to pieces than I am about pushing the sub to its limits. Having said that, if you have the space in your budget it wouldn't take a ton of power to run two of them IB and you wouldn't really be losing anymore trunk space either.

 

With $900 available for the fronts, I would go dynaudio without a doubt.

 

yeah but then won't be any money left for amp

 

Depends on what kind of deal he can get on the 242 set and what amp he gets. The Dyns are so much better than the IDs that it would be worth it to stretch the budget if you're that close to getting them. I would cheap out on the amp any day to get better comps.

 

I PMed both guys. The one was sold and the other guy hasn't responded to me... possibly because I only have a 3 post count over there. I'm not in a huge rush to build this system, so I could try to hold out for a month or two to find one... otherwise I'll have to start considering other options.

Im thinking one sub is going to be fine for me too, so Im planning on installing the one sub to one side of the baffle board... just incase I decide I want to add another later I won't have to make a new board.


I was trying to keep my total budget under 2k... including comps, subs, amps, wire, processor, everything.... but those dynaudios are tempting.....

 

You can find the system 242 for under $900 but most of those if not all are unauthorized dealers. I believe retail is around $1,000. Jerry (niebur3) on here is a dealer of Dyn and many other brands with great customer service. I don't know what he would charge for that set but he's always been good to me with prices.

I look at it this way, if you get the Dyns, you will likely never upgrade again. They're so neutral, you can make them sound however you want with a little EQ. They have the most natural and realistic sound I've heard and by far the best vocals. Plus they will take a ton of power and sound great doing so.


The front stage will make or break the system. This is the hardest part to get right and will be the most enjoyable if you do get it right.

 

Thanks for your input on the dynaudio components. Im really considering breaking my budget for them. Im thinking I might start off with the sub stage at first and get the IB build going, then save some more $ for the dynaudios a few months down the road... Good plan? Would doing the sub stage first work fine with the rest of the system stock?

Out of curiosity, do you know if there is a diy or basic info on how to build the baffle board anywhere? Im wondering how I get the best dimensions for the board and how to get it to fit right. I think I read somewhere you can unbolt the seat supports temporarily to get a better fit?

 

You can do the sub first. It is your money, and as expensive as this stuff is, you should enjoy it.

I made a baffle template out of cardboard, cut too big and then whittled it down from there. I would bolt the baffle to the seat supports.

If you are going 2 way, then take a listen to a bunch of them. There will be audio shows in the bay area this year, so since you have time, wander down to a few and have a listen to some sets that are tuned to play music, not compete with a computer judge. There are probably a dozen sets that you could really like, but they all might be more than $400. If you do go, pay attention to the 2 ways, not the 3 or 4 way sets.

I would buy a good amp, but I also believe that amp quality can make a huge difference.

Also, since you have time, you can look for quality used stuff.

 

HEY!

 

Lol. I was perfectly happy with the IDs, sometimes I wish I had never changed. But the difference is huge. I really doubted how much of a difference there could be between the two but it was more than I could have imagined. The move from Esotec to mostly Esotar was less of a difference than going from ID to Esotec and it cost more too. It's at the point of diminishing returns but I would still do it again. You know you want to come over to the dark side.

 

Seriously thinking about it though lol....

Maybe if I can get this new amp situation figured out and get a few paychecks under my belt then I just might. Just graduated Saturday!!

I really need to figure out a nice way to mount my amps, distro block and processor too. They're just sitting in the trunk and I hate to look at it. Wires EVERYWHERE.

 

FYI: 3Sixty back up for sale in the DIYMA classifieds.

 

Mine might be for sale soon too. I'm getting sick of this damn hobby again lol. Both my tweeters have TONS of static/noise in them and it's not the amp or wires near power/ground. Not the RCA's as I've used the one's for my mids on the tweeters and it still does it. I have the gains all the way down on the amp, output level on the 3sixty.2 is less than it was when I didn't have any noise back in the day....so I'm at a loss.

 

Thanks for the heads up, he had already messaged me because I showed interested in the FS thread he got it from. I'll probably buy it... just waiting to hear back.

 

This is what I am worried about. Im such a noob to sound so I would have no idea how to figure out problems like these. Hopefully you can figure it out before you give up!

 

Thats y im upgrading the hu.....upgrade the hu & u wont have to worry bout those annoying noise again!!!

 

Eh..the HU doesn't really need to be upgraded. Likely not the culprit.

What are you going to use Phlames?

 

X2. I'm running the stock HU with no noise at all and I'm running a fair amount of power to the front stage (800w available).

I don't see how an aftermarket HU will be any better than a stock HU with a line driver located close to the HU as far as noise is concerned.

The problem is most likely in the install.