well guys, this is what i would consider a basic level sound quality install for a Z roadster.

goals:

1. good sound quality, able to product music cleanly and be heard clearly on the high way with the top down

2. no trunk space taken (customer specifically wanted the amp in the glovebox)


to start off, the customer supplied me an alpine headunit and a ipod cable:



front stage is a set of DLS reference MS6 6.5" two way components, they reside in my fiberglass kicks:





a single image dynamics ID10 sub is mounted in a wickedcas magic roadster box:



and the entire system is powered by a DLS classic (entry level) CA51 5 channel amp, mounted stealthily in the stock glove box (customer specificed location), note the new redesigned heatsink on the classic amps, which really like), using its onboard xovers, the amp sends over 50 rated watts from 80-4500hz to the front midbass, 50 watts again from 4500hz up to the front tweeter, and 250 watts from 80hz down to the sub



overall, sounds quite good for the level of equipment, and i would consider this as my template for a entry level ZR system that needs to sound good and be relatively unobtrusive

but i will wait for the owner to get it later on to get a review from him.

b

 

nice and simple. I like it!

 

is image dynamics a high quality subwoofer? how does it compare to polk or mtx? i hear about elemental designs as well, and this along with image dynamics seem to be rare but respected. can someone give me the bottom line? i am soon to purchase a pair of 10's.

 

ID in my humble opinion, makes some of the best subs around. as far as polk or MTX goes...i dont think anything in the polk line relaly sounds as good except the reference, as for mtx...well, other htan the highre end which gets quite loud, again, i personally dont like them as well...

image dynamics is not really all that rare, they have been around for over a decade and is used in a ton of installs...

i honestly dont think you cna go wrong with ANY of ID's subs, to me, compared to many popular subs ou there, line for line, they put out similar amounts of bass, but sounds better, and require smaller boxes...

but yeah ID is definetly an old name, their Horn drivers are very well known as well

b

 

Very nic Bing,,,,did you do a front stage in the factory door location as well? I think I remember seeing an install you did where you did the kicks and used the factory location also?

Very, Very nice and clean. Kudo's to you my friend

 

not for this one, that was ceo350z's car this one we just did the kicks...works out fine the other ZR can get louder, but this does well with the top down

b

 

Can I ask what you charge for the install over and above the head unit?

I like your work and am considering a similar setup.

 

I am in Southern Cali, how do I get your complete system for my ZR.

 

i get about one LA customer every month, infact, this month, i have THREE LA customers, i wil lbe down in LA dropping off and picking up cars twice this month...

its pretty simple, go to my site: www.simplicityinsound.com, click on the schedule an appointment page, and send me an email with the answers to question i ask, and we can go from there.

For LA customers, they have either chosen to drive up as well as pick up their cars, or i usually offer to drive the car back down to them and take a flight back and all i ask is to cover one nights motel rates usually around 75 bucks, and I pay for the gas and flight costs myself.

just keep in mind i always run a 2-3 months waiting list so if you wanna get something done, make sure to contact me plenty ahead of time


this install is right below 2k excluding the headunit, that inlcudes, amp, sub, subbox, kicks, front speakre and all other relevant labor and costs.

 

Bing,
I have a question about speaker choice. I also have a roadster and want to keep the system very simple and stealth. You put the DLS speakers in the kicks and used a good quality speaker. If I wanted to put a better quality coax like the DLS UX26 in the doors would it approach the sound quality of the other speakers in the kick panels?

Thanks!

Mark

 

unless you use a door pod molded out, my opinion is no, infact, i think even sometihng like an iridium set would sound worse in many respects than the MS6 i had here in kicks, i have tried several ways and just have yet to find a good way to get good sound out of hte stock location:

1. way less midbass even with sealing of hte door

2. partially blocked by the top 1/3 of hte stok grille

3. door buzz and rattle since sit a big hunk of plastic


just my opinion

b

 

Bing,
Thanks for the reply. How much are the pods for the kicks? What else would be necessary to duplicate your install provided I have a head unit, speakers and amp? I am on the east coast so I would have to install these myself unless you happen to fly to New Jersey on a regular basis . Thanks!

Mark

 

hehe well, i am from NJ originally sussex county baby...

I do kicks for 350 if you supply the speaker, thats fully molded, dampened, covered in suede and shipping, or if you get DLS setuff, i offer a combo package price on speaker and kicks...

and instlaling htem is a snap, they go in view all OEM clips

if you have decent wiring and installation skills, you should be able to pull this install off no problem.

if you want kicks made for ya, just PM me

b