car audio design

[JK35]

I'm shopping for car audio gear today, and was wondering where I could find a gallery of car audio/audi A4 specific photos/threads?

I'm thinking about going MB Quart all the way, but they're quite a bit different than they were "back in the day"

Anyone experienced with MB Quart please advise!

What I'll probably end up ordering today will be:

1-12" Dual 4ohm VC RWE-304
1- 5 channel PAB-5400 amplifier
1 set-QSC213 5.25/T (custom front kick panel pods)
1 set- Q line 6.5" "add-a-woofer" (front doors)
1 set Q line 6.5" "add-a-woofer" (rear doors)
1 pr- DKG or DTG 6x9's (rear deck)

I'm thinking I'll lay it our like this:
*component set = channels 1 & 2
*front and rear midbass = channels 3 & 4
*sub = subwoofer channel with 4 ohm voice coils wired in parallel to yield 2 ohm load
*6x9's in rear deck and powered by head unit\

does this sound like a good plan for good SQ, and overall POWERFUL sound?
I listen to a wide variety of music, but NEVER any rap/hiphop/bass... I'm more of a Metallicaa, Limp Bizkit,Disturbed,AC/DC, Tim McGraw kind of guy

I had my door panels off today, and the previous owner had installed at LEAST $500 worth of Dynamat in this car. I have a decent Sony Head Unit in the car, but want RID of it as it DOESN'T match our badass illumination! Could anyone direct me towards a medium-high quality, reasonably priced head unit that has RED ILLUMINATION? The JVC Kamelion appeals to me even though it isn't red, but rather more like my iPhone... I'd bend over backwards to get a deck that is RED illumination/bluetooth/compatible with my iPhone/HD and Satellite ready... any suggestions for either?????

thanks, and if this is the wrong place for this, please move. -I saw quite a few other posts regarding audio/video here and thought this was the right place to post this.


late

[beans912]

try avic d3 by pioneer. a bunch of people are running them, if you want nav. as well.

[gruppe5]

I'm shopping for car audio gear today, and was wondering where I could find a gallery of car audio/audi A4 specific photos/threads?

I'm thinking about going MB Quart all the way, but they're quite a bit different than they were "back in the day"

Anyone experienced with MB Quart please advise!

What I'll probably end up ordering today will be:

1-12" Dual 4ohm VC RWE-304
1- 5 channel PAB-5400 amplifier
1 set-QSC213 5.25/T (custom front kick panel pods)
1 set- Q line 6.5" "add-a-woofer" (front doors)
1 set Q line 6.5" "add-a-woofer" (rear doors)
1 pr- DKG or DTG 6x9's (rear deck)

I'm thinking I'll lay it our like this:
*component set = channels 1 & 2
*front and rear midbass = channels 3 & 4
*sub = subwoofer channel with 4 ohm voice coils wired in parallel to yield 2 ohm load
*6x9's in rear deck and powered by head unit\

does this sound like a good plan for good SQ, and overall POWERFUL sound?
I listen to a wide variety of music, but NEVER any rap/hiphop/bass... I'm more of a Metallicaa, Limp Bizkit,Disturbed,AC/DC, Tim McGraw kind of guy

I had my door panels off today, and the previous owner had installed at LEAST $500 worth of Dynamat in this car. I have a decent Sony Head Unit in the car, but want RID of it as it DOESN'T match our badass illumination! Could anyone direct me towards a medium-high quality, reasonably priced head unit that has RED ILLUMINATION? The JVC Kamelion appeals to me even though it isn't red, but rather more like my iPhone... I'd bend over backwards to get a deck that is RED illumination/bluetooth/compatible with my iPhone/HD and Satellite ready... any suggestions for either?????

thanks, and if this is the wrong place for this, please move. -I saw quite a few other posts regarding audio/video here and thought this was the right place to post this.


late

I would not run the 6X9's in the rear deck, and I would NOT power them from the head unit. That will mess up the overall balance of sound, and most likely result in unwanted distortion. If you are going to run a 4 channel amp and a 2 channel amp then run the front and rear components from the 4 channel, let the crossovers do their job unless you go with 3-way components in the front only then would I recommend using the onboard crossovers in the amplifiers to run the mids ( this would also eliminate the rear speakers )

[jibberjive]

^^ agreed, no 6x9's off the deck. Also, with a front component set, dedicated midbasses, and a sub, you may want to go with an active crossover setup to get it sounding right.

I heard differing things about running 6.5's in the front doors. There's a couple of people who've done it and said it wasn't incredibly difficult, but some modification of the door panel was necessary. I emailed them for details and noone replied to help me. Everyone else says it's impossible to put 6.5's in the front doors. Also, depth is an issue. If you want more details about what I've found, PM me. I've got a nice set of 6.5's that are waiting to go in the front's when I have time, so let me know how that goes with you:)

As far as headunits go, like suggested above, the pioneer AVIC-D3 is a common solution on these forums because of it's ability to adjust the lighting to look almost OEM. The new Kenwood DNX5120 has the same ability as well and I think it'd be a good option, though I have yet to see one in the B5. The AVIC-D3 is running a $200 rebate through may 31st, so if you're interested in that you can get an incredible deal on one. Personally, I'm waiting for the D4 to come out because I don't like a few things about the D3 (the fact that you have to put a CD in to access the navigation (no Navi hard drive), I want to be able to watch video from my ipod on the HU, hopefully better bluetooth).

