For those who own "well rounded systems"

[Eugenics 5,000+ posts]

when going for an SQ build, its the sad truth, but unless you plan on doing some serious work yourself in terms of building and tuning, $$$ is what makes an SQ system.

Nonsense. Its all about the install and tuning. Thats how a BMW with factory speaks can sweep a SQ comp. Ask gary biggs.

 

[Bumpin' Goalie 10+ year member]

Understanding how everything is affected by your car and other surroundings is key. As for you main questions. Your goal should be a very flat response curve.

Many people have had luck with Infinite Baffle for complimenting their other stages. Some even have good luck with Trunk Baffle.

Though I do not have a SQ setup, I consider my system SQL. I've accomplished this on a budget and am happy with the results.

Though sealed boxes are usually rec'd over ported boxes for SQ, I've moticed that I am finding more luck with a box tuned relatively low (30-32) hz to accompany my front stage.

Amps that deliver a clean and stable power supply will naturally sound better than amps throwing dirty power that can have spikes.

I strongly believe in somewhat transient and transparent lows, with everything becoming more detailed and punchy with rising frequencies.

Obviously deadening and proper wiring and electrical will be mentioned.

Imaging is crucial. Speaker placement, time alignment, x-overs all play a very important role in your listening experience. I try to limit the amount of reflections a sound wave goes through before reaching my ears.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to disagree with anything I've said, or promote anything I've said.

 

[kurtdirt1 10+ year member]

Understanding how everything is affected by your car and other surroundings is key. As for you main questions. Your goal should be a very flat response curve.
Many people have had luck with Infinite Baffle for complimenting their other stages. Some even have good luck with Trunk Baffle.

Though I do not have a SQ setup' date=' I consider my system SQL. I've accomplished this on a budget and am happy with the results.

Though sealed boxes are usually rec'd over ported boxes for SQ, I've moticed that I am finding more luck with a box tuned relatively low (30-32) hz to accompany my front stage.

Amps that deliver a clean and stable power supply will naturally sound better than amps throwing dirty power that can have spikes.

I strongly believe in somewhat transient and transparent lows, with everything becoming more detailed and punchy with rising frequencies.

Obviously deadening and proper wiring and electrical will be mentioned.

Imaging is crucial. Speaker placement, time alignment, x-overs all play a very important role in your listening experience. I try to limit the amount of reflections a sound wave goes through before reaching my ears.

Hope this helps.

Feel free to disagree with anything I've said, or promote anything I've said.[/quote']

Thank you for taking your time to reply to my post with an intelligent thought out response. This is exactly what I'm looking for. My builds in the past have pretty much all been build around my "sub stage" I wanted my bass to just hella beat and didn't care about much else but it got old after a while. Switching from rap to to any other genre and my system lacked horribly.

I now want a system that is "well rounded" I don't really listen to rap anymore so I need pointers from people with experience.. I love my country music and 80's rock //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif So I'm looking to build a system up that can handle my taste of music. I've grown out of "rap"

So pretty much what I'm gathering is that I need to make sure my components are mounted in a solid location. I have abs plastic kickpods so I guess I will need to glass them up. My mids will be down in the kick and my tweeters will be in the a pillars (i know this isn't the best but it will have to do for now) I also don't like having tweets down in the kicks because my legs get in the way of the tweeter and makes everything sound weird.

Okay now for sub enclosure....For the most part I'm set on building a solid sealed box with some kind of egg carton looking foam installed behind the sub (inside the closure on the opposite side of the sub) If I'm unhappy with the enclosure I will then rebuild and experiment with different designs.

The subwoofer i will be using isn't the best subwoofer but it's also not the worst out there. As I stated in my opening post there's something about lower power subs with paper cones and foam surrounds that my ears just really like.

I have also ordered 100sq foot of fat mat (i dont think it's going to be enough though) The one thing that I've been unsure about is "ensolite" not sure if I spelled that right but what's the deal with that stuff? Is it really worth the money and if so where should I put it first (will probably have to do it pieces at a time because of the price)? And what brands are the best bang for buck?

Thank you for all those who have contributed to this thread so far, it is greatly appreciated.

 

[mlstrass 5,000+ posts]

Decent HU with TA and multiple EQ bands would go a long way towards helping you achieve your "well rounded" sound.

