WANTED: Thoughts on my system

[Chrisw21 10+ year member]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger and buy a system. Going in a 2005 Mercedes CLK 500. What do you guys think??? Am I putting together a nice lil' SQ system or will my music sound like Fran Drescher and a Mongolian goat herder in a shouting match????? Here's what I got picked out:

1. FD 4150 - ARC Audio 4 Channel 640 Watt Amplifier
   
2. CTX65CS - Image Dynamics 6.5" Component Speaker System
   
3. FD 600.1 - ARC Audio 1 Channel 620 Watt Amplifier
   
4. ARC12D2 - ARC Audio 12" 700 Watt Dual 2-Ohm Subwoofer
   
5. re-Q5 - MTX 5-Channel Bass Restoration Signal Processor
   

I still need to pick out some sound deadener and do some research on building a sub enclosure, but this is what I'm thinking right now. Going with 2 sets of the ID 6.5's, but may end up only installing 1. On the CLK, both front and rear channels are in the door. I've heard that blocking off the rear opening will give better response to the fronts, but I'm not sure I'm ready to give up my rear fill. I'll have to test both. The list above totals out right around $1300 so far. So what do you think?? All feedback is welcome!!!

Click to read more...

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

With the high end Arc stuff Id rather see you get the JBL MS8 rather than the re-Q5.

 

[Chrisw21 10+ year member]

Thought about the MS8 but the price tag is a little hard to swallow. I wish they would come out with one WITHOUT the cheesy little built in amp! Plus, does the MS8 have the bass compensation?????? The Mercedes factory HU rolls off pretty good, but I don't want to change it out. Trying to go stealth!!

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Thought about the MS8 but the price tag is a little hard to swallow. I wish they would come out with one WITHOUT the cheesy little built in amp! Plus, does the MS8 have the bass compensation?????? The Mercedes factory HU rolls off pretty good, but I don't want to change it out. Trying to go stealth!!

You can get one for around $400 shipped if you go used.

 

[Chrisw21 10+ year member]

Hmmmmm...... $400 sounds a bit easier!!!!!!!! Craigslist, HERE I COME!!!!!!

 

[Chrisw21 10+ year member]

Well, Whitedragon, your post got me to searchin'. Found an MS8 on Ebay for $580 new from Woofersetc.com. They list it for $700 on their website!!!! Since that is where I was going to buy all of the other equipment, I think I'll make a phone call and see if I can get the Ebay price! And maybe get a lil' discount on everything else!!!! Nothing like talking to a REAL person to make things happen.........

 

[whitedragon551 5,000+ posts]

Well, Whitedragon, your post got me to searchin'. Found an MS8 on Ebay for $580 new from Woofersetc.com. They list it for $700 on their website!!!! Since that is where I was going to buy all of the other equipment, I think I'll make a phone call and see if I can get the Ebay price! And maybe get a lil' discount on everything else!!!! Nothing like talking to a REAL person to make things happen.........

Tell them your a member of Caraudio.com and you were referred to them. They will give you a discount.

 

[FlexnInLa 10+ year member]

Sounds like a pretty nice SQ setup. I'd change the ID comps to HAT comps, and the sub to an ID IDQ. Amps are really nice though!

 

[Chrisw21 10+ year member]

I'd change the ID comps to HAT comps, and the sub to an ID IDQ.

Not too familiar with HAT comps. I've heard the name but nothing more. Got any links, reviews, or personal experience w them? Why go with the IDQ? From what I've heard, IDQ is more towards SPL and the ARC is more SQ?? I was going to run the ARC at 2 ohms to get the full 620W, and the ID at 4 ohms so 80W each. Lovin' the feedback! Thanks guys! I really enjoy taking my time and learning about the system I choose. Keep bringin' it!

 

[Serpent710 10+ year member]

just saw your in satellite. im over in west melbourne dude. go with the jbl that was suggested.

 

[dumple 5,000+ posts]

ms8 for sure

 

[funandgames 10+ year member]

System looks nice. Here are the Hybrid audios someone mentioned earlier in your thread. They are supposed to be really nice.

Imagine I61-2 6.5" Component / Coaxial Speaker Set - 12v Electronics

I would recommend running 2 or these subs instead of 1 off of that amp.

WoofersEtc.com - ARC12D4 - ARC Audio 12" 700 Watt Dual 4-Ohm Subwoofer

or one of these:

Dayton Audio RSS315HO-44 12" Reference HO DVC Subwoofer 295-467

Personally I would go with the Dayton. It is an excellent sound quality, low distortion driver and partsexpress offers them with a 5 year warranty!!!!

And with that high end of an install the JBL processor really is a no-brainer. It will offer much more features and flexibility and give you a better quality sound than the MTX.

 

[Chrisw21 10+ year member]

Alright, you guys talked me in to the MS8. I'll do a little research on the HATs and the Dayton sub also, but I'm not interested in going with dual ARC12D4's. I don't want to give up that much real estate in the trunk. And as far as:

lol, if you can afford a 6 year old 500 series, you should be able to afford $400 bro. if not quit pretending to be something you aint

Maybe you should go price out my car. Not really very expensive, especially since I got it below book value. In fact, I paid only slightly more the the book value of your Trailblazer. And the question is not IF I can afford $400 (which is really $580 since I don't want to buy used), but IF I feel that it is worth the cost. I have an issue with a sound processor being the most expensive component in my system. But thanks anyways for your valuable feedback!

 

[funandgames 10+ year member]

Alright, you guys talked me in to the MS8. I'll do a little research on the HATs and the Dayton sub also, but I'm not interested in going with dual ARC12D4's. I don't want to give up that much real estate in the trunk. And as far as:


Maybe you should go price out my car. Not really very expensive, especially since I got it below book value. In fact, I paid only slightly more the the book value of your Trailblazer. And the question is not IF I can afford $400 (which is really $580 since I don't want to buy used), but IF I feel that it is worth the cost. I have an issue with a sound processor being the most expensive component in my system. But thanks anyways for your valuable feedback!

What head unit are you going to be running?

 

[Why So Cereal? 5,000+ posts]

System looks nice. Here are the Hybrid audios someone mentioned earlier in your thread. They are supposed to be really nice.Imagine I61-2 6.5" Component / Coaxial Speaker Set - 12v Electronics

I would recommend running 2 or these subs instead of 1 off of that amp.

WoofersEtc.com - ARC12D4 - ARC Audio 12" 700 Watt Dual 4-Ohm Subwoofer

or one of these:

Dayton Audio RSS315HO-44 12" Reference HO DVC Subwoofer 295-467

Personally I would go with the Dayton. It is an excellent sound quality, low distortion driver and partsexpress offers them with a 5 year warranty!!!!

And with that high end of an install the JBL processor really is a no-brainer. It will offer much more features and flexibility and give you a better quality sound than the MTX.

I personally run those dayton subs recommended here and dont let the low price fool you. They are some of the best SQ subs out there IMO. I wont even say they are good for the price. They are just good period!