So I drop the car off on monday.......
04-23-2009, 10:13 AM
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So I drop the car off on monday.......
To get a full custom sound system installed. I've never spent this much $$$$ on a stereo so I need some opinions. I've got 2 choices that I am stuck on.
1. Eclipse Double Din head unit with Navigation. Hertz Hi Energy 6.5" Components in the front and the matching coaxials in the rear. 2 Image Dynamics IDMAX 12" Subs. 2 ARC Audio KS 1000.1 monoblocks for the subs (1 for each sub) and an Arc Audio KS 300.4 for the front stage (90x4 at 4 ohms).
2. Eclipse Double Din head unit with Navigation. Hertz Hi Energy 6.5 Components in the front and matching coaxials in the rear. 2 JL Audio 13W6 subs. 2 JL Audio HD 750/1 monoblocks for the subs (1 for each sub) and 1 JL Audio 600/4 for the front stage (150x4).
Both installs will be using a kinetic battery and all stinger wires and accessories. The reason I am leaning towards the JL AUdio stuff is that 2 of the JL 13.5" subs weigh as much as 1 of the 12" IDMAX subs and I really dont want 300lbs in the trunk but still want it to sound awesome. Especially for the $$$$ i'm spending. The amps also draw less current but put out about 500 less watts total for the subs. Please give me some opinions as I have to drop the car off monday morning. BTW, I'm having the shop take some pictures throughout the whole install so I should have some pics up by next friday of the finished product. I can't wait.
1. Eclipse Double Din head unit with Navigation. Hertz Hi Energy 6.5" Components in the front and the matching coaxials in the rear. 2 Image Dynamics IDMAX 12" Subs. 2 ARC Audio KS 1000.1 monoblocks for the subs (1 for each sub) and an Arc Audio KS 300.4 for the front stage (90x4 at 4 ohms).
2. Eclipse Double Din head unit with Navigation. Hertz Hi Energy 6.5 Components in the front and matching coaxials in the rear. 2 JL Audio 13W6 subs. 2 JL Audio HD 750/1 monoblocks for the subs (1 for each sub) and 1 JL Audio 600/4 for the front stage (150x4).
Both installs will be using a kinetic battery and all stinger wires and accessories. The reason I am leaning towards the JL AUdio stuff is that 2 of the JL 13.5" subs weigh as much as 1 of the 12" IDMAX subs and I really dont want 300lbs in the trunk but still want it to sound awesome. Especially for the $$$$ i'm spending. The amps also draw less current but put out about 500 less watts total for the subs. Please give me some opinions as I have to drop the car off monday morning. BTW, I'm having the shop take some pictures throughout the whole install so I should have some pics up by next friday of the finished product. I can't wait.
04-23-2009, 11:06 AM
#2
To get a full custom sound system installed. I've never spent this much $$$$ on a stereo so I need some opinions. I've got 2 choices that I am stuck on.
1. Eclipse Double Din head unit with Navigation. Hertz Hi Energy 6.5" Components in the front and the matching coaxials in the rear. 2 Image Dynamics IDMAX 12" Subs. 2 ARC Audio KS 1000.1 monoblocks for the subs (1 for each sub) and an Arc Audio KS 300.4 for the front stage (90x4 at 4 ohms).
2. Eclipse Double Din head unit with Navigation. Hertz Hi Energy 6.5 Components in the front and matching coaxials in the rear. 2 JL Audio 13W6 subs. 2 JL Audio HD 750/1 monoblocks for the subs (1 for each sub) and 1 JL Audio 600/4 for the front stage (150x4).
Both installs will be using a kinetic battery and all stinger wires and accessories. The reason I am leaning towards the JL AUdio stuff is that 2 of the JL 13.5" subs weigh as much as 1 of the 12" IDMAX subs and I really dont want 300lbs in the trunk but still want it to sound awesome. Especially for the $$$$ i'm spending. The amps also draw less current but put out about 500 less watts total for the subs. Please give me some opinions as I have to drop the car off monday morning. BTW, I'm having the shop take some pictures throughout the whole install so I should have some pics up by next friday of the finished product. I can't wait.
1. Eclipse Double Din head unit with Navigation. Hertz Hi Energy 6.5" Components in the front and the matching coaxials in the rear. 2 Image Dynamics IDMAX 12" Subs. 2 ARC Audio KS 1000.1 monoblocks for the subs (1 for each sub) and an Arc Audio KS 300.4 for the front stage (90x4 at 4 ohms).
