Full System Install Questions

Ok, I've had my system installed in my previous car, I have two 10" Sony Xplod subs in a Q-Logic bandpass box (which they weren't designed for) with a Rockford amp that I got all for $100. The amp was a Rockford Fosgate Punch 50, I think, I never could find any specs for it. I installed two Pioneer 6.5" three ways, I think they're rated for 200W Max. I had it all installed, the speakers ran off of my basic Pioneer head unit (DEH-2300) My new car is a much more complicated install, they don't make a wiring harness for it, and the speakers are all queer sizes. First of all, there's 2 5.25" speakers in the door, and there's also a little tweeter in the upper door, which I think is on the same channel as the main door speakers. The back has two 8" round subs, which will be replaced with something 6x9. I never thought it was a bad system when I had it installed in my previous car, but then I rode in a car owned by some kid here at school, and his system blew me away. The highs stung my ears, it was far better sounding than mine ever was, he had two tweeters in addition to the rest of his system, whatever it was. I'm pretty sure one of the major things holding my previous system back was the car was such a light econo-box with next to no insulation. Anyway, I have a few questions about my system. My amp seems to be enough for the subs, which I will be installing under the rear window, facing upwards. The trunk is very well insulated to begin with, so I don't think I'll need any more of an enclosure.. I will be using the stock wires for the speakers. If I install tweeters up front, to replace the stock ones, how should I power them? Is it a bad idea to use a 3-way speaker in the front doors in addition to a tweeter, if they're all on the same channel? Is it a bad idea to use the head unit for the power, like I did last time, or was that what was holding me back? Overall, I'm not looking for a ridiculously loud system, but rather one that sounds good, from low to high.

First, what do you mean by you don't think you'll need any more of an enclosure? Second, you should look into another amplifier for the speakers. Are you using a stock head unit? ~wayland

I mean, the subs will be open air in the trunk from the back, but the front will be in the interior. I'll be using an aftermarket head unit, it's a Pioneer DEH-1300.

Well that head unit doesn't put out much power at all, consider an amplifier... Are those subs capable of using an open air setup? If not, you'll need a box...~wayland

PigGuy wrote: Ok, I've had my system installed in my previous car, I have two 10" Sony Xplod subs in a Q-Logic bandpass box (which they weren't designed for) with a Rockford amp that I got all for $100. The amp was a Rockford Fosgate Punch 50, I think, I never could find any specs for it. I installed two Pioneer 6.5" three ways, I think they're rated for 200W Max. I had it all installed, the speakers ran off of my basic Pioneer head unit (DEH-2300) My new car is a much more complicated install, they don't make a wiring harness for it, and the speakers are all queer sizes. First of all, there's 2 5.25" speakers in the door, and there's also a little tweeter in the upper door, which I think is on the same channel as the main door speakers. The back has two 8" round subs, which will be replaced with something 6x9. I never thought it was a bad system when I had it installed in my previous car, but then I rode in a car owned by some kid here at school, and his system blew me away. The highs stung my ears, it was far better sounding than mine ever was, he had two tweeters in addition to the rest of his system, whatever it was. I'm pretty sure one of the major things holding my previous system back was the car was such a light econo-box with next to no insulation. Anyway, I have a few questions about my system. My amp seems to be enough for the subs, which I will be installing under the rear window, facing upwards. The trunk is very well insulated to begin with, so I don't think I'll need any more of an enclosure.. I will be using the stock wires for the speakers. If I install tweeters up front, to replace the stock ones, how should I power them? Is it a bad idea to use a 3-way speaker in the front doors in addition to a tweeter, if they're all on the same channel? Is it a bad idea to use the head unit for the power, like I did last time, or was that what was holding me back? Overall, I'm not looking for a ridiculously loud system, but rather one that sounds good, from low to high.

1) Don't replace the 8" speakers in back with 6x9"s.  Replace them with quality free-air capable 8"s.  Amp them, low pass them.  They'll play more like real subs.

2) Get a component set with its own set of crossovers if possible.  Use the tweeters from that set.  Get rid of the old ones.  Power it with an amplifier, high pass it.

3) Yes, it is a horrible idea to use a 3-way speaker in addition to another channel.  Unless you're just looking for crappy but loud. 

4) Head unit power, in general, is skimpy and dirty.  Use amplifier power if you can afford it.

New Project: 2003 Pathfinder

Hmmm, well, I guess I'll have to keep my eyes open for another amp or two. I'm planning on doing something similar, but not as extreme as what this guy did. What's a good 6.5" 1-way speaker that I could put in the doors? (preferably cheaper than $50) What do you mean by low/high-pass? Is that just using their own feed, and putting their input only for highs or lows? That would require one amp for each pair of speakers or one amp per two pairs if they were 4-channel, right? Is it really that common for people to use an amp for tweeters, or could I get away with having them run by the head unit, and just tune it for highs, adding the bass with the amp controls?