My audio setup (JL - Boston - Alpine - Kenwood) - need critique

[kuhan]

I'm almost done narrowing down the audio setup for my 350Z. But still need help from our experts here. Let me know if this setup will sound nice and clean. I'm into sound quality, clarity and good bass.

HU: DNX8120 or DDX812 - $600 to $1000Mono amp: Alpine DPX 1.600 (600 watts rms) - $3784-Channel amp: Alpine DPX 4.100 (100 watts rms per channel) - $350Subwoofer: 10" JL Audio 10W6v2-D4 (600 watts rms) - $310Enclosure: 10" custom Z enclosure from ebay (sealed) - $130Front speakers: Boston Acoustics PRO60SE (125 watts rms each) - $380Rear speakers: Boston Acoustics SL60 (80 watts rms each) - $220

Cost: $2400 to $2800

Let me know if this setup will give me a good quality sound and good bass. Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

[Sensors]

I'm almost done narrowing down the audio setup for my 350Z. But still need help from our experts here. Let me know if this setup will sound nice and clean. I'm into sound quality, clarity and good bass.

HU: DNX8120 or DDX812 - $600 to $1000Mono amp: Alpine DPX 1.600 (600 watts rms) - $3784-Channel amp: Alpine DPX 4.100 (100 watts rms per channel) - $350Subwoofer: 10" JL Audio 10W6v2-D4 (600 watts rms) - $310Enclosure: 10" custom Z enclosure from ebay (sealed) - $130Front speakers: Boston Acoustics PRO60SE (125 watts rms each) - $380Rear speakers: Boston Acoustics SL60 (80 watts rms each) - $220

Cost: $2400 to $2800

Let me know if this setup will give me a good quality sound and good bass. Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

If you want to get great prices, try using http://www.pricespider.com. It will search for the cheapest prices for you. I used it and saved myself about 200 bucks on my system. It was used on Good Morning America so it is reputable.

[rjdmmfl1]

I'm almost done narrowing down the audio setup for my 350Z. But still need help from our experts here. Let me know if this setup will sound nice and clean. I'm into sound quality, clarity and good bass.

HU: DNX8120 or DDX812 - $600 to $1000Mono amp: Alpine DPX 1.600 (600 watts rms) - $3784-Channel amp: Alpine DPX 4.100 (100 watts rms per channel) - $350Subwoofer: 10" JL Audio 10W6v2-D4 (600 watts rms) - $310Enclosure: 10" custom Z enclosure from ebay (sealed) - $130Front speakers: Boston Acoustics PRO60SE (125 watts rms each) - $380Rear speakers: Boston Acoustics SL60 (80 watts rms each) - $220

Cost: $2400 to $2800

Let me know if this setup will give me a good quality sound and good bass. Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

Kuhan, you have trusted me thus far, and I haven't steered you wrong yet... so PLEASE trust me when I tell you that the Boston Pro 60's DO NOT sound that great. THe older models from a few years back sounded better, but these new ones are SERIOUSLY lacking in the midbass department, i.e. there is none. Your sound stage will sound off, like something is missing.

For $210 on ebay, you can get some really nice Diamond Audio Hex S600's . They sound amazing! Comparable to FOCAL K2P's, for 1 fraction of the price. Of course I could recommend other components that other folks say sound good, but I can ASSURE YOU that you will be happy with the Damond Audio Kex S600. I got the S600a, which have the aluminum tweeters. If you appreciate a bit softer, more realistic sound, you can get the Diamond Audio S600s, which has a silk dome tweeter.

If you ever picked a time to listen to me, let this be the time!

[AppleBonker]

For $210 on ebay, you can get some really nice Diamond Audio Hex S600's . They sound amazing! Comparable to FOCAL K2P's, for 1 fraction of the price. Of course I could recommend other components that other folks say sound good, but I can ASSURE YOU that you will be happy with the Damond Audio Kex S600. I got the S600a, which have the aluminum tweeters. If you appreciate a bit softer, more realistic sound, you can get the Diamond Audio S600s, which has a silk dome tweeter.

If you ever picked a time to listen to me, let this be the time!

I'm gonna second Doc on this one. I've never run Diamond Audio, but I've never heard anything bad about them. I didn't have a chance to audition any of the speakers in my car, but I heard nothing but good things about them before I bought them. I can tell you I couldn't be happier with the risk that I took. And, if I was in the market for speakers in about that price range, I can promise that would be something I would look seriously at.

Also, as another side note, I would trust Doc on this one, but that might be because I seem to agree with him on nearly everything else he says.

[kuhan]

thanks Sensors for the link.

And thanks the two experts for helpful tips.

Doc, you know I trust everything you say

Diamond Audio S600s 6-1/2"I saw a pair for $199 on Ebay <= should I get these from this seller?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Diamond-Au...wItem

I will search Ebay and buy a pair for front speakers right now. Should I get a same pair for the rear speakers?If not, then what you two experts recommend to go with my setup?

I talked to an installer, and he recommended that I should get a 2-channel amp to power the front speakers only. He also told me to get a pair of decent rear speakers (50w max), and he will tune the system to use rears as only fill. Should I go with what he said or should I get a 4-channel amp and power all 4 speakers? Thanks for the help.

