cabrio audio

[Jordan325iC]

My first forray into car electronics. I want a bit of base, but I'm trying not to go the sub route unless I absolutely have to. Right now I've got a JVC kd 510 headunit producing 4x50w, w/ all stock sound system besides that I believe.

What's a good set of front components?
What's a good set of rear coxails?

[KenC]

If you're going to use the stock deck (realistically it's putting out about 18-22 watts x4), then just do 4 coax's and call it good. You won't get any bass from them. If you're going to invest in a pair of components, then you'll want an external power amplifier that puts out about 75 watts RMS. I have a pair of CDTs that I absolutely love. I got a GREAT deal on them for about $280. If you look around you can find some as well for probably close to that. If it's bass you're looking for, you'll need a subwoofer (at least a 10" in a Cabrio) and a dedicated power amp for it that puts out at least 200 watts RMS.

[Jordan325iC]

I don't have a stock deck. I've got a JVC kd 510 deck.

[assoutE12]

you would still be better off powering components with an amp.
If you don't want to spend the money on an amp, just get some coax's, of you get some good ones it will sound pretty good. I like bostons alot, I have them in both my cars. they are reliable and sound real good.

[Bimmerfanatik]

I was gonna start my own post, but I may as well hop in on this one.

Just picked up the cabbie, and it's my first convertible. Now I know sound quality is going to be compromised drastically - with or without the top down - so I want to compensate for that.

The three components I'm stuck on are my Alpine CDA-7894 head unit (60wx4), a 12" Boston Acoustics subwoofer in a small sealed box, and a NOS Alpine MRV-100M monoblock amp to power the sub.

I feel that putting components in the stock premium locations up front should be fine, and a set of solid coax's in the rear should suffice as well. I did consider doing just midbass's in the rear, but I'd rather the full surround.

Given the above, I want to get a set of components for the front - not TOO crazy, probably in the $100-200 range at most, and a set of good rear coax (around $100-150 max) for the rear. If I can, I'd like to use the head unit's amp to power them - seems silly to let the 60wx4 peak power go to waste, it's done fine for me this long. But, if need be, I can do a 2 channel for the front coax's, I doubt I'd need a 4 channel.

I have NO intention of rattling the ground and setting car alarms off, nor winning any awards. Just clean, clear, loud sound that I can enjoy with the top down.

As a note - for those of you that want bass without a subwoofer - it's more trouble than it's worth. Even a single 10" sub will make a world of difference. There's no real replacement for it.

[KenC]

You would be better off taking the $ you were going to put toward some rear coaxials and distributing it between a pair of components for the front and an amp. I love my CDT components, I suggest you look into them. Also, you'll want to get a two channel amp that is at least 75x2 RMS at 4 ohms.

[Bimmerfanatik]

You would be better off taking the $ you were going to put toward some rear coaxials and distributing it between a pair of components for the front and an amp. I love my CDT components, I suggest you look into them. Also, you'll want to get a two channel amp that is at least 75x2 RMS at 4 ohms.

So what, just throw whatever in the rear and focus on some more 'spensive comps for the front? I suppose. What do the CDT's run, and where can I read about em?

The head unit ain't enough, eh?

[parkerbink]

Scott I have MB Quart components in the stock front locations, (6.something mid/woofers that needed coaxing to get in there but fit) the stock front mid/woofers in back running off a Kenwood KDC X879 head and a Tsunami four channel amp and two 10 inch Orion MTX subs running off an 800 watt @2ohm Kenwood amp in a box I had made to fit under the top storage that sticks slightly into the trunk the system seriously rocks top up or down (top down I turn up the subs)

BTW what happened to those tan interior pieces I asked about? wtf too busy driving all over the country dropping off & picking up vehicles????

