Anyone running "on-axis" components up front?

[Vmax911]

Here's a little bit of my audio history with this car.
I am running a CDT 3-way system in the stock locations. I first installed it using 100W a side and the passive crossover. It was an improvement over stock, but lacked in the midbass and sounded a bit muddy at high volumes.


I then did a quasi active system, actively crossing the 6.5" drivers at 440Hz, and high passing the 3" in dash at 460Hz with a steep filter. 100W to the 6.5's, and 100W to the passive crossover for the 3" and tweeter. This got rid of the muddy sound. It sounded pretty good, but the sound stage still seemed to be anchored right at the dash speakers.


Stage 3 involved me getting a DSP, which allowed me to EQ both channels independently, and time align the drivers. This really improved the SQ, and brought the soundstage up into the windshield. It also allowed me to EQ out the midbass dip. I'm really liking the way it sounds, but wonder if I could get more "air" into the sound by trying to get the dash speakers on axis.


I was thinking of trying a 2" wideband and trying to angle it to be on axis yet still under the stock speaker grills. Then I would have to figure out what to do with the tweeters. Has anyone done a custom install or got the mids/tweets on axis? Or does anyone have any experience with on axis vs bouncing off the glass like the stock locations do in our specific vehicle?

[Calum]

you might have more luck on diymobilaudio. I haven't been over there in years, but I would be surprised if someone wasn't attempting what you are, and could help you out.

Good luck with the install.

BTW, what process are you using? I'm thinking of picking up a minidsp when I finally do my install.

[Vmax911]

Originally Posted by Calum

you might have more luck on diymobilaudio. I haven't been over there in years, but I would be surprised if someone wasn't attempting what you are, and could help you out.

Good luck with the install.

BTW, what process are you using? I'm thinking of picking up a minidsp when I finally do my install.

Yeah, I will probably post over on Diyma. I wanted to check here since frequency response is so vehicle specific. I'm sure there are some audiophiles here somewhere.

I'm using a Ppi dsp-88r. The cheapest of the cheap. It seems to have a bad rap on the car audio forums. It has worked flawlessly for me, but I've only had it for a few months.

I was considering doing the MiniDsp. But I didn't feel knowledgeable enough to pull the trigger on a 2x8, or two 2x4's. And then I'd need a case, and a power supply. And do I need balanced or unbalanced, etc. But I hear that once you get past that part it's a pretty flexible unit.

[Calum]

Originally Posted by Vmax911

Yeah, I will probably post over on Diyma. I wanted to check here since frequency response is so vehicle specific. I'm sure there are some audiophiles here somewhere.

I'm using a Ppi dsp-88r. The cheapest of the cheap. It seems to have a bad rap on the car audio forums. It has worked flawlessly for me, but I've only had it for a few months.

I was considering doing the MiniDsp. But I didn't feel knowledgeable enough to pull the trigger on a 2x8, or two 2x4's. And then I'd need a case, and a power supply. And do I need balanced or unbalanced, etc. But I hear that once you get past that part it's a pretty flexible unit.

Actually, I was told the other day that the r88 is a minidsp, just with some lipstick and rouge. That could be wrong, the source wasn't exactly and industry insider, but I wouldn't be terribly surprised.

[Vmax911]

Originally Posted by Calum

Actually, I was told the other day that the r88 is a minidsp, just with some lipstick and rouge. That could be wrong, the source wasn't exactly and industry insider, but I wouldn't be terribly surprised.

So the previous version, the PPI DEQ.8 (and it's sister the Soundstream synthesis) were the minidsp versions. The 88r (and the Soundstream Harmony) are a different breed. Again, I've had no problems with mine, maybe the later models have newer firmware or something.

[Calum]

Originally Posted by Vmax911

So the previous version, the PPI DEQ.8 (and it's sister the Soundstream synthesis) were the minidsp versions. The 88r (and the Soundstream Harmony) are a different breed. Again, I've had no problems with mine, maybe the later models have newer firmware or something.

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

[kmbkk]

Try this link: http://www.diymobileaudio.com/forum/...build-log.html


I've heard the car and it sounds amazing. I'm doing something similar in my car, but using different gear. Right now I'm having 4" mids glassed into the dash panels (similar to the thread). I also have tweets in custom A-pillars and will do a passenger foot well sub enclosure once the new SI BM MK V subs come out (shallow moutn 12" sub). Amps and processor will be in the spare tire wheel well.

[Vmax911]

Thanks for the link. I'm only about 17 pages in (lol) but it looks like he likes the stock location in the dash for the mids. Maybe I'll just play with repositioning the tweets for now.


I'd like to see pics of y our setup as well!

[Calum]

Originally Posted by Vmax911

Thanks for the link. I'm only about 17 pages in (lol) but it looks like he likes the stock location in the dash for the mids. Maybe I'll just play with repositioning the tweets for now.


I'd like to see pics of y our setup as well!

My goal is to use some Morel tweeters and just run a 2.1 setup. I've got some ID OEMs, and I'm hoping they'll play well together. Especially if I can mount the tweeters on axis. But my first goal is to keep all drivers under the factory panels.

I never even considered going IB for the sub though. I'm going to have to read through all 51 pages of that thread now to see how it turned out.

[Vmax911]

Originally Posted by Calum

My goal is to use some Morel tweeters and just run a 2.1 setup. I've got some ID OEMs, and I'm hoping they'll play well together. Especially if I can mount the tweeters on axis. But my first goal is to keep all drivers under the factory panels.

I never even considered going IB for the sub though. I'm going to have to read through all 51 pages of that thread now to see how it turned out.

I'd like to stay under the stock grills as well. How low can you crossover those Morel tweets?

[Calum]

Originally Posted by Vmax911

I'd like to stay under the stock grills as well. How low can you crossover those Morel tweets?

Morel says 1400 Hz. I'll likely try a little closer to 2000 Hz and work my way up. The ID OEMs have a carbon fiber cone. The stiffness of that cone should allow them to play well up to a similar frequency.

[TOOSTUBBORN2FAIL]

First post on the forum, but since I'll be going with the same subwoofer setup as the DIYMA brz, I thought I'd update you guys. The ib install is gone, replaced by a single stereo integrity bm mkiv, installed in the passenger foot well under the glove box.

[kmbkk]

Originally Posted by TOOSTUBBORN2FAIL

First post on the forum, but since I'll be going with the same subwoofer setup as the DIYMA brz, I thought I'd update you guys. The ib install is gone, replaced by a single stereo integrity bm mkiv, installed in the passenger foot well under the glove box.

Very nice. I had 2 Mk IV's and traded them for a Mosconi 300.2 amp. I'm holding out for the Mk V to be released and put it in the foot well also.

[kmbkk]

Originally Posted by Vmax911

Thanks for the link. I'm only about 17 pages in (lol) but it looks like he likes the stock location in the dash for the mids. Maybe I'll just play with repositioning the tweets for now.


I'd like to see pics of y our setup as well!

I have the tweets and door speakers installed, but no amps in yet. It'll probably be a month or so before I get the dash pods. Once I get it all ready to go I'll take pics of the install. I can post an A-pillar pic, though if you want.