Audio Setup - thoughts and recommendations (V6 base)

[jperls]

I have recently upgraded my audio system in my 2015 mustang V6 coupe (however I have upgraded from the base 4" screen and sync system to the factory 8" screen and Sync 3). Have installed at the moment a Kenwood XR901-5 amplifier, a JL subwoofer box with a 12TW3-D4 subwoofer, and Hertz MPK 165.3 Pro component speakers up front and stock speakers in the back.

I am having a Zapco DSP-Z8 IV II installed on Thursday and will be disabling the rear speakers and instead amplifying the tweeters I know this will make a big difference in the setup...especially since the time alignment in the car is terrible).

I mainly use TIDAL to play my music through my iPhone in the car. Normally I would include what my budget for components is, but considering I have had the work already done and/or have committed to having it done, I believe it is a mute point at this moment. But later on it will come into play if I decide to go a different direction.

I am very new to this hobby...but I love listening to music....eclectic taste...but grew up with classical...especially baroque and classical period composers (though more lately I have been listening to classic rock, jazz, folk, some rock, and acoustic instrumentals).

I would appreciate peoples thoughts on my setup...thank you so much

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[JackImpact]

Did you install everything or did you pay someone to do the work?

Im interested in upgrading mine, but dont want to pay someone else to do it. So I would be interested to hear how you hooked everything up.

 

[jperls]

Did you install everything or did you pay someone to do the work?

Im interested in upgrading mine, but don't want to pay someone else to do it. So I would be interested to hear how you hooked everything up.

I had / having everything "professionally" installed (I use quotes as I will find out if the people who did the speakers and amp install did a good job on Thursday when the DSP in installed at a different shop. I have found a couple of flaws with the install and want to see if anything else crops up...if so, I will be calling the first shop, showing them pictures of the problem...and working with them to get them to pay for the corrections and refund me the labor rate I paid them...will find out tomorrow).

 

[JackImpact]

I had / having everything "professionally" installed (I use quotes as I will find out if the people who did the speakers and amp install did a good job on Thursday when the DSP in installed at a different shop. I have found a couple of flaws with the install and want to see if anything else crops up...if so, I will be calling the first shop, showing them pictures of the problem...and working with them to get them to pay for the corrections and refund me the labor rate I paid them...will find out tomorrow).

I had this issue in my civic. They half assed everything. My airbags also dont work.

Ive got to have a mechanic write up an invoice before I call them and try to get some money back.

Total bs.

 

[jperls]

I had this issue in my civic. They half assed everything. My airbags also dont work.

Ive got to have a mechanic write up an invoice before I call them and try to get some money back.

Total bs.

Wow...sorry to hear that..I'm not saying that the people who did my car did a bad job...heck they probably did an excellent job...its just nice to have a second set of eyes look at the quality of the install

 

[JackImpact]

Wow...sorry to hear that..I'm not saying that the people who did my car did a bad job...heck they probably did an excellent job...its just nice to have a second set of eyes look at the quality of the install

You actually got me motivated, I just called them.

Said to bring it in and they will take a look as "warranty work", see if something is loose or came unplugged, or was not plugged in.

Nothings exploded, stopped working or caught on fire so for the most part its fine. However when you drop 1300 dollars and give them like 5 days in the shop you expect the best.

 

[jperls]

You actually got me motivated, I just called them.

Said to bring it in and they will take a look as "warranty work", see if something is loose or came unplugged, or was not plugged in.

Nothings exploded, stopped working or caught on fire so for the most part its fine. However when you drop 1300 dollars and give them like 5 days in the shop you expect the best.

Glad I could be a source of motivation...what did you have them do (I am assuming this is on your Honda) and what made you think they "half-assed" it?

 

[JackImpact]

So in total they:

Installed a new double din head unit
2 channel amp in the front
added FAST rings to my front speakers (they forgot to do these and i had to come back)
Sound deadener and CCF foam front to back (all four doors, floor, rear deck and trunk)

I provided the headunit and deadener and CCF foam.

It was 1300 after tax total. Now that its done, I should of just waited for warmer weather and done it myself. Its an 06 civic and I think I would of been happier just doing it myself.

