I NEED Better Sound!

[Powhusku]

I am not a fan of the boston acoustics system and would really like to upgrade the speakers. I need the room in the trunk so I'd prefer to go without a subwoofer. My plan is to replace the door speakers with a JL component set as well as replace the 6x9's with JL's and also toss in a decent 4 or 5 channel JL amp for good measure. But considering I have little experience with car audio, can somebody tell me if this is a good or bad idea? Will it really make a difference in audio quality/sound? Any input is much appreciated!

[Powhusku]

Okay, so I just got off the phone with the people at Crutchfield. They recommended the following. What do you guys think?

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136XD40...o-XD400-4.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136C265...dio-C2650.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_136C269...-C2-690tx.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_575RFK4...gate-RFK4.html

http://www.crutchfield.com/p_211ZN54...16-4-feet.html

[Vaux96]

JL makes great products, you will definitely hear a difference. A subwoofer would really compliment it, and I know they make smaller boxes that would not take up much space in your trunk. Just add on a 10 or 12. You don't HAVE to have a sub, but it would really add another dimension to the music.

As for your crutchfield parts, IMO - Speakers and amp look good - if you are not going to add a sub, then the 4 gauge wire is a bit overkill for just that amp, 8 gauge would be fine, but the 4 would give you room for upgrades in the future.

Do you plan to run speaker wire from the amp to all the speakers? If not, then you can just get the FARK adapter from Subthump and you wouldn't need to run any wires and you don't need to buy those patch cables either. (you would still need a small set I think. like 3ft)

Also, your speaker selections will not fit the Camaro, so you will need get adapters for them, do you plan to install this yourself?

[Powhusku]

I'm told the speakers come with adapters so that they can fit. I plan on having a shop install them since I haven't worked with car audio before. I'll have to look into the FARK adapter. Maybe it will save some labor time on installation.

[Vaux96]

Actually if you get the FARK then you don't need to buy any amp kit either, and the shop that installs it, you could buy a small length of power and ground wire from them. You don't need that long power cable because your battery is in your trunk, not under the hood. That is the route I am going to take when I do mine - get the fark, 5 channel amp, sub and box. Unhook the factory amp, add the Fark harness, plug it in to my new amp, wire the power and ground, wire the sub to the amp and I am good to go.

The FARK isn't the BEST way to go, but it's a shortcut that can save some time, money, and the headache of tearing your car apart.

http://subthump.com/Car-Audio-Produc...ement-Kit.html

[Powhusku]

Yeah, I like the way that sounds much simpler, and with the money I save from not buying a long amp cable and patch cables I'll be able to substitute the FARK for almost the same price. Thanks for the helpful info.

[Powhusku]

Can anyone tell me if buying a bulk pack of Dynamat Extreme is overkill? I just want to dynamat my doors and rear deck where the speakers are and am not sure if this amount of dynamat will be enough or if its more than I need. I'll still be using the speakers listed above.

http://www.amazon.com/Dynamat-10455-...3816783&sr=8-1

[The 2010 Sin]

Just do a JBL MS-8.. See how you feel after that install and let me know what else you want to accomplish.. This will completely redo all that you want.

[Powhusku]

Originally Posted by The 2010 Sin

Just do a JBL MS-8.. See how you feel after that install and let me know what else you want to accomplish.. This will completely redo all that you want.

I've heard good things about the MS8. If I wound up getting that I definelty would take it to a professional to be tuned. I wonder how much of a difference it would make on a high quality system made from the JL components I have picked out. I wish it weren't so expensive, perhaps I'll get a cheaper one. My goal is to keep the price of this system to $1,000 or perhaps a little more if need be.

[Kevinshawnm]

Go with the JL Audio clean sweep.

[Powhusku]

Originally Posted by Kevinshawnm

Go with the JL Audio clean sweep.

Yeah, that's one of the cheaper ones I was looking at. Do you have one?

[The 2010 Sin]

Clean sweep is just an eq bandaid for tuning a system... Let me put it to you like this. Mark Eldridge.(Works for JL AUDIO) is a competitive audio guy in the SQ world. *(you can google him)* He has a JBL MS8 hidden in his nascar SQ vehicle. I know because I compete with him. The MS-8 will add tremendous advantages to your sound from stock to fully high end modded as I or mark eldridge have. Its worth every penny and you dont have to add a headunit.

If you have questions about tuning I'd be glad to help. I took 1st in Iasca world finals in sound quality last year in my class and I was trained by Gary Biggs, one of the developers of the MS-8 product.

