Moving and/or upgrading system to new vehicle, could use some advice

[schmittmj99]

Hello

I recently upgraded my vehicle to a 2011 Nissan Frontier (from a 1995 Toyota Tacoma), and would like to move pieces, and possibly upgrade some parts from my old system to it.

My old system included:

Alpine CDA-9815 HU

Phoenix Gold XS4600

Phoenix Gold XS2500

Boston Acoustics Pro 6.5 2 way passive components

Boston Acoustics Pro 10.5LF subwoofer (x2)

I have already purchased or plan to reuse:

JVC KW-M730BT (no need for dvd/cd, but did want android auto, got a good deal used)

Phoenix Gold XS 4600 (75 WRMS x 4 @ 4 ohms, for active 2 way front)

Phoenix Gold XS 2500 (500 WRMS x 1 @ 4 ohms, for single subwoofer)

Sundown Audio SD-3 10 subwoofer (needed shallow mount for box under rear seat)

I know that much is in the install, but I do plan on keeping the vehicle "stock", so will be using the dash mounted tweeter location (firing at windshield), and the stock door panels. I will initially be leaving the rear stock speakers installed, but not hooked up (perhaps doing rear fill in the future).

Per Sonic Electronics I can take up to a 2.5" speaker (tweeter) on the dash, and 6" x 9" speakers in the front door panels.

I am torn on what to do with the fronts. I never really had an issue with the set of Boston Acoustics components, but am wondering if there is something better out there now for around that

I had read wonderful things about the pairing of SB Acoustics SB29RDCN-C000-4 and SB Acoustics SB17MFC35-4 run as an active set. Even though that is only a 6.5" woofer, it could be an option.

I am not much of a tweaker, but would like to have the system tuned some, so I am considering a used JBL MS-8 for its auto tune feature. I believe it also has the ability to manually tweak if I find I want to test those waters as well.

So my biggest questions would be ...

#1 : Am I on the right path with a JBL MS-8, or are there similar products I should be looking at instead (Rockford Fosgate DSR-1?, JL TWK?, MiniDSP C-DSP 6x8?). Most of those I had just seen mentioned, but am not fully aware of if they meet my requirement of auto tune with manual tweaking (again, should I decide to do some down the road).

#2 : Front speakers. A few options here ...

A: Find a decent 6" x 9" to pair with a tweeter in my price range to run active. (Again $250 or less greatly prefered)

B: Find a decent 6.5" set such as the SB Acoustics gear or some other suggested drivers to run active. (same $250ish budget max)

C: Stick with the Bostons, ditch the passive crossovers and run active.

D: Say "screw it" and use the $$$ from a DSP to get a nicer set of 6" x 9" coaxials (Hertz?, I do know there are more options for coaxials of that size then components).

Thank you for taking the time to read my post, and for any help/thoughts that you can offer.

Mike

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[drei4runner]

My suggestion to you before you purchase the speakers through Sonic or any other shop is to double check what size speakers can fit in your vehicle. The reason I'm saying that is because like you, I went through Sonic's site and input my vehicle info and it showed me what type speakers will fit in my vehicle. It showed that for my rear doors, I could fit 6.5" speakers, but in reality, the biggest it can fit is 5.25" speakers and it was showing that no tweeters were available to fit in my vehicle, but again, 1" tweeters are able to fit in the stock tweeter housing.

 

[NSTALN 10+ year member]

There seems to be a few different ways to go with this...The real question is how comfortable are you doing a lil fabrication? This is what I would try.

I'll start with the DSP...I would recommend the Alpine PXA-H800...Yes I'm bias because that's what I use...and yes it's a little pricey...but...it has the RUX controller. It's realtime on the fly easy clean looking tuning interface. The convenience of it is the best selling point for me...I don't need to fire up a computer and plug $hit in every time I wanted to tweek anything. It's like every thing Alpine, It's clean and well built. Plenty of tuning options and easy for(almost) everyone. That being said, I do not like Alpines auto-tune one bit...but it's easy to get good results with just a little practice and experimentation.

If I had a budget of $250...I would build a 3 way front end using all Dayton Audio Refenence series drivers and their new passive crossovers. Bear in mind you'll have all the tune-ability you'll need with the Alpine DSP and the tweet and 3inch mids will be next to each other so simple passives can work well for you in this application...and they happen t be inexpensive.

Here's the plan:

(2) x https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-rs180p-4-7-reference-paper-woofer-4-ohm--295-375 7inch woofers $103.50/pair

(2) x https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-rs75-4-3-reference-full-range-driver-4-ohm--295-380 3inch drivers $43.10/pair

(2) x https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-nd25fn-4-1-silk-dome-neodymium-tweeter-element-4-ohm--275-053 1inch tweets $20/pair

(2) x https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-4k-hpf-4-high-pass-speaker-crossover-4000-hz-12-db-octave--260-1898 4khz HP crossover @12db $13.40/pair

(2) x https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-4k-lpf-4-low-pass-speaker-crossover-4000-hz-12-db-octave--260-1900 4khz LP crossover @12db $13.40/pair

Run the 3inch mid and the tweets off the front channels of the 4-channel, run the 7's or your Boston A's(if you want to save $103.50 and put it towards the DSP) off the rear channels. The crossovers would connect in parallel with the HP going to the tweet and the LP going to the 3inch mid. Build pods for the flat area on the front /top of the inner door panel to accommodate the mid and tweet.

Good choice with the SD3-10 good speakers from what I hear, SQ oriented design that happens to be shallow-ish.