I must be driving people nuts with new threads by now, sorry. At least it's generating some interesting discussion :)

Ok, went out and about today and got a quote for a new system. What do you think

Headunit : JVC - KD-LH305 ( this is last years model so the only links I can find are here (http://www.procomcaraudio.com.au/JVC.html)(scroll down) and this better one (http://www.jvc.com.my/products/car/kdlh305.html).
Amp: Panasonic (didn't get the model) 4x40RMS amp looks similar to this one (http://www.pinliang.com.sg/database/display.asp?image=/Panasonic2004-2005/CY-M9054&)
Front Fill: Hertz ESK165 Splits
Rear Fill: Stock for the moment
Sub: VDO 10" box (ported, laugh all you want, it's my bass, not my neigbours ;))

Price: $1580 installed

Options/notes: The HU is quite nice, I've got some wiggle room there for dropping price.
No sound deadning is going to be used. Claims not required for this level of power/quality/type of car. Optioned in starting at about $80 a door.

I really like the Hertz HSK-165's over the ESK-165's which I can have for $100 or so more.

The HSK's suck more juice so they will come close to the limit of the amp, the option is to upgrade the amp to a Blaupunkt 4x50W-RMS. Price goes up slightly due to having to mount in the boot rather then under the seat. Those two amps are roughly same in price.

Comments please?

Have listened to both ESK and have HSK. HSK sh!t all over them sorry to say esp in the midbass department. The HSK's can take a lot of power. Really depends how much power you have to throw at them though.

And they look shweet. ;)

What it all comes down to is how loud do you want to go?

ESK's are older series, but still good splits.

I would definetly consider putting in sound deadening but might be best for you to do it all first then see exactly how bad the Magna doors are with rattles.
You'll also appreciate the SD much more after that.

More threads are better... MORE QUESTIONS!!!! I get bored otherwise

Ooh update... I just popped in some ambient tweeters to play around with on my dash... Damn... really lifts up the stage. Sounds sweet! Just gotta play around with crossover points etc and figure out a stealthy way to install these puppies.

Peace

Tim

Magna doors are far better then others I have heard as far as rattles go..

The Head unit you have chosen is not going to let you down.. 5 Volt RCA's are great for a starts.
I have not heard or seen Panasonic Amps..

Hertz Dieci Splits may be a cheaper alternative to your front satge and as far as I have heard are around $150 and are not too bad..

a 10 inch VDO sub sounds great.. Ported Enclosures sound Better then sealed in my Opinion..

I have not heard Panasonic Amps and there fore cannot see how they would go..

Magna doors are far better then others I have heard as far as rattles go..

The Head unit you have chosen is not going to let you down.. 5 Volt RCA's are great for a starts.
I have not heard or seen Panasonic Amps..

Hertz Dieci Splits may be a cheaper alternative to your front satge and as far as I have heard are around $150 and are not too bad..

a 10 inch VDO sub sounds great.. Ported Enclosures sound Better then sealed in my Opinion..

I have not heard Panasonic Amps and there fore cannot see how they would go..
Ported enclosures are louder than sealed. But will almost always give worse results in terms of a tight bass note and also low frequency response. Depends on the specs of the sub though some are designed for ported applications.
Ported enclosures require amps with high damping, so they can control the cones movement whereas a sealed box will provide natural suspension. Sealed boxes generally provide much more predictable responses and better Sound Quality overall. A poorly designed box can make any sub sound bad though.

Magna doors are noisy compared to Euro cars. They are fine for the stock system, but any upgrades (even upgrading headunits) brings in rattles.
If you can live with that then it's not a problem. Also comes down to how loud you want to go. Sometimes best to save deadening for last if you can diy.


Peace

Tim

My Mondeo had way noiser Doors and pathetic sized speakers (5x7) and it was Euro built

Ooh update... I just popped in some ambient tweeters to play around with on my dash... Damn... really lifts up the stage. Sounds sweet! Just gotta play around with crossover points etc and figure out a stealthy way to install these puppies.

Peace

Tim



Hey Tim, is it possible to run them in parallel with the first set of tweeters from an existing passive crossover if you're not going active (running woofers and tweeters directly from amp, no passive crossover), as you are, I think? :)

Have listened to both ESK and have HSK. HSK sh!t all over them sorry to say esp in the midbass department. The HSK's can take a lot of power. Really depends how much power you have to throw at them though.
Don't be sorry... I like the HSK's better.. but only slightly though. I'm not sure if they're worth the extra money.. I'll take in a cd with a better range of songs to test them out.


And they look shweet. ;)
Going to stealth them, sorry ;)


What it all comes down to is how loud do you want to go?
Better SQ, less loud..


I would definetly consider putting in sound deadening but might be best for you to do it all first then see exactly how bad the Magna doors are with rattles.
You'll also appreciate the SD much more after that.
The very helpful chap said it wasn't really necessary for a magna.. if it was a WRX.. absolutally!