[The 2010 Sin]

Oh btw.. do the MS-8 first.. and I doubt you'll go any further. It makes an INCREDIBLE difference on stock BA systems.

[Kevinshawnm]

The MS-8 is a great unit....But the OP just wants to clean up his sound not compete, He also stated he wanted to do it all for under $1000.

[EDWEIRD]

Powhusku,

Just my two cents, but I'd add the subwoofer and nothing else yet.

I added the 3x10W3V3 JL Stealthbox to mine last weekend, it salvaged the sound system. Also - I read on another post to dump the audio settings to -12 on the stock system, and work them up one by one til you like the sound - that advice made a HUGE difference in how much I like the BA system.

Just a thought - no point in blowing cash on audio if you can put it into performance!

Ed

[The 2010 Sin]

good thing they only cost 700 and its the best bang for your buck.. much better than mid range priced speakers and amps.

[Powhusku]

That MS-8 sounds like the bees knees, but I still think I'm going to go the way of speaker replacement. The problem I have with the current speakers is more than just audio quality/clarity, the bostons just cant go loud enough without getting distorted, especially the back speakers. I've tuned the system as best as I could (spent about 30 minutes doing it) and I just couldn't get it up to my standards. I'm a bit of an audiophile, so high quality audio is a must for me, not matter how loud or quiet I have the speakers set to. I think I'll still buy the JL system, but that MS-8 still looks pretty sweet so I might have to put it on my wish list for next year. Thanks for all the input guys! I appreciate it.

Anyone have any input on the dynamat question? I just want to know if that will be enough square footage to do my doors and the rear deck.

[Dan2510]

That MS8 seems serious, I may look into getting it.

[Powhusku]

Okay, So it's getting close to upgrade time. Is there any way a capable audioshop could allow me to upgrade my amp without replacing the head unit? I'm tired of waiting for more FARK harnesses to be released and don't want to lose the use of my rear tweeters which I've read happens with the FARK harness. Anyone know? Is it an expensive process? Are there any advantages to going that way as opposed to installing the FARK harness other than easy installation?

[CrutchfieldBrooke]

Hey Powhusku, thanks for giving Crutchfield a call today for a recommendation on your system! The DynaMat bulk kit that you are looking is likely a bit overkill in terms of the amount, but it's better to have too much than too little once you get started on the installation. If you end up with some left over, you can always find other places that it can be used in the car.

[darkrider01]

Originally Posted by Powhusku

Okay, So it's getting close to upgrade time. Is there any way a capable audioshop could allow me to upgrade my amp without replacing the head unit? I'm tired of waiting for more FARK harnesses to be released and don't want to lose the use of my rear tweeters which I've read happens with the FARK harness. Anyone know? Is it an expensive process? Are there any advantages to going that way as opposed to installing the FARK harness other than easy installation?

The answers are complicated, but I'll do my best here.

1.Is there any way a capable audioshop could allow me to upgrade my amp without replacing the head unit?

Yes. I'm doing this myself, so a capable audioshop should easily be able to do it as well.

2.I'm tired of waiting for more FARK harnesses to be released and don't want to lose the use of my rear tweeters which I've read happens with the FARK harness. Anyone know?

If you are replacing your speakers and factory amp, then the "loss of tweeters" will not affect you at all. If you are ever planning on returning your car back to bone stock, then the FARK kit is a great investment.

3. Is it an expensive process?

This really depends on how much you want to replace and to what extent you want to take the upgrade. I'm doing everything myself, and I have already spent around $2300-2400 on amps, sub, speakers, dynamat, etc. If you just want to replace the amp, you could probably buy a decent amp and have it installed properly for less than $500.

4.Are there any advantages to going that way as opposed to installing the FARK harness other than easy installation?

The are only 2 advantages that I can think of for not going FARK.
1. Cheaper materials. Cutting off factory harness and using connectors is a lot cheaper than a FARK harness. Labor would obviously be more, but probably not $100 worth of labor.
2. Retain use of more speakers. The FARK harness limits you to using 4 channels in lieu of the factory 7 channels. By hacking up the harness, with the right amp/s, you can reuse all of your speakers.

Hope that helps.

[cbuchak2000]

Just another option I thought I'd throw out there. My local shop is able to get the Phoenix Gold Amp that is included in the I-series sub/amp package, by itself. It is a six channel amp that is a direct plug 'n play solution and replaces the BA factory amp. Being six channels it will power the center channel, 4 interior speakers, and the existing sub-woofer. I used this in conjunction with JL Audio C3's in the doors and kept the factory head unit and it made a world of difference. The phoenix gold amp also comes with a touch screen remote that you can mount anywhere in the car (mine is on the dash) that allows you to control all of the amps functions, including listening position and customizable eq as well as preset DSP settings.

