SQ Setup for Mids and Highs

[Bandieramonte 10+ year member]

Hello,

I've just purchased two Polk Audio SR124-DVC subs, the Mb Quart amp DSC 1500.D to power them, and the Pioneer PRS800 head unit to augment SQ.

Now, my focus is to choose speakers for the middle and high frequencies in a SQ oriented way, but with enough SPL as to avoid being even a bit overpowered by the 1400 rms total power from the subs.

So, I've been looking for many types of speakers, and I don't know whether if I should go with 6x9'', two-way,three-way, 6x8'', 6.5'', 5.25'', components, individual 6'' or 8'' mids, individual tweeters, and the many more different types, or should I do a specific combination of some of those? I'm confused on which types of speaker would tend to deliver the best SQ and fidelity.

Also, which type of speaker goes bet in what part of the vehicle? This is for a 2007 Jeep Liberty. Perhaps I should for instance install components in the front door and a pair of three-way 6x9'' in the back? Or what's better for SQ purposes? My main priority is to concentrate on interior sound, and if the budget allows it, I may later focus on exterior open trunk sound.

What should I aim for?

After defining a SQ worth setup, we should later on this thread determine the good SQ oriented brands for each of the selected type of speakers.

Click to read more...

 

[Abarca 10+ year member]

if your going for a SQ vehicle, components are the only way to go for the front stage. Forget the rear speakers, either leave them stock or unhook them. (you wont hear them anyways). if you are hardheaded, not saying you are, think of a concert...where does all the sound come from? In front of you, thats why i said what i said about the rear speakers.

You will need another amplifier for your front speakers. SQ is a debatable subject because everyone has a different taste on what is Perfect Sound Quality. Its like asking: is a steak better cooked medium, or well done? some love a steak a lil pink, some love a steak fully cooked and kinda tough, and some are vegeterians and will tell you "you killed an animal u jerk"

the most important part of ANY system, is the install.

So, how do we find your "perfect" SQ for you???.....Budget! whats your budget for the front stage? Speakers, Amp, Sound Deadening, etc.. A good rule of thumb, is to spend as much on the front stage, if not more, as you spent on the sub stage.

 

[cshaw 10+ year member]

sounds like you need to do more research. your going at it backwards. trying to build a front stage just to keep up with the sub stage is not how you should look at it. the sub stage should be the last thing you do to fill in what, that 40 hertz of the bottome of your hearing range as compared to the front stage that should do 98 % of the hearing spectrum like 60hz - 20k

 

[FJF 10+ year member]

SQ is a debatable subject because everyone has a different taste on what is Perfect Sound Quality

...not really.

 

[Bandieramonte 10+ year member]

if your going for a SQ vehicle, components are the only way to go for the front stage. Forget the rear speakers, either leave them stock or unhook them. (you wont hear them anyways)

But is a set of comps in the front door enough to balance 1400 rms of sub power? That is what worries me on only going front stage comps.

So, how do we find your "perfect" SQ for you???.....Budget! whats your budget for the front stage? Speakers, Amp, Sound Deadening, etc.. A good rule of thumb, is to spend as much on the front stage, if not more, as you spent on the sub stage.

Actually, I'm planning to spend more on these speakers that what I spent in the subs, since these speakers account for a greater range of the frequencies. So I really want to do this right.

sounds like you need to do more research. your going at it backwards. trying to build a front stage just to keep up with the sub stage is not how you should look at it. the sub stage should be the last thing you do to fill in what, that 40 hertz of the bottome of your hearing range as compared to the front stage that should do 98 % of the hearing spectrum like 60hz - 20k

Well, I can't go back, the subs are already bought. If what you say it's true, then as I said in my first post, please help me find the best mid and high frequency speakers that would work very good with those subs in a SQ way.

 

[cshaw 10+ year member]

i say go to your local shops and have a listen to installs with different goals like spl or sq or sql.

i had this whole thing typed out, but found out your not installing it yourself.

just go to some websites and read reviews on comp sets. its not like one brand of speakers magically blends better with your subs than another lol its all in the install.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

I would do kick panels and go with a coax mounted component set like Image dynamics CX or XS line, Kicker QS or RS lines, Memphis Sync or MB Quart PV series. Or go with ID horns like cd1eV.3 and mid bass in your doors.

 

[eharri3 10+ year member]

HAHAHHAAHA this is like the 'SQ' thread where all the guy has done so far is like 6 8 inch subs. I too believe you are going backwards but that's OK. To most, car audio=loud thumping subs.

Most do not understand that to true SQ devotees, subs and sub amps are not the center point of the system. They are a necessary evil that exist to fill a purpose that no other driver can fill, but which brings inherent problems to the table such as the one you mention. You either do not really understand what you want, or do not understand how to obtain what you want from your system. At this point my suggestion is 2 sets of components and lots of power.

