Complete Sound System Upgrade Help!
 

Okay, after spending hours trying to figure out what I need, looking at build threads, etc. I realized that there really isn't much information out there unless I'm just really really bad at researching apparently. So I decided to make a post of my own, hoping that you guys could help me out a little bit and clarify some things as well.

First off, I have the 2014 Monogram FRS, which from what I've read doesn't make a difference and has the same speakers/number of speakers as any 2014 FRS, but I thought I'd throw that out there first just in case.

I read up that we have a total of 6 speakers? For the longest time I thought I had u because of how my dash is shaped, making me think there's a total of 4 up there, 2 for doors (one on each side), and 2 in the back side panels.

Some Information about what I have and my goals:

I currently already own a Alpine Type-R 10" Dual 2-Ohm Subwoofer powered with a 500 watt mono amp with the stock sound system. It is currently in a sealed enclosure, but I was probably gonna get a custom fiberglass enclosure to save some trunk space.

I mostly listen to EDM and hip hop here and there so I'm looking for a system to give me those highs and mids that I am currently lacking with the stock setup.

I've also read up that the rear speakers are kind of irrelevant because of their size and that no one's ever back there in our cars but I'd like to upgrade everything anyways. Which includes the head unit, multichannel amp for the speakers, and of course the speakers themselves and maybe a stronger mono channel amp for my subwoofer.

In addition, with all the information I'll be gathering on this thread, I will be making a very detailed(I hope) DIY on a complete sound system upgrade with step by step tutorials(with pictures), as well as any information anyone would ever need for any sort of sound system upgrade since I could not find one at all, if someone does happen to know of one, then you are awesome and I suck at finding things.

From what I've found so far, I need a 3 way speaker system in the front, pair of speakers in the back all hooked up to a 4 channel amp. I've also seen builds where they use a 2 way component system, where they only have a tweeter on the dash, and a 6.5 on the door. Not sure which would be better for me.

Speaker Sizes (from what I've found):
Dash - 3.5", 2" depth
Door - 6.5", 2" depth
Rear - 3.5"

8 speakers. two in the dash. Youre missing the tweeter.
The rear speaker is the last one to touch as your ears listen forward and the seats block a lot of the sound.
You don't want over lapping speakers making the same sounds as that affects timing and harder to tune.
Also many people don't like the dash speakers pointing towards the windshield as it makes all the highs sound harsh.
Adding 3.5's in addition to tweeters in the dash makes for a lot of highs, some say too much so they go with the classic setup of mids/midbass on the doors, high tweeters pointed towards passengers and a sub.
Dont forget about sound deadening in the doors and other places.
I think I got that right.

Thanks for your input! What would you personally recommend for EDM? I feel like it would be better for the extra 3.5 in the dash for the highs.

Also, are these 3.5" speakers in the dash a part of a component speaker system for the door and tweeter? Or is it just an additional separate speaker?

So what I should be looking at is a component system for the tweeter and 6.5", 2 pairs of 3.5" speakers for dash and rear. Will I need to fabricate any adapters that I keep seeing on build threads for the door? Are those just to give the speaker a bit more depth room to not hit the window since there isn't much room in there to begin with?

The dash speakers are a 3.5 component set. It's a 3.5 speaker and a tweeter.
You should be looking at whatever matches your amps and budget.
Yes for more depth. It is around 2.6 inches, not much room. You don't need to fabricate, just find and buy.

I suggest to just pick out stuff and make a list and then ask for opinions from there.

Yeah I was gonna pick out stuff once I figured out exactly what I needed. Hmmm. 3.5 Component? I have only seen/heard of 3.5 Coaxial speakers. Wouldn't the tweeter be a part of a 6.5" component speaker with the door, while the 3.5" as a separate speaker? Or am I wrong?

You can wire it however you want. I wouldn't really call them components, other than the fact they are next to each other and use the same signal. (i think the tweeter has a bass blocker)
Have a budget and select the most important stuff and go from there. Rear 3.5's and the dash 3.5's are the last things you would need.

I would suggest selecting--
1. head unit
2. sub, sub box, and sub amp
3. speaker amp based on how much sub amp you have
4. door speakers/components
5. sound deadening

Let us know your budget and your ultimate goal.
Do you want power? sound quality? how much of each?

Money is not a problem. I'm looking more for sound quality since I listen to mostly EDM.

1. Head Unit
The main thing I care about is that it's a double din with a screen. I'm might want sirius xm. I'm leaning toward's this one right now. Open to any suggestions.

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...-X5700BHS.html

2. Sub/box/amp

Right now I currently have the Alpine Type-R 10" Dual 2-Ohm Subwoofer in my car powered with the Alpine m500 amp in a small sealed box. I will be most likely switching my enclosure to a custom fiberglass one that sits on the side of the trunk to allow me to have more room.

3. Speaker amp

I'm not sure exactly what I need right now.

4. Door Speakers

I've heard many great things about the Infinity Kappa speakers but I'm not entirely sure if they'll fit properly in our doors. As for the 3.5" speakers for the dash/rear, I'm assuming that they'll all the the same type of speaker?

http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_...a-60.11cs.html

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-SPR-60C-Audio-Component-System/dp/B004VBIEZW/ref=zg_tr_10980881_15"]Amazon.com : Alpine SPR-60C 6.5" Car Audio Component System (Pair) : Component Vehicle Speaker Systems : Car Electronics[/ame]

5. Sound Deadening

I went on amazon and these sound like a decent product, as well as cost effective. Will be doing more research on other sound deadening after I have my system picked out.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/GTMAT-Automotive-Audio-Dampening-50mil/dp/B008KNZ2S4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1435287208&sr=8-1&keywords=sound+deadening"]Amazon.com : GTMAT 10 sqft Automotive Audio Dampening 50mil PRO - Noise Reduction Installation Kit Includes: 10sqft (qty 1 - 1ft X 10ft roll), Instruction Sheet, Application Roller, Degreaser, GT MAT Decals : Vehicle Speaker Installation : Car Electronics[/ame]

Don't say money isn't a problem. Just give a ball park number or an upper limit. If you had unlimited money, people would suggest boutique brands that cost 2-3x more for the couple % difference. You would also pay a sound engineer to help you tune it. So you're not going to do that are you?

Check out "oem audio" brand packages for this car, they have a dsp unit/packages that are tuned for our cabin. It's a very good system for low-mid level sound enthusiasts.

Good point. Let's say around $1000 or less is the budget. I've heard of OEM audio but I prefer my own custom setup for a higher quality system. What are your inputs on those parts I picked out?

I have the 5600 BHS, its great, but pass on the XM, it sounds like a good idea, and no commercials is nice, but the sound quality even compared to HD radio and modern Bluetooth is simply unacceptable. I don't listen to my XM at all anymore.

Right now I have infinity REF on a 45W/ch alpine amp,
However, if I was doing my system again, I would do these:
Kenwood Excelon KFC-XP184C
if only because with a spacer they will fit, and I think the 7" woofer is cool.

Hmmm. Thanks! I'll probably just stick to the HD radio and my phone for spotify then! Do we need any special mounting brackets/installation kits for this head unit? Or is it just a direct fit?


Ah interesting. Thanks!

Also, how many channels would I need on my amp? A 4-channel correct? If so, how would it be wired? A channel for each of the 6.5" components, and 1 channel for each pair of 3.5" for the dash/rear?

Are you running stock speakers or aftermarket? If aftermarket, which ones?