Help me design my audio system (04 XLT)

[blitzk]

I have a Pioneer AVIC-D2 head unit hooked up... everything else (audio wise) is stock.

I want to replace the 4 door speakers and add a small sub in the back...

Something that is cleaner/louder than stock, but I don't need something that will win me any awards.

I've got about a grand total to spend on it...

Soo.... any ideas?

 

[DOZIER]

Are you gonna want to put an amp on the door speakers?
How powerful of a sub do you want? Rock or rap?

 

[blitzk]

Do I want to put an amp on the door speakers? no... will I have to, to make it sound good? probably. I'm just unsure where I'd mount it and the best way to route the wires.

As far as sub goes, I listen mainly to rock, but rap isn't out of the question. I don't want it to be huge and the sub&amp must be removeable without a lot of work.

Thanks man!

 

[JasonF]

My setup which I would recommend for you:

Sub: I have a 12" Infinity Perfect sub in an EFX sealed box. I am VERY satisfied with this setup, the bass is phenomenal and the box is simple to take out if I need cargo space, plus the box itself is only about $30 from buy.com.

Amp: Infinity 7541 amp on the floor in the 3rd row. It is easy to run wires to this location and it is hidden from view. Putting it here means there is no foot space for one 3rd row rider, but how often do you have 2 riders back there?

I am using the amp to power the front speakers and the sub, and it works great.

Jason

 

[Havalilsi]

Do I want to put an amp on the door speakers? no... will I have to, to make it sound good? probably. I'm just unsure where I'd mount it and the best way to route the wires.

As far as sub goes, I listen mainly to rock, but rap isn't out of the question. I don't want it to be huge and the sub&amp must be removeable without a lot of work.

Thanks man!

If you run enough power to make a sub worthwhile, you will need power on the other speakers. You could maybe look into a nice 3 channel amp to push everything or 5 channel if you need fading. The last time I built a system it I used Soundstream Exact 6 top end and two 12 pushed by a Xtant 601. The amp alonw would kill your budget and the speakers would the double it, but that was over 6 years ago. Today i see Rockford Fosgate Amps making big power for Cheap. You should be able to get a decent amp for $1 or less per watt.

 

[Brandons]

Just a few things,

Amp rms should be the same (or close) as the subs rms.

If your concerned about powering door speakers get some of them crossovers and have the door speakers on treble only. The wee capacitors that cancel out bass.

 

[Havalilsi]

Here are some less expensive ideas that will sound waaay better than stock.

I used to love Punch amps back in the 90s and in all fairness I don't know if the same quality is there, but here is a decent amp with Xover to help keep those top end speakers alive.
http://www.rockfordfosgate.com/prod...id=6&family_id=21&item_id=106471&locale=en_US
Then you just need the subs and top end speakers. Amulti channel chassis gives you a smaller footprint and less components to incuce noise or that can go bad.

Then there is stuff from Circuit City, wich have pretty decent prices. I've never used these brands, but for the money...

http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/prod...RD+AUDIO+SYSTEM&carFilter=true&c=1&oid=150746
This bad boy just needs power wire and audio signal and you're good to go.

Another choice for top end amp is this one. I've used MTX subwoofers, but not their amps.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/MTX-...43779/catOid/-13644/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Then mids and highs.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Kick...30631/catOid/-13645/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Boom, there ya go, under the wire, then add about $100 bucks for power wire and RCA cables and connerctors and you've got the BOOM.

 

[Fordpwnzchevy]

He should be able to control all the crossover frequencies from his HU. It has 3 sets of pre-outs so they more than likely have hpf on the front two and lpf on the non-fading output. I would also suggest if you can get an amp small enough for the doors to put it where the stocker went so you dont have to re-run wires and it wont be obtrusive or even visible. Just my 2 cents.

 

[blitzk]

Thanks guys... all the info helps!

I have that small storage area where the 3rd seats are (I don't have a 3rd seat X), I could fit an amp there.... but I would have to run all my audio wires to it, and then back to the doors. If I have to do that, I will... but its probably not the best place.

Were does the stock amp go? I didn't ever have the factory amp system...

I think I kinda want to go with the Infinity (kappa) line of stuff.

Should I go with 6x8's or 5 1/4's?

For the amp I'm thinking of going with the 7541a for the 4 door speakers...

As far as sub goes, I havn't decided yet... but I can add a sub/amp later after I install the door speakers and amp.

 

[greenblinker]

i've got an 04' xls without the third seat option as well and i was able to mount my sub amp in the front half of the floor storage if that makes sense. i mounted my distrobution blocks in the lower trough, and ran the wires to the upper part where i mounted the amp itself. i had all my powers come up the drivers side and my line signal up the passenger side. when i don't want my sub in the back i have 2 wire caps that i keep with the amp, i just cap the wires pull the access cover out of the storage bay and throw the whip in there and put the cover back. nobody is any wiser that i even have an amp in there.

 

[blitzk]

Cool, thats what I was looking at today. I could install both amps up under that storage area and keep it closed. When I remove the sub box nothing will be noticeable.

I might end up running out of space for running all the speaker wires on the pass side. I have video (rear seat DVD, front navi, rear camera) and other (pioneer wire from SIRIUS unit) wires...

 

[blitzk]

As of right now, here is whats on my shopping list...

2x Infinity perfect 12.1 subs
powered by the 611a amp

4x (2 pair) either kappa 50.7cs or the 680.7cs speakers
powered by the 7541a amp

I'll have to either build or buy a dual 12" sub box, all the wires, etc...

It's probably a little more then I wanted to spend, but I think it will be a kickass system, and not be too crazy.

What do you guys think?

 

[davesexplorer]

Sounds nice, you could look into www.knukonceptz.com for great wire at an affordable price, I personally use Stinger, Kicker, Knukonceptz and a bit of welding cable. The latter is the cheapest.

 

[expo5.0]

it sounds good- i'd rather have the jbl name on my stuff personally, but it's gonna sound the same.

 

[Jordan00Escalade]

Have you thought about the bazooka bass tube? I have a set of Infinity 6810cs 5x7 component speakers.. They mount in factory front/rear slots without adaptor brackets or modifications. The sound they reproduce is great, and the plus 1 midrange cone give you deeper bass in your midranges. I haven't hooked them up to an amp yet and I love them already.

Check out that 10" bazooka bass tube, and don't knock it till you hear one for yourself.

 

[blitzk]

Have you thought about the bazooka bass tube? I have a set of Infinity 6810cs 5x7 component speakers.. They mount in factory front/rear slots without adaptor brackets or modifications. The sound they reproduce is great, and the plus 1 midrange cone give you deeper bass in your midranges. I haven't hooked them up to an amp yet and I love them already.

Check out that 10" bazooka bass tube, and don't knock it till you hear one for yourself.

Yeah, I thought about them... but I have 2 12" infinity perfect 12.1's sitting next to me right now, so I think I'll use those.

I ordered a pair of Infinity kappa 60.7CS (6 1/2") too. I think I'll put those in the front door... but I'm looking at the kappa perfect 6.1's and if they fit, I might use those and put the 60.7cs's in the rear.

*shrugs*... and to think a few weeks ago I was going to leave it stock... hahah