Critique My Upgrade

Hello all. I've got a 2015 DCSB and have been doing a little homework and have decided on the following stereo upgrade.

Helix Esprit E62C up front
Helix Blue B6x rear
Kenwood Excelon 4R400 Amplifier

I'll be keeping the OEM head unit for now with no sub. Professionally installed at my local shop.
Any thoughts on this set up would be appreciated as I have no previous experience with after market audio.
Tim

 

You are going with some pretty nice speakers. I would spend a little better money on the amp and maybe go 5 channel.

 

What would you recommend and I'm guessing a 5 channel in case I want a sub later?

 

Yes in case you want a sub later which you will. What is your budget for an amp? Remember it needs speaker level inputs if you are keeping your Factory Head Unit

 

I really don't have a budget just feel as though you have have a point of diminishing return on your money. I'm a older guy so heavy bass is not a necessity. I listen to singer songwriter music so clarity is what I'm looking for.

 

It doesn't really matter what genre of music you listen to. If you are looking for sound quality "bass" is an absolute necessity. Let your nice door speakers do what they were made to do best, and add a 10 inch sub in a nice box to complete the equation. Not for big, loud, fat bass, but to play a frequency range in music that is equally as important as the rest. You will not regret it.

 

This guy will get you all hooked up. So ask away brother.

 

Now we're getting somewhere. I plan on sound deadening the doors as well. How much power do I need to drive a nice set of nice components and a 10" sub?

 

I would put 100w per front door, power the rears off of the head unit, and give the sub 300-500w.

 

As others mentioned, I personally wouldnt spend too much upgrading without a sub. I have two of the JL 8" micro subs and they kick ass. One would be perfect for your needs. Also sound deadening is definitely something you'll want to get done, at least on the doors...

 

Run a channel to the front doors and bridge a channel to sub?

 

The h500 is a perfect amp for you,
Id bridge the 4 channel section to 2 channels and use the Class D portion for 500wrms @ 2ohms to drive the sub.

Take a look @gearcruncher thread. He's power a shok triton8 with it in a ported box and loves it. If you want a little more output you can go with a shok triton 10 but based on your description the 8 will work perfectly. These are amazing SQL subs that fit a tight budget and perform fantastic. Im sure you have never heard of these subs, reset assured quite a few members here have them and can ask them about these subs.

Deadener is one of the biggest recommendations for you. Any deadener will work just fine, though the i do have a group buy currently open on the shok deadener you can go take a look at. link is in my sig.

 

Out of curiousity, since your still using the stock head unit could you comment on whether the bass volume dynamically reduces at higher volumes?

Helix are some of the best from what I've read about- and they're German made. I'd like to know more about the relationship they have with Rockford Fosgate. I originally thought they were blatently ripping off the Rockford logo, then I read that a partnership was formed a few years ago. Maybe it was just to get into the US market?

+1 on the sound deadener - if your upgrading sound, then sound deadener is absolutely a must. Door skins need done, and the rear and rear floor at a minimum.

 

Where are you guys buying Helix speakers?

 

Crutchfield has them, but they are going to be full retail price there.

 

If you want top notch speakers that i can bring in for a fantastic price +_ $550 the mercury K62 is imo the best of mids for this price range and above

 

My local shop has them.

I haven't pulled the trigger yet but will give feed back when I do.