+1 for running active / network mode (why didn't I do this long ago?)

If you have the ability to run an active crossover or networked system, it really helps deal with issues stemming from the OEM tweeter location.

I've been running Image Dynamics ID65CS components in the front doors for a couple years bridged off a 5 channel Kicker and using the passive crossovers that came with them. The tweeters were super harsh and lopsided (biased to the driver's side), even though the overall system was loud and clean.

Flash forwadd to a few days ago... I did away with the crossovers, wired the tweeters to the front channels, mids to the rears, switched the head unit to network mode, and adjusted time alignment settings with a tape measure. Voila. No more harsh tweeters and a sound that seems much more balanced/staged for the driver. The mids are also way more noticeable, to a point where I need to fix rattles in my window switch panels.

This is all using a cheap Pioneer media player...not an expensive unit with a touchscreen or anything like that (MVH-S600BS).

Just throwing it out there!

 

This is my plan. Was just gifted a Kenwood 5-channel by my wife. But I’m doing mine in stages. Start passive with the new amp, get used to it, then switch to active. I hope my experience is as good as yours.

 

welcome to the club!

 

Pretty crazy what a $100 head unit can do these days.

 

even crazier when you realize that in 2008 the same result was only possible with a minimum $1,500 in hardware(there were only 4 options: analog 3-way passive pre-amp, audison bitone, alpine activelink, or car-pc).

 

I just wish there were more staggered power amplifier options. Someone needs to make a compact(ish) six channel with 4x100W + 2x50W.

 

Yeah, that's an interesting idea. All the 6 channels I've seen are 100w into all speakers or something like that.

 

I'm about to install my Image Dynamics set, but my cross-over's you can remove the cover and there's jumpers to adjust the tweeter. Wondering if that maybe is the problem (the cross-over's aren't adjustable).

I wish I had the funds (wife would kill me) to get another pair of amps (I'm going to be using a JL HD 900/5). I would have just bit the bullet and got the HD 600/4 and a 1200/1 but would've went broke.

 

I played with the jumpers on my ID65CS set and didn't notice any real difference in how harsh the tweeters were. Wasn't until I went active that they really calmed down.

 

Gotcha, I have the XS ones, wonder if they're any different vs the CS ones (other than price).

 

The jumpers probably just change the resistor value to attenuate the tweeters at different levels. And IME the HDs aren't worth the extra coin. The RD/XD lines are very nice for a lot less money. Or, if you can find a deal on a VXI, those make install a breeze if you need a full-featured DSP as well.

Yeah, active solves a lot of problems. Time alignment alone is huge.

 

I wouldn't have ended up with it if I didn't get a deal of the decade on one years ago. I think I won an eBay auction in 2014/2015 for something like $620-640 shipped (no tax back then). Now seeing the other amp options I would maybe pick a different setup and go with that. Would loved to have one of the 6 channel amps, run everything active, and use something else on the sub channel.

I was reading in the user manual to the speakers (at least the ones I have). There's a few different jumpers to adjust so I'll probably play with it, but yes, in 2023 WAY more options than back in 2013