noob @ audio setups.. Stereoinstaller plz look.

[el_gringo]

Alright. work with me here as i know the basics to a stereo. I'm not a professional by any means, and i would like input. no flaming please, just honest input.

I want a system that sounds better the factory. in my previous e30 i just had a small amp and sub in my back seat that gave me a little extra bump to some music. nothing serious, but nothing great either. Now that i have a new e30 to work on, with all complete interior that is in great/excellent condition, i want to put a real sound setup in it.

Now i don't know a difference between what types of speakers, amps, ect. I'm not looking to have this car in a sound-off, just great, clean, crisp sound without the rattling/knocking. if i want it quiet, its quiet. if i wanna crank it, it cranks. feel me? someone mentioned kicker, JBL, kenwood, or RF...

The diagram below shows my mental idea of what i want it to be like.


1: head unit (ability to have ipod adapter hooked up)
2: two tweeters
3: 2x 5-1/4" speakers in kick panels
4: 2x 5-1/4" (or slightly bigger) speakers in door cards (fiberglass work to mount in card/tray) I am still debating this idea, but throwing it in there for now.
5: 2x 5-1/4" size speakers in decklid
6: 12" or slightly bigger sub (possibly ported?)
7: amp to run speakers
8: amp to run sub

For the sub, i was thinking of going StereoInstaller1's idea of having the sub and amps mounted on the seat-back then having a board to section off so someone cant see my setup (as i live in ft worth, and cars are torched, vandalized, broken into, ect) for security. I will have a alarm as well as tinted windows to slow the could be theft.

I'm also not looking for a high 4 digit install either. best bang for the buck. i can get a hookup on some wiring, fuses, possibly some fabrication work in the trunk for the sub, and mounting work for the amps.

Like i said. please don't flame, just comment on how this will be achieved. I'm not like mr. wanabe cop car. i admitted I'm a noob @ stereo equipment.

[StereoInstaller1]

HEY STOOPID U R DUM @ stereo stuff...heeheee...

OK, yeah, so everyone starts somewhere, right?

You do seem to have a decent grip on things.

I would simplify this install dramatically, if you are just looking to impress yourself.

Since you have a late model, doing a set of 6.5" component speakers in the doors only requires cutting a hole and running wires. Some metal cutting, but not much.

The tweeter in the stock sail panel is just fine, most fit, but not all.

If you do a decent set of front speakers, your really don't need rear speakers.

My subwoofer uses the rear speaker locations as port outlets, and personally, I find it odd to have rear tweeters only, but you could try it easily.

My wifes car uses one of my subs with a single 12" Exile "Shift" woofer on half of an old Alpine amp I had lying around, the other half runs the fronts.

She does not listen loud, ever, and is totally impressed with the setup.

I would recommend using a 2 channel amp for bass and a 4 channel amp for the highs, making sure you have a set of components that can accept a 4 channel input, then adding a true 3 way crossover sometime in the future.

Luke

[el_gringo]

doing a set of 6.5" component speakers in the doors only requires cutting a hole and running wires. Some metal cutting, but not much.

Where would this hole be cut? Will it cause any issues with my power windows? Any threads or photos I can check out?

The tweeter in the stock sail panel is just fine, most fit, but not all.

I don't have factory tweeters, is it easy to come accross a set of 'sail panels'?

If you do a decent set of front speakers, your really don't need rear speakers. My subwoofer uses the rear speaker locations as port outlets.

Is there anyother way to have ports through the rear deck and have the rear speakers? I don't mind recovering my rear deck, so would cutting 2 holes and mocking up some speaker covers to play it off?

2 channel amp for bass, 4 channel amp for the highs, making sure you have a set of components that can accept a 4 channel input

How will I tell if the components can handle the input? Like power wise? As in don't hook up components of 100w max to a 300w amp?

Also, what company would you recommend for such amps, components and tweeters?

Sorry if this is a hasstle, I'm just trying to figure this out.

Thanks luke!

-joe

[StereoInstaller1]

Ya know, one of these days I need to write a big old thread on what I think of all of this shit and sell a book.

I would say that rather than use the very shitty stock rear speaker locations for speakers, use them for the ports and build better sounding rear speaker locations in the rear sides.

I need to get into a big discussion about "phase angles" and shit, but basically, having 2 speakers facing each other thaen have 2 speakers firing at a different angle sucks balls, that is why E30s sound better with no rear speakers at all.

I will throw more out there soon.

[Teaguer]

Man this thread is going MUCH better than THIS one . :D

[Ray Smoodiver]

Oh Shi-

[StereoInstaller1]

Ray, haven't you seen me go off on know-it-all nOObs before?

[Ray Smoodiver]

Yes, yes I have.

In before mention of i've-been-installing-since-before-you-were-born :p

[Jonathan M3]

Oh dang, its a tarp!

[el_gringo]

Yeah. It is. I used to be a 'badass' or so I thought. I hate looking back now.

Lets drop that bs now, though. Ok? Haha. Plus, Its over and done with.

At least I'm getting a honest serious professional opinion and not acting like I know wtf I'm doing.

[StereoInstaller1]

AAAGH! a Tarp!!

If, in fact, this is Mulishaflesh, I expect to see him banned, ASAP, but if not, all is cool.

[Bimmerista]

Oh dang, its a tarp!

:rofl:

I'm picturing you saying that in person