Newbie build for Lotus convertible

[fubar1764 10+ year member]

I'm trying to put together a decent system that I can build and forget until something dies (not blown or clipped). I listen mostly to classical and classic rock with the occasional hip hop.

I had considered CDT (are those nomograms great or what?!) HD5, but a friend told me they don't work well in convertibles. I also have to consider the weather the speakers will have to put up with here in humid Houston, Texas! So, tough surrounds will be a must! I've been steered towards the Alpine X-types and the Boston Acoustics Pro series.

Will this system work well in a convertible?

Boston Acoustics 5.4

Zapco Z100 (tweeter)

Zapco Z100C2 (5 1/4" drivers)

Sony CDX 5080 (used only as a pre-amp, aux in will be an MP3 player)

Any thoughts on how I've configured or on the pieces themselves? I'd rather not have to rewire my electrical (new battery, beefier alternator) so I'm keeping the power pretty low.

Yes, I know the weakest link is the head unit. I'll get around to changing that out - wouldn't mind suggestions on that either! And yes, I'll eventually install a sub or two. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Thanks!

Cheers!

Jack

Click to read more...

 

[DiamondFanatic 10+ year member]

what kind of lotus?

 

[Stem 10+ year member]

exactly what i was thinking

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

Those zapco speakers got horrible reviews IIRC. There are better alternatives.

 

[fubar1764 10+ year member]

Lotus Elan/M100.

OEM door is 4" coax, 6" rear (behind the seat). All Sony, all POS.

From other Elan owners, 5 1/2" speakers fit right in. I'm not going to cut up the door panel to fit larger speaker. So, I'm thinking 5 1/4" in the door, surface tweeter on the inside of the mirror mount (just behind A pillar). Because I'm worried about unequal lengths of cable in and out of the crossover, I'm going to forgo the rear speakers presently - possible woofer upgrade in the future.

My goal is just to put together something other than the current kazoo sound I'm getting right now. I listen to classical and classic rock (80s music now qualifies, god help us!) with a sprinkle of hip-hop (so does MC Hammer = classic hip hop?!). At home, I run Martin Logan Aerius i's which I got for the fast transients. Back on topic, I don't expect "audiophile" sound out of a convertible. I just want something that I can hear NPR at highway speeds with the top up - I made a wind baffle for when the top is down. Oh yeah, I also want durability since I live in environs that has 80% humidity in 85degree heat as the normal spring and fall.

As for my equipment choices, here's my rationale, please feel free to criticize:

Zapco because I've read some good things about them. Very clean, accurate, and bulletproof from what I understand. Once I go for a sub, I can pull the Z100 off the tweets, bridge, and power a decent sub, leaving the Z100C2 to drive the 5 1/4" and tweeter.

BA 5.4 or 5.5 because that's what a friend of mine has, and it's held up well. Another friend has also recommended the Alpine SPX-137A.

Headunit will have to go eventually since it's truly a POS. Assuming Sony's typical overstated specs, the CD deck has a signal response of 30-15k. POS doesn't begin to describe. I'm trying to decide whether to go with a portable GPS/DVD unit (sometimes the Missus drives, at others, I'm sitting around waiting for the Missus) or with a unit fixed in the car. Until then, I can suffer legendary POS Sony sound for some time.

At this point, I'm just bouncing some ideas in hopes that those who know better can give me some guidance. Nothing's solid yet. About the only things solid is I want to minimize the cutting of precious Lotus trim panels (parts are very scarce) and significantly changing the electrical system (audio battery is ok, but new alternator probably isn't).

Oh yeah, a friend of mine's a former IASCA competitor from about 10 years ago. He hasn't touched mobile audio in about 8 years so he doesn't know what's available and can only give me general advice. But, he's going to help me do the install so at least I won't screw that up! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crazy.gif.c13912c32de98515d3142759a824dae7.gif

Thanks guys!

Cheers!

Jack

 

[fubar1764 10+ year member]

Those zapco speakers got horrible reviews IIRC. There are better alternatives.

