Building the top notch SQ system

[tommymilan311]

Okay. This is going to be a future project. Probably sometime a few years down the line. I want to start looking toward my next big build. I'm very concerned with SQ.

What I'll need is... Everything. I'll more than likely be changing out my head unit. I very much like my Pioneer. Pioneer AVH-X3600BHS and yes I did get that from Crutchfield (when its all said and done, couldn't get it new for cheaper with all the wiring and dash kit). I like this HU very much. It give me control over my high pass from the HU, so I can cut off my sub or lower it after hours and play my door speakers full range, change it back to a high pass when I'm banging the subs. Its nice, I like it. Good output to the amps too. My heart isn't set on this if there is a better one that can give off a better sound.

I currently have all Type R speakers. I have Type R components W/tweeters in the front, and have the Type R components W/O the tweeters in the rear. Coaxial speakers didn't fit because the center tweeter sticks out past the grill on my door. I have 2 10" in the trunk. All this powered with a Alpine M110 for the subs, and a SO M4075 for the doors. It sounds good to me, but my next build MUST BE BETTER!

The plan is going to do this build on my next car. Probably wont be for 3,4,5 maybe even 6 years, I doubt it takes that long, I just wanna get a hefty chunk of this loan paid off before trading it. I currently have a Kia Optima. Love the car, a real nice ride. I'll probably trade it for another Kia. I'll either get another Optima, or upgrade to a Cadenza or a K9.

So, what suggestions can I get to point me in the right directions of my next setup? HU, Door speakers, Subs, Amps.

The reason I ask now it to prepare for the financial feat, money shouldn't be much of an issue as long as I'm not getting $1250 a piece speakers //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif Something like this seems nice though: Q12 - Fi Car Audio Store

Thanks

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[TaylorFade 10+ year member]

If you are planning a build for 3-6 years down the road... you don't need suggestions for gear available today. You need to spend that time reading and doing research.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

In 3-6 years I predict you will not want to change out the head unit in a new car. The industry is in a major shift right now and your beloved X6300BHS is going to be left in the dust. What you're going to need is an OEM integration expert.

 

[tommymilan311]

If you are planning a build for 3-6 years down the road... you don't need suggestions for gear available today. You need to spend that time reading and doing research.

That's why I'm asking about equipment and brands, something to steer me in the right direction, price wise and research wise. I thought I knew what I was doing and what I wanted until I go what I have. Started with 1 sub is a not so good box. Wondered why it sounded bad. Found this place, and learned that I don't have top notch. So I'm now looking to one up (or 2, 3, 4, 10 up) this one with my next one. So the research starts now. I just need a starting ground. DD seems like a nice way to go, but IDK if I really wanna spend that much money, I do have access, and the dealer seem fare on pricing. There is also FI what has the Q series, I've been refereed over there. Not sure how I feel about Sundown for my build. I have no idea what a good door speaker would be. My Alpines are really nice and clear, no fuzz at high volumes which I really like.

But, when internet researching, Brands like Sundown, FI, DD, and other don't come into the discussion. When doing mine, It always came down to JL and Alpine, and now I know that those aren't necessarily the best. So I'm just looking at being sent in the right direction this time in my research.

 

[fasfocus00 5,000+ posts]

That's why I'm asking about equipment and brands, something to steer me in the right direction, price wise and research wise. I thought I knew what I was doing and what I wanted until I go what I have. Started with 1 sub is a not so good box. Wondered why it sounded bad. Found this place, and learned that I don't have top notch. So I'm now looking to one up (or 2, 3, 4, 10 up) this one with my next one. So the research starts now. I just need a starting ground. DD seems like a nice way to go, but IDK if I really wanna spend that much money, I do have access, and the dealer seem fare on pricing. There is also FI what has the Q series, I've been refereed over there. Not sure how I feel about Sundown for my build. I have no idea what a good door speaker would be. My Alpines are really nice and clear, no fuzz at high volumes which I really like.
But, when internet researching, Brands like Sundown, FI, DD, and other don't come into the discussion. When doing mine, It always came down to JL and Alpine, and now I know that those aren't necessarily the best. So I'm just looking at being sent in the right direction this time in my research.

you are clearly missing the point of what he said. by your logic, more expensive equals better. maybe you should just buy a Mosconi or Illusion since you are refusing to learn about what goes into making sound quality. try learning about signal to noise ratio, thd, flac, etc.... you can start with a book.

