Hi all. I'm shopping for a Z and am happy to say that I when I get my car, I will be installing a top of the line SQ system in it that I've been buying and holding on to for 6 years now. My question is, should I go with two 6.5" comps up front or should I replace the two speakers in the back as well with the same comps?

I know for most SQ setups only front speakers are used for staging, but I'm worried that I'll loose the surround sound effect that having speakers behind you gives. Then again, I wonder if 4 speakers plus the sub would be overkill for the Z's small interior space.

I already have both sets of speakers, however, I haven't purchased the amp to drive them yet. This allows me to go with either way at this point.

Two speakers or four? Your opinions?

My setup:
Crystal CMP10
Soundstream Van Gogh VGA800.2 (800W x 1 @ 4ohms)
Image Dynamics CXS62
Arc Audio 2100-XXK (180W x 2 @ 2ohms) or 4150-XXK (160W x 4 @ 2ohms)

 

I recommend that you begin with a 350Z. That's a good place to start.

 

Once you get the Z, you might want to try installing the front speakers first and power them with some good, clean power. My experience with MB Quart components and a US Acoustics amp was very positive. Great soundstage up front and the OEM speakers provided just a bit of rear fill. Probably the biggest bang for the buck combo you can get.

Last month I had the opportunity to refit the interior and decided to try replacing the rears with MB Quart coaxials. Even without any boost they moved the soundstage back, so the sound surrounds you. I love the pure highs and clarity this combination provides- cuts right through the ambient noise and tire roar we get in the Z.

 

Thanks, this is what I was wanting to hear... opinion from someone who has upgraded their sound system starting with the fronts and adding rears.

A few questions:
Did you keep the OEM head unit, or replace it with something that provides a cleaner signal?
How much of a difference could you hear between the OEM rears and the MB rears without the boost?

In my experience MBquart speakers are too crisp for my liking. Plus, I've already purchased two sets of the Image Dynamics, which were in 2002, one of the best SQ component sets you could buy in the $300-$500 price range. Basically I lack the head unit, the amp to drive the mids and the install (oh yea and as davidv reminded me of, the car).

Thanks for your input.

 

Just wondering why you have been putting this system together for 6 years. By the time it is installed you could be dealing with almost 10 year old technology.

 

who says newer technology is always better?

 

So you are saying that I won't have it installed for another 4 years? LOL lord I hope not. Selling my 4R is the only thing standing in my way to getting a Z. I tried to trade for a nice '04 Touring last week but the trade offer the dealer gave me was a joke so I'm going to have to retail it myself. By buying the Z, I will be saving $250/mo on my monthly car payment.

Speaker technology hasn't changed much from the original modern moving coil design by GE engineers Chester Rice and Edward Kellogg. I've not yet purchased the head unit since it is the piece that would have become obsolete the quickest.

I've been saving the system for when I could buy myself a real sports car to install it in.

 

A few answers:
I wanted an inexpensive stealth install, so I kept the OEM head unit. While there are valid criticisms of the 160 watt unit that comes with the Z, it works fine in this application and for my tastes.

There was quite a bit of difference between the OEM Clarion rears and the MB Quarts. Even without a separate amp, the MBQs moved the sound stage back towards the center of the cabin.

I've heard that comment about MBQs before, but if you really enjoy listening to your stereo on the road, it certainly cuts through the background noise. To each is own as far as speakers go, but my advice stands: get the car first and try replacing the 6.5" separates up front. You can always add more later on.

 

I went with two speakers. IMO in this car the rear speakers are useless.

Here is the end result of my build...

https://my350z.com/forum/audio-builds/259515-high-end-audio-build-complete-mcintosh-morel-seas-lotus-inside-9.html

 

+1

as i said before.. the rear speakers are poorly positioned to the drivers and passengers ears.. for optimal rear fill you would need to turn the rears down almost down to nothing.. and at that point it would be a waste of money.. good front and sub setup you won't miss the rears

 

Some really nice speakers for front stage will be plenty. Hell, I even keep the stock radio faded entirely to front.

