Hi guys,

Trying to put together an aftermarket setup and wanted some opinions...First off I want this thing completely hidden. I have a Pioneer 4x50Watt head unit we have mounted in the glove box, a set of ArcAudio component speakers (5 1/4"; 50watts RMS with cross overs) and a set of Arc 4" coaxials (40watts RMS). I thought maybe I could mount the coaxials side by side in the rear package tray in an enclusure suspended from the single centre opening (6x9 from the factory). Run the rears off the head unit and pick up a 50 watt 2 channel amp for the front component speakers (mounted under the dash in homemade enclosures)

Am looking for any recommendations for crossovers, etc. given this setup...or is there a better setup that I can adapt to the single rear output location? I want some good base response for mainly just classic rock (not really into the extended base from rap). Will this setup get me where I want to be? Should I pitch the 4" coaxials and run a single suspended sub? Are there 8" subs available? Any advice appreciated!

cheers,
Mike S.

Here's what I would do. You're not gonna get very good bass from a 4" speaker, no matter how you drive it. I would go with the 5 1/4" in the front, enclosures are a must if you want them to sound good. Cant you get something bigger for the back? There must be 6 x 9 cutouts in the package tray that you can then cover with the drop in. A set of 6 x 9 co-axials will give you good sound and nice bass too, expecially if you can enclose the backs of them. As long as the fabric on the cover piece isnt really thick, it wont hamper the sound at all. Yes you can get 8" subs, even 6", but they will also need an enclosure. I suggested the co-axials cause it would just be easier. Oh, and run the fronts right off the head unit, and power the rears with an amp. That's just me, but mine always sounded good that way. Especially for classic rock!:thumbsup: John

Here's my .02 worth:

I'm assuming that if you spend $100+ on concert tickets, do you sit with your back to the stage? NO. A good/great car-fi system is designed with this in mind:
Front staging, rear fill, and subwoofers.

I'll make another assumption, you don't want to cut holes, and want the system invisible. This is where it gets very tricky.

The 5-1/4's (from "component" I'm guessing separate tweeters?) should be your primary drivers. The bass/mid driver low & forward (doors or kicks), and the tweeter within around 18", angled towards the dome light.

I'd build an enclosure for a pair of 8" or 10" subwoofers, that would be "ducted" or vented into your center rear 6x9 opening. This wouldn't have to be an isobaric enclosure, but just the output of the speakers directed up & out through the 6x9 hole.

The 4" coax's you've got would make good rear fill drivers. Their small size wouldn't overdrive the fronts, and would be just that: FILL speakers. The location ideally would be in the stereo 6x9 holes of later models.

A "combo" 4-channel amp would be your best choice. Something that could be configured into a 3-channel, with a built in Subwoofer crossover. You'd run 2 channels stereo (driving your front components), and the other 2 channels "bridged" to mono to drive the sub (s). Depending on the size/quantity of subwoofers you'll need to do some advance planning: 4 ohm or 8 ohm subs.

In my El Camino I'm running the following equipment, all passively crossed over.
Each door:
1) 10mm Rockford tweeter
1) 3-1/2" Rockford midrange
1) 5-1/4" Polk Audio Mid-bass

Behind driver's seat:
2) Rockford "punch" 10" subwoofers (4-Ohm units) in parallel - 2 Ohm load.

1) ADS PQ-10 4ch. amp - in 2ch. mode for fronts
1) ADS PS-5 2ch. amp - in mono mode for subs.

Infinity is the best as far as speakers go. The Kappa Perfect series is amazing. A little expensive though. The sound is amazing!!!

Hmmmm, that's kinda what I thought. That the 4" would be good fill but in the end I would be still lacking in the bass department. Great advice guys, I appreciate it. One further question then...is it possible to leave the 4" fill speakers in the centre package tray location (enclosed) and put a sub somewhere in the trunk? Is there a problem with that? Or should I really find another location for them? I'd love to space them out back there but I don't want to modify the rear deck in any way, hence the 4" coaxials in the centre deck location. Yes, separate tweeters up front. Here's a bad pic of the rear tray showing the single stock speaker grill with the interior starting to come together. Not much to work with...


http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/6916/speaker4ez.jpg

Mike

Even a single 8" or 10" sub ducted into the original 6x9 hole would give you reasonable (if not great) low end bass response. Get creative with the cabinet and include the mid/high drivers into the "throw" of the ducted port. Granted you'll lose a lot of their energy, but they are fill speakers.

The only problem I have with a ported sub is the boomy sound, I like tight bass...it will sound like every young kid's Honda that you pull up to at a light. I have used both, and personally I like the sealed enclosure. Just a thought.

My bad on the description - Not a "tuned" port (acoustically), just a "chute" to direct the sound into the cabin.

Mike, my son just did an upgrade on my stereo in my 67. Ive got two three inch speakers in the front location. Two 6x9s in the package tray area. My son built a box which contains two 12 inch subs. He installed an amp on top of the box between the speakers. I can't remember the name on the amp and speakers. I told him I wanted some bass, but not any crap, if you know what I mean. I believe the amp is 1200 watt. When he installed this equipment I told him I didn't want to blast everyone out. He has it dialed in on 2. It sounds great. Check the new pictures out under 67s.Hope this helps.