[mrpeterparker]

damn that apple company.. for foiling my desires as well to use my ipod classic for video on my d3... hate them

[2BblkAudis]

Agreed with the posts above, if you want SQ do not use 6"x9" speakers. In order to get the most out of a head unit try to get one with hi-voltage RCA outputs. It will allow you to run the amps on a lower gain level, which ultimately will reduce distortion at high volume. I've only used high end audio components and would recommend waiting to get something you really want, rather than settling for something average. SQ is hard to achieve with your basic off the shelf speakers and amps.

[Nogaro_PhiDelt]

odd, I was thinking about posting just about the same topic when I was walking home today...

My question was going to be is it worth it just to put a D3 in only? Does it still sound good with the Bose system or should the bass/speakers be upgraded too?

Also, does anyone know when the D4 will be coming out, +price?

That wonderful government tax refund should be arriving any day now =)

[jibberjive]

Agreed with the posts above, if you want SQ do not use 6"x9" speakers. In order to get the most out of a head unit try to get one with hi-voltage RCA outputs. It will allow you to run the amps on a lower gain level, which ultimately will reduce distortion at high volume. I've only used high end audio components and would recommend waiting to get something you really want, rather than settling for something average. SQ is hard to achieve with your basic off the shelf speakers and amps.

Yeah, one thing that kinda pisses me off is how all of these expensive navi HU's only come with ~2 volt preouts. Even the expensive AVIC-Z3 comes with 2.2v preouts.

I have to disagree with only high end components sounding good though. I can definitely say good sound can be had on a budget as well, but it's key to know what not to get. I would definitley agree that it's better to wait and get what you really want rather than settle for something less though

[jibberjive]

Just another random side note, I've got both a B5 S4 and B6 A4 with Bose and it's crazy how much better the stock Bose speakers sound in my B6. Part of that is that in my B5 bose I can turn it all the way up and still desire much more volume; it starts clipping/distorting way too early.

[jraducha]

I know you are thinking about going with MB Quart but their quality has really gone down in the past few years. They have been bought by one company or another a few times in the last 4 years. The new MB Q's tend to be very harsh speakers and most people get listener fatigue after about 20 min of listening to their tweeters. Take a look at Dynaudio speakers. I think they are better suited for your needs.. Also for a amp take a look at JL audio. The technology in their amp is superior to most. Their electronics will be less stressful on your cars alt and battery system...

[BastardS4]

god im glad i got off the 5000$ stereo addiction and went right into the 15,000$ car upgrading addiction...

[jibberjive]

I know you are thinking about going with MB Quart but their quality has really gone down in the past few years. They have been bought by one company or another a few times in the last 4 years. The new MB Q's tend to be very harsh speakers and most people get listener fatigue after about 20 min of listening to their tweeters. Take a look at Dynaudio speakers. I think they are better suited for your needs.. Also for a amp take a look at JL audio. The technology in their amp is superior to most. Their electronics will be less stressful on your cars alt and battery system...

Agreed except that not all JL amps are necessarily remarkably efficient, ie. the slash series. Awesome amps though, and pretty spendy (but expensive is all relative).

edit: I was talking about the original slash series, haven't been into it as much as of late so I haven't heard much on the slash v2's

[2BblkAudis]

Just remember that whatever you listen to in a showroom or a buddies car, it will ALWAYS sound different in your car when installed. The sound stage varies from car to car. SQ is always something that is up for debate. As long as you like it, you should be happy. In my opinion if you really want good sound quality, get a set of compression horns for the front stage and don't even get tweeters. I currently use Illusion Audio compression horns with their 6.5" reverse magnet mid bass driver. I also use the McIntosh MX-406 and MCC-406M as a head unit and amplifier. My lows are through a single 10" alumapro alchemy sub, which will soon be replaced. Audiophiles will always give their opinions, get what you like and be happy with it.

[jraducha]

Agreed except that not all JL amps are necessarily remarkably efficient, ie. the slash series. Awesome amps though, and pretty spendy (but expensive is all relative).

edit: I was talking about the original slash series, haven't been into it as much as of late so I haven't heard much on the slash v2's

The slash v2 are just as efficient as the original..

[jibberjive]

The slash v2 are just as efficient as the original..

Moreso is what I was hoping for

Kinamro, sounds like you have a real nice SQ setup there! I'm more of a middle of the road man (I've got a 15 with 1600 watts going to it in my A4), but I've always wanted to hear an Alchemy.

[2BblkAudis]

I do like my system, however right now it's out of the car until I decide what I want before it goes back in. The Alumapro subs are great for good clean tight bass. I do not recommend them for bass heads. If you want heavy bass go with JL's or something. My plan is to try out either Focal Utopia 13" subs or Oz Audio subs powered by an Audison amplifier. I'm very picky about my SQ and thus have found happiness with my McIntosh setup for mids and highs. I would recommend testing out dynaudio speakers or the low to mid range focal's. Also get a good clean sounding amp and you will be very happy.

[jibberjive]

Yeah I'm considering putting a pair of OZ Matrix Elite 12's in my S4, heard great things and are pretty cheap now that they're old.