Motorhead87
CarAudio.com Newbie
Hello all,
I am a noob to the forum and pretty much car audio in general. I’m trying to learn as much as I can here before I take any action on my car build. To start I have a 2012 Acura TL with all stock components. The car doesn’t have navigation.
Im looking to keep my stock HU but replace front door speakers, center speaker, add amp for said speakers, add subwoofer(s) unhook stock one, and add an amp for said sub(s).
I have only ever had 2 really cheap 10” subs that I have had for 15 yrs in a prefab, slot ported box with a Sony XM-280GTX amp. The box dimensions are 28 1/4 W x 13 1/4 H x 16 1/4D. It has a center slotted port that measures 2W x 16 1/4D. I know I am going to catch **** for the box but at least it’s not a sealed box.
I listen mainly to rock and 80’s with rap mixed in. So I want something that will sound really tight and crisp for the double base in my rock songs but can thump a good amount too when I have the rap on.
I am a handy person so I am totally open to making my own box but the design aspect of the project has me confused. I don’t plan on having the TL for too much longer so what I would like to do is use the box I have now until I get my next vehicle and then build the box my system deserves at that point.
I have some basic decisions to make that I would like some input on too. I don’t think I will ever be in a place where I want to lose the entire trunk or rear space of an SUV for a huge ported box. So given that and my music I listen to, do you think it would be best if I go with one 12” or dual 10” subs? What would a typical ported sub box measurements be so I can get an idea of my current box for both 10’s vs a built one for one 12 be? It’s hard to visualize what the dimensions for 2-2.5 cuft would be.
Once I decide which size and quantity for subs I can start planning my system. I’ve had a hard time finding places to listen to some of these speakers I’ve seen that come highly recommended. I heard some Focal performance 165AS’s last weekend that sounded good. Maybe a little flatter than I like. My past speakers were just infinity reference speakers and I liked them but maybe too much on the highs. At high volume they can get ear piercing at times. So I am interested in Focals, Hertz and Audio Frogs so far. Open to other suggestions. For subs (assuming I’m going with two 10’s) I was thinking Sundown SA-10’s or SSA demons. No clue on the amp yet. Could use your help here. Was hoping to use my Sony Amp to power the front doors since it’s a 2 channel ~ 80w rms per channel. I wanted to keep the rears active but just powered by the HU. I would like to keep the budget around $1500 so I am open for suggestions for any pieces of equipment.
At what power level do you need to start considering the big 3 upgrade? I haven’t found info on what threshold of total system power should you start considering that.
I have other questions but I figured I would at least start here.
I am a noob to the forum and pretty much car audio in general. I’m trying to learn as much as I can here before I take any action on my car build. To start I have a 2012 Acura TL with all stock components. The car doesn’t have navigation.
Im looking to keep my stock HU but replace front door speakers, center speaker, add amp for said speakers, add subwoofer(s) unhook stock one, and add an amp for said sub(s).
I have only ever had 2 really cheap 10” subs that I have had for 15 yrs in a prefab, slot ported box with a Sony XM-280GTX amp. The box dimensions are 28 1/4 W x 13 1/4 H x 16 1/4D. It has a center slotted port that measures 2W x 16 1/4D. I know I am going to catch **** for the box but at least it’s not a sealed box.
I listen mainly to rock and 80’s with rap mixed in. So I want something that will sound really tight and crisp for the double base in my rock songs but can thump a good amount too when I have the rap on.
I am a handy person so I am totally open to making my own box but the design aspect of the project has me confused. I don’t plan on having the TL for too much longer so what I would like to do is use the box I have now until I get my next vehicle and then build the box my system deserves at that point.
I have some basic decisions to make that I would like some input on too. I don’t think I will ever be in a place where I want to lose the entire trunk or rear space of an SUV for a huge ported box. So given that and my music I listen to, do you think it would be best if I go with one 12” or dual 10” subs? What would a typical ported sub box measurements be so I can get an idea of my current box for both 10’s vs a built one for one 12 be? It’s hard to visualize what the dimensions for 2-2.5 cuft would be.
Once I decide which size and quantity for subs I can start planning my system. I’ve had a hard time finding places to listen to some of these speakers I’ve seen that come highly recommended. I heard some Focal performance 165AS’s last weekend that sounded good. Maybe a little flatter than I like. My past speakers were just infinity reference speakers and I liked them but maybe too much on the highs. At high volume they can get ear piercing at times. So I am interested in Focals, Hertz and Audio Frogs so far. Open to other suggestions. For subs (assuming I’m going with two 10’s) I was thinking Sundown SA-10’s or SSA demons. No clue on the amp yet. Could use your help here. Was hoping to use my Sony Amp to power the front doors since it’s a 2 channel ~ 80w rms per channel. I wanted to keep the rears active but just powered by the HU. I would like to keep the budget around $1500 so I am open for suggestions for any pieces of equipment.
At what power level do you need to start considering the big 3 upgrade? I haven’t found info on what threshold of total system power should you start considering that.
I have other questions but I figured I would at least start here.