SQcomps install

[sqcomp]

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[Alien Mantis]

The midrange goes all the way to 12.5k ???

Have you tried crossing it over at 8k and 10k ?

Seems like the system would sound cleaner overall if you don't make the midrange do part of the tweeters job!

And one thing I have noticed about ALL audio systems in general:
They all sound different at low volume, and high volume.

Some systems sound really nice at low volume, but you crank them up and they start falling apart.

I only heard a few systems in my life that actually sounded BETTER the harder you cranked them up.

Two were car systems, and the other was a home system that was in an acoustically treated listening room.
The subwoofer was the size of a dishwasher. It had an 18" driver in it, as I remember. His amps were a mix of top-line Denon and a pair of TUBE amps.
The mains were a pair of OLD classic Klipsch horns. ( they were quite large )
The room acoustics played a big part, but the system was also amazing.
A cool mix of "new meets old".

I kinda like car audio that is a mix of new technology and old-school design.

[Alien Mantis]

Well, to be fair, my home audio system sounds better cranked up a bit.

My room acoustics are horrible, but the system is decent.

I have an Onkyo cd changer, two Harmon Kardon amps, four Cerwin Vega floor speakers, and a JBL 12" powered subwoofer.

I bought all that stuff over the years, piece by piece. On-sale, free shipping.
The Cerwin Vega's I bought locally, they were on clearance for $99 each.

I think I might have around $1,200 total invested.

I never had a car audio system that cost that much.
Probably never will.

The basic system I put in my Yaris was around $500 total.

[sqcomp]

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[Alien Mantis]

Originally Posted by sqcomp

AM,
I really wish you could see how big my smile is right now.
<snip>
Again, I SO wish I could have you hear the mids perform, you'd totally understand where and why I'm doing what I'm doing.

Got ya. You explained it perfectly.

I have no doubt those L4's are amazing.

So how much RMS power are you running to those L4's?
( and what is their official sensitivity rating? )

Just curious if they are efficient, or power-hungry.

[sickpuppy1]

owww, Klipsch horns.......heaven on earth when set up right, but very few people take the time or effort. I've heard Klipshhorns that would rattle the windows with crystal clear sound on a 20 watt tube amp. Amazing. I have Klipsch, but not the Heritage line, I'm sporting 10yr old reference, but I'm cool with that ;p

[sqcomp]

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[sickpuppy1]

Well my mains are the RF3 orignal series, which use a traxtic horn and two 8" ceramic coated driver. They were considered entry into the reference series but still sound fantastic. Bi-wired to the reciever. I have those and appropriate rears and center and dont remember which model sub. 12" with 350 watts I believe. rocks good with the Denon reciever. Have another set of the rf3's upstairs with a smaller denon to push them. Getting ready to move the theater upstairs where the flat panel and blue ray are. Gotta run wiring up through the walls and across the ceiling to the other side first for the surrounds. pain in the butt, but it makes movies sooo much more fun! Kinda like having great tunes in the car,huh!?
Back on subject.....

[sqcomp]

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[sickpuppy1]

Hey SQcomp, do you know anything about Sound Ordinance amps they sell at Crutchfeild? I am gonna put my old Pioneer DEH-P6700MP in the Yaris for a while till I make up my mind on a newer HU.(And save up money)
I am not gonna go for the quality of build that you are,lol, not even close, but I have driven that little radio hard and I know the amp in it is getting tired. So I am gonna get a four channel amp for it on a budget. Then change speakers( on a budget too :-( and then a newer HU . The downside to doing this is, the 6700 only has 2 sets of rca out on back and one of them is called "non fading" with a (sub) next to it. So I'm wondering if I'll have to use the actual speaker out puts from the radios amp for amp inputs......Because on the radio, only the front speakers have an RCA out.
I'd probably be better waiting for a new HU 1st huh?LOL, I think I'm talking my self into a new direction here,lol
But regardless, do you have an opinion on Sound Ordinance amps for the budget minded ? Or something else would be better for a 4 channel under 200?

[sqcomp]

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[sickpuppy1]

Good point, I'll do that first. And FYI, I'm right outside of Kansas City. So I have a bunch of local shops. Some GOOD ones too. Guess I just assumed a better price on-line. which isnt always the case, but even so, the is alot to be said for supporting brick and mortar shop first as you stated.