Sorry. I think I goofed in explaining.

Zapco Z100 driving the tweeters

Zapco Z100C2 driving the 5 1/4"

Thanks!

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

Sorry. I think I goofed in explaining.Zapco Z100 driving the tweeters

Zapco Z100C2 driving the 5 1/4"

Thanks!

yeah that's actually my bad. I didn't read very carefully.

Do you have any sort of budget in mind? something you want to stay below?

 

[fubar1764 10+ year member]

I think budgets really ought to be elastic. If someone shows up with the Hope diamond asking you for $100,000 for it, you BUY IT! If someone wants to give me an Alfa Romeo for use as a daily driver, maybe I won't take it!

For used equipment, I'd like to stay somewhere in the $400 range. I suspect I can pick up the pieces I've listed at that price. . .

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Well I dont have a convertible but do have the apline spx137 5.25". They kinda dissappoint me. I am not used to the soft dome tweeter. I have always listened to hard dome tweeters. The midbass lacks considerabilty, although I have got them to sound as best as I can for the type of music I listen too. It may be my install, I dont know. I just thank my lucky stars I got these half off original price. I would look into the Boston Acoustics. Heard good things about them. Or mabye some cdt's. Good luck!

 

[fubar1764 10+ year member]

Or mabye some cdt's. Good luck!

I looked at the CDT HD5. 4th/5th order passover?! Wow. The nomogram on them are truly impressive. But, I heard from a friend of mine who did custom installations that the CDTs sound great in a closed car but are pretty lousy in a convertible. Grr. . .

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Convertibles are very hard to get sound just right. I have done one install in a older pimped out vw bug. He put in custom made kicks and custom made door panels. He was using the memphis mclass componets. They didnt sound bad when the top was up, but when you put it down it just lost all the volume. I have heard that mtx makes highs just for convertibles. Might want to check into those. I had all mtx highs in my cutllas and sounded very good. So dont be fooled by the name. Peace!

 

[johnecon2001 5,000+ posts]

$400 for all of that? good luck.

If you really want to keep your volume with the top down, you should look into a DIY comp set. Or possibly horns.

 

[fubar1764 10+ year member]

$400 for all of that? good luck.
If you really want to keep your volume with the top down, you should look into a DIY comp set. Or possibly horns.

Were I buying new, I'd readily agree with you that $400 ain't nearly enough. The Zapco units are long gone, and market price on them is approximately $80 or so. The BAs are readily available new for under $300, the Alpine X-types are less than $200. If I go with used speakers, again, that drives the price down further. Of course, I'm working under very specific assumptions, e.g. Zapco is scaleable in the way I want it. If my neophyte's assumptions are wrong, well geez, looks like I need some more edjumacation.

So, I'm really looking for advice to debunk my research and my conclusions. Mind you, if my assumptions are wrong, then I'll certainly adjust my money parameters. Given my best information so far, $400 is do-able minus the head unit. Certainly, I appreciate your thoughts - making me clarify my points helps me consider things more thoroughly.

Cheers!

Jack

 

[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Well that is what I paid for my spx alpines. 200 out the door. Not a bad price considering how much they are retail. Johnecon had a good point though. If you can find a set of Image Dynamics compression horn set, that would be a good way to go. Would love to have there 5.25 horn set. But I cant find them for under 400 bucks for the set. Good luck!

 

[fubar1764 10+ year member]

If you can find a set of Image Dynamics compression horn set, that would be a good way to go. Would love to have there 5.25 horn set. But I cant find them for under 400 bucks for the set. Good luck!

Those speakers are that good, huh? **looks inside wallet** Eh, food's overrated anyways! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

Seriously, do you have any experience with them? My only experience with horns has been the Klipsh horns in soundstage equipment. Beautiful, super bright, super efficient. Do you think the brightness will be a big problem?

Should I look at CDTs again? My friend said they were pretty bad for open top cars, but being a newbie to mobile audio, I'm open to any education!