This site is hilarious, with people talking about SQ setups then mentioning that they are already throwing 1500-2000 watts to their substage and just want a front stage to keep up.

 

[audiolife 5,000+ posts]

HAHAHHAAHA this is like the 'SQ' thread where all the guy has done so far is like 6 8 inch subs. I too believe you are going backwards but that's OK. To most, car audio=loud thumping subs.
Most do not understand that to true SQ devotees, subs and sub amps are not the center point of the system. They are a necessary evil that exist to fill a purpose that no other driver can fill, but which brings inherent problems to the table such as the one you mention. You either do not really understand what you want, or do not understand how to obtain what you want from your system. At this point my suggestion is 2 sets of components and lots of power.

This site is hilarious, with people talking about SQ setups then mentioning that they are already throwing 1500-2000 watts to their substage and just want a front stage to keep up.

Gotta show people what to do and throw ideas at them so they understand and can try. Sure bassheads seem lop sided in what they like but then again so is the tweek who is allcaught up to far in artsy fartsyness rather than actually weighing true advantages and disadvantages out.

 

[Bandieramonte 10+ year member]

HAHAHHAAHA this is like the 'SQ' thread where all the guy has done so far is like 6 8 inch subs. I too believe you are going backwards but that's OK. To most, car audio=loud thumping subs.
Most do not understand that to true SQ devotees, subs and sub amps are not the center point of the system. They are a necessary evil that exist to fill a purpose that no other driver can fill, but which brings inherent problems to the table such as the one you mention. You either do not really understand what you want, or do not understand how to obtain what you want from your system. At this point my suggestion is 2 sets of components and lots of power.

This site is hilarious, with people talking about SQ setups then mentioning that they are already throwing 1500-2000 watts to their substage and just want a front stage to keep up.

Given that the SPL enthusiasts I've heard from usually have 3000+ rms in subs, I thought that 1400 rms in subs would be sufficiently small for a SQ setup. Also, consider that my subs are polk SR124-DVC, which are SQ oriented. But well, I think I should then aim to SQL. You suggested two sets of components, that would be in what places of the vehicle? And what amount of rms power would I need in them to balance with those subs?

i say go to your local shops and have a listen to installs with different goals like spl or sq or sql.
i had this whole thing typed out, but found out your not installing it yourself.

just go to some websites and read reviews on comp sets. its not like one brand of speakers magically blends better with your subs than another lol its all in the install.

Believe me, I've read many many reviews of many different types of components and speaker setups, and ended up even more confused due to the wideness of this topic. That's why I made this thread to see what SQL (as it turned out to be) speakers setup can I combine with those subs.

I think that the components is the best setup I can do in the front stage, but am unsure on what to do elsewhere in the vehicle since just one comp seems to be overpowered by those subs. I Don't know what sounds better between 2 pairs of 6x9'' speakers, or 2 individual mids and 2 individual tweeters, or any other kind of speakers out there. Or perhaps this got nothing to do with sound quality and I should instead focus on the brands?

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

Hey man. Good start would be to match up your subs to the Polk SR speakers. They are a great set and were engineered to be a good match for the SR subs. I'm pretty sure you would be satisfied with a set of them.

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

I also think you would be fine with one sub. I'd install one in a sealed box when you get your new speakers and see if it provides sufficient low end for you. I think it will. Then you can sell the other and make back some money.

 

[Bandieramonte 10+ year member]

Your idea sounds good, I've seen so many positive reviews from the SR6500 comps, and am really inclined on matching a polk SR sub with those comps. But I really don't want to sell a sub, even if this means sacrificing SQ to go SQL.

In that case, does it make sense to do 2 of those subs, but in this case installing two SR6500 comps?

Would that sound fine? Are the subs going to overpower them?

 

[LaserRed38 10+ year member]

Well the thing is, you can always turn the bass down. But the way I see it is, if you turn the bass down to a level that one single sub would provide...then you've wasted the money and trunk space installing both. That's why I recommend just trying one out first. For 2 12s off that amount of power, as long as you give your components enough power, there is no need to do 2 sets of components in front. It will just be a headache installing 2 sets of mid and 2 sets of tweeters. Aiming, tuning, time alignment will all be a lot more work, not to mention finding/making room for 2 6.5s a side. My philosophy is start out with the least amount of work/components possible. Go from there. You may be satisfied with one sub and one set of components.

 

[DidUHearThat? 10+ year member]

These sound great. Maybe not for your application.

http://www.dbaudio.com/en/systems/j_series/j12/index_html#app

With these subs: