vtfanatic69

Ok, so I have never done an audio install in my car, but I've helped in my brother's installs. I have been working on gathering some funds, and I have enough to begin purchasing components. I believe I have a partial grasp on how the components will work together, but I am looking for some more experienced analysis to help me make sure I do not make a mistake. FWIW I have the base level radio, not the Bose.

First I'll start with the head unit, I plan on purchasing the Kenwood Excelon KDC-X493 along with the metra kit that I recently purchased.


Then I plan on replacing the door and rear speakers.
For the doors, I plan to use a pair of Pioneer Premier TS-D802P.


For the rears, I was thinking a pair of Pioneer Premier TS-D902P would work well.


As for powering these speakers, I was thinking of using a HiFonics TXi 4408 4 channel amp.

I'm unsure about this decision though because the amp supplies 55W per channel, but the door speakers are 60W and the rears are 80W. Will under powering these speakers cause distortion or will it still sound fine?

As for now I do not plan on a dedicated subwoofer enclosure but later down the road I plan to install a subwoofer system in the trunk. I'd rather upgrade the head unit and speakers first.

I would be very grateful if I could receive some constructive criticism on this potential setup. Are there other components I am going to need to allow for this setup to flow smoothly? Any help would be great. Thanks

WVBoosted8

iTrader: (5)

I just put the Kenwood eXcelon KDC-X693 in my beater neon and it is awesome. Sounds better than my eclipse 8v. For $30 more I think I would choose it over the x493 but it is your car and your money. Both units have 3 4v preouts but from a looks point of view, the x693 sold me. ( I sell kenwood decks every day)

The Hifonics amp should be fine on the door speakers. Imagine sending 15-20 watts to them using the headunit amplifier, you would be fine there also.

From someone who has swapped every speaker in the car, I would use the traditional 6 1/2 in the fronts. The pioneer speakers should be fine and a good upgrade from the factory, I would look into the new kenwood lineup of door speakers. I have the SL series from Boston all through my cab and I think the cheap kenwoods sound almost as good.

vtfanatic69

I like the looks of that head unit more as well. I didn't even notice that model when I was browsing for headunits

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

The wattage rating on speakers is purely a broad ballpark. You could give them 100WRMS of clean power and they'll probably be fine. On that note, music is dynamic. Any amp is not going to constantly crank out it's rated power.

If you're gonna buy an amp, mise well spend the extra couple bucks and get the TXi6408. Can never have enough power. And hell.... since you're planning on getting a subwoofer eventually, have you thought about just buying a 5-channel amp now?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Hifonics-Zeus-ZX...lenotsupported

Whenever you're ready, hook up your sub to the 5-channel and you're all set. No need for a separate amp.

vtfanatic69

Those 5 channel amps look like they might be what I need. I wasn't aware they had a different output wattage for the 5th channel. That would work perfectly for the sub. Thanks for the link

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

I've been using a Kicker ZX700.5 for over a year now and been loving every minute of it. I have the 5-channel pushing two 10" Kicker CVRs. I thought it might not be enough power for them, but it's PLENTY. It bumps nicely.

vtfanatic69

I plan on sticker with a seperate amp for my subwoofer setup and my speakers. That way I can send a little more power to my subwoofers. I enjoy big bass for hip-hop songs so I'll probably want more power to the subs than the 5 channel amps provide.

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

I thought the same thing. Admitting I wanted to step down from my previous setup a bit, but obviously still wanted big bass. Coming from two 15" L7's and 3,000WRMS, I'm tellin ya, my current setup is still pretty damn loud. I actually received my first ever "noise pollution" ticket with this amp. (Total crap too. ********.)

The ZX700.5 is rated at 420WRMS for the sub channel. But every single Kicker amp comes with a birth sheet showing actual power out. I'm right around 500WRMS for the sub channel. I'm really sure you'd be happy with the ZX700.5, but it's your call. Just figured it'd save you some money and some headache of mounting two amps, two power wires, etc

vtfanatic69

That is true. I'll have to ponder that decision for a couple days. I don't have quite enough money for all the components yet, so it should give me a week or two to think it over.

Socket7

Why would you put 6x9's up front when you could have round speakers.

Get a 6" component speaker for up front, with a separate tweeter that can be mounted elsewhere, (say in the sail pods where the current tweeters are)

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

Base stereo. Non-Bose = 6x8's.

hoss -05

iTrader: (4)

True story but........ you can buy converter plates for 6.5' speakers. You will get much more natural sound from a good pair of 6.5's then an odd sized 6/8 or 5/7. Its really important in the front stage where you will be hearing most of the vocals.

Look up CDT they are really really high end for there price and make a great set of Coaxial speakers in 6.5' that would work great for your application.

Socket7

<3 my JL TR 6.5" components. I need to aim the tweeters though. I don't know what Bose was thinking when they aimed them.

hoss -05

iTrader: (4)

JL components are good...... Would like to see more reviews. Until then I would stick with focal or CDT for my front end...... that is just my subjective view point on this matter. I Am not dissing the JL components: just not that company's forte nor have i seen Great reviews. Good luck~!

vtfanatic69

I just recieved the metra kit, and before I order the headunit, I had a quick question. Will I retain steering wheel controls of the radio with the kenwood headunit, or any other unit for that matter?

firebirdude

iTrader: (3)

*sigh*

vtfanatic69

I see, thanks

bureau13

Second (or third or whatever) everyone is saying about using 6.5" components up front. You don't even need to buy an adapter plate if you have a jigsaw and can drive to Home Depot to get some Lexan sheets. When I used Infinity Reference components, the tweeter just slipped right into the stock tweeter location....once I upgraded to the Arc Audio components (the Chip Foose-branded model...which I HIGHLY recommend for the money btw) the tweeter wouldn't fit but its pretty easy to use the supplied mounting hardware and mount it externally.

The other thing I did was bridge my somewhat underpowered 4 channel Alpine so it made really good power into 2 channels (fronts) and then used my Alpine's internal amp to power the rear 6x9s. That provides rear fill which is really all you usually want from the rears anyway. Although...without a sub you'll be counting on the 6x9s for most of your bass, so that may or may not be a great idea in your case...but something to think about anyway.

jds

vtfanatic69

Thanks for the input, I am currently re-evaluating my speaker choices now that I've had some suggestions to avoid the oval speakers.

hoss -05

iTrader: (4)

O yeah for sure make the adapter for the speakers your self if you have time and tools! For me it was a time VS cost thing so I just ordered a pair of adapter plates.

Good job taking the time to do the research! Good luck with the install.