I have a wall with 4 15's and my bass blends with my mids, so that's not a good indicator of SQ. Ported sub could work fine for your application especially if you like some impact on kick drums...

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

Simple...ignore what 90% of people do here, and don't worry about the subwoofer until the very last.

 

[Bumpin' Goalie 10+ year member]

Decent HU with TA and multiple EQ bands would go a long way towards helping you achieve your "well rounded" sound.
I have a wall with 4 15's and my bass blends with my mids, so that's not a good indicator of SQ. Ported sub could work fine for your application especially if you like some impact on kick drums...

x2

or some people opt for a separate EQ. Either way, i believe firmly in TA and other neat things that alot of modern decks can do.

Hell, I'm running a Kenwood x-693 and love it. Especially for less than 150.

Kenwood - KDC-X693

Also, make sure you have tweeters that match your listening style. (fabric, metal, etc)

Lastly, I've noticed the thing missing in most systems are the frequencies 60hz-120hz. People with poorly installed mids and improper woofer boxes struggle in this area. And it is very noticeable to go from having these frequencies to missing them.

Edit: The new Alpine deck in the ~300$ range includes Imprint iirc. And for only $300, it is quite advanced. Can't remember the name for the life of me. *googling* CDA-117. tah dah.

 

[AVX Mike 10+ year member]

Simple...ignore what 90% of people do here, and don't worry about the subwoofer until the very last.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/toast.gif.bc0657bf54b9ee653b6438524461341e.gif Well said.

I have an Alpine 9887 (sometimes a Pioneer 800PRS) Ultra 4200am 4 channel amp, currently a JBL BP 1200.1, 2-10" Ultra LV subs, and a set of Ultra componenets.

The Alpine runs the components in active mode as does the pioneer when I use that. The sub enclosure is a ported enclosure in the spare tire well with the subs and ports firing up. Tuned to 31-32hz. I prefer the Pioneer deck for the tuning flexibility i.e. being able to adjust the phase of each speaker right from the deck. The biggest part of a well rounded system is install and placement. All speakers and enclosures must be securely mounted to the vehicle. Secure as in no movement when you pull on it. Thick dead enclosures, including kick panels or door locations. The more time you spend on speaker placement and building the proper enclosure whether it's the sub or kick panels will save you time and resources when it comes to tuning. The less tuning and processing you HAVE to do the better. Processing is not a replacement for properly placed speakers or proper installation. You'll still spend a lot of time tuning if you want a very nice, well rounded system but the things I mentioned will go a long way before you get to tuning.

 

[James Bang 5,000+ posts]

remember to use roundover bits and stay away from square subs. Square speakers are not well rounded.

 

[KyleBechtold 5,000+ posts]

remember to use roundover bits and stay away from square subs. Square speakers are not well rounded.

not just that those square waves **** unless your have a box head or square ears..

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I would say concentrate on locations for your speakers and once you get that figured out choose drivers that work well into the application you are using. Then next I would look into equipment that had the features you need and to tune it to your liking.

 

[KyleBechtold 5,000+ posts]

cmon guys you are doing it all as backwards.. Here on Ca.com we spend all our money on a h.u, big *** sub and amp.. insufficient power and then as we get a little more money we buy some more battery power then some shitty coaxials to replace the stock.. then an amp.. then a little better speakers.. then a new sub setup..

 

[kurtdirt1 10+ year member]

Okay so I got my front stage in the mail today...Here are some pictures to drool over CDT HD-62CF...Picked them up for $270 shipped from an authorized dealer and also got a pair of CL-6EX Coaxials for free as well...(coaxials are going in my moms nissan with a spare amp I have)

 

[kurtdirt1 10+ year member]

MD-42 for my front stage...going to bridge it

 

[kurtdirt1 10+ year member]

 

[kurtdirt1 10+ year member]

Received this in the mail about an hour ago. From what I gather this is a much older model sub from back when MB Quart and Rockford were hooked up together. This sub was hand made in the U.S.A. and looks to be based off of the rf hx2 basket although this sub I believe is more geared towards SQ in small sealed enclosures. Here are the pics...Package says "Made in U.S.A." as well as the basket says the same thing