Nav System Lite (Something Different) !!
 

Once upon a time, I had pretty big stereo systems. Almost every system had a custom sub enclosure and top end electronics. I am embarrassed to say that way back then, I WANTED people to hear my tunes. I was never obnoxious about it but still....

Now I am embarrassed FOR the goof balls who actually think I want to hear their rap/hip-hop PA junk with elevated volume, windows down and posturing. I tend to leave stock stuff alone these days and the Hi-Fi system in my 335is is plenty nice sounding for me....its about sound quality and it passes with an easy "B". I have always preferred sound quality over quantity but I found the more amps, separates and speakers in general I added the less forgiving the system was and it was as if it needed tuning for every different cd I threw In. Fast forward over a decade... and the last system I had done (Car Audio Depot - Modesto , Ca) was over a year ago now. I wanted simple, great sound quality and NO AMPS, SUB's etc..

Yes, that's right, a deck power system.

It was a 96 Nissan 240sx and I wanted to keep it simple and Ron the Manager (CAD) and I decided on Kenwood Excelon Separates 7" for the Front and Rear stage. The deck was the top of the line Kenwood Excelon single Din with digital sound processing and X Overs built in (not to mention a 13 band EQ). It simply sounded phenomenal, plenty of volume and mid bass and sweet highs from the silk dome tweeters. Those speakers are now very hard to come by as they have been superseded by an better model "XR" series. It was one of the most satisfying and best sounding systems I have ever owned. Now I have an FR-S and decided to go with a Navi unit for lots of reasons, but it was back to Car Audio Depot, Excelon and the fantastic on board processor and crossover network found on the 691HD unit. Again planning on deck power only, with 7" F&R Components. Stewart the installer is using plenty of Dynamat Xtreme to keep the vibes down and will build a custom template for the rear stage along with a grill to allow all the sounds to come through properly. With no sub cone size becomes the order of the day and oversize components really help (as long as they aren't too power hungry). I am supposed to pick up the car tomorrow. I will add pictures and review later.


This link really helped me decide to go for the bigger rear stage.http://customstereoinstallation.blog...l#comment-form

Couple pics

Update: Looks like we will be using the factory amp to drive the front woofers and use the deck for the front mid/tweeter and rear stage. We will use the built in crossover and make the mid sound warmer picking up from where the mid-woofer leaves off (does anyone know what the midrange is crossed at from the factory??)


pics of progress..

Looking good man, nice work.

I'm thinking about putting a pair of 6" or 8" shallow subs in the rear speaker area. I autocross, so I don't want anything in the trunk. What is the depth in those rear cubbies?

I understand there is about 4" depth to work with. There are some really nice shallow subs out there that would fit.

AtlasMick has a thread all about using the rear side areas. I started going that route but wasn't satisfied with the sound for a variety of reasons.

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66561

The real issue with trying to use the area as as actual sub enclosure is all the air leaks. Even with the panel sealed with Dynamat like you have shown you will still have a ton of air flowing through all the holes in that area.

It takes me a lot longer to take the spare tire out of my trunk than my sub. Just use some sort of easy disconnect (like, say, an appropriately gauged appliance cord).

A sealed area for subs was not my goal, we did not need air tight. What we have is more than sufficient for the speakers we have ;)

Still tuning things, ended up using the factory amp for the front mid woofers, need the tweeters turned up,still a bit soft. Slowly getting there, glad there is a lot of dsp to tune with!!