superspud

ok so i have read the sticky and browsed through several threads but i'd like an official answer just so i can sleep better at night...

I really want to get a nice set of components for the front of my 06 z. I will buy an aftermarket head unit as well as an amp to power them, but i want to know which will fit, for sure.

ive seen post after posts of "having to modify the doors" or "magnet is too big wont fit" and so on and so on.

ive narrowed it down to a few sets and would greatly appreciate feedback for those who have or had them.

Front speakers:
Focal- 165A1 6 3/4" component
Focal - 165VB 6 3/4" component
Polk - DB6501
Polk - MM6501

Rear speakers:
Focal - 165CA1 coaxial


honestly without knowing what will or will not fit limits my ability to find what exactly I want. I know focal are amazing speakers, but how are their lower end? they range anywhere from $300 for components up to $4000. I'd like to keep this a minimum priced system so if i can run their lower end components with a nice coaxial in the rear off a 50x4 amp then i'd be happy.

please bare with me and help me out on this, i am certainly no audio guru....

also how are polk audio? i'd like to get a component for the front and a coaxial in the rear...

92K1500

iTrader: (1)

I'm running Rainbow 6.5"s in my doors on 125W with no rear fill.

I had to make 1" of MDF spacers to bring the speaker out far enough to clear the window.

Depending on the basket shape you might be able to squeeze a 6.75 in there. But if you are dropping that much change on em I would get the 6.5"s to be safe. Don't wanna get them and not be able to install them because they are 1/8" too big to fit. With 1" of spacer your mids will be right up against the door panel so you can't bring it out more than that to make enough room for the basket.

From what I hear Focal's are really nice but I couldn't spend that much money on them. My Rainbows sound amazing to me and I have a very picky SQ ear.

Polk's are pretty good for the price. The MOMO series is popular for people who want SQ but can't get the higher end stuff.

superspud

thanks for the response

so 6.5's for the front? what size are the rear? on crutchfield they recommended anything from 5 1/4" - 6 3/4"

from what i understand pretty much anything will fit there, plenty of room in those locations ey?

92K1500

iTrader: (1)

I haven't a clue on the rear. I have open holes behind the plastic. lol

With a properly set up front stage you shouldn't need rears. I only have the front 2 speakers in my Z and people I demo for think I'm running 6-8 speakers.


I just noticed this when I was patrolling my other forum (I'm staff there)

http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/f...274#post441274

Same price I paid for my Rainbows, and they will fit. I'm going to use the bathroom then look into them to see if the tweets will fit in the factory spot and if they will I'll show pics of mine and tell you what needs modded. :thumbsup:

92K1500

iTrader: (1)

Sweet those Focal's have 13/16" tweeters whereas my rainbows are 1" so you would need less modifications of your sail panels to fit them properly.

But my buddy is saying we both need to get these.

http://www.woofersetc.com/p2571/MM6-...ponent-Set.htm

superspud

odd, it appears focal only makes a 6 3/4" component set.... will those fit in the front?

92K1500

iTrader: (1)

http://www.focal-america.com/extras/...165A1_info.pdf

That says the ones I linked to on caraudioclassifieds, the 165A1's, are 6.5".

That means they are the same size as the ones I've been running for a while now, as well as the factory speakers.

I believe they make adapters to mount 6.5" speakers using the factory mounting style, but I made my own adapters out of wood.

You will also want to run your own wire into the doors as the stock wiring is way too small.

92K1500

iTrader: (1)

Just for your reference, this video shows how loud just 2 speakers can be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgZjmmzRfEQ


Enough to make your ears hurt.

superspud

so this is what im thinking now.....

-focal 165 A1 components up front
-focal 165CA1 coaxials for the rear
-Kenwood KAC-8404 4 channel amp 50x4 rms to power my speakers.
-some sort of aftermarket head unit

think that would give me some damn good sound and fill up all of the speaker locations.

amazon has some pretty amazing prices, i can get all 4 speakers for $350....

Spike100

The Focal 165 has a width of 165mm or 6.496".

What makes you think: "it appears focal only makes a 6 3/4" component set."

--Spike

92K1500

iTrader: (1)

I personally wouldn't get that amp. And I would go with just the front channel first. You more than likely wont need the rear fill. As you saw just 2 speakers can get plenty loud.

Here are some amps that will work perfect for you and sound much better than that Kenwood.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-US-AMPS-MERL...item5ad6263566

http://www.caraudioclassifieds.org/f...ad.php?t=25149


If the CAC.org link wont load try again later. We are having problems with the server that haven't been figured out yet.

In case it doesn't work they are selling this amp for $180 shipped.

http://www.sundownaudio.com/index.ph...d/sax-504.html

I stand behind Sundown 100% and it is the only amps I will run.

superspud

any particular reason not to get the kenwood? i havnt heard of either of the two you listed, again im no audio guru but i would assume it would be safe to stick with name brand products...

also, if i were to just get the front, wouldnt i just need a smaller 2 channel amp? any recommendations on that?

92K1500

iTrader: (1)

I'm running a 125.2 for my front stage because my mids are rated for 100w each. You could always get one of those and just dial it back to ~70w to be on the safe side.

But I would get a 4ch just in case you don't like having just the fronts, or for some reason it doesn't get loud enough for you. Then you can just add in the rears later and now have to change anything.

I wouldn't go with the Kenwood because it probably doesn't do rated power, and it won't sound as good. It will give you dirty power. Your speakers can only sound as good as the signal you put in them.

The 2 amps I showed you are both very respected brands, but because they aren't available in big box stores they aren't that popular. Their cost is a little higher but it is worth it.

I have the owner of Sundown's phone number in my cell phone and I call him all the time. lol I will never go back to big companies that don't care about their customer.