370Z in Central Florida - Dreams of SQ

[Chops]

Hi everyone!

It's been a long time since I've dabbled around in car audio. The last two systems built in 2003 and 2008. A lot has changed since those days, such as integrated bluetooth and steering wheel controls, none of which was in the last two vehicles that I did system installs in.

My goal is to have a simple, cost effective system with a nice, quality front stage. No tweeters, no passive crossovers, one amp, maybe a couple of subs, but I'll save that for my build thread.

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[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Am I reading that right.....no tweeters?
@Jeffdachef can more than likely get you on track.

 

[Chops]

[quote name='Boomin_tahoe']Am I reading that right.....no tweeters?
@Jeffdachef can more than likely get you on track.[/QUOTE]

Yes sir. I'm running wideband 2.75" drivers in the dash, actively crossed over at 1.25 kHz.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Yes sir. I'm running wideband 2.75" drivers in the dash, actively crossed over at 1.25 kHz.

Ah, that would explain why. Horn drivers....are they Image Dynamics?

 

[Chops]

Ah, that would explain why. Horn drivers....are they Image Dynamics?

Haha... No, not quite. I wish. I'm just using some cheapie Memphis PRX27 cone drivers. They replace the stock nasty 2" cone tweeters that were crossed over at 8 kHz.

Well, I call them "cheapie", but they aren't half bad, and definitely tons better than the stock crud. They actually get some decent vocals up on the dash now.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Haha... No, not quite. I wish. I'm just using some cheapie Memphis PRX27 cone drivers. They replace the stock nasty 2" cone tweeters that were crossed over at 8 kHz.

I see. ID is the only company I could think of that has those drivers....unsure if any other company has them. How's that FL heat/humidity treatin' ya lol?! Been to Orlando a few times. Got to visit the amazing Daytona Beach last year, finally.

 

[Chops]

I see. ID is the only company I could think of that has those drivers....unsure if any other company has them. How's that FL heat/humidity treatin' ya lol?! Been to Orlando a few times. Got to visit the amazing Daytona Beach last year, finally.

This is what I have...

As for the heat and humidity... It stinks! Been here in FL since '82 when I was 7, and it still stinks. LOL

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

That's in the dash right? Terrible place for speaker imaging. But that's not the goal of automakers.

Ya some people can/cannot handle the FL heat....I could. It's like a giant sauna to me. I'll take it over the cold weather here.

 

[Chops]

That's in the dash right? Terrible place for speaker imaging. But that's not the goal of automakers.

It's a better place than nothing. Haha

I'm just using stock locations, no cutting or fabbing in this car. Also, being fully active and the ability to tweak time alignment, it's not too bad. And all of this tuning is just by ear. I use REW software to measure and tune my home system (which is also fully active via a dbx Driverack Venue 360). One of these days, I'll bring the laptop out to the car and do the same to compare to what the Pioneer will be able to do on its own.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

It's a better place than nothing. Haha
I'm just using stock locations, no cutting or fabbing in this car. Also, being fully active and the ability to tweak time alignment, it's not too bad. And all of this tuning is just by ear. I use REW software to measure and tune my home system (which is also fully active via a dbx Driverack Venue 360). One of these days, I'll bring the laptop out to the car and do the same to compare to what the Pioneer will be able to do on its own.

True...but a lot of sound and imaging is close to the person, not pointed at the windsheild,a-pillar , etc...want it as close to you as possible. Replacing in stock locations may not be good enough. Are you planning on competing?

 

[Chops]

True...but a lot of sound and imaging is close to the person, not pointed at the windsheild,a-pillar , etc...want it as close to you as possible. Replacing in stock locations may not be good enough. Are you planning on competing?

No comp. Just for my own pleasure. I'm not going to go crazy with this system. Just simple and reasonably priced... Hopefully.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

[quote name='Chops']No comp. Just for my own pleasure. I'm not going to go crazy with this system. Just simple and reasonably priced... Hopefully.[/QUOTE]

Gotcha. There's a few SQ oriented members on here @LosIsATool is pretty dam good at SQ and can prob direct/help you out. Jeff may be another, but he's a basshead...lol.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

This is what I have...

As for the heat and humidity... It stinks! Been here in FL since '82 when I was 7, and it still stinks. LOL

You'll never sound "good" out of those. 3" "full range" drivers might work at very low power/output levels (full range drivers in general is a debate) but trying to overcome the noise floor in a car at highway speeds you won't do much.

Simple solution is to see if you can find Q-form kick panels for your vehicle, they are very easy to plug and play some proper fronts. Get some mid-tier components or coaxials and call it a day.

I tried living in Florida for a couple years. Met locals who would just be kicking it in their house with a little fan in the window this time of year. Some said "you get used to it"... my gut told me that was a lie. I was physically sick 8 months out of the year from that jungle heat.

Ya some people can/cannot handle the FL heat....I could. It's like a giant sauna to me. I'll take it over the cold weather here.

That climate is fit for reptiles, not people. I can't even sleep at night if its over 70 degrees, 65 is about perfect. Up here the locals are wearing shorts and flip flops when there's still snow on the ground.

 

[Chops]

You'll never sound "good" out of those. 3" "full range" drivers might work at very low power/output levels (full range drivers in general is a debate) but trying to overcome the noise floor in a car at highway speeds you won't do much.
Simple solution is to see if you can find Q-form kick panels for your vehicle, they are very easy to plug and play some proper fronts. Get some mid-tier components or coaxials and call it a day.

I wouldn't say that. As it sits right now, I'm getting pretty good sound from this simple system so far. Granted, it's nowhere near the caliber of my active Martin Logan system here at home, but it's not bad either. And it's a heck of a lot better than the factory Bose system.

I'm just running these little drivers in the dash @ 1.25 kHz, the stock base door speakers from 40 Hz - 1.25 kHz, and the Pioneer head unit. With the little bit of Dynamat, Hushmat and Wave Breaker that I've installed, this little setup does pretty good at highway speeds.

Of course, I plan on upgrading the drivers in the doors, adding a 5-ch amp, a sub or two, and more dampening. Again, this system isn't for show or comp. It's just for me, but I want it to be flexible and sound good.

Oh, and I already looked into Q-Logic before. They don't make anything for the 370Z sadly enough.

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

I wouldn't say that. As it sits right now, I'm getting pretty good sound from this simple system so far. Granted, it's nowhere near the caliber of my active Martin Logan system here at home, but it's not bad either. And it's a heck of a lot better than the factory Bose system.
I'm just running these little drivers in the dash @ 1.25 kHz, the stock base door speakers from 40 Hz - 1.25 kHz, and the Pioneer head unit. With the little bit of Dynamat, Hushmat and Wave Breaker that I've installed, this little setup does pretty good at highway speeds.

Of course, I plan on upgrading the drivers in the doors, adding a 5-ch amp, a sub or two, and more dampening. Again, this system isn't for show or comp. It's just for me, but I want it to be flexible and sound good.

Oh, and I already looked into Q-Logic before. They don't make anything for the 370Z sadly enough.

At least consider 3" coaxials for that factory hole? Going without tweeter just seems like the weakest link here.