Hello Audiophiles and Gear Heads:
I request your assistance/opinion on how best to develop/implement a complete system installation. While not a newbie to high end audio, I do not have expertise in car audio installation and request your collective comments and suggestions on how best to proceed.
Listening Preferences: I am interested in creating what I understand is called an SQ audio system. My musical preferences start with symphonic, baroque to romantic, followed by jazz, big band, acoustic, electronic and rock, if the music generally involves complex melodies or harmonies. Truthfully, I listen to a wide variety of sounds; if it's good sound it's good sound. I play music at average to slightly higher than average sound levels, but not excessively loud.
Goal: I am trying to create a system that will fit my current vehicle as well as be transferable for installation into a future planned vehicle. Currently, the car is a vintage Kia Sedona with an infinity premium sound system stock installed; hopefully, in 2-3 years, replacing that with a Sedan; preferably a Lexus 300ES or 350, possibly a hybrid version. The current Kia power system is I believe 1000 watts with a 150 amp alternator.
Current planned upgrade. First, replace the existing head unit with a Kenwood Excelon DDX9907; my understanding is it has 6 RCA preamp outlets with 5-6 volts per channel plus a subwoofer outlet, takes FLAC files, Hi Res audio and radio stations, built in CD, and lossless audio wired or wireless with apple car play.
This would then be connected into a Helix Ultra S DSP with 12 channels of processing.
The Helix Ultra would be powered by 4 amps: Two Morel 4.400 amps, 70 watts each channel, class a/b, with each one amp powering the left and the right front speaker set for sound separation; one infinity Kappa Four, 125 wats, with two channels for L/R backfill and one channel powering a center speaker (or possibly 2 center speakers as asked below); and one Infinity 3004a Reference subwoofer amp powering a subwoofer with 300 watts bridged. Why the infinities? Because I already own them and would to like to use them than buy new.
Speakers:
The subwoofer would be an ORION XTR8SWH2. It is 8" because it fits the hole in the current vehicle as well as fits the hole in future Sedan as well as being a free air sub. So I do not lose usable trunk space ard/or have space to install an extra battery if needed in a future hybrid car. Very deep bass is not associated as a general rule with symphonic music especially not baroque, think Vivaldi or Mozart. Moreover I prefer accurate bass than booming loud sound bass.
The rear fill is proposed to be Morel Tempo Integra 6x9. Why? Well 6x9 fits the current car and could fit a future Sedan. Also, it's just rear fill and I do not want to spend a fortune on rear speakers. While I would like an SQ car sound, I have no intertion of SQ competition. this build is solely for personal enjoyment. However, I am open to going component in back. Opinons?
The front is the most problematic. A center speaker would be used to listen to sports, talk radio, news and weather. The Center is currently planned to be replaced by a TANG full range 4" mid which I also currently own.
Both regular speaker sides would consist of the following 4 way. Yes, a 4 way. Midbass would be Morel Carbon Elate MW6 6.5; Midrange Morel MM3 3.5.; Tweeter; preferably a Dayton Audio AMT 2-4 (or a Mundorf 60s); and a super tweeter, a Dayton Audio Mini 8. The MW6 mounted in door panels possibly angled in pods upwards. The MM3 placed in a valicar aluminum pods, in both cars mounted on the dash angled towards driver center. And Both Daytons placed in the A pillars either in pods. Why Morel? I like the Morel warm sound,
Overall Opinions to this project?
Specific Questions:
1. I was thinking about inserting another regular tweeter behind the center mid full range firing backward to provide center stage localization similar in concept to a center speaker set up in a 7.1 home audio movie/tv system. No idea if this works in a car situation.
2. I was thinking of connecting the Dayton tweeter set in parallel or series powered by one channel of Morel amps on each side, rather that each tweeter on a separate channel, because the Daytons take only 50 and 15 watts of power. Also, thought about a 9000 hz? passive crossover between the Dayton 2-4 and the mini 8 in addition to relying on the Helix DSP to prevent mini 8 blowout and/or minimize "hiss," though I recognize that some "hiss" is what gives a super tweeter the air of a super tweeter sound (also people say there is only hiss at high SPL).
3. Using Mundorf 60 rather than DA 2-4.
4. If 2, then bridging two channel of the Morels to power each of the MW6s.
5. As noted above, going component in the rear. If so, what components are recommended? I was thinking of Morel CDX 3.5s and either 6s or a tweeter set I have and never used, Hyquphon Elites.
I believe in planning rather than buying and replacing. So, any thoughts would be greatly and deeply appreciated to prevent mistakes.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
