Full System Install Questions

PigGuy wrote:

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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.

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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.

I'll start with the first question you had.  To get a good 6.5" speaker, you're going to have to spend over $50.  Also, don't just get the midrange woofer, get a component set (comes with two tweeters, two woofers, two crossovers).  When it comes to power, you feed power to the crossover and that powers the woofers and tweeter accordingly.

When he says low pass, he means hook up an amp to those free air 8 inch woofers and only allow the lower frequencies to get to them (low pass).  This blocks the 8s from even attempting the highs that they were not designed for.  This would only require one amp.  A nice two channel amp will do the trick.

I wouldn't power any of the speakers on just the head unit if you want good sound quality.  The amp is not just to increase the power to the speakers, it is also a MUCH cleaner power source than the head unit.  The cleaner the power, the cleaner the music and the better the sound.

Let me know if you need any more help.