Planning a mobile sound system upgrade for my '03 G35 coupe

[shdowflare 10+ year member]

I'm new to the forum and have been spending a lot of time reading the threads here on the site. Anyway, based on the research I've done, here's my game plan for upgrading my OEM sound system.

Right now I've got a 2003 Infiniti G35 coupe with the Bose amplifier/OEM speakers. I replaced the HU with an Eclipse AVN5435 three years ago. It's been working great. But now I'd like to upgrade my sound system even more, bit-by-bit.

I've ordered a complete set of Infinity Kappa speakers to replace every OEM speaker in the car right now. I chose the Kappas largely because the OEM Bose amp runs at 2 ohms and I needed 2-ohm speakers to match up. In addition, I've heard them and like the way they sound. Anyway, here's what I ordered:

*Front doors: Infinity Kappa 60.9cs component speakers (w/ tweeter)

*Rear sides: Infinity Kappa 62.9i 6.5" speakers

*Rear deck: Infinity Kappa 692.9i 6"x9" 2-way speakers

For now I'll just utilize the OEM speaker wiring coming from the Eclipse HU. In the future, however, I'm going to want to get an amplifier and a subwoofer to round out the system.

As for the amplifier, I'm targeting either the Alpine PDX-5 or Polk PA 1100.5 (both are 5-channel amps). I plan to run my front Kappa component speakers of two of the channels (75-150wx2@2ohms). I'll also run my Kappa 6x9's off two more channels (75-150wx2@2ohms).

I can then run a sub (300wx1@4ohms) of the remaining channel. I was looking hard at the JL Audio Stealthbox (10" W1v2 subwoofer) for the G35 coupe so it'll sit tucked away. I have very limited trunk space and would like to preserve it if at all possible. The woofer in that Stealthbox is rated from 75-300w, I believe, so would it work well with either of those amps?

Lastly, I really don't want to run more than one amp since my car's space is very limited. That said, I am planning to power the Kappa 62.9i 6.5" rear side speakers using the factory wiring directly from the Eclipse HU. I've read that those speakers are really just for "filler" noise, especially considering I hardly ever have anyone in the back seat. Of course I could also look at hooking them onto two of the amplifier's channels, in series or parallel with either the front 6.5" or rear 6"x9" speakers... not sure if that's the right move though, as it seems that powering all those speakers might just be a huge task for one amp.

My goals with this system are pretty simple: to provide a completely upgraded sound system that will create a dynamic audio experience inside the cabin. I am not into excessive bass, and just want a little punch to match up with the other upgraded speakers that will be putting out more power. Does this sound like a good approach? I welcome your comments/advice.

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[Savag3 10+ year member]

go with different mids and highs and do components all the way around . . get some end Mb quarts or maybe some Rainbow lots of other options . . my .02

 

[shdowflare 10+ year member]

go with different mids and highs and do components all the way around . . get some end Mb quarts or maybe some Rainbow lots of other options . . my .02

Thanks, I think I'm going to stick with the Infinity's for now. Any advice on how I should power them? BTW, nice setup you have! The only thing we have in common is the Optima Yellow Top! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

Since you care about space stick with the pdx5 as the polk is monstrous. Trust me when i say pictures do not do its size justice at all. JUst a heads up the rear 6.5s are not going to fit because there is just about 1.25" worth of depth as the facotry woofers aree shallow mounts.

 

[duro78 10+ year member]

stay away from the stealth box. wayyy over priced.go to ebay and check out zenclosures. Mike makes them very good quality just check my350z.com everyone on there runs them. very in expensive also. one 10 should be just fine for you

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

Thanks, I think I'm going to stick with the Infinity's for now. Any advice on how I should power them? BTW, nice setup you have! The only thing we have in common is the Optima Yellow Top! //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

Good luck with your ringing and bleeding ears from the super harsh MMD tweeters on those Kappas! I HATE my Infinity Kappas and have cursed the installer who recommended them to me every since I installed them in my Mustang.

Bright and harsh with no balls would be an accurate description of the 682.7Cfs that are in my doors. I've already ripped the ones that were in the rear deck out.

 

[shdowflare 10+ year member]

Since you care about space stick with the pdx5 as the polk is monstrous. Trust me when i say pictures do not do its size justice at all. JUst a heads up the rear 6.5s are not going to fit because there is just about 1.25" worth of depth as the facotry woofers aree shallow mounts.

Thanks for the heads up. Yeah I think I'm sticking with the Alpine. As for the rear speakers. I picked up a set of 1" spacers so hopefully that'll let me mount them.

 

[shdowflare 10+ year member]

stay away from the stealth box. wayyy over priced.go to ebay and check out zenclosures. Mike makes them very good quality just check my350z.com everyone on there runs them. very in expensive also. one 10 should be just fine for you

Yeah I think I've decided on this instead:

http://www.4080enclosures.com/shop4080/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=1&image=4

It'll allow me to keep my cargo net and trunk mat, and doesn't take up much space at all. At first I thought maybe I should go with two of them (one on each side of the trunk), but then we're looking at a second amp for sure, I imagine! I guess I can start with one and if it doesn't "hit" hard enough, I can always look at adding another I suppose...

 

[shdowflare 10+ year member]

Good luck with your ringing and bleeding ears from the super harsh MMD tweeters on those Kappas! I HATE my Infinity Kappas and have cursed the installer who recommended them to me every since I installed them in my Mustang.
Bright and harsh with no balls would be an accurate description of the 682.7Cfs that are in my doors. I've already ripped the ones that were in the rear deck out.

I've heard them and didn't hate them actually. Granted, I haven't spent a ton of time with them, but I'm not really an audiophile so I think I'll be pretty pleased with them... I hope. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Thanks for the input though.

 

[Worlddre 5,000+ posts]

Thanks for the heads up. Yeah I think I'm sticking with the Alpine. As for the rear speakers. I picked up a set of 1" spacers so hopefully that'll let me mount them.

unfortunately the panel sits about .5" off the mounting ring so enjoy yourself there. I always tell customers to ditch them andn just replace the subs in the rear deck instead

 

[loud-n-low 10+ year member]

JL HD amps are tiny also...i only mention them due to some "complaints" about the alpine pdx amps

 

[shdowflare 10+ year member]

unfortunately the panel sits about .5" off the mounting ring so enjoy yourself there. I always tell customers to ditch them andn just replace the subs in the rear deck instead

Yikes, I guess if they don't sit well I'll be selling a pair of spacers. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

 

[shdowflare 10+ year member]

JL HD amps are tiny also...i only mention them due to some "complaints" about the alpine pdx amps

Hmmm, guess I should look into those Alpine amps a bit more. I hadn't read any complaints just yet. Do you know what the complaints are about?

Those JL HD's look nice. I could just get a pair and stack em - that would give me my five channels.

 

[gunz4me 10+ year member]

My only complaint about the full range PDX is that they tend to lack output in the midbass reproduction area. If you have additional processing, you can fix that little issue. If you don't, it is quite noticeable. Well, in the setups I have heard it has been because I find the PDX amps just don't sound right compared to their comparable Class AB counterparts. I've even been able to pick out the differences in a soundboard with my back turned to it and someone else doing the switching! I could always pick the PDX when they were switching the amps, but I couldn't tell between the JL Audio and the Arc Audio in the same board.

 

[shdowflare 10+ year member]

Nice, I think the JL amps are my choice! Thanks for all the input.