2. Eclipse Double Din head unit with Navigation. Hertz Hi Energy 6.5 Components in the front and matching coaxials in the rear. 2 JL Audio 13W6 subs. 2 JL Audio HD 750/1 monoblocks for the subs (1 for each sub) and 1 JL Audio 600/4 for the front stage (150x4).
Both installs will be using a kinetic battery and all stinger wires and accessories. The reason I am leaning towards the JL AUdio stuff is that 2 of the JL 13.5" subs weigh as much as 1 of the 12" IDMAX subs and I really dont want 300lbs in the trunk but still want it to sound awesome. Especially for the $$$$ i'm spending. The amps also draw less current but put out about 500 less watts total for the subs. Please give me some opinions as I have to drop the car off monday morning. BTW, I'm having the shop take some pictures throughout the whole install so I should have some pics up by next friday of the finished product. I can't wait.
Do not judge a book by it's cover.... Weight means nothing.the weight of the driver depends on what material is being used.....
also proper installation goes a long way.
Good luck......
04-23-2009, 11:10 AM
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My comment about the weight of the driver had nothing to do with its performance. Both are very good subs. The weight issue has to do with the car being lowered and also lugging the extra 300lbs. around.
04-23-2009, 12:26 PM
#5
Three Wheelin'
number one all the way but if you ask me. the weight is gonna be an issue no matter what 
. so stick to what sounds best. IDMAX will sound much much better. I would think one would be enough ....but since you are going with two and such big drivers with that much power, sound quality is useless if you ask me. Its just gonna shake the car apart.
. so stick to what sounds best. IDMAX will sound much much better. I would think one would be enough ....but since you are going with two and such big drivers with that much power, sound quality is useless if you ask me. Its just gonna shake the car apart.
04-23-2009, 01:11 PM
#6
number one all the way but if you ask me. the weight is gonna be an issue no matter what . so stick to what sounds best. IDMAX will sound much much better. I would think one would be enough ....but since you are going with two and such big drivers with that much power, sound quality is useless if you ask me. Its just gonna shake the car apart.
. so stick to what sounds best. IDMAX will sound much much better. I would think one would be enough ....but since you are going with two and such big drivers with that much power, sound quality is useless if you ask me. Its just gonna shake the car apart.1. there will be no strain on amplifiers.
2. there will be plenty of headroom for peaks in the music.
3. you will never strain the amplifiers and will never push them into distortion.
4. I can go on by why?
as far as the weight goes, yes it does put a burdononthe whole suspension...
and shocks will go 1st but who cares if you got the jams.
Please post pics when done.
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04-23-2009, 02:31 PM
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if you had navi to begin with, all that money you putting towards the double-din and getting custom fabrication to put it could be used towards the rest of the audio for a sick setup..good luck with your decision, either choice is good...all comes down to execution
04-23-2009, 02:39 PM
#9
Burning Brakes
Not always the case. having so much power is pretty good to have. and yes it can be "SQ" with all that power and then some. it's all in the eye of the beholder.
1. there will be no strain on amplifiers.
2. there will be plenty of headroom for peaks in the music.
3. you will never strain the amplifiers and will never push them into distortion.
4. I can go on by why?
as far as the weight goes, yes it does put a burdononthe whole suspension...
and shocks will go 1st but who cares if you got the jams.
Please post pics when done.
1. there will be no strain on amplifiers.
2. there will be plenty of headroom for peaks in the music.
3. you will never strain the amplifiers and will never push them into distortion.
4. I can go on by why?
as far as the weight goes, yes it does put a burdononthe whole suspension...
and shocks will go 1st but who cares if you got the jams.
Please post pics when done.
Amp power and driver (speaker) selection are two very different issues. I totally agree it never hurts to have too much power for all the reasons you stated. I find it hard to understand why multiple woofers make the sound better. If that’s the case why not have more tweeters and midranges. 2 woofers making the same sound seems redundant to me. Multiple woofers just add to sound pressure and not to sound quantity. In a large home theater setting I can understand having several subwoofers but in the confines of a car interior just doesn’t make sense unless it's a show car or a sound competition car.
It really comes down 3 things.
1. Personnel choice
2. The type of music this system will be asked to reproduce
3. What volumes levels it will be required to do it in.
OK 4 things
4. Budget
Which ever you choose make sure it is installed and tuned correctly.
Rule number 1
A good installer will make bad equipment some better than a bad installer with good equipment
my
Last edited by King of Pain; 04-23-2009 at 02:42 PM.
04-23-2009, 04:17 PM
#11
Driven to Perfection
Nice install, sounds like you're dropping some major coin. Not to go too far off topic, but how are you planning on integrating / installing the new HU? Do you currently have factory nav? What about HFL?
