System for my Vic

[hotrodkris]

Hi guys,

I'd like to put together a system for my Vic. (2004 Crown Vic LX Sport)

So far I have a box w/ two JL 12" woofers and a Phoenix Gold amp that my brother gave me (older, used, but seem to be in working condition). I'd prefer to build a box into the floor of the trunk (there's space 'in' the floor right now) or in the space where the spare tire is rather than use the gigantic one the subs are currently in.

What I'd like are recommendations for:

* front/rear speakers
* an amp to power those speakers
* some kind of signal processor, prefereably w/ an iPod hookup
* what wiring to use (brand)

I'd prefer to keep my stock head unit, for stealth purposes, and because I really only listen to music that's on my iPod. I haven't listened to a CD in that car in almost a year.

Robb is pretty proficient at wiring & electronics, so the hardest part will be building the box and getting it all secured in the trunk.

Thanks
K

[danager]

There are so many questions to ask to make audio recomendations... What I can say, is build the box where the spare tire goes! Tons of room up there, and still leaves you with tons of usable trunk space below.

[Ray]

the vics have the spare up top, right? you could easily make an enclosure to fit in that spot and relocate the spare to another section in the trunk. i know you know how to fabricate kris, take some pics of the stock trunk and we can work something out on the basic steps of building stuff.

as for recommendations on speakers - there are so many options out there that it's hard to decide. what's the proposed budget?

as for wiring - i personally like knukonceptz. but, at the end of the day, copper is copper. i like the knukonceptz stuff because the insulation is terrific, they dont skimp on wire size, and it's super high strand. plus, it's very nicely priced.

for processors - does audiocontrol offer anything with ipod integration yet?

[David Anderson]

weren't you sponsored by boston and jl? which of those two did you end up liking the best?

[hotrodkris]

We were sponsored by Boston back in the day. I really have always loved their stuff, so I'd like to stick with them. We had the 'rally' stuff in Spongebob and it sounded awesome. Much better than the full Kenwood system Maddie had in her Audi.

Are these a good buy?

http://forums.focaljet.com/appearanc...on-bravox.html

Budget... well I don't need all top of the line stuff. I just want it to sound good, clear & loud.

Yes, the spare is up top - fullsize spare I'm tempted to take it out completely because it's just so huge. Or perhaps it will fit in that lower space... I'll have to check it out.

Once Robb gets all of his photo stuff out of the trunk I'll take some pics.

[David Anderson]

I have the sl80s he is selling, on a 200 watt pg amp. they sound very crisp and warm. not harsh like the lower line speakers. They must be paired to a sub, as they are only 4" drivers. the seller is giving a great price.

[biscuitninja]

I went a different direction and went to www.madisound.com and pieced together some awsome speaker systems. I did have to make some custom plates but the sound was well worth it. To bad my Audio Art amp took a crap. Now I need a good higher end amp (I'm looking at a nice little Zapco!).
-bix

[hotrodkris]

How's this:

(JLs I already have)
(PG amp I already have)
MB Quart Discus 5x7 Front
MB Quart Discus 6x9 Rear
Alpine MRPF250 4 channel amp
AudioControl DQL-8
Wiring

[Ray]

the quarts are nice, but they're a little harsh for my tastes. maybe they changed it since the last time i listened to them, i dont know. they're also a little spendy for what you get.

would you be opposed on going to a 6.5 driver all around, seperates up front, coax's in the rear, with adapter plates? it'll really open up your options. the new eDintegrated stuff has gotten some really nice reviews.

[hotrodkris]

Who makes those?

[Ray]

elemental designs

link to the eDi 6000s v2

[OmniFocus]

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

Yes, the spare is up top - fullsize spare I'm tempted to take it out completely because it's just so huge. Or perhaps it will fit in that lower space... I'll have to check it out.

A bunch of police agencies relocate the spare down to the lower trunk... some of which use various bins and covers to organize on top of it. So it *should* work out for you.

[hotrodkris]

Originally Posted by Ray

elemental designs

link to the eDi 6000s v2

Those are nice, not too pricey either.

