Help me decide the system for my 2013 Cadillac SRX.I will go with what you guys pick!

[excelon72 10+ year member]

Hey all. My wife just bought me a 2013 Cadillac SRX, Luxury with CUE, Nav, and the 10 speaker bose system. While i LOVE the CUE system the Bose has GOT TO GO. Howeveri really like the cargo management in the trunk and do not want to mess with the vehicles award winning interior. So for the first time in 10 years i am NOT doing this myself. So i have put together 4 options for a sound system that i would like input on. Keep in mind the following goals before making suggestions.

#1 - THE CUE HEAD UNIT STAYS.. non negotiable.

#2- The cargo management track system in the trunk STAYS. making boxes not an option.

#3 - i do not want to mount ANYTHING on side panels.

#4- I am an SQ guy NOT SPL.

#5-Everything will be recessed or hidden in the trunk BELOW the trunk deck. No spare tire to worry about.

Ok so here are my 4 ideas

#1 - JL AUDIO( about 2350.00 in hardware)

-JL HD900/5 5 channel amp

-JL cleansweep with summing device Oem integration

-JL 10w3v3 Subwoofer

-JL C5-650 fronts

-JL TR-650 rears

-JL OFC wire throughout

#2- AUDISON (about 5,000.00 in hardware

-Audison Bit one Oem integration with sound processing

-AudisonVoce AV 5.1K 5 channel amp

-Audison voce AV 6.5 fronts

-Audison Voce AVX 6.5 rears

-Audison AV 10 subwoofer

#3 MIXED (about $3,000.00 in hardware)

-ALPINE Alpine PXA-H800 Oem integration with sound processing

-ALPINE PDX-V9 5 channel amp

-Hertz HLK H.E. 6.5 front speakers

-Hertz coaxils rear

-JL Audio 10w3v3 subwoofer

#4- Same as #3 except i swap out the Alpine PXA-H800 for the Bit One.(about 400.00 more)

Option #1

PROS-Least instrusive install , and the cheapest and the easiest to use.

CONS-The least amount of sound contouring, bottom of sound quality of the 3, little upgradeability.

Option#2

PROS-Arguable the best sound quality (might give the Hertz speakers a few more points), the hardware is the most solid, TONS of sound contouring.

CONS-The most invasive and expensive install, Diminishing returs price wise.

Option #3

PROS-Great sound contouring, Great price to perf ratio, Hertz sound.

CONS- System isnt matched, Alpine is the weakest amp quality wise.

Option #4-

PROS- Same as #3 but with the superior bit one sound contouring

CONS- The bit one requires a lot of setup and tweaking.

So what do you guys think?

Click to read more...

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

Who's going to do the work? Do you have JL, Alpine, and Hertz/Audison dealers all in your area who know how to tune those processors? The PXA-H800 or the Bit one do a LOT more than the Cleansweep. The speakers and amp are fine choices, but you're not looking at an even comparison on the processing side. This is where you'll hear the biggest differences. An Audison dealer with the Bit Tune would be your best choice as they should be able to handle the entire system from top to bottom, and get you the best sound exactly how you want it.

 

[excelon72 10+ year member]

Yeah i know the difference thats why i said it in the cons of the JL build. I agree on the bit one. Though i am familiar with tuning off of processors, itrs best to have a pro do it. And yes NONE of this is being done by me. I have done more complicated builds successfully, but cannot physically do it anymore.

 

[trumpet 5,000+ posts]

I just ran across your thread on SMD. I consider that one of the least knowledgeable forum communities for sound quality systems, so I would not expect any feedback worth a **** from them. Predictably, there was already one response calling JL overpriced, yet somehow the $5K Audison equipment list didn't get the same criticism.

 

[excelon72 10+ year member]

LOL i hear you. i am mainly on that forum for the radically different views on it... im mainly on DIYMOBILE AUDIO.com and recently this one. Thanks though.

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

I have a 2009 so I'll give my input. First, if your thinking about a processor, I'd highly suggest the JBL ms-8. If your car is like mine (shoule be somewhat similar) you have a center channel, which the MS-8 will use for it's logic 7 processing. It will make quite a big difference. Mixing it around some, out of what you had listed, I'd go option 3.

However, as I mentioned Id do an MS-8 and go with the JL amp, it is much better than the alpine. The 900/5 is a fantastic amp with great power in a small footprint. I'd take it over any of the other amps you listed tbh. If you want to throw some alpine back in, the new type R's subwoofers are SQ based, like very small enclosures and can sound great, I'd take it over a the w3 in option 3 any day. Beyond that, hertz makes some good speakers, if you do have the center channel just pick up a 3inch mid (I'd bet they make one) and call it a day. That will sound fantastic and you won't have to worry about any major tuning due to the ms-8. It'll sound good right out of the box and you can tweak it to your preferences.

That all being said, matching gear is never a high priority for me, outside of amps. I do like having matching amps, beyond that, I usually hide things that don't match if they are flashy on the brand name all over it, and really just shoot for the best sound. It's a bit outside what you asked for, but I do honestly believe that will give you the best sounding system for your money. The ms-8 can be had for a good price on amazon too, last I checked.

 

[excelon72 10+ year member]

Ive looked into that, interesting to see how well it integrates into the CUE system. I am not doing this system myself and i trust this installer so if he carries it ill ask. Thanks for the input. I think unless i get game changing info that i am going to go with Hertz Mille as the speaker choice, Audison 5k as the amp, JL for the sub, and rears... who cares lol. and i will have to see about processing.

 

[carmaster]

I'm curious have you had this built and what processor did you decide on?

 

[excelon72 10+ year member]

I have not had it done yet, and ive decided on an Audison Bit one digital back to an Audison Voce 5.1k. Will happen in the spring.