Nik_Ind
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Hi All! (Long and boring thread warning 
)
I wanted to share my thoughts on a recent install I did on my Mustang. Before I begin, I wish to thanks [MENTION=20499]mumbles[/MENTION] for all the help and advice provided to me till date! He has been very patient with me, and I can't thank him enough. That being said, I also wanted to pay it forward to this forum for all the helpful information I've come across.
I have another thread where I've mentioned about my subwoofer and speaker upgrade, but this one is solely going to be for the 6.5" midbass in the doors; hence, did not wish to club them. I'll also be posting impressions on previous installs that did not work, or sort of worked, so please bear with me
My current set-up:-
4" Focal ES 100 components (install was very tricky!)
6.5" Mid-woofers SO Audio 165 2.8 http://www.soaudio.de/165.html
6.5" Focal IC 165TOY Rear
2 RF Subwoofers P2D4 10" paired with a Focal FPP mono.
Pre-requisite: Running them off the OEM amp! I wasn't keen on going through the process of installing an aftermarket amp, and I was also optimistic that I would find something that could really sound good without replacing it!
1st trial: I purchased a pair of Tang Band drivers from Parts Express. Did not have much knowledge so it was kind of an impulsive purchase. As a result, they did not work AT ALL. They had a very low QTS, and sensitivity which proved to be the worst that my system has ever sounded. Unfortunately, I could not return them. But lesson learnt.
2nd trial: Then I bought a pair of Focal 165 coaxials, thinking they would be better considering it was a mainstream brand. Again, there was little to zero midbass! I ran them for a few weeks to break them in, but even after that, they were below average. It is after this that I started researching more, and learnt about T/s parameters etc., which in turn helped in my search for a decent set of replacement.
3rd trial: Next, I picked up a pair of Pyramid W64 woofers. Yes, the parameters fell in place! Also, I had read good review about them so it wasn't much of a risk/investment. Initial impression was average at best, but the quality was slightly better than the stock woofers. After a few weeks, they did start shaping up, but then, that itch of wanting more!
4th trial: Prior to this, the doors weren't treated with sound deadener or foam, and I had come across a mixed bag of opinions. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot (Dyanamat Xtreme), and I was nothing but impressed! The amount of bass, and overall quality of music it resulted in was pleasantly surprising. It finally seemed like it was all set.
5th trial: Just for the sake of it, I decided to put back the stock woofers after about 3 weeks, to see how they sounded. Big mistake! They sounded better than the Pyramid midbass :lol: We all know what happened next!
6th trial (FINAL): Yes! Yet again! Another quest for a BETTER set of woofers. It was astonishing how the stock woofers sounded that good, and I knew there had to be a better set than those paper cones! I got in touch with [MENTION=20499]mumbles[/MENTION] yet again, where he guided me and recommended a couple of drivers to try. Sadly, I wasn't able to source them which led me to an installer here in India who only deals in premium products. He suggested me to try a pair of midbass from a company called SO Audio (link above). Never heard of it! And I was very skeptical, to say the least. To top it off, they were expensive ($350). Well! I couldn't resist, and I pulled the trigger on these.
Initial impression- WOW!! They sound fantastic! I wasn't expecting it at all, but I can tell you these are the best drivers I have had till date. A couple of hours of listening, and started to open up more. The installer says they'll take about 10-12 hours to really shine, but I am so happy right now! Also, these are only being powered with the OEM amp as of now. I have a Helix waiting to be installed, but I'm going to keep running them as it is for a bit since they really sound that good! Also, the rear Focals complement them really well! I have the fader set more towards the front, but they work so well that I've been listening to my music without the subs for the past 2 days! Can't wait to see what the Helix amplifier would do later
Also, I can't stress enough as to how essential sound deadening is! Was never aware that it could result in so much difference, but I shall always advocate for it, going forward.
Anyone have any questions on my set-up, please feel free to ask!
Again! I apologize for a really long thread, but I wanted to make sure that anyone just starting to upgrade, or not satisfied yet, would benefit from this, and hope to save some of their money in the bargain.