 

[tommymilan311]

In 3-6 years I predict you will not want to change out the head unit in a new car. The industry is in a major shift right now and your beloved X6300BHS is going to be left in the dust. What you're going to need is an OEM integration expert.

It will likely be much harder. My 2012 Cruze's factory HU was completely integrated in the car. I think you had to keep the factory HU and there was a nifty little spot to place another after market HU underneath. But the car wouldn't run right without the factory HU. But, unless they have amp pre outs, I'll likely be looking for a new HU. And as far as the X3600BHS. I'll probably be getting an upgraded model from Pioneer if I do go that rout. Pricing shouldn't change too much, I'm I'm trying to calculate how much I should/want to spend on my next build.

 

[hone]

Don't research equipment, research how to improve your install and tuning. Great equipment is nothing without a good install and tune.

Learn that stuff, then when you get close to being ready for install look for equipment(new stuff will be out by then). With all you could learn in that amount of time you probably won't need any recommendations on equipment because you'll be able to figure out what will work best in your scenario.

 

[fly_marlin]

That's why I'm asking about equipment and brands, something to steer me in the right direction, price wise and research wise. I thought I knew what I was doing and what I wanted until I go what I have. Started with 1 sub is a not so good box. Wondered why it sounded bad. Found this place, and learned that I don't have top notch. So I'm now looking to one up (or 2, 3, 4, 10 up) this one with my next one. So the research starts now. I just need a starting ground. DD seems like a nice way to go, but IDK if I really wanna spend that much money, I do have access, and the dealer seem fare on pricing. There is also FI what has the Q series, I've been refereed over there. Not sure how I feel about Sundown for my build. I have no idea what a good door speaker would be. My Alpines are really nice and clear, no fuzz at high volumes which I really like.
But, when internet researching, Brands like Sundown, FI, DD, and other don't come into the discussion. When doing mine, It always came down to JL and Alpine, and now I know that those aren't necessarily the best. So I'm just looking at being sent in the right direction this time in my research.

Type-r is a good speaker and if powered properly, what you have now probably already sounds decent. What are you looking for in terms of "better?" What's lacking right now? You want to take this opportunity to build on so that your next setup is really better. In this time you should go to some shows and listen to what others are doing, see what you like and what you don't.

Btw $1250 speakers would be a good place to start, if you spend it on the right item. However, this must be justified. Higher end speakers can offer a lot, but you must be able to appreciate it. One of the things you'll notice with better speakers is in the sound stage. Every instrument will have its own place on your dash and you'll even be able to tell that one is further than the other. There're others things along those lines that you'll want to listen to. You have to be a bit OCD to truly enjoy all this. Again, all this is quite subjective. Most of my friends think that if you can turn it up until your ears bleed and it doesn't distort, that's as good as SQ gets. I'm not one to tell them different.

 

[C1500martin 10+ year member]

Ypu want "top notch sq" but dont want to spend money??? Well goodluck there. Sq IS subjective though so you might be happy with your "sq" system while an audiobile will be thinking "wtf is this." This being said start reading.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/car-audio-build-logs-cars-trucks-suvs/608637-2014-accord-sport-sq-build-keep_hope_alive.html

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Study install techniques and processing. Look at tuning tools and software for processing. You can have nice stuff and a nice processor, if you don't know how to use it you will get bad results. The front stage is the most important, you can get pretty much any sub to work if you know how.

 

[tommymilan311]

Ypu want "top notch sq" but dont want to spend money??? Well goodluck there. Sq IS subjective though so you might be happy with your "sq" system while an audiobile will be thinking "wtf is this." This being said start reading.http://www.caraudio.com/forums/car-audio-build-logs-cars-trucks-suvs/608637-2014-accord-sport-sq-build-keep_hope_alive.html

Wow. Crazy how much he did. Lucky for me, I've got a long way to go to get onto this level //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif.

 

[LosIsATool 5,000+ posts]

Wow. Crazy how much he did. Lucky for me, I've got a long way to go to get onto this level //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif.

I didn't put that much into mine. My Ford has a surprising quiet interior already, it was a good platform for SQ.

http://www.caraudio.com/forums/car-audio-build-logs-cars-trucks-suvs/614986-jesus-me-sq-build-6.html

 

[tommymilan311]

Study install techniques and processing. Look at tuning tools and software for processing. You can have nice stuff and a nice processor, if you don't know how to use it you will get bad results. The front stage is the most important, you can get pretty much any sub to work if you know how.