[Bimmerfanatik]

Scott I have MB Quart components in the stock front locations, (6.something mid/woofers that needed coaxing to get in there but fit) the stock front mid/woofers in back running off a Kenwood KDC X879 head and a Tsunami four channel amp and two 10 inch Orion MTX subs running off an 800 watt @2ohm Kenwood amp in a box I had made to fit under the top storage that sticks slightly into the trunk the system seriously rocks top up or down (top down I turn up the subs)

BTW what happened to those tan interior pieces I asked about? wtf too busy driving all over the country dropping off & picking up vehicles????

MB's are nice - but bright. I might want a more mellow sound.

Get me some pics of that rear setup, and also of the 6.5's in the kicks - I was under the impression I'd only get some 5.25's in there.

Yes Stefan, I've been busy galavanting across the country to get a hold of your parts :) What was it again? Tan pulls and pockets? I know I have them - hit me on the PM.

[parkerbink]

My kid broke my good Nikon so I have been using my four or five year old 1.3 Fuji which has now developed an odd memory card failure error so I can't (at this second) take pictures of the sub box. With the two amps on the back wall of the trunk it sticks out about an inch and a half or so. I have a new Nikon in Laredo so I'll take pictures for you when I get back next week.

I was kidding about the door pulls & pockets (I do want them I know you have been busy) PM me when you find them

[Jordan325iC]

Gah, I hate audio, I feel so lost. Where would I put external amps? Where would I put a 10" sub in my cabrio? How can I make sure I don't get any rattling?

And just so I'm clear, components are comprised of tweeters, crossovers, and subwoofers, right?

So in total I'm looking at components for the front, coxails for the rear, an amp and a subwoofer? Anything that I don't really need?

[parkerbink]

I have my amps on the back wall of the trunk under the top storage bin, in front of them is my sub box. You are correct on the components, I have no tweeters in back as I feel the soundstage belongs in front of my ears and I am using the stock fronts for fill I had 8 inch mid/woofers back there that worked great but made the back panels bulge a bit and I could not live with it looking like that.

[Digitalwave]

I was gonna start my own post, but I may as well hop in on this one.

Just picked up the cabbie, and it's my first convertible. Now I know sound quality is going to be compromised drastically - with or without the top down - so I want to compensate for that.

The three components I'm stuck on are my Alpine CDA-7894 head unit (60wx4), a 12" Boston Acoustics subwoofer in a small sealed box, and a NOS Alpine MRV-100M monoblock amp to power the sub.

I feel that putting components in the stock premium locations up front should be fine, and a set of solid coax's in the rear should suffice as well. I did consider doing just midbass's in the rear, but I'd rather the full surround.

Given the above, I want to get a set of components for the front - not TOO crazy, probably in the $100-200 range at most, and a set of good rear coax (around $100-150 max) for the rear. If I can, I'd like to use the head unit's amp to power them - seems silly to let the 60wx4 peak power go to waste, it's done fine for me this long. But, if need be, I can do a 2 channel for the front coax's, I doubt I'd need a 4 channel.

I have NO intention of rattling the ground and setting car alarms off, nor winning any awards. Just clean, clear, loud sound that I can enjoy with the top down.

As a note - for those of you that want bass without a subwoofer - it's more trouble than it's worth. Even a single 10" sub will make a world of difference. There's no real replacement for it.

Here are a few more options for you. You could buy a 3 or 4 channel amp. Use the front 2 channels for your front speakers, and use the rear channel(s) (bridged) for the sub. Then run the rear speakers of the head unit because they barely matter. Even the 60x4 output decks have dismal power output.

I am running Kappa components in the front and Kappa 5x7's in the rear, powered for a 440 watt 4 channel Hifonics amp. I have though about ditching the rear speakers and bridging my rear channels into a 10" woofer, but my setup sounds so good the way it is (people don't believe I don't have a sub) that I don't want to mess with it.

[Bimmerfanatik]

but my setup sounds so good the way it is (people don't believe I don't have a sub) that I don't want to mess with it.

if it ain't broke....

I'd love to go without a sub, but it won't happen in a cabbie.

I'll probably grab a highpo 2 ch amp for the front components, power the rears off the deck, and use the monoblock for the sub.