System choices for an Integra?

[LOLminator 10+ year member]

Hey all,

I currently have a 2000 Acura Integra hatchback. The stock headunit is long gone and has been replaced with a Alpine-9820XM unit. I am looking to drop in some speakers to replace the crappy stock ones. I have no amp and don't plan on buying one because I just don't have the knowledge needed to run the wires (unless you guys can convince me otherwise). No subwoofer because I actually need my trunk space to move things around. I have been looking into some component system in the front because the Integra has a separate tweeter already positioned, and just a 2-way in the rear. Instillation will be done myself and since this is the first time I would ever be doing this I'm assuming I'll need to buy some dynamat or some kind of speaker baffles to keep the sound crisp?

I am looking for clarity and some kind of speaker that can take abuse. I listen to rock, soft-rock, metal, and on rare occasions rap. I have been looking at the Polk Audio line, specifically the db650 for the rear and maybe the db6500 for the door? I have also found a cheap pair of JL Audio VR650-CXi online. The problem I have with the JLs is that I don't know how good they would sound without an amp. I've read that most people here like Eclipse or CDT audio, any good? I am probably going about this all the wrong way, so I come to you guys for help. Price range for the 4 speakers is 200-300 dollars. No ebay items, just speakers bought on an online store.

Thanks,

Summary:

*Acura Integra hatchback, component system?

*No amp/subwoofer needed

*Starting HU Alpine-9820XM

*Listen to rock, soft-rock, metal, occasional rap

*Clarity and a speaker that won't die or blow out in a few years, able to take some volume abuse.

*Polk Audio? JL underpowered without amp? Eclipse? CDT?

*200-300$ price range (no ebay)

Click to read more...

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

Ok, say we did talk you into getting an amp because you come to realize the results would be well worth it, and there's enough resources here that you won't have much trouble installing it.

And say we did talk you into getting another amp and sub to handle the lows. Not loud, booming bass, but just enough tight, accurate bass to really make those kick drums come alive.

And say we did talk you into getting some quality sound deadener, like Second Skin.

And say we did talk you into forgetting about rear speakers since only needing a great set of front comps and a single sub makes for a sweet sounding system.

What would your overall budget for absolutely everything be?

Wiring

Sound Deadener

Front Comps

Sub

Sub Amp

Comp Amp

 

[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

Quite honestly, I think you're wasting your money if all you want to do is swap speakers and a head unit. The minor gains you will see aren't worth it. Save up a few hundred dollars more and get something that is worth getting.

You can put together a decent system for a fair price. These are all brand new prices. You can save even more by purchasing used.

Head Unit: $100

Component Speakers: $100

Deadener: $50

ported Subwoofer box materials and wires: $50

Subwoofer $100

600 watt, three channel amplifier: $150 - $200

GRAND TOTAL: $550 - $600, only $250 - $300 more than your current budget.

If you insist on only spending $300, then go the the junkyard and unscrew an Intergra's radio, buy a cheap used 4 channel amplifier to power your stock speakers (assuming the impedance works out), and a sub and a mono amp. With wiring and a line out converter, you're looking at around $300. That's probably the best you can do for $300, honestly.

Or forget the subwoofer and spend it all on a set of good comps, a head unit, a good amp, and a crapton of sound deadening.

 

[MiniVanMan 10+ year member]

What would your overall budget for absolutely everything be?

Wiring

Sound Deadener

Front Comps

Sub

Sub Amp

Comp Amp

I'm eagerly awaiting this challenge.

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

I'm eagerly awaiting this challenge.

Yeah me too..... //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/eek.gif.771b7a90cf45cabdc554ff1121c21c4a.gif

 

[LOLminator 10+ year member]

So the maximum amount could possibly be raised to about $400. The only problem I see is that subwoofer. While I do like the tight bass, I do move around a lot for college and I don't think I could do that with a huge sub enclosure, unless you guys know of any way around that.

As for the amp, I guess I will have to get one then. I knew my little stereo couldn't push out that kind of power, the only problem would be running all the wires and stuff. Like I said before I've never worked with car audio, so all this is new to me but I'm sure I could manage.

Ok, so you talked me into an amp and raising my budget to $400 including everything (even the depth extender for the door).

