My Tacoma install

5364 Views 30 Replies 11 Participants Last post by bowen1, Dec 9, 2005

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · Dec 8, 2005

12

Most of you guy's don't check out the A/V forum here, so I thought I'd share with you what I'm setting up for my sound system(second one)

The headunit will be the Clarion DRZ-9255. This is pretty much as good as it get's. Has built in 4 way crossovers

http://www.clarion.com/usa/products/source_units/DRZ9255.html

The headunit will handle all of the processing needed for the whole system.

I'm using 3 amps for this system. The first amp is my PPI 2075AM 2 Ch amp to power my tweeters. This amp is rated for 75 watts rms @ 2 @ 4 ohms @ 12 Volts.

The tweeters being powered by this amp will most likely be the MB Quart QSD tweeters(QTD25)

Those are my old QTC25's, I sold them to get a newer set of the QTD's. Awesome tweeters I just sold my set for over 100 bucks, and these are a few years old.

The midrange drivers will be the seas Excel Nextel 5.5"

http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?cart_id=4643750.25255&pid=1939

These will be mounted in custom Fiberglass Kickpods.

The "Midbass" will be 10" Morel HCW10's. These will be mounted in the stock door location(some cutting required

)

The midrange and the "Midbass"

will be powered by an MB Quart QAA4250. This amp is seriously insane. See here for more pics and info..

http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t110682.html

Does 250 watts rms x 4 @ 4 or 2 ohms. Steal of a price right now too(see link above)

Then for the BASS. I'm going to be using an Arc Audio Flatline. this is basically a beefed up, refined Image Dynamics IDMAX.

That's gonna be powered by an MB Quart QAA1000. 1,000 watts rms X 1 @ 2/4 ohms. Class AB too.

The two MB Quart amps are going to be mounted on a custom Subwoofer enclosure/amprack. It's going to be setup with the Sub in the back, in the middle, pointed towards the front windshield at a 45 degree angle. The MBQ amps will be mounted, one on each side of the sub.

Of course plenty of RAAMmat is being used. My front doors are already deadened/soundproofed.

And here's the whole layout

See less See more

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

55reasons

· #2 · Dec 8, 2005 (Edited)

Looks like a nice setup. Funny that you are using the MB Quart QTC25's, as I have a set in the closet that I took out of a car a LONG time ago. I didn't know they still have a good rep (publicly), but I know I kept them for a reason. They SCREAMED...

I'm a HUGE fan of the old PPI amps, and the first generation XTANT (when the original PPI engineers left PPI and started XTANT out of protest of the "new face of PPI" back in the early 90's. I plan on powering a 13W7 with an XTANT 1001.

I can't say anything about the head unit, except I wish it was an Alpine. Not saying it isn't better, just that I have a fondness for Alpine longevity and quality construction.

As far as the midrange and midbass are concerned, I have never heard either one of them so I wouldn't know.

Not too sure about the SUB either.

I've always used Alpine head units and signal processors, XTANT, Alpine, or PPI amps, and JLAudio subs... The tweets and midrange have always varied on who had the best product at the time.

One thing is for sure... It looks like it's gonna be a clean, common sense setup with great sound quality. Make sure you take some pics of the midrange and midbass install! Where are the kickpods coming from?

See less See more

Accessdenied

· #3 · Dec 8, 2005

Sounds extensive...how much did that set you back? You gotta take some pictures, I'd like to see the fit.

Pb

· #4 · Dec 8, 2005

Cam, you have a good taste in headunits, even if they are several years old. That Clarion is super clean. I bet you would like a McIntosh or Nakamichi headunit.

55reasons

· #5 · Dec 8, 2005 (Edited)

This would accent the factory gauge color very nicely!:naughty:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NAKAMICHI-CD-700-II-CD700-WORLD-WIDE-EDITION-DHL_W0QQitemZ7569726433QQcategoryZ18798QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

See less See more

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 8, 2005

55reasons said:
Looks like a nice setup. Funny that you are using the MB Quart QTC25's, as I have a set in the closet that I took out of a car a LONG time ago. I didn't know they still have a good rep (publicly), but I know I kept them for a reason. They SCREAMED...

