Component Speakers + Amp

phluxx · 07-30-2008, 09:42 PM

Hi All,

I just bought a JL 500/1 amp, and JL 10W7 subwoofer. I'm kind of stuck on what to buy for component speakers and amp. I'm in an 03 convertible Corvette. I don't need rear speakers, as my sub will most likely completely overwhelm them (rears are physically in the trunk area and play through seats). They have to be 6.5".

I know there is technically no right answer for the best speakers, but I'm looking for opinions. I listen to a mixture of metal, rock, hip-hop, house.

Thanks.

scott_fx · 07-31-2008, 03:05 AM

they dont have to be 6.5. you can fit 8's in there w/o any problem.

I'd go over to the corvette forum's audio section to read up on the faq and ask questions there.. you are fortunate thought because I know that car pretty well (and i compiled the faq at corvette forum :-) )

you haven't given a budget so i'm not going to be concerned with that. first i'd suggest going with the dynaudio 6.5 or 8" components. they tend to be a bit on the warmer side which i really like. if those are out of your price range you can pick up some focal polykevlar (i think) comps for a tad cheaper or the pioner 720prs components that are getting great reviews and are a bargain.

in a vert, i'd go no less the 100 watts per chan. i orig. had 75 and it was ok unless i was on the highway.

a last option is to run fully active, which is what i'm currently setting up. you'll get to hand select your speakers, save money on them as well and you'll tune the x-over point specifically to your install. win win. this requires processing power and enough chans (4 chan amp), but what you spend on the extra amp power you'll save on the speakers.

phluxx · 07-31-2008, 10:57 PM

Thanks for the advice, Scott. As a fellow Vette owner, I think you might cry when you see what I'm doing to my dash. Either that, or slap me upside the head. I'm going to try to fit a 10.4" touchscreen in my dash. If I manage to make it look good, then it'll be awesome, but something tells me I'm going to fight with this for a few weeks until I decide to leave it up to a professional, haha.

phluxx · 07-31-2008, 11:53 PM

I've got a couple questions, if you don't mind. I realized I've read through your FAQ before a few times

. I was going to use the C5 sub enclosure word file to build my box, but after looking at the measurements, it appears that it is meant to be able to leave the disc changer in. Mine has to come out because of my CarPC, anyway. I need a 1.5cf box, so I should just be able to build it outwards, yeah?

My major concern is my PC. I'm thinking of building my subbox ~3.5" up, and recessing my amps into a big amp rack/sub box piece. In front of that, I'm considering mounting another rack that will attach with a steel plate or two to the sub box/amp rack, this one being for the computer. No case, just mounted straight into a "wooden box", if you will. Going to carpet/plexiglass it. I'm concerned my W7 is going to cause my computer major issues. I am an Information Technology major, so I know a lot about computers, but I've never subjected one to this kind of abuse. Do you think this layout is just a plain bad idea? Or, is it workable, save for some minor adjustments?

I'm trying to think of what will look best. Maybe I can even fit the computer in between two amps going horizontally? What do you think? Computer is built from an mATX board.

scott_fx · 08-01-2008, 12:18 AM

well.. the 10" screen isnt my style, then again even an 8" isn't my style (in the corvette) but it's not my car so more power to you! :-) I'm pretty bland with my installs.
the sub box isnt' meant to retain the changer, there is a slant in cubby hole so you'll need to build it that way.

i'm not sure about the bass and the harddrive. usually it isn't an issue but it sounds like youre mounting your subbox to your amp rack? It probably wont be an issue but i'm not an expert.

i like your idea of the amp rack.. i think... if i understand it correctly :-)

what kind of amps do you have? i'd be glad to help you brainstorm some ideas

phluxx · 08-01-2008, 01:28 AM

Would you say the Pioneers are a better choice than the Alpine SPX17-REF? Sub amp is a JL 500/1, and I'm thinking JL A3400 comp amp, just so they have a similar look. I haven't picked up the comp amp yet, though, so who knows at this point. It all depends on what component speakers I pickup.

kirk78h · 08-01-2008, 09:13 AM

Before you take that chainsaw to your dash, you may consider buying a spare one to modify. When I started, I bought one from a guy on corvetteforum.com that had been modded to a 2-din to accept a 7" screen. I ended up going in a different direction (basically replaced my rear view mirror with the monitor), so I still have the spare if you are interested.

By the way, I took the advice from someone on the vette forum and checked out the Elemental Design components and sub. I love the way they sound, and they are a bargain. They also have custom cut mounting plates for C5's on their website.

Good Luck,
Kirk

scott_fx · 08-01-2008, 11:19 AM

too bad you don't want a 7" screen, i've toyed with ripping the pc out of the vette and throwing it into my other car. :-)

phluxx · 08-01-2008, 01:39 PM

Scott, I am a firm believer in excess is happiness (I'm 19 and own a vette

). I don't think I could be happy with any other size now that I've seen how ridiculous my screen looks. I held it up to my dash and almost burst out laughing. It caught me off guard how big it looked compared to how much space I had to work with. It also seemed like a good challenge, and I like a good challenge

.

Kirk, that sounds like something that would be useful, what are you looking for it?

kirk78h · 08-01-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by phluxx

Kirk, that sounds like something that would be useful, what are you looking for it?

I paid $200 for it, and it is still sitting in my basement. I would like to get that much back for it (or close to it). If you are interested, I can take some pictures of it and send them to you.

Kirk

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