help: need advice for upgrading sound system
 

Hey guys!

I have a non-bose RX-8 and want to upgrade the speakers while maintaining the headunit (because aftermarkets might look weird while integrating it into the console). I read a couple of threads in regards to system upgrades and found mostly sub-woofer add-ons (maybe later) and a rear speaker removal from OverLoad (rock-on! and that thread should have a DIY label because it was well documented and informative).

This is what I want to accomplish:
6X5 component in the front (...Lexan huh?)
6X9 component in the rear (want to mount tweaters in the rear like Bose setup)
Does a midrange in the front come in handy?
Is the Bose and non-Bose the same head unit?
I want to use the signal from the factory head unit to go to an AMP (any recommendations for amps guys)?

I think I might use Infinity Kappa's ... are the perfect overkill?
Want to do this as a weekend project. :rolleyes: *sigh*

Thanks in advance.

I upgraded to 6.5" Kappa component in the front and Reference 3 way 6x9s in the back--and I have non-bose as well--even when not pushed with an amp they ound great--a hell of a lot better than stock. I pushed them with an Audiobahn amp for a while, but that amp went out--so next I'll add an Alpine 5 channel and get a small sub (8") to round out the system.

Thanks for the reply DreRX8.

Are there any sound differences between a 6 X 9 speaker and a 6 X 9 component? I might want to do the Bose rear speaker layout if it sounds any better.

Actually--its really better to keep the tweeter close to the mid/sub in a 3/4 way layout. So I'd say for your rear 6x9s don't bother with a component set up in the back. I personally prefer my highs in the front and the rear to have more base/mids; which is why I didn't go with Kappa's in the back. A good 3-way is all you really need--if you want more highs you can get 4-way or even 5-way for the back; but the component setup won't add any noticible benefit.

Just as a note, I put component speakers in the rear of my integra that I previously owned. Now, I know that the acoustics of an 8 are obviously different than that of the integra, but with the 6" mid / tweeter setup in the rear if shifts the soundstage to the rear of the car. It kind of felt like I had it all backwards. It's not like I didn't have anything in the rest of the car too. I had 3 way component infinity kappa's in the front and two monster subs in the trunk, with each set of speakers having a dedicated amp.

Long story short, you may want to reconsider putting the components in the rear.

I put infinity 3ways in the back and components in the front. this week I am putting in a infinity 6 channel amp and a infinity perfect 10 DVC sub, its going to rock.....I read a review recently and the infinity were as rated very very good overall, better than some more expensive brand names that I find people raving about on this website, all I can say is I used infinitys in my twin turbo supra and they were outstanding, I think they are great for the money, mb quart is good too, but what I recently read, do your research and spend wisely. EBAY came through for me bigtime, it would have cost me over $1400 dollars had I used the local stereo shop and through ebay, and with installation, I am doing the whole thing with a single sub for $800, oh yeah, I also got my RX8 for $26500. paid in full

In my last car I had Infinity Perfect 6 1/2" components up front and 2-way Kappas in the rear and thought they sounded great except that the front mids were a little lacking. The highs were really clear and accurate. At the time I was only sending 50watts per channel RMS, so I guess that had a lot to do with why the mids on the components were so weak. My new system, however, sounds awesome and in my opinion blows the Infinity setup completely out of the water. It just sounds so clear even far beyond my pain threshold.

Phoenix Gold Tantrum 600.4
MB Quart 6 1/2" Premium components (front)
MB Quart 6 1/2" Discus components (rear)

Phoenix Gold Tantrum 300.2 bridged
JL Audio 10W3v2

Dynomat in the doors, trunk lid and rear deck

I'm not using the tweeters in the back, only the mids. Unless you have people back there, the rear deck is only filler. I would go with the strongest mids up front, IMHO.

Just to clarify though, the Infinity's did sound great and I was more than happy at the time.

i want Infinity speakers they sound realy good ...but the subs are always a good choice..i want 1 10" jl with a 250/1 mono jl amp and fixed the sound alot by itself

Thanks for the feedback guys. I guess infinity Kappa's (component) in the front and the Infinity reference in the rear.

Next one... figuring out the mess regarding using the Line Converter from head unit to aftermarket amp... i was reading a thread regarding David Navone and Soundstream's device... I'm seriously lost and do not want to short the factory HU.

line converter?
 

Man... I don't want to short out my head unit... what's the correct bypass or converter? I did the search but not a real definite answer... any gurus? Overload?