 

[MiniVanMan 10+ year member]

Looks like about $300.00 for equipment, and $100.00 for installation supplies.

Yikes, that is a challenge.

But, we'll do it.

How much research you willing to do? I ask because I have something in mind. It's a bit advanced but can get you just about everything you want, within that budget.

Here's my initial suggestion.

Mach Audio MLI65 (x2) Midbass driver

http://www.mach5audio.com/index-2.html

Alpine Type X tweeter (Vifa XT19 variant x2)

http://www.pacparts.com/part.cfm?CFID=767269&CFTOKEN=85991391

Mach Audio MAW10

http://www.mach5audio.com/index-2.html

Those 3 would come to about $130 shipped.

For an amp, I would suggest the Hifonics ZXi8006. It will run everything.

http://search.ebay.com/Hifonics-amp_W0QQ_trksidZm37QQfromZR40QQfrtsZ0

That leaves about $50.00 for other stuff. Hmmmm, maybe not.

You could always wait on the sub for a little while. The best thing about that setup is that it will crush any component system comparably priced. The tweeter I stated is used in the Alpine Type X component set and sounds very nice. The mid is very solid and is a great budget performer.

The amp is a 5 channel and will let you grow, and has a built in sub channel for a future sub. The MAW10 is a great choice as it's a 2 ohm sub and will do fine with the power the Hifonics would give it. It's also has a great processing section that would allow you to go active which is what I'm proposing.

The other option is buy a higher priced component set, and a 2 channel amp. It will cost in the $250-$300.00 range to get anything worth having, so you're not really gaining anything there, and will cost much more to add on in the future.

The only real trick to my option is that you'll need a fundamental understanding on how active processing works. It may be intimidating, but it's rather easy, and you won't be doing anything really advance. So, I wouldn't worry about it. We can definitely get you through it.

Think about it.

 

[DejaWiz 5,000+ posts]

^ MiniVanMan to the rescue! You went right down the path I was going to walk. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

LOLminator - To make things easier, The Type X tweeter at PacParts is item# AT19NC01-04.

The Mach5 6.5 can be found at this direct link, but they are OOS.

There are a couple for sale here at the forum.

You can get a great starter Active Crossover on the cheap from a reputable source.

And you needn't worry about a sub taking up a lot of room... there are plenty of great quality inexpesive subs that work very well in tiny sealed enclosures.

 

[azbass 5,000+ posts]

for what he wants to do.

i would not recommend him getting mids different from the tweets. as MiniVanMan mentioned.

get a good component set, stay passive, and run it off a good HU.

it will sound fine, and be a lot better then stock.

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

for what he wants to do.
i would not recommend him getting mids different from the tweets. as MiniVanMan mentioned.

get a good component set, stay passive, and run it off a good HU.

it will sound fine, and be a lot better then stock.

i agree

although MiniVanMan's ideas are great!!

 

[LOLminator 10+ year member]

Thank you MiniVanMan for your awesome help, I just don't think an active system would be good for a beginner. I tried reading the link in your signature and got lost after the fifth paragraph. So right now it is all about passive components.

I don't know what I might be able to get out of $400 but I'm sure you guys can find a way.

As for the amp how does this look? http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_1702_Phoenix+Gold+R5.0-4.html

It is Phoenix Gold, I personally have never heard of it but it got good recommendations online. What should I do about the components?

 

[MiniVanMan 10+ year member]

Active Crossover[/URL] on the cheap from a reputable source.

That Hifonics has all the processing he needs. That's why you'll see me recommend that amp a lot of times. It has active crossovers up to 4khz.

It's no secret that I prefer active over passive, but will recommend passive sets in certain situations.

From strictly a budget standpoint, when you can get something active for the same price, it's a no brainer to me.

Any passive set that will compete with the MLI65 and XT19 (AT19) will cost at least $200.00. The Alpine SPX-177R components are at least $250.00, and the MLI-65 is a better mid than the Alpine mid. That's my opinion of course. The Alpine mid is a Vifa mid and I generally relegate those to midrange duties, as their midbass is often lacking. The MLI65 in properly treated doors perform very respectably in the midbass region. Distortion is a bit high, but that's when comparing to mids like the RS180s, ScanSpeak 18Ws, and Seas offerings. Other than that, it's a great mid.