04-23-2009, 06:59 PM
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As far as the HU, I'm taking a little cue from King of Pain. I'm using the metra kit for a Pontiac GTO 2004-2006 and modifying it a little to make it work. I don't have factory Nav or else I would have kept the factory HU. I am dropping more $ than I have ever spent on a system before but I think its worth it. I drive a lot so I want it to sound great and also look great.
04-27-2009, 09:47 AM
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Just got home from droppin it off. I'm excited to hear it. This place is impressive. They had a BMW 335 coupe that they had just finished. Very simple install. 2 arc audio 12's free air and holy crap did it sound awesome. He also said that mine would sound way better than that so I probably wont be able to sleep til its done.
04-28-2009, 11:58 PM
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So I stopped by the shop this morning to drop off some $ and I was so pleased to see that my entire car was already gutted. The alternator was removed and had been sent out (getting a 220 amp alternator
), the dash was taken apart, my front doors were all covered in dead skin (Rockford Fosgates sound deadening) and my entire trunk was covered in dead skin. There was a 1/0 gauge wire run from the battery to the rear and all the RCA's were already run. These guys are moving along nicely. I also dropped off the dreaded metal trim pieces around the radio to the body shop. I filled in the half circles last night with some fiberglass and bondo and all the metal trim that was in the car is being painted a cool blue color along with the amp covers. Gonna see what it looks like with a little color in the interior. While the car is at the shop, the interior guy came by and pulled the headliner (suede headliner). Hope to have some pics on friday or saturday the latest. Damn the suspense is killin me.
), the dash was taken apart, my front doors were all covered in dead skin (Rockford Fosgates sound deadening) and my entire trunk was covered in dead skin. There was a 1/0 gauge wire run from the battery to the rear and all the RCA's were already run. These guys are moving along nicely. I also dropped off the dreaded metal trim pieces around the radio to the body shop. I filled in the half circles last night with some fiberglass and bondo and all the metal trim that was in the car is being painted a cool blue color along with the amp covers. Gonna see what it looks like with a little color in the interior. While the car is at the shop, the interior guy came by and pulled the headliner (suede headliner). Hope to have some pics on friday or saturday the latest. Damn the suspense is killin me.
04-29-2009, 11:51 AM
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Burning Brakes
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Ed where are you having it done...
Trew let me know if you are going to stop by with ed I will head over too...
EDIT: as long as its not in south miami or the damn keys I know you guys like to have stuff done damn far away...LOL
Trew let me know if you are going to stop by with ed I will head over too...
EDIT: as long as its not in south miami or the damn keys I know you guys like to have stuff done damn far away...LOL
05-07-2009, 03:08 PM
#34
I don't want to reveal too much about this setup, but I've seen it in person and I was very impressed with the creativity and design of the build. These guys know how to build a system...
All I will say is Good luck getting that enclosure out of the trunk when you're ready to remove it!
All I will say is Good luck getting that enclosure out of the trunk when you're ready to remove it!
05-07-2009, 05:13 PM
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Ok, so I know you guys have been waiting for the final product but you're gonna have to wait a few more days. I went to check on the car and I wasn't impressed with the sound of the subs and neither was the installer. He went with a design for the enclosure that Image Dynamics provided him but it turned out to be junk. So he's ripping the whole thing out and building an enclosure his way. I have been very impressed with the installers quality of work and level of customer service. He has no problem with ripping it out and starting all over as long as I am happy with the final result. You don't usually find businesses like that anymore. Anyway hopefully monday I will have the car back and can show you guys some pics. Believe me, I am dying for this to be done already.
05-07-2009, 05:18 PM
#38
Good luck with everything, I had my system installed last Summer and it wasn't up to my expectations. I'm gonna make some improvements and hopefully it'll sound better.
Oh BTW, can you direct me to the money tree that you and Trew recently came across???
Oh BTW, can you direct me to the money tree that you and Trew recently came across???
05-07-2009, 05:24 PM
#39
Ed that really sucks man. They had to put in at least 8 hours of labor into that enclosure. I can't believe it didn't sound good. I'm glad they agreed to scrap it though. I just hope the second time is the charm...
05-07-2009, 05:34 PM
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He said he wont let me leave until I am happy with the final result. I told him for as much $ that I am spending there, I want it to sound good but when I want to I can also make your ears hurt. So we'll see. By the way Trew, we gotta pay for the new mods, so operation "The Eagle Has Landed" is on. Remember, "The Ice Cream Has No Bones. Hooty Hooo!!!!!!"