 

Maybe install some decent coaxials in the rear since you would never want (or be able to correctly position component tweeters in the rear). This way you can have the rears if you want (faded), or fade them out completely if you decide they are a bad decision. The rear space/mount is there, so there is nothing to lose.

--Spike

 

I have Polk SR Comps all around. I started with only the front stage in Nazar's pods with 150 watts each via a JL Audio amp. I added the same speakers and setup to the rear and did not notice much of an improvement or difference. I would go with just the front stage and save the money you would spend on the rears elsewhere. If you already have the equipment and can't get much for them, might as well through them in there if the install rates are decent or you are doing it yourself. Just take care in running the rears through the hatch and cubby, if something is not secured it will vibrate and drive you nuts.

 

The whole "To rear speaker or not to rear speaker" is a very personal choice, regardless of what is theorized to give 100% SQ oriented sound reproduction. It is said (and true from my experience) that with a properly installed/tuned front set you will not miss any sound coming from the rear - which I feel should not be there anyway. But alas, some people prefer to have sound coming from behind them. Are those people wrong? No, it's their car, they can do what they want.

There are 2 reasons why I would ever suggest installing rears:
1) if you have a car with back seats and you want to set up a sound stage for the rear passengers
2) if you are setting up a Dolby Digital surround theater in your car


With this said, I would take your 2 sets of comps and have one of the sponsors of this board (Zenclosures/Bing/Nazar) make you some kicks and/or pods to house them and get that Arc 4150 amp (very nice amp btw) to power them at 80x4 at 4Ohms. Are 2 sets of comps overkill for a 1-sub setup? maybe, but it'll look damn impressive and you can always add another sub down the road.

I'm not a huge fan of the Van Gogh amps from Soundstream from a cleanliness standpoint, but powering the sub it should be fine. Even the new Soundstreams I feel are a bit underrated and should get you some nice push for that sub. I'm just happy you didn't get it to power the fronts.

 

said money to purchase said speakers.. thats whats there is to lose

 

i would say that technology changes so rapidly that something i bought 6 years ago even if never mounted or used , i would not put in my car

new car , new equipment IMO

 

Speakers have already been purchased, it's the amp to drive them that would be at a loss... there is a $300 difference between a 2-channel 2ohm amp and a 4-channel 2ohm amp so my decision here is critical. I want to get it right the first time

I'm leaning towards installing the 2nd set of comps in the rear, however, move what would be the rear tweets up to the front to enhance the sound stage while adding thump to the rear. This would yield a set up like this:

Front - 4 tweets & 2 mids
Rear - 2 mids & 1 sub

The Image Dynamics CXS62 are similar to the Polk SR6500 mentioned in another SQ setup thread ... both having a tweeter that can be post mounted like a coax or detached for a component setup.

The components must be good because Image Dynamics still makes them (see above link).

Actually since the speakers are 2ohm the 4150-XXK amp would drive them at 160W x 4 @ 2ohms. I've heard great things about Arc Audio, which was founded by the guy that helped start Zapco.

Thank for this, I would be willing to part with this amp since I didn't cost very much to begin with. Instead, how about Alpine's PDX-1.600?

 

This has been discussed numerous times.

 

Exactly... the money I spend on rears could be money spent on better front speakers.

 

The ID comps are 2Ohms, huh? OK, then I would DEFINITELY run them both in series to show the amp a 4Ohm load. Get an amp that is rated 300x2 at 4Ohms. I have never been a fan of running comps at 2Ohms. I always felt that the manufacturers who put out 2Ohm comps are meaning them to be run in pairs yielding a 4Ohm final load. Arc Audio's 2300 SE would be nice at 334x2 at 4Ohms http://www.arcaudio.com/arc-05/amplifiers/se_2300.htm

I didn't mean to change your mind on this amp. Like I said, it would't be a bad choice for a subwoofer. It does put out at least rated power and subs don't need the cleanest of signals to sound their best, hence why it's ok to run them with class D power. But if you feel the need to change it up, the Alpine PDX amps are super clean and super efficient, although a bit pricey.