Currently Phoenix Gold only lists this as part of the package with the subwoofer, but if you call the guys at Sound Decisions in Racine, WI they can get you just the amp and its necessary components. It works great because all the factory systems like onstar, xm, bluetooth, door chimes, etc.... still run through the amp and you arent cutting and splicing any wires. Give those guys a call if you haven't already decided what your doing and talk to Chris (262) 633-8300. Tell him Chad told you to call, he'll give you special pricing as well.

[Steve@Subthump]

Originally Posted by cbuchak2000

Just another option I thought I'd throw out there. My local shop is able to get the Phoenix Gold Amp that is included in the I-series sub/amp package, by itself. It is a six channel amp that is a direct plug 'n play solution and replaces the BA factory amp. Being six channels it will power the center channel, 4 interior speakers, and the existing sub-woofer. I used this in conjunction with JL Audio C3's in the doors and kept the factory head unit and it made a world of difference. The phoenix gold amp also comes with a touch screen remote that you can mount anywhere in the car (mine is on the dash) that allows you to control all of the amps functions, including listening position and customizable eq as well as preset DSP settings.

Currently Phoenix Gold only lists this as part of the package with the subwoofer, but if you call the guys at Sound Decisions in Racine, WI they can get you just the amp and its necessary components. It works great because all the factory systems like onstar, xm, bluetooth, door chimes, etc.... still run through the amp and you arent cutting and splicing any wires. Give those guys a call if you haven't already decided what your doing and talk to Chris (262) 633-8300. Tell him Chad told you to call, he'll give you special pricing as well.

The pg amp would be a decent choice except it's a huge amp and you will have to find someplace to put it. The smaller 4 channel amps like the JL xd's and alpine pdx's will fit into the factory spot completely out of the way.


On a related note: Our new fark kit is scheduled to be released about a month from now. The big difference in this version is that it will allow for both speakers in the factory rear 6x9s to operate (tweeter and midrange). Also, for the few that see it absolutely imperative to make the center speaker work, we have a way to do this (on a custom basis) by adding extra wires to the x2 harness. I still don't necessarily see the point, but we want to accomodate everyone so we are making this option available and it can be done quite easily. I don't feel like changing the entire harness and making everyone pay more--for the one out of a hundred that would do this. But it's an option and anyone saying you will lose this speaker or that speaker with our kit is now completely wrong. So from this point going forward, all the speakers can be allowed to work if the amp has enough channels to push them. This will be a very nice kit to own and will be here before you know it.

[Supermaro585HP]

I just got mine back yesterday from the stereo shop. I went with the pioneer 8400 and Focal speakers all around. I put a ARC amp in and already had the sub box from chevy. I used Scosch kit for the stereo. I think thats how you spell it. I'm at my car lot and the car is not with me today. The kit is great and the whole system is kick ass. I'm not good at putting pictures on here. Good luck man!!

[darkrider01]

Originally Posted by Steve@Subthump

The pg amp would be a decent choice except it's a huge amp and you will have to find someplace to put it. The smaller 4 channel amps like the JL xd's and alpine pdx's will fit into the factory spot completely out of the way.


On a related note: Our new fark kit is scheduled to be released about a month from now. The big difference in this version is that it will allow for both speakers in the factory rear 6x9s to operate (tweeter and midrange). Also, for the few that see it absolutely imperative to make the center speaker work, we have a way to do this (on a custom basis) by adding extra wires to the x2 harness. I still don't necessarily see the point, but we want to accomodate everyone so we are making this option available and it can be done quite easily. I don't feel like changing the entire harness and making everyone pay more--for the one out of a hundred that would do this. But it's an option and anyone saying you will lose this speaker or that speaker with our kit is now completely wrong. So from this point going forward, all the speakers can be allowed to work if the amp has enough channels to push them. This will be a very nice kit to own and will be here before you know it.

Dangit Steve! Now I'm going to have to change all my advice to "Just call/email SubThump." Seriously, great job again on responding to the needs of the community. I'd be a sad panda without my FARK kit (and spacers, and sub box, etc) from SubThump.

Will you be adding an X1 harness then? If so, would it be possible to for me to get just an X1 harness to add to my FARK kit?