Modest upgrade shopping list check

[Cravio]

First post here. I have a '10 hatch, six spkr non-bose and am looking to upgrade and wanted get some feedback on my list of materials.

I'm keeping the stock HU with stock spkr wiring as well as keeping the stock rears.

Sub:
JL Audio 8W3V3-4 (in an Adiointergration 8" enclosure)

Amp:
JL Audio XD700/5 channel (mounted on top of spare)

Front Comps:
Focal 165A1

Line converter:
Audiocontrol LC6i (mounting/placement suggestions? e.g. glove box)

Amp kit:
pretty lost on this any suggestions?

Addtl items:
Dynamat for front comps (the speaker kit)

Thoughts, suggestions any additional items I'm missing?

I'm thinking a 5 chnl amp so I can control the rears (via gain) or go with a 4 chnl and just remove the rears from the chain altogether. Although the $ diff between 4 + 5 appear to be minimal and so a 5chnl gives some options.

How critical is it on the front comps to have the mounting adapter/spacer "sealed"?

Thanks for any assistance.

[crarjrtr]

I just installed the LC8i and haven't decided whether I like it yet or not. I bought the 8 b/c I wanted the subwoofer volume control - not sure if your amp can do that. The sub volume makes a big difference in my setup allowing me to turn the gain way up and lower it as needed. My problem is that right now the stereo is shutting off when playing at high levels. Since the headunit goes directly to the lc8, I don't know if that is causing me the problems. I have a request into audiocontrol now.

[Cravio]

Originally Posted by crarjrtr

I just installed the LC8i and haven't decided whether I like it yet or not. I bought the 8 b/c I wanted the subwoofer volume control - not sure if your amp can do that. The sub volume makes a big difference in my setup allowing me to turn the gain way up and lower it as needed. My problem is that right now the stereo is shutting off when playing at high levels. Since the headunit goes directly to the lc8, I don't know if that is causing me the problems. I have a request into audiocontrol now.

I'm just learning this stuff, but the volume control I assume is the "remote" line some amps have to adj the gain for the sub channel, which it sounds like your amp does not have?

Not sure why your HU is cutting off, something (obviously) isn't working correctly. I'd be interested to hear with the problem is though?

I think I'm pretty set on the list I have - haven't decided on what amp. My add some dynomat or equiv, its getting $$ though.

[Cravio]

All items purchased...install on the way shortly.

It was recommended to me that I should double up the two channels on the amp to drive each of the front comp's and either remove the rear's altogether or leave them hooked up to the stock HU power - adjust via "fade"?

I purchased the 5 chnl so I could drive the fronts and rears - knowing the rears provide basically ambiance as well giving passengers something other than just the fronts. I also figured I might upgrade the rears and thus by using a 5 chnl everything is already hooked up.

Thoughts?

[Cravio]

Originally Posted by Cravio

All items purchased...install on the way shortly.

It was recommended to me that I should double up the two channels on the amp to drive each of the front comp's and either remove the rear's altogether or leave them hooked up to the stock HU power - adjust via "fade"?

I purchased the 5 chnl so I could drive the fronts and rears - knowing the rears provide basically ambiance as well giving passengers something other than just the fronts. I also figured I might upgrade the rears and thus by using a 5 chnl everything is already hooked up.

Thoughts?

Bump?

[Cravio]

Originally Posted by E.Tinker

No general rule to speak of...it just depends on your goals for the vehicle.

Since this was my wife's car and she generally carries around our daughter in the back seat, we opted to have the speakers in the rear doors.

In my Speed I decided to run a 3 channel amp with a set of components in the front doors and a single sub in the hatch since I'm usually the only person in the car.

Different goals, different approaches.

You can run either configuration with a 5 channel amp...although if you're putting speakers in the rear doors and powering them off of the stock HU they may have a problem "keeping up" with the front speakers that are seeing a much greater power level. You might find that the lack of clean power to the rear speakers will result in more audible distortion. This can be mitigated a bit by playing around with the gain controls on the amplifier to better match the output of the front speakers to the rear but I thought it might be worth mentioning.

My advice would be to either power the rear speakers with the amp or leave them out altogether...powering them off of the head unit seems like a compromise that you don't really need to take so why take it?

Good luck .

Thanks for the response and I don't want to hijack the OP thread but I think were going down a similar avenue. But I will ask my question in my here:


The install is a go, so we'll see.... I purchased the JL XD700 => not cheap and with the thought of running the comps and the stock rears. I kinda wish now I would have gone 4 chnl and just cut the rears out of the chain and save a few $. Whatever no biggie.

The XD puts out 75 watts rms x 4 chnl and 200 watts for the sub. So its either cut out the rears altogether or power them with the XD Amp - no prob and I get that. I have no reference point so I don't know what would make the most sense. If I use 4 chnls for the front comps only is that extra power going to make that much of a difference? Unless there are some suggestions, I think I'll just hook the fronts and rears up to the amp and be done with it.

[E.Tinker]

Originally Posted by Cravio

I think I'll just hook the fronts and rears up to the amp and be done with it.

This will probably be your best bet in terms of overall sound quality and to make the most of the equipment that you've purchased.

[Cravio]

Originally Posted by E.Tinker

This will probably be your best bet in terms of overall sound quality and to make the most of the equipment that you've purchased.

I think so as well. These Focal's are very efficient so I don't quite see the point in going the four channel route for the fronts => 75 watts on five channels vs. 150 watts on four channels.

I'm hoping this setup will be a significant step up over stock.

Hopefully I'll have some good news by tomorrow eve.

[Cravio]

All finished. Turned out great IMHO. Not a ton of pics, but nothing you haven't seen before etc.. Nod to E.Tinker on the remote knob location and Derrick_B for the amp mount idea.

The results are really something, its hard to leave the car it sounds so good I'm officially now addicted to car audio! Not good.

I'm already planning EQ / processor and the iSimple ipod integration here.

The only thing I would have done differently is probably just powered the fronts and left the rears connected to stock or removed them. This would have saved some $$ as I would have only needed the LC2i and a 4ch amp. I still could double up the channels and send it all to the fronts as stated earlier, but for now I'll keep it as is. I'm happy. I may add the dynamat to the rear hatch floor, that will have to wait til spring though.

Oh, and don't let the 8" W3 deceive you, I have listened to two other vehicles with diff sub configs (10 + 12) and this setup can hold its own!

Any comments / thoughts welcomed. especially on the ipod integration and processor route.