Hi Guys:

Since buying my TSX in May one of things I wanted to improve first was the stereo. I have a budget of $2,000 that is going to include professional installation. My objective in upgrading the sound system is hear more detail out of the music with a nice clean sound. Right now I typically don't push the volume much over 25. Most of the time it's at between 12 and 16 - mabye 25 with the windows down.

I'd like to change out all the speakers and add a new four channel amp that would go under the front passenger seat or mount up under the rear package shelf. After having visited four shops here in the San Diego area here is what I've been told/quoted etc.

System 1

Focal Speakers 165V2's up front, possible 165CV in rear doors and 690CV for the x9's in back. Amp would be an Audison SRX-4 60x4 that appears as though it would fit under the front passenger seat. This with install was just shy of $2500.

System 2

Alpine SPX-177R for front speakers and JBL P653 speakers to replace the x9's in back. Alpine MRV-F540 4x80 amp, this leaves the rear door speakers in place. This shop also recommended putting the tweeters near the front door speakers and make a custom enclosure for them. This install was just a little over $2900.

System 3 (from the same shop as System 2)

Same front speakers as System 2, keep the rear door speakers in place and remove the x9's. Replace them with a 10" freeair sub (Alumapro MX-10) and an Arc Audio 4x80 amp mounted under the rear deck. This install would run almost $3600.

So you can see it hasn't taken much to over spend my planned budget. Now system #3 doesn't fit either my budget or space requirements. I cycle a lot and need to haul my road bike. The sub and big amp would be take up valuable trunk space I'm afraid.

In order to save some installer hours it seems it might be cheaper to put the new tweeters in the stock dash location versus having a custom enclousure built. I might add that I also like "rear fill." Not a lot but I like the sense it provides in a car. That's one reason I want to replace the rear door speakers and like home systems I want to go with the same speaker brand throughout and "timbre match" them all together.

So any comments you could pass along I'd appreiate. As you can see I'm not on a real tight budget but I'm amazed how fast you can spend money on quality car audio. The other thing that surprised me was the labor to install. On system #3 almost half that is for labor ..... ouch!

Thanks for any help you guys could provide on system choices, design, intall etc.

 

Here is my .

I just finished getting my stereo upgraded. Alpine MRV-F340 for power, PG Octane ZR-6.5's in the front (replaced factory doors and dash tweeters), PG Octane R 6.9's in the back. I disconnected the rear doors. I could have gone up a step for the 6x9's, but the price was good. I took it to a decent install shop, but it was their first TSX. Overall they did a good clean job. It just took them a little longer to get it done. Sound quality is nice and clean, I can't wait for them to fully break in. I am still playing with different fades to find the best sound. "Rear Fill" is plenty. With the stereo faded 3 or 4 to the front it is pretty well balanced front and rear.

Since I am in Canada the costs don't translate directly. My install cost (including wires and line convertors) was $800. Add equipment and it should easily meet your budget. If you don't like the fill you can add a two channel later and new rear door speakers.

 

Running Focal with Arc sounds great.

I'd be very curious to hear your set up after it is installed since I am here in San Diego as well.

My vote would be to beef up the front stage with a nice amp. Without a sub - I'm scratching my head as to why the install and equipment would make the price upwards of 2500.

 

hey Tiguron, how do you like the MRV-F340? im planning on getting one to power my type r components and type s 6x9s, leaving the rear doors either powered by the stock amp or just disconnected all together

 

comments?

 

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/689754

That is my best friends install - I was like a little fly buzzing in his ear the whole time with my and it turned out very good. I believe he got everything plus install for under 3000.

 

They all sound high, except the cost of living in your area might be the factor.

I like Focal speakers, a lot.

I think I've never heard of Audison.

Timbre matching to me applies to home audio not car audio, because home now-a-days is 5.1(or 6.1 or 7.1), car is left and right (for most people). Someone correct me if I'm missing something about the timbre matching er technique? or method? whatever you'd call it.

BUT, most people tend to stick to one brand, but I'd guess it's more because they prefer the brand over all or that the shop they bought from only had a few brands to pick from anyway, not that people are looking for matched sets of speakers.

 

Audison is a serious serious amp company.

Others that I consider in the same league are Arc Audio, Zapco, Tru Technology, Brax/Helix, Linear Power, and Sifoni.

 

cfox1952, which shops have you visited in SD?

I had terrible results over the years in retail in putting freeair subs in Honda Accord trunks with fold-down rear seats (as opposed to fixed rear seats). The steel plates inside, that create the load floor when the seat is folded down, stop a lot of SPL... and you just can't run freeair subs that hard. I think it's a bad idea, especially given how you describe your listening.

According to the manual I found on the English section of the Audison parent web site in Italy, that amp SHOULD fit under the pass seat. There is a rubber plug that will need to be modified, the stuffing under the carpet will have to be pulled out, and you may need to shim the rear of the seat up with 2 washers under each foot (appx 3mm).

If you use 6x9 woofs in the rear deck and run them high enough to play some midbass, you will find that it provides a pleasing ambiance. Three-way six-by-nines are a Stalinist plot and all good Americans avoid them. Buy the MB Q 6x9 woofs and run them as mid-woofs.

I suspect that those Focals in front and that Audison amp could have a very dry sound... and the Focal kit has a 3.5kHz crossover, which is higher than I would recommend you go with with the factory dash locations (not enough upper midrange coming out of the tweeter for my tastes). So if you go with the Focals, I would consider placing the tweets down in the kick panels.