[Alien Mantis]

Crutchfield is expensive. They used to have good prices, but not anymore.
Sometimes they put stuff on clearance, and then you get a good deal.
Otherwise, expect to pay retail.

I started buying stuff from Sonicelectronix.com

WAY better prices, great selection, FAST shipping, and in most cases, FREE shipping. No TAX either.

And I had to send something back one time, because I didn't like it.
The guy on the phone was cool, no problems, got an RMA, and back it went.
New item arrived quickly, and I am totally happy.

I sent back a Clarion HU because it sucked, and exchanged it for a Pioneer HU which I LOVE.

I do my own installs, and I have lots of tools and a place to work, so I don't need some local "shop" to help me with anything.
I prefer to do my own work, that way I know some shop hack didn't cut corners on my install just so he could hurry up and go to lunch with his girlfriend or whatever.
People typically do NOT do as nice a job if it is not for "them", or they are not making the "big bucks" on it.
Installers are typically way underpaid for what they do. At least out here they are. Some people want to do a great job as a matter of personal pride. Maybe they want to establish a good reputation for themselves, so one day they can open their own shop. But most of the time, people are overworked, underpaid, and they just get burned-out after awhile. Then they stop caring, and start doing half-a$$ work just to pass the time.

SPEED is most important to shop installs. Gotta get that job done QUICK. Time is money. You can't spend 3 hours installing a deck. 30 minutes tops! Whip that harness together, slap that mounting kit in there, shove them wires back there, and get that bezel popped back on, the customer is waiting!

The only time I ever seen a shop take time on an install, is when a customer comes into the shop and says, "I want a killer system. I have $3,000 to spend."
The shop says, "Sweet! No problem! Leave your car with us for about 2 weeks, and when you come pick it up, you will be impressed!"
Customer says, "okay, here's the keys. Call me when you get it done."

Shop's LOVE that kind of customer.
They can put $1,500 worth of equipment in that car, pocket the rest, cook the invoice up to make it look BIG, and they can take their time with the job, doing lots of smaller jobs in-between working on the big one.

I hate to play the Devils Advocate, but I been around local shops too, and I really don't like the games they play. I have no need for that kinda crap.
I want GOOD gear, at a discount price, and I will do my own install so I know it is done RIGHT the first time. I will take my time on my own install. I will not rush anything. If I have a problem, I can research stuff on the internet, or call the place I bought the gear from. On-line discount stereo stores have people you can talk to if you have a problem. And the reputable ones will not give you a hassle about exchanging items. They have a reputation they need to keep-up too. If they leave people hanging high and dry, with no support after the sale, word will spread and they won't be in business very long.

SqComp has a good shop he deals with, and he has had great experiences with them. Nothing wrong with that. I have had just the opposite. I have had bad experiences with local shops, and GOOD experiences with on-line discount stores.

My only advice to anyone is: Check out your local shops, see what they have to offer, check prices, and then go online and see what the more reputable online places have to offer. Compare, and then decide what is best for YOUR needs. You might need to have help with your install. Maybe you need to get the best prices on stuff, because money is tight.
The point is, explore all your options. Don't trust the first place you go to. Do your research.

Nobody wants to get screwed, so it pays to do your homework so you can be prepared.
Bouncing things off people on the forums is a great source of info too!
That's why I hang out on these forums.

Lots of really smart folks on here. The more research you do, the better prepared you will be.

[sqcomp]

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[sickpuppy1]

I have the garage and all the tools, electric and air to do whatever needs to be done, I have no problem there........just no money,lol..... Whats that they say...Champagne taste and a beer budget!

[Alien Mantis]

I should probably clarify that I do not have the big shop equipment to do custom box building and stuff like that.
I do not have a table-saw, a drill-press, or anything like that.

I have lots of hand tools, cordless drills, electric sander, a Dremel tool, electrical testers, etc.
( Pretty much all you would need to do a basic install. )

But if I was to try and do a special custom job like SqComp is doing, I would certainly want to have access to the bigger shop tools.

I have made subwoofer boxes in the past, but honestly, I can buy a new box cheaper than I can make one now.
( and I don't have to spend hours of my time fabbing it up )

The downside is of course: you get a generic box.

And there are times when you have to bite-the-bullet and make your own box, because you can't find a decent pre-fab that fits your application correctly.

It is nice to have access to a local pro stereo shop, no doubt about it!
For those of us who do not, we just do the best we can.

[sqcomp]

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[sqcomp]

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