Yeah. I don't think I'm 100% done with mine, or even 50%. I've got all my equipment and its installed. But after reading through the link posted above. I need to sound dampen everything and really get my car solid. I'm going to be doing this as my next project (isn't working on cars fun //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif) It is starting to look expensive. I have no clue how much MLV I need, but it ain't cheap. $55 for 25 sq/ft. Thats as far as I got for pricing so far. Still looking into the other things he used for sound dampening.

Edit:

Looking into this. I'm starting to get confused. In the post, the guy uses BXT II. Is that the best for the money? or the guys preference? I'm on another page where a guy tests them and lists that as one of the better ones. But how much do I need? http://www.caraudio.com/forums/audio-technix/516676-huge-deadener-comparison.html

He does all kinds of tests, but IDK what this really means. Do I want stretchy? or Heat resistant. I'm not all the way through yet. So maybe that will be revealed later.

 

[tommymilan311]

I didn't put that much into mine. My Ford has a surprising quiet interior already, it was a good platform for SQ.
http://www.caraudio.com/forums/car-audio-build-logs-cars-trucks-suvs/614986-jesus-me-sq-build-6.html

I think I'll need quite a bit. My car just doesn't sound too acoustic. I have quite a bit of reverb, especially out of the truck. My quarter panel also flexes like a mother. I can't play music at home so I don't get too many oportunities for videos. I'll take it down to the park one of these days and take a video. My phone must have gotten an update too, I can no longer play music and record videos... LAME

As for the fans.... I have 7 high RPM computer fans in my trunk. They roar. I can't hear them at all at low volumes. We just pick up 4 fans for my ladies car. They are high RPM ones too and glow red, fancy. Those were "quite" fans. I honestly can't hear them at all. We both have Kias and they had a nifty little foam piece that I cut some gussets out of for a completely hidden amp rack. It is pretty nifty. We needed the air flow however because it was a completely enclosed space. The ladies amp kept kicking off, but she has 4 12s and I don't think it is one ohm stable.

TBH, I bet her little system is as loud as some guys on here. When she is on her way home, I hear her about 5-10 minutes before she turns the corner. Speed limit is about 25, she probably goes 30-35, but for sake of argument, I'll use 25 MPH and 5 minutes, meaning I can hear her roughly 1.5-2 miles away. That is no joke either. I can start he hear her bass about 1-2 miles away. And that is a bit of a under estimate even. Not with her though, she claims to not slow ride through the neighborhood, but she could very well be going 10-15 MPH so everyone in the neighborhood can get a whiff of her musical stench. Enough to do a "hair trick" too. arm hair stands up pretty good. Head hair definitely moves (I have long hair) and my nose hair tickles pretty good. Hard to breath too. It also a wall in a little tiny kia soul //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[fly_marlin]

I think I'll need quite a bit. My car just doesn't sound too acoustic. I have quite a bit of reverb, especially out of the truck. My quarter panel also flexes like a mother. I can't play music at home so I don't get too many oportunities for videos. I'll take it down to the park one of these days and take a video. My phone must have gotten an update too, I can no longer play music and record videos... LAME
As for the fans.... I have 7 high RPM computer fans in my trunk. They roar. I can't hear them at all at low volumes. We just pick up 4 fans for my ladies car. They are high RPM ones too and glow red, fancy. Those were "quite" fans. I honestly can't hear them at all. We both have Kias and they had a nifty little foam piece that I cut some gussets out of for a completely hidden amp rack. It is pretty nifty. We needed the air flow however because it was a completely enclosed space. The ladies amp kept kicking off, but she has 4 12s and I don't think it is one ohm stable.

TBH, I bet her little system is as loud as some guys on here. When she is on her way home, I hear her about 5-10 minutes before she turns the corner. Speed limit is about 25, she probably goes 30-35, but for sake of argument, I'll use 25 MPH and 5 minutes, meaning I can hear her roughly 1.5-2 miles away. That is no joke either. I can start he hear her bass about 1-2 miles away. And that is a bit of a under estimate even. Not with her though, she claims to not slow ride through the neighborhood, but she could very well be going 10-15 MPH so everyone in the neighborhood can get a whiff of her musical stench. Enough to do a "hair trick" too. arm hair stands up pretty good. Head hair definitely moves (I have long hair) and my nose hair tickles pretty good. Hard to breath too. It also a wall in a little tiny kia soul //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

lol are you high? This is entertaining. After you do the deadening/decoupling, see about getting a processor...maybe just playing with the sound stage is all you need.