e30 cab audio build

[Turf1600]

So, this isn't a super impressive build but I'm hoping that it will sound pretty good without setting me back a ton. Right now I'm running stock premium speakers up front, crappy 3 ways in the rear and a crappy sony HU. I have a nakamichi CD 400 that may or may not work - if it doesn't I'll be using this:


With these speakers in the rear:

150w cadence 2 ways with crossovers and adjustable tweeters


Up front - similar cadence 2 ways


The amp is a jensen power 5500 640 watt 5 channel:


I'll be using one of luke's vert boxes and two of these kicker 8'' subs:



I guess im into it about $650 right now - which isn't too bad. If the front speakers suck I may install 6'' components into the doors and run the F and R stock locations on bridged power. I also need to get a new antenna so I'll probably be sourcing a 318ti shorty unit.

[Turf1600]

The JVC above arrived today so I'm officially only waiting on lukes sub box to begin my install. I'm a bit concerned that the rear speakers I've chosen won't fit very well so I may have to make custom speaker covers.

Also - I have 2 questions -

What's the best place to mount the 4 crossovers I'll be using? On the box or near the speakers?

I don't feel like I'll be able to use too much of my stock speaker wire. I may be able to run them to the mids but not the tweeters - or is that why I'm possibly mounting the crossovers near the speaker locations?

[bmwguy325is]

I built an amp rack for the crossovers. or amp like rack LOL its in the trunk

[Turf1600]

I bought a 318ti antenna for this setup - as my stock one is non op. I think I'm going to get a stubby mast for it since the stock one seems to be bent. Otherwise, I have ruled out the sony and nakamichi HUs and will be using the JVC above.

I'm going to pull the entire interior for this project. I'm going to be converting to a late 318ic interior, adding an uncracked dash, black door panels and all of the audio stuff. I guess while I have it all out I'll dye the blue carpet black. I already have 318is front buckets - now I got the rear vert seat to match. I may also try to source some good bolsters to replace one of my damaged ones with.

In other news, I intend to adjust my valves, fix my ABS (need to track down the bad sensor(s)) and do some other minor stuff. I may or may not post progress in this thread.

[e30vert]

Curious to see how your build turns out! Please update!

[5Toes]

God I am starting to consider this JVC deck over the Pioneer I love so much!!!

[Turf1600]

Installed the 318ti antenna yesterday. The install is super easy when you have the 318ti antenna grommet. The reception is great, too. Today I received a 3'' shorty antenna in the mail ($10 on ebay) and the reception is still good. My benchmark is AM sports radio - which is usually fuzzy. It was crystal clear with the stubby. I also installed a 318ic rear seat which looks a ton better than the one I had. I'll post pics soon.

I'm still waiting on my luke box to complete the rest of the install.

[Turf1600]

I installed my HU today. I really wanted to wait until I got my box from luke to do the whole thing but I got tired of looking at the box in my office - plus I woke up early today and felt inspired. This particular unit has 2 sections on which you can change the color independently. I got one side to match the stock amber perfectly and then decided to try the whole thing in one of the preset amber colors. This is a bit bright so when I have the time and it's dark out I'll tune it down a bit. It can (as far as I can tell) be made to match really nicely. It sounds great on my stock speakers - I can't wait to install my components and dual 8'' subs. FWIW I bought this unit because of the color changing ability, the 3 sets of pre-outs and the USB/aux front inputs. I think it's still a bit modern for the car but for the price it is worth it. Sorry for the cell phone while driving pic.

[Jean]

Rear speakers should not be 'better/bigger' than the front stage imho. I would do what you can do put the money you'll spend on rear components towards bigger or better front components and get some coax for rear speakers.

[Turf1600]

Rear speakers should not be 'better/bigger' than the front stage imho. I would do what you can do put the money you'll spend on rear components towards bigger or better front components and get some coax for rear speakers.

The fronts are 240 watt. The rears are almost coaxials - they just have a crossover controlling the center mounted tweeter.

[flyboyx]

pat,

i don't think the rear speakers you selected are going to work for you. they look like they are too deep. these are kinda cheaply priced, but i think they are perhaps better than stock. http://www.ebay.com/itm/390290462969...84.m1423.l2649

why did you sell your nak? i wish i would have known you had it for sale. dangit. i ended up buying matt's. also picking up jordan's cd43. just can't decide what i am going to do for my setup. i'm pretty clueless when it comes to stereo equipment and how to choose and install it properly. if i do the nak, at least i have aux input for xm.

[Turf1600]

I measured and they'll fit but not under the stock cover. I really don't want to do a coaxial back there.

[flyboyx]

I measured and they'll fit but not under the stock cover. I really don't want to do a coaxial back there.

they also make a speaker without the tweeter in the center.

http://www.amazon.com/Fusion-CS-CM50...5717150&sr=8-1

why don't you want coaxial? i admit i am a bit of a retard when it comes to stereo equip.


the nakimichi arrived in the mail today. ;)

[Turf1600]

why don't you want coaxial? i admit i am a bit of a retard when it comes to stereo equip.

You know, I'm also not a stereo expert. I listen to luke for mostly everything - he pretty much told me what to buy for my last audio build and it was awesome - I trust his judgment. From what I can gather coaxials generally can't handle as much wattage, have cheaper components (magnets, frames, tweeter domes, woofer materials) and have internal crossovers. Conventional logic would suggest that if a 4x2x2 crossover is required for components then the tiny amount of circuitry found in coaxials won't perform as well. Also, tweeter position is crucial to quality sound. If it wasn't then every tweeter would be in the center of the speaker. Overall, components pretty much allow you to route frequencies to speakers that are well suited to play them without losing sound quality and without damaging the speaker. Separating them also allows better tuning capacity as well as strategic placement - with the result hopefully being improved clarity and a fuller sound.

Someone correct me if I'm off base here - I'm not an audio pro.

[Jean]

Some of the stuff you said above is correct but not all....for example.

The amount and/or size of crossover components does not directly indicate that the higher count/size is better. Also, Coax speakers infact DO have best tweeter location , but the BIG IF is if you can mount them but in the default car location you usually CAN'T.

If you look into very high end home audio, you'll notice lower count and coax or VERY close tweeter to mid location is what many designers strive for :)