More threads are better... MORE QUESTIONS!!!! I get bored otherwise
I will keep you entertained :D


The Head unit you have chosen is not going to let you down.. 5 Volt RCA's are great for a starts.
I have not heard or seen Panasonic Amps..
I thought you'd like it, JVC fan ;)

I was told the Panasonic amps are one of the few still made in Japan and because of that they're quality. Also nice and small and will fit under my seat :)


Ported enclosures are louder than sealed. But will almost always give worse results in terms of a tight bass note and also low frequency response. Depends on the specs of the sub though some are designed for ported applications.
Well the sub is 10" and the enclosure is ported. I hope that doesn't effect the LFR too badly for a small sub.

My Mondeo had way noiser Doors and pathetic sized speakers (5x7) and it was Euro built

LOL. do you really think australia will build cars to the same quality as europe? :bowrofl:

Hey Tim, is it possible to run them in parallel with the first set of tweeters from an existing passive crossover if you're not going active (running woofers and tweeters directly from amp, no passive crossover), as you are, I think? :)
Yep they're running active.
Unfortunately when using passive crossovers, by running these in parallel you will change the load that the crossover sees from 4 ohm to 2 ohm (or 8 ohm in series). This will change the behaviour of the passive crossover. You can try it and see how you go but it wouldnt be the optimal situation. Probably of more relevence is the inability to adjust the volume of the ambients.
You don't want to drag the focus away from your main tweets as this results in a blurred point source. Instead you want the additional ambience dispersed high into the cabin without creating a second point source. To do this you follow the curves of the windscreen (generally best not to fire them straight at the listener afaik)

So short story no, to get ambients you'll need another amp with high pass and separate gain control. (they only need 5-10 watts to get the desired effect)

Peace

Tim

Well there hasn't been any negative comments on this system power wise or components. Does anyone think I can do better for the money?

Shame I can't find any more info on panasonic amps.. it seems car audio sites don't like talking about their older products.

I wouldnt buy new personally. Yes you could do much better for the money. I have bought a lot of my stuff off CAA for about 40% rrp a lot of the time. When i bought my first system, Current JVC headunit, sub box, amp I paid full price and then did my research and realised how much I got ripped off. If you are willing to install it yourself you will save a lot.

If you have the time, try and buy stuff second hand. Get a few of the CAA guys onto ur msn, there are soo many bargains to be bought as these guys upgrade every 6 months.

I dont think there's enough power there atm but I like it loud. But if you go the 4 channel, you can easily bridge into your fronts over time, and upgrade to a new sub amp. Presto, you have plenty of power.


Peace

Tim

I wouldnt buy new personally. Yes you could do much better for the money. I have bought a lot of my stuff off CAA for about 40% rrp a lot of the time. When i bought my first system, Current JVC headunit, sub box, amp I paid full price and then did my research and realised how much I got ripped off. If you are willing to install it yourself you will save a lot. Much better? How much better? I think I've got wiggle room in the price, I could talk it down a touch but not that far.

I initally thought of going 2nd hand / installing it myself but I think it would be a bit too much of a pain for a first system. Upgrades, definately.

Edit: Can you give me an example of a much better system I could do secondhand for that money?

Fair enough it does take a lot of time and effort to source a good 2nd hand system (taken my over a year atm), to put it in comparison here's some of my gear.
2 x soundstream 880 w 4 channel picassos (both bought new from an importer) - ~$700 rrp each
alpine v12 4 channel 4x40 w - Not sure how much these were worth new ~$600 rrp?
Morel Hybrid 6" splits - $900rrp
JBL GTO 6x9 rear fill (bought new at a crazy sale) - $200 rrp
Extra set of ambient tweeters (bought new) - $60
10" Pioneer sub with box
Pioneer 12 Stacker - (free with my car)
Coustic Electronic active crossover
0 gauge, ANL fuseholder and fuses, Stinger RCA's, Stinger Distro block, Other cabling

All that for around $1500 :shock:

Headunit I bought for retail (~$500) and deadening was all full price (~$200)

But you get the idea.

Mind you in reality I spent months on forums finding all this stuff and haggling. And it always pays to have cash on you and the ability to buy straight away. And a few favours from friends here and there.

peace

Tim

edit: put some approx rrp in

All that for around $1500 :shock:

Headunit I bought for retail (~$500) and deadening was all full price (~$200)

But you get the idea.

Mind you in reality I spent months on forums finding all this stuff and haggling. And it always pays to have cash on you and the ability to buy straight away. And a few favours from friends here and there.
Ok so you really got about 3k worth of gear for half price? Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be able to halve the price and get the same gear. But for the sake of having some sort of stereo now rather than later, I may have to pay a little extra. For this low end of the market I don't know if the markups are quite that bad anyway.