On the Mustang, I probably would prefer to pay someone to do it because of the complications of the factory stereo and factory amplifier.

I would prefer another stereo headunit in the mustang, but the loss of climate controls and stuff I am not sure about.

 

[jperls]

OK...so to bring the thread back to the main point...curious as to peoples thoughts on my setup...much appreciated

 

[JackImpact]

OK...so to bring the thread back to the main point...curious as to peoples thoughts on my setup...much appreciated

I think it looks like you went for the full deal, but did you do any deadener?

 

[jperls]

I think it looks like you went for the full deal, but did you do any deadener?

Deadener was included in the install...whole thing cost me around $3,400 or so (but again, I did amplifier, subwoofer, and front speakers). Tomorrow's DSP install will cost exactly $1,000. Will see how it goes. But still curious about the components I went with (including the subwoofer cone itself...worse comes to worse I think I am able to replace the speaker itself if necessary).

 

[JackImpact]

Deadener was included in the install...whole thing cost me around $3,400 or so (but again, I did amplifier, subwoofer, and front speakers). Tomorrow's DSP install will cost exactly $1,000. Will see how it goes. But still curious about the components I went with (including the subwoofer cone itself...worse comes to worse I think I am able to replace the speaker itself if necessary).

I personally like the sound of FOCAL speakers, not much experience with HERTZ but they seem very popular.

Focal is very bright though, so if your ears are sensitive for that you can always roll back on the tweeters/highs but they are naturally like this Ive found.

As for SUBS, I have a kicker L3 thats been going strong in Florida in my brothers car for going on 7 years now and its loud.

In my current Civic, I have an Image Dynamics 12", it came highly recommended to me for accurate bass reproduction and I have to agree with the person who recommended it. Its tight, but it can get low and loud all the same.

https://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_94037_Image-Dynamics-ID12-D4-V.4.html

This is Image Dynamics baby end sub, but I really feel I got more from it than what it cost me.

 

[Nagare]

I just hope it is more of a mind blowing difference than what my mom got out of adding a DSP (Audison Bit One iirc, not sure if it was the HD) to the setup in her SUV. Based on what I've read on different forums, I expected it to be exceptional so I'm not sure if it was a lack of programming quality from the installer or something else, but I wasn't as impressed as I had hoped for what it cost.

Have you upgraded your battery at all or are you running caps in the system? I know I can't turn my system up too much otherwise it'll start clipping out the speakers when the subs need the power. I'm hopeful I can figure out a way to fit the D3400R battery in over the weekend if the weather cooperates. Might not be an issue for you with only the one sub, but worth mentioning.

 

[jperls]

@Nagare no "big 3 upgrade"...heck still running stock 175amp alternator. No capacitors either (not needed). Kenwood amp is making 75 watt RMS x 4 and 600 watt RMS X 1...pulls 80amps during peak operation (at least in theory...I never put the volume past 3/4).

I know that going "active" on the speakers will be helpful in that there won't be power loss due to the passive crossover and the ability to use a 31 band equalizer per channel will also be helpful in tuning...will see how it turns out. Also having this shop re-assess the amplifier gains will be helpful (seems system was not setup right as some distortion does occur on occasion depending on the song). Crossovers were also limited...so that will be a great addition as well.

If I had to hazard a guess as to why the DSP install on your mom's SUV was not good (what does she have installed by the way), I would guess they did not completely tune the system or the time alignment settings were done incorrectly.

 

[Nagare]

For the alternator you're not really going to have much choice beyond the stock one or the built up Singer alternators but that'll be at least $600 there too. Haven't measured what my amps pull during peak operation, but I have checked the voltage before and it'll drop to 11.5-12 when the bass hits (and the volume is turned up past 12-13 on Sync 3, I think that's just over 1/3?). Amps are fused to 80A each, and remember that you're alternator isn't just powering the speaker system, it has to keep everything else (lights, gauges, Sync, A/C) in the car up too. I haven't experienced any issues with any dimming or any issues beyond the speakers cutting out honestly.

Don't know what my mom has beyond that the DSP is a Bit One.

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