Installs I'm considering in a Porsche - Help!

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

The installer/"designer" (whatever) suggested the 240 Mk II. He said the 8" requires substantial modification of the door but the 7" (is it a 6.5 or a 7? Marketing?) only requires a little shaving to have it fit. He said with an aluminum brace and dual layer of Dynomat (one on the panel and one on the door itself), those 7s will go cleanly to 45Hz and that I should hold off on subs until after I hear the Dyns properly installed.
What do you mean "the 7" mid will kill me"??? (a good thing, I hope)

install wise. dont cut up that car.

 

[Rochambeau 10+ year member]

although I wouldn't complain if Diana Krall can stand in the middle of my windshield

I prefer to picture her sprawled across the dash in a sultry dress....

 

[tankertoad 10+ year member]

I prefer to picture her sprawled across the dash in a sultry dress....

I wouldn't mind that either. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/yumyum.gif.0556df42231b304b9c995aefd13928a8.gif

Rochambeau, which equipment above would you choose?

DLS/Tru

Focal/Audison

CDT/Zapco

Dynaudio/Zapco

 

[GrnEydDvl 10+ year member]

I'm a big fan of those Dyn's too. The bass driver in that pair gets loud and low for a door driver.

I would listen to the installer's recommendation to audition them without a sub. They play low enough you might just skip on the sub.

I 2nd the recommendation because A. It is a sports car and you sound like you drive it like one from time to time so the less weight the better and B. You dont sound like much of a basshead.

 

[tankertoad 10+ year member]

You dont sound like much of a basshead.

Yeah, I think my definition of a bass afficiando is different from what this hobby/industry considers. I DO like rap music (mostly old school) and plenty of dance music goes low (Crystal Method, anyone?). So, I do want to hear those frequencies and experience the impact of the music. That being said, most installs with subwoofers I've heard are TOO bass heavy, as if it's unaturally accentuated. While I'm sure a couple of well enclosed 8s or10s would be prefereable, they might not justify the expense if those midrange 7s strapped to the door give at least a bit of sub bass so at least I know it's there.

 

[Rochambeau 10+ year member]

I haven't heard the DynAudios so I can't comment except to say that when this many people recommend them, they are worthy of serious consideration. And its hard to go wrong with Zapco.

I listened to Diana on a Focal sound board (you see the same Focal board at every other shop) and I thought even the $1,100 Focals sounded harsh. Like on Devil May Cares when she sings "NO cares NO woes", I cringed. And her voice is at its best on those strong notes. By the same token, the instrument details were nice, still harsh at times though. Audison is worthy of consideration, to be sure. Nice amps.

The CDTs? I was underwhelmed with those, even when they got some power pushed to them.

I can't speak to the DLS, never heard them.

Other advice to give.... You may want to get a 4 channel amp for the front and either bi-amp or bridge it to the components that way you can use it as a single amp solution if you do go subs (and I think you will because you listen to a lot of dance). Of course, when that time comes you probably won't wanna give up the better sound you're getting bi-amped or the extra power from bridged, so you'll buy another amp anyway.

As far as the power issue goes, 50W is plenty if you don't listen to it too loud. 100W will make a difference in clarity at higher volumes and a more solid low end but won't itself be a whole lot louder.

PS: It occurred to me... Your friend's bass boost may be overcranked on his cars. If you have to attenuate the bass that much to get it clear, it could be a sign of an installer or customer who got too happy with the bass boost on the amp. Check his... If they are way cranked up, that could be a cause of the bass sounding crummy and overdone. Then again, if your buddy is happy... it's his sled. But then again, he may just THINK he is happy till you show him the light. If he's got an EQ (at $15K, he may very well), cut the bass boost all the way down and let the EQ do what it gets paid for.

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

If it were me... (again this is your car so do whichever). I would do DynAudio for the speakers (keep it simple with a 2-way set) and then DLS for your amps.

 

[Spooby 10+ year member]

If it were me... (again this is your car so do whichever). I would do DynAudio for the speakers (keep it simple with a 2-way set) and then DLS for your amps.

DLS ultimate series amps //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/naughty.gif.94359f346c0f1259df8038d60b41863e.gif

 

[o. l. t. 10+ year member]

see avatar.

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

I'm a big fan of those Dyn's too. The bass driver in that pair gets loud and low for a door driver.
I would listen to the installer's recommendation to audition them without a sub. They play low enough you might just skip on the sub.

I 2nd the recommendation because A. It is a sports car and you sound like you drive it like one from time to time so the less weight the better and B. You dont sound like much of a basshead.

why would you skip on a fuller sounding system by forcing your mid to play super low when that isnt really its job?

 

[tankertoad 10+ year member]

why would you skip on a fuller sounding system by forcing your mid to play super low when that isnt really its job?

It goes without saying that on a perfect system, sub bass would be heard the way it was meant to (meaning just like it would sound live). That would probably imply the use of subs. And if money and interior space was not an issue, again, who wouldn't use a sub or four? But if a certain manufacturer makes a certain midbass driver that successfully goes a bit into the sub bass region, why not give it a chance? In regards to cornering, my BMW does not come close to my 911 on a track. However, on the street, the BMW gives a good deal more than its competitors and would give most people (read: non-audiophiles) all the handling they could want (although the 911 gives the full, genuine handling experience - read: powerful sub bass). Plus, if the Dyns just don't do it, subs can always be added later (especially if one invests in a three or four channel amp up front).

 

[CBFryman2 5,000+ posts]

If it where me:

-Rainbow W 165 Profi Plug (6.5")

-Rainbow CAL 25 Titanium

-2 SAX 100.2's Or Wait for the 4-Channel to come out

- 2 Sound Splinter Rl-i 8's ported 2cuft@30Hz

Single 4ohm

-SAZ-1500 800w x1 @ 2ohm

Run the coponets active and put them in the stock locations. Be done with it. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

And ditch the CD player for something with more processing.

 

[troy_audi0 10+ year member]

Ever think of Focal Comp set & Amps..?

Love dynaudio..

The zapco DC amps are out of this world

Not a Fan of audison or CDT just never imprested me..

Focal/Focal

Focal/Zapco

Dyn/Focal

Dyn/Zapco

Have fun Troy

 

[bri487 5,000+ posts]

It goes without saying that on a perfect system, sub bass would be heard the way it was meant to (meaning just like it would sound live). That would probably imply the use of subs. And if money and interior space was not an issue, again, who wouldn't use a sub or four? But if a certain manufacturer makes a certain midbass driver that successfully goes a bit into the sub bass region, why not give it a chance? In regards to cornering, my BMW does not come close to my 911 on a track. However, on the street, the BMW gives a good deal more than its competitors and would give most people (read: non-audiophiles) all the handling they could want (although the 911 gives the full, genuine handling experience - read: powerful sub bass). Plus, if the Dyns just don't do it, subs can always be added later (especially if one invests in a three or four channel amp up front).

his theory/analogy doesnt really apply to car audio, or anything for that matter, unless budget/space restictions are a factor in the equation.

 

[coolahan 10+ year member]

i wouldnt go over 1 sub.. and i agree on the dynaudio 2ways