[Mk2] [NA] Completely renewing my cars audio system - help please!

[MrSix]

I'm looking to replace the standard speakers in my MR2 with some newer stuff in the near future and I'd like to be able to discuss my options with more knowledgable people than the chavs I know who just want maximum volume and bass.

I guess this post is two fold, one asking for a decent car audio forum and the other to ask you guys for advice if you're in the know.

I'm going to need 6.5" component speakers for the front doors and 3.5" coaxials in the rear. Then I'm very limited with my choice of subwoofers, as my car is a T-bar I need to keep the space behind the seats free for placing the roof panels in when I have them off. This means a sub box behind the seat isn't an option (nor would I really want one tbh). However, what I have seen is this:



Now I'm not clued up on these at all, but I believe their called midbass drivers? Basically, my car comes with two very small subs under that panel anyway (that currently aren't hooked up), so what I would do is remove them and fiberglass that box section to seal it and then mount the new midbass drivers as above, but with a grille so I can still place the roof panels behind the seats.

I'm not looking for huge boomy bass anyway as I listen to rock and dance music rather than hip-hop or bassline and with the cabin being nice and small I'm hoping that two of those would do the job for the lower frequencies.

Finally I'll need an amplifier (or two) to power these 6 speakers, I'm open to suggestions on this.

So over to you, what would brands / models would you reccomend? My budget is flexible but I don't want to be paying anything over £400-500 and I'm not adverse to buying second hand.

[asdrewq]

With regard to subs behind the seats, I have heard the kenwood 6x9 subs are quite good:

http://caraudiosecurity.com/shop/produc ... /2619.html

You could mount them directly in place of the current stock subs for a nice discreet install. This is what I intend to do in the future.
Try hooking up the standard subs you already have assuming the amplifiers are still present. You may find them good enough for the time being

[MrSix]

I need to have a look at how the subs connect up to the headunit, because the wiring was such a mess (due to the last owner having a crappy Sony headunit fitted and the wires had all been chopped off their ISO blocks).

I've just done some research and it seems that the little boxes behind the seats have a 9l capacity, which works out almost perfect for 6.5" midbass drivers.

[marcnoonan]

Hi MrSix,

Got a T-Bar myself and therefore the same problem.

I've got a set of 6.5" infinity Kappa components in the front with 5.25" 2 way kappa infinity in the rear (will fit after some chopping). As to the bass, I've was originally looking at having four 6" subs mounted on the verticle side of the cubbies rather than the horizontal so the T-bars don't squash em. However, I'm now looking at getting 4 Vibe QB69 rectangular 6x9 run off the sub output which are meant to have 20% more base than other 6x9 and 2400W max, again, placed on the verticle side of the cubbies.

Not sure whether to put the amps in the cabin or frunk or boot yet though.

Hope this helps

Marc

Marc

[MrSix]

Hi Marc,

I've done some research since my last post and I've decided to go for two Elemental Design 6.5" subs in the cubby holes behind the seats. They have a 9l capacity when you take out the sealed box already in them and these little subs only require 7.1l to run optimally, so I'm going to make up some MDF boxes and a top to replace the flip lid and run them. I'll be using a 750w monoblock to power the subs then another 4 channel amp to run the front components and rear speakers. All of that will be mounted in the frunk.

[marcnoonan]

Hi Six,

Sounds like a plan!

Done your research too as the capacity thing did have me scratching my head.

If you did go for two subs each side, I'm guessing the optimum capacity then would need to be 14.2l (although it's proabaly alot more complicated and mathematical than that). Does venting allow the 14.2l needed to be achieved from the 9l capacity? Not sure what capacity the QB69 need but don't want to end up putting in 4 and getting less bass than with just 2.

Here's the 6" subs I was looking at

http://www.m-99.co.uk/Car_Audio/6_Inch_ ... ofers.html

Marc

[MrSix]

Sorry marc I wasn't clear with what I meant - I'll be running two subs, one in each cubby hole. For the size of the cabin and their 250watt output, that will be more than enough for my needs

[un1eash]

That first picture of the sub looks like the JL 8W7 which is a serious 8" subwoofer. I was looking at putting the JL 8W3v3 or 6W3v3 in my mk1 but at £100 for the sub alone i put those plans on hold for now.

http://mobile.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?series_id=1

[Bluemr2NA]

As you've researched ED subs i imagine you have found www.talkaudio.co.uk .