07-30-2018, 11:03 PM | #155 | |
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07-31-2018, 10:14 AM | #156 |
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Kiloptero : The only 2 Series audio trim that comes with individual tweeters of any sort is the HK.
Both the HiFi system (standard in the U.S.) and the basic system (standard in the EU) make do with full-range 4" speakers in the doors/deck. The HiFi adds the underseat woofers and the 3.5-inch center channel on the top of the dashboard.
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07-31-2018, 10:38 AM | #157 | |
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08-01-2018, 08:47 PM | #158 | ||
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09-14-2018, 12:17 PM | #159 | |
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This is terrific post thank you for the summary Mike. Three questions: 1. I like a warm non-fatiguing sound. I'm new to car audio but I love NAD/Mirage/PSB/Energy speakers and equipment for my home. Which of the 5 speakers below would you suggest? I can get a great deal on the Focal ISC100s but I'd need to drive down to the USA to pick them up (I'm in Canada). Not sure they are worth the hassle. I can get the Hertz locally for not too much more. - Focal ISC100 - Morel Maximo 4c - Hertz Energy 100.5 - JL Audio C2-400x - JBL GX-402 2. The SWS-8s are about $320 USD shipped to Canada. At that price I'm wondering if I can get the Jehnert but I've scoured the internet and can't find any vendors. Do you have any suggestions on where to get them? 3. I've read that even just upgrading the 4 speakers is a big upgrade over the Hifi system, is the sub upgrade worth it? I love rap, hip hop, house, rock, and pretty much everything but country. |
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09-17-2018, 02:41 PM | #160 | |
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Answers: 1). I would favor the Morels, followed by the Hertzs and JL Audios. The reason is all three use fabric dome tweeters, which tend to be 'softer' than metal tweeters. I ran Hertz Energy coaxials in my car; liked 'em a lot, and they definitely had a warm tinge to them though I wouldn't call them 'warm' overall. A note on the Morels: If you can swing it, upgrade from the Maximos to the Integras. Much better quality in the midrange driver on those. 2). I don't, at least for Canada, and Jehnert's distributor list here doesn't list Canada. That said, one of the main U.S. sellers is Musicar Northwest in Portland, Oregon. Might be worth reaching out to it; I'm sure it's been asked about Canadian upgrades before. 3). If you're into hip hop, you will want to upgrade the underseat drivers for sure -- and in light of that, I would favor the SWS drivers over the Jehnerts. Do that first and see how it sounds. If you feel you need more bass, then start considering how to add a dedicated powered subwoofer to the system. Hope this helps!
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--Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: "Blackened" '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman ... Gone (but not forgotten): "Blackened" MG '15 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>> |
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09-18-2018, 02:01 PM | #161 | |
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I've narrowed it down to (CAD) $158 a pair for the Hertz 100.5 or $260 a pair for the Morel Tempo Ultra Integra. The depth of the Integras is 2"5/16, is that too much for the front doors? Do you really think the Integras are worth $100 more per pair? You mentioned that they would likely have better midrange, how do you know? I don't really know how to read frequency charts/graphs. Last edited by pastuch; 09-18-2018 at 02:11 PM.. |
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09-18-2018, 02:29 PM | #162 | ||
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--Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: "Blackened" '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman ... Gone (but not forgotten): "Blackened" MG '15 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>> |
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09-18-2018, 03:59 PM | #163 | |
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If I don't bother with replacing the stock under-seat woofers then would the wider frequency range of the JL Audio C2-400x be a better idea than the Tempo Ultra or Hertz ECX? Last edited by pastuch; 09-18-2018 at 04:13 PM.. |
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09-19-2018, 11:47 AM | #164 | |