I also think that the 4-Ch amp can't control 6 speakers properly from a tuning perspective... so (surprise) I'm suggesting that you skip the R doors, and go with 6x9 woofers in the R deck.

You can always add the R speaks later.

 

First, thanks guys for all the great comments and ideas.

Focalmatic - your more than welcome to come listen when I'm done and thanks for the link to your friends install.

Elduderino - places I've visted so far:
1) San Diego Car Stereo
2) Sound Check
3) Diamond Auto Sound
4) Progressive Mobile
5) La Jolla Audio
6) Street Noyz
7) Audio Outkast

The first four I wasn't impressed with their facility or the people I spoke to. The last three all are first rate shops, were helpful and knew their product. Now, I might mention that System #2 & 3 were from La Jolla Audio. It's a high end shop and while I was there they had a 360 Ferrari Modena in the service bay. No wonder labor install was quoted at $85/hr.

Since I posted my impressions earlier today I've since revisted Street Noyz (system 1) and have come up with this.

Focal 165 K2P in front door/tweets - This is from their K2 Power line
Focal 165 CA for R door - from Access line
Focal 165 CA for the x9's again Access line.
Audison 4 channel amp to run fronts and rear deck speakers.
Dynamat extreme door kit for front speakers
Labor, cables (twisted) and parts we come in at just under $2,300.

My plan is to run the R door speakers from the factory amp. Ideally, I want to use the head unit controls to set fade, balance etc. once the system is in.

The last shop (#7) is a local Morel dealer. We've just spoken on the phone and he's recommending I use the Integra Ovations for the R doors and either the Hybrid Ovation or Dotech MkII for the front speakers. I'm hoping to visit him tomorrow and discuss further and see what he may offer for amps etc.

So, that's it for now - thanks again for all your feedback most appreciated.

 

Wow... I was guessing that LJA had designed the first system.

I slightly know Scott at La Jolla Audio and I used to work with his former partner, who is still a friend.

Something I forgot to mention... install is soooo critical. How the speakers are mounted in the door (check my "building spacers" thread for photos). Look at the pics and then ask how they'll do it (heck, print the pics and say I want this...) A shop can have the better gear but not neccesarily be more rigorous about install consistency (most stereo shops aren't rigorous... )

If they have any questions about how to do the amp interface and keep the R channels, I've done it, I'll walk them through it if you like.

I would also suggest asking LJA about the availibility of any SPX-F13M or 17M sets from last year, with the Scan-made chambered tweeter.

Nice methodical approach... I bet you are driving some kid sales-droids nuts.

 

Only had it for a few days now. So far I love it, but I haven't pushed it too hard yet. For the size of speakers I am driving the power is plenty. Haven't put it past 20 yet and it is clean and has lots of power to spare. Of course the fact that I got a scary price on it ($199 CDN for a refurb ) helps my opinion. If I ever decide to push more bass out of my system I will get another amp for the subs. The only down side I have with my system is some minor whine. It is only noticeable at very low volume (under 5) and is barely audible. I will try moving some grounds around to see if it helps. The Alpine is not to blame for the noise.

If you want a 4 channel that will provide plenty of clean sound, the 340 is a good amp. I mounted mine in the trunk. Not sure if it will fit under the seat, I don't think there is room.

 

Elduderino:

I met Scott briefly while I was at LJA - the guy I've been dealing with is Donald Fung. I was very impressed with the shop (clean, neat) and had a good feeling about their professionlism. I'm just choking a bit over the install pricing. They also carry Dynaudio which sounded great but with speakers and amps was way above what I wanted to spend. I'll email Donald today and ask about getting the SPX-F13m or 17M Alpines you mentioned.

I forgot to mention while at Street Noyz yesterday we did a trial fit of the Audison amp under the front seat - it fit fine as you surmised. I mentioned to them about adding some spaces on the rear seat supports to insure clearance per your post.

Also wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading your posts while searching the archives for info about the TSX system. Your knowlege, professionlism and williness to help definitly befits your title of VP of Electricity! And yes, I'll take you up on your offer to assist in the amp interface etc. once I pick the shop. The interface aspect of this sounds critical so might be sending you a PM to provide some assistance.

I plan to give the shop doing the install the wiring diagram, printout of your posts on the spaces and the other one showing how to remove the front door panels. I figure the more information I provide the less opportunity for mishaps during the install.

After I visit the last shop (today or tomorrow) I'll be getting very close to making a decision as to who will be taking my car apart. Thanks again for all the guidance and ideas so far ....... very much appreicated.

 

I replace the doors speakers with 4 6.5" Infinity References speakers. The 6x9 on the back were replaced by Infinity References of the same size. To add more bass I put an Infinity Bass Link on the trunk. The sound is louder and clear than the factory and there is a lot of thump coming from the trunk.

 

I replace the doors speakers with 4 6.5" Infinity References speakers. The 6x9 on the back were replaced by Infinity References of the same size. To add more bass I put an Infinity Bass Link on the trunk. The sound is louder and clear than the factory and there is a lot of thump coming from the trunk. I wanted to keep the factory look in the car.

 

I replace the doors speakers with 4 6.5" Infinity References speakers. The 6x9 on the back were replaced by Infinity References of the same size.
To add more bass I put an Infinity Bass Link on the trunk. The sound is louder and clear than the factory and there is a lot of thump coming from the trunk.

I didnt wanted to add an amp to keep as more space on my trunk. Not into the whole car system anymore. The total cost for the system came doinw to around a $1000 with installation.

Hope this help a little.