)I wanted to share my thoughts on a recent install I did on my Mustang. Before I begin, I wish to thanks [MENTION=20499]mumbles[/MENTION] for all the help and advice provided to me till date! He has been very patient with me, and I can't thank him enough. That being said, I also wanted to pay it forward to this forum for all the helpful information I've come across.
I have another thread where I've mentioned about my subwoofer and speaker upgrade, but this one is solely going to be for the 6.5" midbass in the doors; hence, did not wish to club them. I'll also be posting impressions on previous installs that did not work, or sort of worked, so please bear with me
My current set-up:-
4" Focal ES 100 components (install was very tricky!)
6.5" Mid-woofers SO Audio 165 2.8 http://www.soaudio.de/165.html
6.5" Focal IC 165TOY Rear
2 RF Subwoofers P2D4 10" paired with a Focal FPP mono.
Pre-requisite: Running them off the OEM amp! I wasn't keen on going through the process of installing an aftermarket amp, and I was also optimistic that I would find something that could really sound good without replacing it!
1st trial: I purchased a pair of Tang Band drivers from Parts Express. Did not have much knowledge so it was kind of an impulsive purchase. As a result, they did not work AT ALL. They had a very low QTS, and sensitivity which proved to be the worst that my system has ever sounded. Unfortunately, I could not return them. But lesson learnt.
2nd trial: Then I bought a pair of Focal 165 coaxials, thinking they would be better considering it was a mainstream brand. Again, there was little to zero midbass! I ran them for a few weeks to break them in, but even after that, they were below average. It is after this that I started researching more, and learnt about T/s parameters etc., which in turn helped in my search for a decent set of replacement.
3rd trial: Next, I picked up a pair of Pyramid W64 woofers. Yes, the parameters fell in place! Also, I had read good review about them so it wasn't much of a risk/investment. Initial impression was average at best, but the quality was slightly better than the stock woofers. After a few weeks, they did start shaping up, but then, that itch of wanting more!
4th trial: Prior to this, the doors weren't treated with sound deadener or foam, and I had come across a mixed bag of opinions. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a shot (Dyanamat Xtreme), and I was nothing but impressed! The amount of bass, and overall quality of music it resulted in was pleasantly surprising. It finally seemed like it was all set.
5th trial: Just for the sake of it, I decided to put back the stock woofers after about 3 weeks, to see how they sounded. Big mistake! They sounded better than the Pyramid midbass :lol: We all know what happened next!
6th trial (FINAL): Yes! Yet again! Another quest for a BETTER set of woofers. It was astonishing how the stock woofers sounded that good, and I knew there had to be a better set than those paper cones! I got in touch with [MENTION=20499]mumbles[/MENTION] yet again, where he guided me and recommended a couple of drivers to try. Sadly, I wasn't able to source them which led me to an installer here in India who only deals in premium products. He suggested me to try a pair of midbass from a company called SO Audio (link above). Never heard of it! And I was very skeptical, to say the least. To top it off, they were expensive ($350). Well! I couldn't resist, and I pulled the trigger on these.
Initial impression- WOW!! They sound fantastic! I wasn't expecting it at all, but I can tell you these are the best drivers I have had till date. A couple of hours of listening, and started to open up more. The installer says they'll take about 10-12 hours to really shine, but I am so happy right now! Also, these are only being powered with the OEM amp as of now. I have a Helix waiting to be installed, but I'm going to keep running them as it is for a bit since they really sound that good! Also, the rear Focals complement them really well! I have the fader set more towards the front, but they work so well that I've been listening to my music without the subs for the past 2 days! Can't wait to see what the Helix amplifier would do later
Also, I can't stress enough as to how essential sound deadening is! Was never aware that it could result in so much difference, but I shall always advocate for it, going forward.
Anyone have any questions on my set-up, please feel free to ask!
Again! I apologize for a really long thread, but I wanted to make sure that anyone just starting to upgrade, or not satisfied yet, would benefit from this, and hope to save some of their money in the bargain.
Sponsored