They are awesome. If you don't want them, send them my way

. But if you do want to sell them, I can find someone that would pay 100 bucks for them from you.

I'm a HUGE fan of the old PPI amps, and the first generation XTANT (when the original PPI engineers left PPI and started XTANT out of protest of the "new face of PPI" back in the early 90's. I plan on powering a 13W7 with an XTANT 1001.

I've had a A100.2, A300 and this 2075AM, great amps.

I can't say anything about the head unit, except I wish it was an Alpine. Not saying it isn't better, just that I have a fondness for Alpine longevity and quality construction.

Alpine has gone downhill in '05. Their units are now made in China and are having LOT's of problems. That guy Daveds50 from CT says that he's getting TONS of them in for repair.

I've never been a fan at all. The only headunit they offer with a 24 Bit DAC is the Alpine F1 Status and that thing is REDICULOUSLY priced.

This Clarion has way better sound quality than any Alpine deck. And yes, even better than the Alpine F1 Status. The DRZ-9255 is very similar on the inside of a McIntosh MX406.

If you'd like to read some indpeth info on the DRZ-9255 have a read..
http://www.elitecaraudio.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=109236

As far as the midrange and midbass are concerned, I have never heard either one of them so I wouldn't know.

The midrange is from Seas. They are a part of Tymphany who has brands such as Vifa, Peerless. Seas Excel Speakers are found in some of the most expensive home audio manufacturers systems. They are known as many as a Reference speaker. Very good stuff.

Not too sure about the SUB either.

It's made by Image Dynamics, based of the IDMAX sub. 22mm of Excursion, 1K watts rms and it's supposed to have better sound quality than the IDMAX.

I've always used Alpine head units and signal processors, XTANT, Alpine, or PPI amps, and JLAudio subs... The tweets and midrange have always varied on who had the best product at the time.

One thing is for sure... It looks like it's gonna be a clean, common sense setup with great sound quality. Make sure you take some pics of the midrange and midbass install! Where are the kickpods coming from?

I'll definitely take pics. The kickpods, I'm going to be making myself. Everything in this install, except for the sub enclosure/amprack is going to be done by me.

I will be getting some help with RTA tuning by my friend RJ.

See less See more

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 8, 2005

Accessdenied said:
Sounds extensive...how much did that set you back? You gotta take some pictures, I'd like to see the fit.

I buy and sell stuff ALL the time. I usually make a nice bit of profit. I started off with 500 dollars worth of stuff, sold something here, traded something here. I ended up with a bunch of cool stuff

But I did come out of pocket for a few things.

The other day I added up the Retail MSRP on everything, and it came out to about 6500 dollars.

I'm going to end up paying about 2600 dollars for everything, but again, most of it was bought from selling something else, or trading.

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 8, 2005

Pb2theMax said:
Cam, you have a good taste in headunits, even if they are several years old. That Clarion is super clean. I bet you would like a McIntosh or Nakamichi headunit.

Thanks,

This headunit is actually the newer version. The DRX-9255 was the older model. They did a major redesign in '04 and now this unit has all the SQ of the original, but now it has 4 way crossovers, 5 band parametric EQ's for left/right, Time Alignment.

Also this headunit has an Optical Input/Output.

I'll be running a carputer and will have the audio Toslink output of the Carputer run into the Clarions input and play it through the Clarions processing

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 8, 2005

55reasons said:
This would accent the factory gauge color very nicely!:naughty:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NAKAMICHI-CD-700-II-CD700-WORLD-WIDE-EDITION-DHL_W0QQitemZ7569726433QQcategoryZ18798QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Definitely a nice headunit, but doesn't have the 4 way crossovers or the build quality of the Clarion. I'd use it if I was going passive components.

55reasons

· #10 · Dec 8, 2005

I held on to the tweets for a reason.. Not gonna let them go THAT easy! :lol:

I've been out of the audio scene for a while, so I guess I'm not surprised to hear about Alpine farming out production. Kind of makes me sad though... Back in the day they were the "Craftsman tools" of the trade. I never had one that sounded dirty or broke on me. But then again, I keep breaking Craftsman tools these days too! :lol: I have three Alpine decks in the closet too, but none of them are newer than say 1996... I never sold them, I would just buy a new one and put the old one in the closet. :lol:

I wouldn't have a clue as to what they have REALLY been putting out over the last 10 years.

