Can you install 3 ways using stock locations?

[GreyGTI 10+ year member]

Time has come to start making my purchases and I'm stuck between 3way and comps. I really don't want to tear my car apart to install a 3way system and was wondering about some things.

I have decided to only go with a front stage and no rear fill and was wondering can you install the third speaker of a 3way system in the rear stock speaker location? I have a small VW GTI. Would that work?

Another question I have is about the amp. Do you still use a 2 channel amp to run a three way system?

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[Chevyaudio 5,000+ posts]

are you talking about a 3 way active, or a 3 way passive system like the JL XR 3 ways?

 

[GreyGTI 10+ year member]

Passive like the Rainbow SLC 365

 

[JoeHemi57 10+ year member]

what year GTI? The new style Mk V's you can run the SLC 365 or the ICQ line from Rainbow as well depending on whether you are after ease of install or higher performance.

 

[GreyGTI 10+ year member]

Its a 2004 (MK4).

 

[JoeHemi57 10+ year member]

Its a 2004 (MK4).

i only know about the new ones, but according to Rainbows info on the car specific lines you can only go 2 way using the factory locations.

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

You do NOT want to split a 3-way set up beween the front and rear of a vehicle. You would end up with the most incoherent soundstage ever. The highs and midbass up front but the majority of the sound coming from behind you.

 

[GreyGTI 10+ year member]

Good point. I guess that makes that makes my decision a little bit easier since I don't want to start cutting holes in my car.

What about amping? Is bi amping components really worth it?

 

[helotaxi 5,000+ posts]

Is bi amping components really worth it?

Depends. If you are want simple, don't bother with biamping. Let the passive crossover do its job and just go with two channels of amplification. If you have the time, patience and money going with a fully active setup can work very well. You will need 4 channels of amplification and an active crossover that can handle the frequency division between the drivers. You also need the time and patience to adjust everything to make it worth the money and effort. Two channels of power and the passive network provided with the comps are much simpler and cheaper and usually more than adequate for the majorityof people.

 

[GreyGTI 10+ year member]

SWEET. This thread is really helping me out making decisions.

I'm thinking of going with the ZED Deuce 2 channel.

 

[alphakenny1 10+ year member]

nice choice of amp and yea i'd keep it simple and stick with the passive crossover.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

I find mk4's nice cars for sound. If indeed you go with the SLC or you'll have no problem placing the tweet behind the factory sails, or getting good midbass out of those doors. The Zed is a solid amplifier choice as well. Good luck.