As far as the box in the trunk goes - if I did build it on the upper 'shelf' - should I fire the subs up into the back window tray?

[ZX3ST]

How about:

If you listen to a wide range of genres, you'll love these speakers. They're relatively inexpensive, and the silk dome tweets won't rip your face off. In fact the tweets have a really good home in the dash panel closest to the windshield. You only need one pair. Don't even buy rear speakers. If you really insist on having audio back there for passengers, leave the stockers in there hooked up to your head unit. Then you can fade to the rear slightly when you have people in back. Then fade back to full front when you're alone.
http://www.dls.se/en/car/prod.html?produkt=en_581

These amps use Bipolar Junction Transistors (aka BJTs) in their amplification to produce extremely linear (better sounding) output compared to everyone else who uses MOSFETs. This amp paired with the speakers above will rock your socks off.
http://www.zapco.com/prod/ref_prods/3502Frame.htm

If you're rocking the OEM head, you'll want this. The peripheral piece will give you a true line out from the ipod (using the headphone jack is teh suxorz) and will also keep it charged.
http://www.mobileaudiocontrol.com/pr...duct_Id=250786
http://www.peripheralelectronics.com...x?ProductID=52

OR, if you're willing to go aftermarket:
http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...model=iDA-X100

This source unit will give you EXCELLENT ipod functionality without a whole lot of frills. I doesn't even play CDs. Then, you can add Blutooth, satellite radio, or anyother accessories without any problem, and they're completely integrated in the source instead of having 14 different boxes mounted on the dash somewhere.

The double din media pieces fit as well, with some very minor modification to the dash bezel. Then you can have cool stuff like backup view monitoring or nav too.



OH, and by the way...
Since I have a car very similar to yours, (2003 GM)
I can attest how this equipment will perform in your car firsthand.
The only difference is that I have a multimedia station and a Reference 500.1 running my single Treo Engineering SSI 12".

There's no need to spend a million dollars in equipment. Less is more, so to speak. Remember, this fits more than just your Vic, so it's an investment.




Wiring? Just don't buy it from wal-mart. We use Stinger because it's really easy to work with in the thicker gauges. I would recommend any manufacturer who "tins" their wiring. Basically, instead of having a copper color, it looks silver. Everyone touts a "oxygen free copper" in their wire. Well, over time, that copper will oxidize no matter how "oxygen free" it was to start with. Then your 0/1AWG becomes 4AWG. (I'm exaggerating, but you get the idea.)

As far as the sub combo, I would do a sealed enclosure in the lower part. You should be able to fit the amps down there with it and make a cover for the top, thereby retaining most of your trunk space. My cover fits flush with the top of the middle "tub". TIP: Pull off the rear parcel shelf and rip out the rubber where the audiophile 8" sub would normally go. You'll get alot better bass transfer.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

Those are nice, not too pricey either.

As far as the box in the trunk goes - if I did build it on the upper 'shelf' - should I fire the subs up into the back window tray?

zx3st had some really good ideas, you might want to consider those.

as for configuration for the upper tray, firing into the rear shelf can load the woofers pretty well, but basically you can do whatever you want. either that or back should sound fine.

[hotrodkris]

Awesome. Thanks for the info!!

If I do those 6.5s in the front doors, should I invest in a bit of sound deadening as well? I don't really care about weight in this thing

[Ray]

yes. you should.

[ZX3ST]

Originally Posted by hotrodkris

Awesome. Thanks for the info!!

If I do those 6.5s in the front doors, should I invest in a bit of sound deadening as well? I don't really care about weight in this thing

Stock dampening actually does a surprising job in those cars. But yes, I would reinforce it.

[spots25]

Put the subs on the top shelf, firing up. Pull the 6x9's out of the rear deck, and seal the top of the box into the cabin of the car. Then, put in a plexiglass window so you can see the subs.

[rollin_loud]

and post pics when you do..that would be badass

[danager]

A good sub(s) with a good amp, and a great box will sound good firing into the rear deck... I would fire them towards the back, and take advantage of the cabin gain from the trunk. Sound dampening is your friend, embrace it!