Hi all,

Well after getting my headunit a while back and sitting on my hands for a while, the speakers are now on the agenda, again. So, a couple of questions:-

- The "What's the best system for xxx dollars" section of the http://www.fhrxstudios.com/ FAQ seems to indicate that if you go for a sub, you don't need any other rear speakers at all - is this the case?

- Is it possible to mount and protect a sub in the boot such that the boot is still useable as a boot, with out too much of a compromise in useable space, and without risking damaging the speaker the first time you need to take your kids bikes somewhere?

If you are after sq this is the case, rear speakers are there as an added bass extension for stock speakers.

Unless you are after 5.1 style imaging, a 'stereo' system should only have 2 point sources. Rear speakers will just drive your soundstage backwards.

This may take some getting used to. Many people enjoy that fully surrounded sound that you hear in all cars. This dulls the stereo effects though. By having two distinct point sources you get the best imaging.

But if you frequently carry passengers, it may be a good idea to keep the stockies in there. Nothing worse than sitting in the backseat with only fronts on and hearing nothing but bass.

As for boot/sub layout. It depends how u use your boot. A simple pre fab box is easy to unplug and take out when you need the space. Otherwise you have a few options.
Mounting the box facing the front of the car - The seat will protect the cone (box 'wedge' shape should ensure it never excurts into the seat) But this position will usually cause destructive interference and cancellation which will result in poor bass performance.

Mounting the box facing the boot lid with a cover. This will give the better bass response by utilising cabin gain (The gain from firing a sub into a larger cavity (the effect of firing a sub into a corner also improves bass response)) A cover can consist of a wooden frame with speaker cloth, or metal covers from Jaycar/JB hifi. These are pretty indestructable.

Mount on the parcel shelf 'free air' Hard to get good results without very good subwoofers and a lot of know how. Generally impractical for any decent sized woofer.

There's a few options. You could also mount a woofer in the corner of the boot behind a tail light. Will require a bit of fibreglassing but will give you heaps of boot space and a nice enclosure volume.

Peace

Tim

Thanks Tim. I was contemplating making use of the 'stepped in' area where the ski port is, but reading this I'm thinking it might be best to just go with a decent pair of 6x9s in the rear and leave it at that, as I do carry rear seat passengers often.

What is your Current Set up ??

What Gear do you already have ??

Pioneer 5750 head unit, stock factory speakers all round.

you can get good subs that only require small sealed enclosures.
Focal do an 11" (27V2) that specifies 15-30ltrs which is pretty small. Then just get one of the Jaycar metal grills to go over it.

Ok, First up replace the Fronts, What kind of Budget do you have ???

Small Budget ??
Hertz DSK165: $134
Hertz DCX690: $125

FHRX studio's do carry them... Check out the Hertz website for a look at them...
I read in InCar- Entertainment Australia that they were a Good Speaker for a Great price

as for a Sub, It will depend on how much room you can sacrifice? It is Possible to Build a Removable system.. Have your amp Mounted under the Passenger seat with only the Speaker Cables running into the Boot.. A Removable sub enclosure like a Single sealed 10 inch is a Possibility..

I have FS-60's up front getting 65WRMS each and Faded to F10 on the 5650mp cause the back sound like shyt. Also when your in the back you can still here the fronts, dont you worry :D Who cares about people in the back, they are getting a free massage.

On the subject of good subs for small enclosures theres a good road test of small subs in Issue 30 Autosalon mag.

Measured in terms of Price, effectiveness and quality
They test Focals 5" woofer 70%
JL 6.5 " woofer 65%
Jaycar 8" venom 70% ($40 each :shock: will fit in the parcel shelf)
Kicker s10l7 10" square 80%
Pioneer TSSW-124D 12" 80% (Flat like a pancake Mounting depth of 8cm :shock: )

You dont need to have a sub in the boot. If you want to put in the effort you can install 6.5" subs in the doors. Need a lot of deadening and possible another 2 way setup in the kicks.
Lemme know if you want anymore info on any of the above.
Peace

Tim

On the subject of good subs for small enclosures theres a good road test of small subs in Issue 30 Autosalon mag.