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The aim with selecting drivers is for them to complement each other regarding frequency loads, response curves, and sonic strengths relative to the type of music you'll be listening to. For instance, the Jehnerts aren't really subs: they are mid-bass drivers. Since you'll be listening to hip hop a lot, you will need a driver that can get to 60-80 Hz easily if need be. The SWSs are built to do that in the space under the seat; the Jehnerts aren't. That said, you may find that the SWSs don't give you enough, so it's best to consider that now instead of later -- meaning if you decide to add an actual subwoofer, the SWSs can serve the bass and mid-bass frequencies fine, too. In both scenarios above, you won't have a need for a 4-inch coaxial that can get down to 80-120 Hz like either the JL Audio or the Hertzs -- and with the type of music you'll be listening to, that's not a priority, either. You want midrange drivers that can handle vocals, harmonies, and transients well, particularly below 800 Hz or so. The Ultra Tempos fit that bill well -- better than the others mentioned, IMHO, particularly paired with that smooth Morel tweeter. For reference (and counterpoint): I mostly listen to music with a lot of dynamism and detail: Metal, electronica, progressive instrumentals, jazz. I chose the Hertzs when I upgraded because I knew I would probably upgrade the amp (I did) and wouldn't fool with the underseat drivers (I didn't), and I liked how they sounded combined with its frequency curve and build materials relative to the type of music I enjoy. I've done the same with my home system: I run a sealed SVS sub, paired with bookshelf speakers loaded with a woven-PPL-cone SEAS of Norway driver and a ribbon tweeter powered by a Classe 100-watt Class A amp. I chose all of it because of the type of music I listen to.
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09-20-2018, 09:09 AM | #165 | |
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Terrific! Thank you again. I understand your advice a lot better now. I also own an SVS sub and it's glorious in my theater and for music. |
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09-21-2018, 10:22 AM | #166 |
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Yep: SVSs are great all-rounders for the money, particularly the sealed ones ... and low-frequency sound applications like subs have no issues with digital Class D amplification; that's why the first Class D amps in Hi-Fi were used inside powered sub enclosures back in the 1990s. You just gotta make sure the signal cable you're using for LFE is 100 percent shielded from RF/EMI.
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--Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: "Blackened" '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman ... Gone (but not forgotten): "Blackened" MG '15 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>> |
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09-24-2018, 02:17 PM | #167 |
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Please tell me if you are felling any engine noise through the subwoofer or speakers, because I was testing the JL FX400 and decided to uninstall it due to this noise
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09-24-2018, 03:31 PM | #168 | |
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09-24-2018, 04:29 PM | #169 | |
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Follow these guidelines: - ALWAYS make the ground as short of a run as possible: ideally no more than 1 foot (.3 meter). - ALWAYS ground to bare, untreated metal. Primer or anti-rust coating isn't bare metal; you'll need to grind or sand this off. - ALWAYS use a ground that is part of the car's chassis, not something bolted to the car's chassis. For instance, seat-rail bolts are a common choice to attach a ground to when an amp is mounted under a seat. It's actually a mistake to do this because the metal in the bolt and the rail is often not the same as the chassis and is often coated or painted. - ALWAYS use zinc or copper hardware to fasten a ground. Stainless steel and nickel are not nearly as conductive and can create problems. - ALWAYS attach the grounding wire straight to the untreated metal. Washers and bolt/nut heads should be above the wire (and/or whatever fastener that's spliced onto the wire, such as a spade or ring.) - NEVER share an amplifier ground with another component. Hope this helps.
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--Helmets are for closers.-- <<Current: "Blackened" '18 NBM Porsche 718 Cayman ... Gone (but not forgotten): "Blackened" MG '15 228i M Sport w/aFe filter/scoop, Hertz drivers, P3Cars multigauge, other goodies>> Last edited by Viffermike; 09-24-2018 at 04:40 PM.. |
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03-30-2019, 10:30 PM | #170 |
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I have had the car for a whole week now and have decided that the HIFI audio could be improved. Having read dozens of threads and reviews of various products and options I now have a plan...
