Where to improve?

[pblanch]

Hello,

OK I guess I can start with my what I have:

2004 Corolla S
Rear speakers disconnected
Amp 4x111RMS driving fronts and sub

Stock H/U (would like to keep it that way)
MTX Thunder Dome-Axial TDX6502 6 1/2" Speakers
Infinity Reference 7541a 111W RMS x 4 Amp
10" ED sub (I bought it from a friend so im not sure of the specs, but im pretty sure this isnt my problem)
I've also got about 40 sq ft of edead in the doors

My system sounds pretty good at moderate volumes, but when I really want to crank it it seems to crap out on me. The highs get louder a lot faster than the mids so that symbols or 's' sounds are very sharp in comparison to the rest of the music.

My question is... Where should I start upgrading?? My options right now are:

- New fronts (I'll pay what I need to...$350 - ish if thats what will solve my problem)

- Buy new amp for the sub and drive new rear speakers with the amp that i have (I know this is generally frowned upon by most people but since my problem is mid bass i might be able to achieve better sq with 6x9's)

- Other??: please feel free to suggest an alternative

- is there anything that can adjust frequency response depending on what volume is being used?

Thanks!

[sirsaechao]

I think maybe run a seperate amp to the sub then possible you can run another set of speakers in the rear with the 4 channel amp.

[cam2Xrunner]

I'd look into upgrading your front's to component speakers. You definitely have enough power. The amp is not the problem.

What kind of mounting depth do you have in the front doors? Are you already using a speaker adapter baffle?

Rear speakers are not going to solve the problem. (they're not even needed imo)

[sirsaechao]

Originally Posted by cam2Xrunner

I'd look into upgrading your front's to component speakers. You definitely have enough power. The amp is not the problem.

What kind of mounting depth do you have in the front doors? Are you already using a speaker adapter baffle?

Rear speakers are not going to solve the problem. (they're not even needed imo)

True about the rear if you want a 2.1 sound system but I always run rears considering my Alpine DVD is 5.1 ready...know what I got a question for you Cam...where can I mount a center channel speaker in my 02 Tacoma? What type of speakers should I run? Coax? Seperate? Keep it MB Quart? How about powering it?

[pblanch]

I am not currently using a speaker baffle, or knew they existed before i just looked them up. I guess I'll try it out and see how well they work. They seem cheap enough, can you recomend a specific brand?

I dont know off the top of my head what the depth is, but I believe it is on the order of 3 inches (according to a quick forum search).

[pblanch]

Originally Posted by cam2Xrunner

I'd look into upgrading your front's to component speakers. You definitely have enough power. The amp is not the problem.

What kind of mounting depth do you have in the front doors? Are you already using a speaker adapter baffle?

Rear speakers are not going to solve the problem. (they're not even needed imo)

Also, any suggestions for components around $300? I would pay more if people say that its worth the money. I'm not going for competition or anything, I just want my system to go as loud as I want when I want .

Thanks for you response by the way.

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally Posted by sirsaechao

True about the rear if you want a 2.1 sound system but I always run rears considering my Alpine DVD is 5.1 ready...know what I got a question for you Cam...where can I mount a center channel speaker in my 02 Tacoma? What type of speakers should I run? Coax? Seperate? Keep it MB Quart? How about powering it?

^Yeah defintely run rears if you want surround for movies, but they aren't the problem in this situation. He's running only fronts, and doesn't like the sound coming from the front speakers. This is where he should focus on. Better front speakers.

I wouldn't know much about a center channel. I do know that Clarion makes one.
http://www.clarion.com/usa/products/...edia/SRK5.html It's got it's own built in amplifier.

Not sure how much of an improvement it will make though(if any)

[sirsaechao]

Originally Posted by pblanch

Also, any suggestions for components around $300? I would pay more if people say that its worth the money. I'm not going for competition or anything, I just want my system to go as loud as I want when I want .

Thanks for you response by the way.

Alpine Type R
MB Quart
JL Audio

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally Posted by pblanch

I am not currently using a speaker baffle, or knew they existed before i just looked them up. I guess I'll try it out and see how well they work. They seem cheap enough, can you recomend a specific brand?

I dont know off the top of my head what the depth is, but I believe it is on the order of 3 inches (according to a quick forum search).

A speaker baffle(or mounting ring) is just a ring made out of MDF wood that gives you a more solid mounting point for the speaker to the door.

Something like this.

[cam2Xrunner]

Originally Posted by pblanch

Also, any suggestions for components around $300? I would pay more if people say that its worth the money. I'm not going for competition or anything, I just want my system to go as loud as I want when I want .

Thanks for you response by the way.

I'd rec. taking a listen to some different component sets on display at stereo shops, and see if they have any installed in a vehicle..

These components are within your budget.
Focal Polyglass, MB Quart PCE216, Alpine Type-X SPX-177R, JL XR, Oz Audio Matrix Elites.

Eddiem67 has a really nice set of DLS Iridium 6.2's for sale that would sound awesome.

www.cardomain.com/id/eddiem67 He might make you a deal on them.

[TakeABao]

Does your amp have built-in x-over controls? If so, you may consider buying a cheap 2/1 amp to power your sub and have the 4-channel amp run a pair of components. An active setup this way will open up a world of possibilities as far as mixing and matching midranges and tweeters.

[pblanch]

Originally Posted by TakeABao

Does your amp have built-in x-over controls? If so, you may consider buying a cheap 2/1 amp to power your sub and have the 4-channel amp run a pair of components. An active setup this way will open up a world of possibilities as far as mixing and matching midranges and tweeters.

It does have crossovers, but the only options are LP/HP with a range around 20 - 300Hz, so I dont think my amp could drive any highs without extra hardware for filtering.

[TakeABao]

Originally Posted by pblanch

It does have crossovers, but the only options are LP/HP with a range around 20 - 300Hz, so I dont think my amp could drive any highs without extra hardware for filtering.

Hmmm, okay. Then I guess the most cost-effective solution as far as buying the least amount of hardware would be to get a set of pre-packaged 2 way components.

Look for:

Alpine Type X (Have heard these myself and they are AWESOME)
OZ Matrix Elite
Phoenix Gold Elite

The Alpine set would probably be your best bet as they can be had for a cheap price (authorized even -- check your local shops) and sound very well balanced. I believe they're rebadged Morel's or Scan-Speaks... Somebody correct me if I'm wrong...

[cam2Xrunner]

Modified Vifa, similar to XT line.

[pblanch]

The Alpine Type X's that you're talking about, are those the same as the SPX-177R components? (those were the type X's in my price range)