[rjdmmfl1]

Go with these guys

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIAMOND-AU...%3A50

they offer the square trade warranty, and have a longer hostory of customers

[kuhan]

Quote »Should I get a same pair for the rear speakers?If not, then what you two experts recommend to go with my setup?

I talked to an installer, and he recommended that I should get a 2-channel amp to power the front speakers only. He also told me to get a pair of decent rear speakers (50w max), and he will tune the system to use rears as only fill.Should I go with what he said or should I get a 4-channel amp and power all 4 speakers? Thanks for the help. [/quote]Any suggestions, doc or applebonker?

[AppleBonker]

Any suggestions, doc or applebonker?

Hmm, kind of a tough call. I would recommend trying no rear fill at first. So as far as the amp goes, for now a 2 channel would suffice. However, if you ever plan on upgrading any more (like say running an active crossover at some point), you may want to consider a 4-channel amp to somewhat future-proof yourself. I think I've made my opinion on rear fill multiple times on these boards (I feel it is almost entirely useless), but keep in mind that is only my opinion. You're going to end up with great sound out of your front speakers, so why dirty it up with less than great sound coming from behind you (and save a little bit of cash in the meantime).

[kuhan]

Go with these guys

http://cgi.ebay.com/DIAMOND-AU...%3A50

they offer the square trade warranty, and have a longer hostory of customers

Before I make the purchase, I'd like to know the difference between the two models. If the difference is only silk and aluminum dome tweeters, then I'll get the S600A-07. Thanks for the help.

S600s-07# 6-1/2" HEX Series Component Speakers System# Power Handling:

* Peak: 300 watts * RMS: 150 watts

# Proprietary kevlar/nomex hex cone# Butyl rubber surround# 1" Silk dome tweeter# Ferro fluid cooled neodymium Tweeters# Flat progressive spider with integrated lead wires# Intercooled motor design# 4 ohms impedance# Competition grade crossovers# Top-mount depth: 2-3/8"

----------------------------------------

S600a-07 # 6-1/2" HEX Series Component Speakers System# Power Handling:

* Peak: 300 watts * RMS: 150 watts

# Proprietary kevlar/nomex hex cone# Butyl rubber surround# 1" Aluminum dome tweeter# Ferro fluid cooled neodymium Tweeters# Flat progressive spider with integrated lead wires# Intercooled motor design# 4 ohms impedance# Competition grade crossovers# Top-mount depth: 2-3/8"

[kuhan]

Hmm, kind of a tough call. I would recommend trying no rear fill at first. So as far as the amp goes, for now a 2 channel would suffice. However, if you ever plan on upgrading any more (like say running an active crossover at some point), you may want to consider a 4-channel amp to somewhat future-proof yourself. I think I've made my opinion on rear fill multiple times on these boards (I feel it is almost entirely useless), but keep in mind that is only my opinion. You're going to end up with great sound out of your front speakers, so why dirty it up with less than great sound coming from behind you (and save a little bit of cash in the meantime).

Thanks for the helpful tips.

Since I already bought a mono Alpine PDX 1.600 (600w rms) amp to power 10" JL Audio 10W6v2-D4 , I'm going to get a 2-channel Alpine PDX 2.150 (150w rms per ch) to power these DA S600s or S600a.

Here's my revised list:

HU: DDX812 - $600 Mono amp: Alpine PDX 1.600 (600 watts rms) - $3784-Channel amp: Alpine PDX 2.150 (150 watts rms per channel) - $250Subwoofer: 10" JL Audio 10W6v2-D4 (600 watts rms) - $310Enclosure: 10" custom Z enclosure from ebay (sealed) - $130Front speakers: Diamond Audio S600s or S600a (150 watts rms each) - $210Rear speakers: stock

Total: $1900 <- looks good

[rjdmmfl1]

sorry, just getting back on NICo 2day... family emergency...

regarding the diamond hex's.. silk tweeters are smoother and offer a sligtly more realistic sound, whereas metal tweeters (aluminum) will get a bit louder (but the Hex's are not nearly as bright and harsh as other, less efficient and lesser quality speakers (i.e. the ENTIRE Infinity speaker line up)

as long as your system is tuned properly,. I think you will be quite pleased with the performance of the HexS600 speakers, regardless of whetehr you get the s600a or s600s

[kuhan]

thanks doc,

I bought all the stuff off Ebay last night

HU: Kenwood DDX812----(refurbished)Front Speakers: Diamond Audio S600s Rear Speakers: Infinity Reference 6022siMono Amp: Alpine DPX 1.6002-Channel Amp: Alpine DPX 2.150Subwoofers: (2) JL Audio 10W3V3-4Subwoofer Box Enclosure 2-10"

All warranties are bought through Square Trade




Modified by kuhan at 8:24 PM 2/4/2009

[AppleBonker]

thanks doc,

I bought all the stuff off Ebay last night

Sounds like you're in for some fun in the near future. Be sure to let us know what you think when you get everything installed and running.

On a side note, how much are you looking for those rims?

[kuhan]

Sounds like you're in for some fun in the near future. Be sure to let us know what you think when you get everything installed and running.

On a side note, how much are you looking for those rims?

Thanks for your help as well.

I'm planning to do the install myself, but the weather is still too cold. Do you know any good place to get my stuff installed? Do you do install?

The rims are $600 with tires (about 5K miles total). 1 rim is brand new. 2 rims are in good condition. 1 rim is little dent, but still in good condition. Let me know if you're interested.