Measured in terms of Price, effectiveness and quality
They test Focals 5" woofer 70%
JL 6.5 " woofer 65%
Jaycar 8" venom 70% ($40 each :shock: will fit in the parcel shelf)
Kicker s10l7 10" square 80%
Pioneer TSSW-124D 12" 80% (Flat like a pancake Mounting depth of 8cm :shock: )

You dont need to have a sub in the boot. If you want to put in the effort you can install 6.5" subs in the doors. Need a lot of deadening and possible another 2 way setup in the kicks.
Lemme know if you want anymore info on any of the above.
Peace

Tim

where do i get this mag from? Might buy one before i go away this weeknd as i need to learn more about car audio. Also are there any good car audio mags you recommend from the newsagent to read up about audio installs and all that gear
cheers
jaz

Or you could try a MAXXBASS 103 system which apparently lowers a speaker response by 1.25 octaves without extra excursion. That means a standard speaker will play down very low and a sub will go almost all the way down to 16Hz ( not bad for a 10inch )

It might just be me, but the mounting depth of the pioneer should be irrelivent as it still needs a 22litre box, if it was free air yeah great but dam, 10inch G2 and G5 Bostons will take up the same room and hit a lot lot harder, like the kicker. Or and extra 5 odd litres to house the 12inch equivialent of the above.

Yep they reviewed maxbass 103 too. $399 Damn!!!
It only got 50%.

They work well apparently, but muddy the sound and introduce a bit of system noise etc.

The smaller mounting depth of the pioneer could mean that the box itself doesnt need as much depth. Eg Wheel well, narrow, but wide enclosure behind the seat etc.

So would still optimise boot space.

Yep they reviewed maxbass 103 too. $399 Damn!!!
It only got 50%.

They work well apparently, but muddy the sound and introduce a bit of system noise etc.

The smaller mounting depth of the pioneer could mean that the box itself doesnt need as much depth. Eg Wheel well, narrow, but wide enclosure behind the seat etc.

So would still optimise boot space.

I suppose so, thought about it after i wrote it lol My boston only has a mounting depth of about 15-20cm. Good for utes and dual cab etc suppose. Yeah $399 is a bit steep but if it works.

Ok, First up replace the Fronts, What kind of Budget do you have ???

Small Budget ??
Hertz DSK165: $134
Hertz DCX690: $125

FHRX studio's do carry them... Check out the Hertz website for a look at them...
I read in InCar- Entertainment Australia that they were a Good Speaker for a Great price

as for a Sub, It will depend on how much room you can sacrifice? It is Possible to Build a Removable system.. Have your amp Mounted under the Passenger seat with only the Speaker Cables running into the Boot.. A Removable sub enclosure like a Single sealed 10 inch is a Possibility..

Budget is wildly flexible :D More a matter of what I want to spend. I've pretty much decided on 6" splits for the front, and 6x9s for the rear, with an amp probably to follow a bit later. The only question now is brands. I'd like to go up to something like Boston rather than basic Pioneer type stuff, but not sure it's worth the extra cost (I only listen to the radio half the time!) I don't know anyone with Bostons or similar I can listen to and my installer doesn't carry them. I may yet relent and let him talk me into buying Earthquake gear. :)

No way not Earthquake !!!
Boston is worth the cost, Focal, Hertz and JL audio are better then Earthquake..
Earthquake make Great Subs and Amps, just not too keen on their Speakers..

No way not Earthquake !!!
Boston is worth the cost, Focal, Hertz and JL audio are better then Earthquake..
Earthquake make Great Subs and Amps, just not too keen on their Speakers..

Any reason?

My problem is I don't know anywhere in Newcastle I can buy or listen to any of those brands...

Go for what your Ears like the sound of.. I would not bother about looks as behind speaker grilles who is gonna see them.

There is no reason not to go with Pioneer...
Just don't get Kenwood as I hate Kenwood...
All my friends who have ever had a Kenwood Component in their car has been dissappointed with the Quality and Longevity...


Here are the Earthquake splits... They combine Pioneer's Kevlar Cones with Sony XPLOD's Coloring and Boston Audio prices...

http://www.earthquakesound.com/focus_coaxials.htm

Funny you mention Pioneer speakers - when I got my head unit installed I enquired about Pioneers and the guy's response was "any reason you want Pioneers? Earthquakes are heaps better, and cheaper."

I would go Pioneer, they Are fairly good for the Price and sound great...

I guess next chance I get (maybe next weekend,) I'll go have a chat with the guy at Nova and see what comes up. I imagine he could order in anything I want, just means I can't hear it first.

As long as it is not anything but Pioneers over priced TS-C splits then yeah they are ok. Make sure you amp whatever splits you decide on. A crap speaker well installed and accurated staged will sound way better than a good speaker poorly staged / installed.