Newb asking for evaluation of current system

[thefirebirdman]

Also looking for recommendation on a set of speakers to run in the front of the car. I'm really new at this and have been doing a lot of reading but a lot of it makes my head hurt so I wanted to post what I have and get some feedback on that and then recommendations for a good set of speakers for the front. All of the stereo equipment that's in the car came with it when I bought it. I don't think its bad equipment but its probably dated. I just learned enough to properly re-wire it and am ready to move forward.

Currently the car has a Clarion DXZ525 Head Unit connected to an Eclipse 36401 amp. The head unit is connected to the amp with new twisted pair RCA cables. The amp is connected directly to the battery and is fused with a 40amp fuse (1st question: Is that the right size fuse?).

From the amplifier channel one is connected to a set of Eclipse 6x9s. I looked at them but cannot find a model number that would tell me exactly what they are. Channel 1 consists of two sets of +/- terminals. Each 6x9 is wired to a separate set of terminals. Channel two is connected to a Marine Bazooka. Again, other than the name bazooka and the word "marine" I couldn't find any model numbers on it. For the bazooka the + wire is connected to the + terminal of one set of the +/- terminals and the - wire is connected to the - terminal on the other set. Not sure why this was wired this way (instead of just using the + and - terminals of one set) but I didn't change it.

Any opinions on this equipment are welcome, but just know that I'm not trying to win any competitions and I don't want to spend a small fortune upgrading everything.

As for front speakers I was considering getting a component set with 4" - 5" mids. I was thinking about putting the mids in the kick panels and then mounting the tweeters in the door panels. I might be able to put 5.25" speakers or even 6.5" speakers in the kick panels but thought the 4" would be easy. Given my existing setup, what speakers can it handle as far as watts etc...

Thanks for the help.

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[thefirebirdman]

Ok, so no replies. I'm not new to forums just this one. Did I post this question in the wrong area or just too much information/too many questions in one post?

 

[mrjoeyjiffy 10+ year member]

there is a lot of words here, probably why no one is interested...

 

[danz24 10+ year member]

get to the point i guess..

ADD kicked in after the first paragraph

 

[ronjon228 10+ year member]

I'll do my best to help you out.

First off, the amp is wired the way it is (+ on 1 side, - on the other) to be bridged. This will send more power to your subwoofer by adding the 2-channels power output together into 1 mono signal.

Secondly, you're only amping your sub and rear stage right now. This is definitely killing any chance for a good sound stage at this point. You need to take that amp and remove it from the 6x9's completely. Then, you need to proceed in buying a nice component set for the front, and using the 2-channels that WERE running the 6x9's, power that front stage.

For the components, bigger is always better really. If you can fit a 6.5" component set, it's definitely the way to go. If not, then go with 5.25" comps. Don't go any lower as even with 5.25" drivers its very tough to get the x-over point lower than 100Hz or so.

At this point, the 6x9's really can be tossed. If you absolutely want rear fill, then get some mid bass drivers or worst case, leave the 6x9's in and run them on a band pass setting. Really the only thing you want the rear fill to do is supplement the midbass. Anything else and they start to overpower your front stage and drag the sound behind you. You CAN run the rear fill right off the head unit speaker leads.

Hope that helps you out. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[skateboardkid 10+ year member]

I read it all, and have some suggestions for you.

Get a the biggest set of component speakers you can find that will fit up front. 5.25 or 6.5" Use the channels from the eclipse amp that are running your 6x9" you power your new front speakers. Take out the 6x9" or wire to HU. If you remove them you might get more bass in the cabin through the holes.

If you can put woofer in kicks and tweeters in sail panel more power to you, it will probbaly sound better.

When you do get some components on the doors find high pass crossover on amp and set it around 80 Hz. you can go higher or lower depending on listening preferences.

Eclipse makes great stuff and if this an older amp you are even better off.

The bazooka is bridged / effectively usign both channels to power one woofer, that is why they are wired like that. If you want to upgrade subs, kicker subs work pretty good in spec bazooka tubes, the comp VR is hte one that I have heard.

40 amp fuse sounds ok, does your amp have fuses on it externally?

You next question shoudl be more specific, you have 40rms x2 for highs and probably 120 -150 for your subwoofer. Almost any components will work pretty well with 40rms, your budget is gonna determine what you want to do now. PG RSD's components are like $100 and get decent reviews.

 

[ronjon228 10+ year member]

I'll agree on the PG RSD's. I've only read good things about them. I plan on picking up a set for myself in the next week or so.

Also, keep in mind that if you go with 5.25" components, 80Hz is going to be a tough goal to attain with the x-over point. My 5000cs Infinity comps (5.25) only get down to about 100-110Hz before distorting and louder volumes. If you can, go with 6.5's or just raise the x-over frequency to around 100Hz if you notice the 5.25's having trouble on the bottom end.

 

[thefirebirdman]

Thanks for the responses. I should have posted shorter questions one at a time. This is the feedback I was looking for. I'm going to digest it and do some more reading and come up with a game plan.