Good luck with the install... I look forward to seeing progress pics!

55reasons

· #11 · Dec 8, 2005

I have to say the copper plated chassis on that Clarion DRZ-9255 is bad ass.

92and06TOYS

· #12 · Dec 8, 2005

Hey 55...not to go off topic...but I'm going off topic to ask you if you still had the web address for the seat cover thing that goes underneat children's car seats in the back seat? i I looked for the post that had the site in it, but couldnt find it..I think it was related to something else, etc. etc...so mildly off-topic even then. Thanks! Sorry to go off topic.

92and06TOYS

· #13 · Dec 8, 2005

Oh yeah, Cam...awesome looking system...wish I had more knowledge of audio to give a qualified, critical opinion, but gawd I bet it screams. Hope I didn't derail your thread by asking 55 about child seat covers..

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 8, 2005

92and06TOYS said:
Hey 55...not to go off topic...but I'm going off topic to ask you if you still had the web address for the seat cover thing that goes underneat children's car seats in the back seat? i I looked for the post that had the site in it, but couldnt find it..I think it was related to something else, etc. etc...so mildly off-topic even then. Thanks! Sorry to go off topic.:

Click on his Screenname, scroll down to Private Message :slap: :lol:

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #15 · Dec 8, 2005

6

They look so good next to each other

Check out my dog Rusty

He's cool

See less See more

taco B

· #16 · Dec 8, 2005

ok since there is talk about head units what do you all think about this kenwood http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=2&k2=8&k3=57&pr=1972
?

Droppedmytaco

· #17 · Dec 8, 2005

Nice setup man. I was like 55reasons and use to swear by alpine head units. The last alpine I bought was in 1997 or 98 and it was the cva 1000. That thing was sweet. Anyway I recently bought another alpine deck and was completely disappointed. I should have went to walmart and got a one of there store brands it probably would have sounded the same and cost less. I use to have some of the old art series amps (2 PPI A600 and a PPI A1200). Old school PPI amps rule. Anyway good luck with your install and let us know how it turns out.

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #18 · Dec 8, 2005

55reasons said:
I held on to the tweets for a reason.. Not gonna let them go THAT easy! :lol:

lol. What does your setup look like now? What are you running?

I've been out of the audio scene for a while, so I guess I'm not surprised to hear about Alpine farming out production. Kind of makes me sad though... Back in the day they were the "Craftsman tools" of the trade. I never had one that sounded dirty or broke on me. But then again, I keep breaking Craftsman tools these days too! :lol: I have three Alpine decks in the closet too, but none of them are newer than say 1996... I never sold them, I would just buy a new one and put the old one in the closet. :lol:

What models are they. I agree with you that the older ones were nice decks.

I wouldn't have a clue as to what they have REALLY been putting out over the last 10 years.

Good luck with the install... I look forward to seeing progress pics!

Thanks

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #19 · Dec 8, 2005

taco B said:
ok since there is talk about head units what do you all think about this kenwood http://www.kenwoodusa.com/products/ListProduct.aspx?k1=2&k2=8&k3=57&pr=1972
?

Link didn't work for me but I still wouldn't rec. Kenwood. Nothing really appealing for me. They don't even have 3 way crossovers last time I checked. IMO that's a neccesity.

cam2Xrunner

Discussion Starter · #20 · Dec 8, 2005

Droppedmytaco said:
Nice setup man. I was like 55reasons and use to swear by alpine head units. The last alpine I bought was in 1997 or 98 and it was the cva 1000. That thing was sweet. Anyway I recently bought another alpine deck and was completely disappointed. I should have went to walmart and got a one of there store brands it probably would have sounded the same and cost less. I use to have some of the old art series amps (2 PPI A600 and a PPI A1200). Old school PPI amps rule. Anyway good luck with your install and let us know how it turns out.

The only setup I would rec. from Alpine is the DVA9860 paired with the PXA-H701. That setup right there is pretty impressive. For about 700 bucks it's hard to beat....but it's still Alpine :sosad:

The IVAD310 + PXA-H701 is sweet too.

Still know where that A1200.2 is laying around? :naughty:

1 - 20 of 31 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.