Overhauling Audio

[Gs04Aero 10+ year member]

I need some help. I'm planning to overhaul the audio in my car and need help picking my speakers. I know there alot of threads and that has helped me narrow some choices. I am looking for 6.5 comps.

1. MB Quart PVI 216

4. ID CTX65CS

5. PPi 356CS

6. Rainbow SLC265 kick

Now obviously the price range is varying. All but the Rainbows can be had for under $200. The rainbows are about $260. I had a set of Germaniums before but had to sell them in the my old car. I really liked them but its alot of $$. I will be running both sets off my Kicker ZX700.5 so I have 85w at 4ohm for both sets. Not sure thats enough to run the PPi's though. I read on here that they need about 100w to really shine. I'd like to go with a really good set up front with some nice new 3.5s and some good 6.5s and 4s in the rear for fill. My thought was dish the cash for the Rainbows up front and then go with some cheaper rainbow sl165s in the back. Not sure thats the best choice though. What do you all recommend?

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[Wasatch 10+ year member]

I'm liking my new Hertz ESK165 right now, but if you have the money get the HSK165, you won't be sorry.

 

[Gs04Aero 10+ year member]

Yeah i've been looking up some info on the HSK165s. They seem really nice. But reviews comparing them to the rainbows says they dont match up. $220 from audiostream for the hertz, 259 from wooferetc on ebay. Not much difference in price. Which would be a better choice. I'm not thinking price is the determining factor on quality here.

 

[michaellane 5,000+ posts]

what goal are you trying to acheive here

 

[Gs04Aero 10+ year member]

Well my goal is just to have some nice sound. I want things to be clear. I don't like harsh highs. I would like some mid-bass that can contribute with my BA G5. I dont need something I can crank ridiculously high. Enough to be loud but clear. That makes sense right?

The PPi's got rated very well and had some great feedback on here. They are marked at 60wrms. Would the 85wrms from my sub be good for them? Speaker choice is very hard to distinguish ha

 

[MBrock4u 10+ year member]

Those Image Dynamics would be a excellent choice. I can tell you like many others first hand, they scream, and are crystal clear.

 

[Gs04Aero 10+ year member]

Those Image Dynamics would be a excellent choice. I can tell you like many others first hand, they scream, and are crystal clear.

I read the IDs have a harsh tweeter? Also they need alot of wattage to kick in the midbass

Also am taking a look at Morel Tempo 6 http://www.woofersetc.com/p4765/Tempo-6--Morel-65%22-2-Way-Component-System.htm

Not bad...$250 (200 on ebay). I've read some great things on these too. It seems like if I want some decent speakers I need more power from my amp then I have. I'd need to bridge my 5channel for 165wx2 to power some nice stuff up front and buy another amp for the rears later.

 

[Gs04Aero 10+ year member]

Any help guys? I'm not going to add another amp because I dont want to deal with that wiring and all so I realize that I may not be able to push some of these nicer speakers. What is the better choice for the 85wx4 I have? Should I go with something like alpine or pioneer? Or should I go with something nicer?

 

[cx-7heaven 10+ year member]

Are you planning on getting 2 sets of comps to run 4 channels(front/rear)? If not, just simply bridge your 4 channel amp to 2 channels to get your power. Also, ditch the rears.... a good front set done right will sound much better than front/rear.

 

[fliptwister 10+ year member]

I'm running the PPI 356cs set at 80 watts RMS and I like them a lot. I think they shine just fine at that power. They get plenty loud for me. I think there is plenty of mid-bass at that power. I really do not need them louder. They sound so natural and the tweeter is not harsh at all. Why do you need 85 watts for rear fill? Get some cheaper speakers for rear and use HU to power them. This is what I'm doing. You could always get the PPI set, try them at 85 watts, and if you are not happy bi-amp them. How are you powering the G5?

 

[Gs04Aero 10+ year member]

Are you planning on getting 2 sets of comps to run 4 channels(front/rear)? If not, just simply bridge your 4 channel amp to 2 channels to get your power. Also, ditch the rears.... a good front set done right will sound much better than front/rear.

Ive been trying to figure that out. I think I may bridge the front for 165w and get a nice set, and just put some decent coaxials in the rear off stock wiring/amps to replace the crap stock ones. So if I can push the 165w, what is the best choice here? I'm still pulling to the SLC195 Kicks...but the cost is high. Hertz HSK165s, Morel Tempo 6, PPi356cs, and the IDs are still on the list since they are cheaper but I've heard such different reviews on all of them.

The G5 is powered off my 5-channel amp

 

[Echo42987 10+ year member]

Id

 

[Gs04Aero 10+ year member]

Seems like the IDs get some good reviews from people. I think I'll be trying these speakers. Now I need help deciding on a few other pieces. I need a good set of 3.5" for my front dash and a decent coaxial set for my rear fill. Those would be off the stock wiring/amp.

Now I also know that I have a center dash speaker that is a mono 4" speaker. It's not worth upgrading as is but can I add a new 4" into the wiring for the 3.5s? Or will that screw things up? I think I'm just thinking of electrical stuff and not audio.

 

[okiedokie 10+ year member]

install=deadener,placement & aiming is just as important as which every comp set you buy

 

[Gs04Aero 10+ year member]

install=deadener,placement & aiming is just as important as which every comp set you buy

Well I'll be trying to figure out with install. I've read the first pages of the sound deadening thread and I'll be doing some plexi work, foam in the door, deadener, all that stuff. But I've got time for that.

As for 3.5s, I've been looking at soom Soundstream SST3.5, Memphis 15-PRC3, JL C2-350x, and also Kicker KS350. They all seem decent but not sure on these things. Anybody have a good recommendation?