I would never, and again this is opinion, run a good component set off of head unit power. The gains in performance don't justify the cost of the components. If you go that route, you're better off just getting co-axles, if that's the end result.

I don't know the OPs actual intention and what he's going for in that I don't know what his threshold is for what he thinks a good system sounds like. I know the suggested system is solid, and would be impressive.

Oh, and to the OP, the MAW10 can exist in a box as small as .5 cubes. That's not very big at all. You can probably even go smaller, but I'd stick to .5 cubes. Think of it this way. Given 3/4" MDF is used, dimensions would roughly be 7.5 x 7.5 x 13.5 inches, or something like that. I usually screw it up somewhere when just doing it in my head haphazardly, but it's close.

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

i agree with MiniVanMan, if your not gona amp comps, you might be better off getting coaxils and then of ya wana amp you can

but if your gona get a comp set, id recommend amping them and so would everyone else, you dont have to go crazy with an amp right away since your on a budget, you can just settle for a decent amp that will do the job and wont hurt the budget, then in the future you can always upgrade to a better amp

 

[LOLminator 10+ year member]

Okay I've been looking and maybe component isn't that good to start out with. So I did some research and choose this system.

Amp:

Phoenix Gold R5.0:4 $94.99

Specs:

* Peak Power Output:

o 80 watts x 4 at 4 ohms

o 125 watts x 4 at 2 ohms

o 250 watts x 2 at 4 ohms

* RMS Power Output:

o 50 watts RMS x 4 at 4 ohms

o 75 watts RMS x 4 at 2 ohms

o 150 watts RMS x 2 at 4 ohms

* variable high- and low-pass filters (40-400 Hz at 12 dB/octave)

* variable Twin "T" bass EQ boost (0-15 dB boost at 45 Hz)

* blue LED logo illumination

* preamp inputs

* preamp outputs

* requires 8-gauge power and ground leads — wiring and hardware not included with amplifier

* Optional neon inserts for all amp models (pictured, but not included)

* two 20-amp fuses

* 15-15/16"W x 2-9/16"H x 10-13/16"D

Speakers:

Infinity Kappa 62.7i $99.99 x2

Specs:

* 6-1/2" 2-Way Coaxial Car Audio Loudspeakers

* RMS Power Handling: 75 watts

* Plus One woven-glas-fiber woofer cone looks great and sounds even better

* Edge-driven MMD-Dome tweeter with UniPivot: Aim the sound at your ears, not the floor.

* SLI high-output design

* Neodymium motor structure with integrated heatsink

* Tweeter level adjustment on tweeter: Just rotate the tweeter to add 3dB to your highs!

* Impedance: 2 Ohms

* Grilles included

* 1-year Sonic Electronix warranty

Amp Wiring Kit

Amp Wiring Kit $34.99

Depth Extender

Depth Extender $4.99

Remember the Acura has a shallow front door opening and I need an extender.

Baffleing

Baffle $9.99 x2

For front door

Sound Proofing

Dynamat Xtreme Speaker Kit $12.99

For the front door

Please critique and add your opinions. I will eventually install a subwoofer when I get a job and just buy a mono amp to power it (I was looking at the Mach5a woofer with a pre-built box). I haven't bought these yet but I believe this is all I need to be able to start ripping apart my car and trying to install these, but if I am missing anything please let me know.

Total comes out to $367.92 with tax it is $398.13 and I am close enough to where I could probably pick the parts up at their warehouse in Valencia.

 

[tbasile1 10+ year member]

Thats a pretty decent setup, you wont get too much midbass, thats something the Infinity lacks, but they dont lack in clarity, and crisp smooth sound! I have some Reference coaxs myself and i like em, and your lookin at the Kappas a step up from mine

And if ya wire that amp at 2ohms you'll feed those Infinitys what they are rated to handle

And thats not too bad of a price for 4 coaxils that are good speakers and an amp that will push them nicely

All ya gotta do now in the future is add a sub/amp and you'll have a pretty nice setup, then always down the road you can get some comps for the front

That system though above will do the job and IMO be a good first setup, you should be pretty pleased!!