front stage questions

okay so im not "new" to car audio but I am still learning a lot. ive bought numerous component setups for my front stage for as long as I remember. but now im thinking of doing something a bit different.

to me some tweeters sound better on a lower end component setup vs the higher model, but the lower end model midbass sucks compared to the higher end one. so im here looking for some insight on piecing together my setup.

for my front stage midbass im looking at skar pax 6.5, sundown neopro 6.5, id max, or maybe even DD. yes I know pricey but they sound great.

tweeters I still havent gone out to listen to any atm so undecided.

and crossovers. idk how to even begin looking into these. not sure what to look for etc etc. any help will be greatly appreciated. as for my amp, im going 2ch and going to find one thatll put out enough power to each speaker that I decide on. i dont like building around the amp so I figure id get my speakers in order first

 

There's a lot of questions, inside your questions, lol.

First question is if you would be able to go active - does your headunit have the ability to separately cross mid and tweet signal? Can you run a 4 channel amp for a separate channel per driver with active crossover capability, or are you set on a 2 channel amp doing a single channel to a passive crossover which will feed the comps?

If you can go active - I wouldn't worry with a pre packaged comp set, and piece some drivers/tweeters together.

Remember - most car audio brands are just sourcing their drivers from speaker companies and rebranding. Alpine Type R or X are Scanspeak/Vifa made, a lot of Fosgate's Power stuff is made by SEAS, etc.

Something like these for the mids:
Do some research on reviews for these - don't let the price fool you - these are what I'd probably buy if I needed new drivers right now:
http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.co.../silver-flute-w17rc38-04-ohm-6-1/2-wool-cone/

OR - the SB Acoustics SB17MF - this is basically the same driver as the Arc Audio Black series 6.0 - ARC has acknowledged that SB makes the drivers - for $400 less per pair.
http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.co.../sb-acoustics-sb17mfc35-4-6-poly-cone-woofer/

Pair it with a Vifa XT25 tweet, or SEAS Prestige, and you've got a really nice set of drivers, minus the crossovers.
http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/ring-radiator-tweeters/vifa-xt25sc90-04-ring-radiator-tweeter/

Prestige Tweet: http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.co...stige-27tffnc/g-h1396-1-textile-dome-tweeter/

The good thing about buying raw drivers at fractions of the cost of a packaged set, you can mix and match to fit what your ear likes - especially when it comes to tweeters - seems a lot of "high end" car audio these days have moved to a metal dome tweet for thier higher power handling premium stuff - but to my ear a fabric dome like silk sounds smoother.

For crossovers if you need them - You could always pick up a pair of quality passive units - like these used Alpine Type X - on fleabay for cheap. http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALPINE-TYPE...160775121?pt=Car_Speakers&hash=item2ed61dd5d1

 

or just build your own crossovers. there are several guides on the internets

 

gonna use my stock headunit on my 2014. not set on a 2ch, if a 4ch would work better in my application ill run a 4ch. will also need a sound processor also

 

hell, i plan on using a 6 channel and a separate sub amp.

 

That's what I was originally planning - and may go that route down the road. I bit the bullet and went with the 5 channel for now.

I may not amp the rear doors at all for now, but I don't have the processing to run active on the front stage yet, and don't want to spend the money on a standalone like the MiniDSP or the Precision power clone/rebrand, instead of the headunit I want that can do the processing for me.

 

im not gonna run an amp to my rear speakers. I may not even run anything besides a sub in the rear lol, but I do want my front stage sounding pretty damn good

oh btw any place on the web where I can find where rockford uses SEAS and other company rebranding?

 

if you're planning on mixing and matching, then i highly recommend going active. most passive crossovers have a bit of a sound shaping fit to their particular speakers. also active allows you play with different drivers and crossover settings to suit your tastes. look for an amp that has bandpass filters on two of the channels. use those channels for your mids.

 

yes ive decided go go active and ditch the passive crossovers

 

Since you are running the stock head unit. What loc are you gonna be using?

 

dunno yet. might run an eq..put a clarion eq in my '11 scion using also using the stock HU and I like it

 

Look into the Audison Bit 10 sound processor. It will take your speaker level inputs from the stock HU, and give you RCA outputs for you amp(s), as well as providing a 31 band EQ for each channel, time delay, etc. It also has the capability to do active set ups.

It's on my wish list for my truck. Pair it with a nice 5 channel amp like the Alpine PDX-V9 and you should be set to go if you are just wanting an active front stage + sub. (Also on my wish list!)

 

if you are willing to do a bit more work, 2-2x4 minidsp is more affordable than the $650 bit 10.

most LOCs will work fine. i think the marketing for fancy LOCs is far above their necessity.

 

A MiniDSP set up may end up being cheaper, but I've definitely seen new Bit Tens go for under 400 dollars on eBay. Not sure what they run through a dealer, I suspect that the 650 price is the list price on one?

 

sounds good...gonna have to do more research...def gonna go 4ch amp route tho. cant go 5ch..my sub amp will need some power even if its for an 8" or 10" lol