1) Focal IFBMW-S for the doors, flush install the tweeters into the non-HK sail covers, sound deadening while I'm in there 2) disconnect centre speaker 3) Technic ASD bypass harness or coding out 4) Earthquake SVS subs for the floor Stop and evaluate 5) Focal ICU 100 for rears Stop and evaluate 6) AMP upgrade (likely with DSP capability) Focals are sensitive and I figure the low power stock amp needs all the help it can get. I can get them locally for a decent price and I like the idea of getting the tweeter up higher towards ear level and the tweeters look OK flush mounted. Earthquake subs are a good price, I would prefer the Focal subs, but they are 3x the cost. There is a limit to how much money I want to throw at this thing. I will report back on how it goes. Last edited by Aspen235; 04-22-2019 at 08:55 AM.. |
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04-21-2019, 10:47 AM | #171 |
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Focals are in! A few snags, especially with the door pull screws not going back in. Sounds much better.
Center channel is out too. Man the stock speakers are pathetic pieces of junk. They weigh 1/5 of the new focals. Subs going in next. |
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04-22-2019, 09:12 AM | #172 |
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Subs are in now too. Pretty good upgrade and I am pleased.
The tweeters being up higher have really raised the imaging with voice coming from the steering wheel vs. down around my lap. I think the custom flush mount of the tweeters was definitely worth my time. I modded the stock non-HK covers with a Dremel and jig saw and got the Focal bezels in nice and tight. I had to dial back the treble in the tone controls about 4 notches because there is a lot of boost in the Hi-Fi amp to compensate for the sorry ass stock "full range" speakers. I turned the bass down by one notch and shifted the balance to the right 2 and to the rear 2 as well. Will go with that for a while. I do notice more hiss from the signal now that I have better high frequency capability. I think the stock amp is going to have to be replaced eventually, then things should be very good. I would call the stock system a 2/10, the Focal IFBMW-S components got me to 4/10 and the SWS got me to 5/10. I think an amp with DSP will get me to 7/10. Then some rear speakers for passengers and a trunk sub would get it really banging. Shame that it will take more than $2k to equal the stereo in Golf. BMW could do much better here. I mean the HIFI in my X3 is totally adequate as is. |
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04-23-2019, 10:02 PM | #173 |
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New here, looking at my upgrade options, looking to just replace speakers.
Has anyone tried these yet? https://www.parts-express.com/grs-b2...-ohms--292-496 https://www.parts-express.com/grs-b1...odels--292-492 They look nice and I've had good experiences with Parts-Express for home audio, but I've never tried GRS or any of their car audio equipment. Anyone have thoughts on these vs the SWS subs and Focal IC 100's or JBL GTO's? |
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04-24-2019, 09:14 AM | #174 | |
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One more thing, they list 70hz for the frequency extension for the 4", I find that hard to believe. It would be down at least 10db at that point. Last edited by Aspen235; 04-24-2019 at 09:22 AM.. |
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04-24-2019, 10:26 AM | #175 |
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I'm really tempted to pull the trigger on the speakers, especially since they're straight drop in replacements.
The subs though.... I'm more inclined by the SWS or Match ones, the GRS model really poorly in WinISD with basically no low end extension (-6 at 63Hz vs 45Hz for the Match woofers and 35Hz for the SWS), but I'm also not sure how to account for cabin gain or that they're basically mounted free air (my understanding is the enclosures are open on the back). On the other hand the SWS look like they should have great low end extension, but depending on how the location plays out might be boomy with a high Qtc and difficult to match with the rest of the system with the lower sensitivity and a lack of >100hz output. The Match subs seem to be a nice middle ground between the two, they model flatter than the SWS and with better low end extension than the GRS and more 100-200hz than the SWS, but, they're also ~$140 more expensive and slightly less sensitive. Also, you basically called it, modeled in a sealed enclosure the coaxials are -10 at 70Hz. |
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04-24-2019, 12:44 PM | #176 | |
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I put some dynamat on the back side of the enclosure for fun. |
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