[longodj]

Hey Guys,
I can't do any real performance mods until my warranty is up so I'll be focusing on styling and sound for a while. I want to integrate with the factory system and create a simple, classy install with utmost sound quality. My current plans are the following:

Processor: Alpine PXE-H650
Front Tweets: Dynaudio MD102
Front Mids: Dynaudio MD142
Front Midbass: Dynaudio MW172 (possibly under seats, possibly in kicks)
Rear Fill: Morel Integra Ovation XO 4"
Subs: 2 x JL 10W6V2 in either sealed or aperiodic enclosure in rear deck
Amps: Audison all around (4.300, 2.400, 2.250, 2.150)
Deadening: Dynamat or SecondSkin in trunk

So my question: what has everyone used for oem integration and subs? In my X5 I had an Alpine IVA-D310 so I didn't have to bother with integration. I love Alpine and hear the PXE-H650 is supposed to be ridiculous, but...idk, just curious with others experience. Also, has anyone done an aperiodic enclosure for their subs in the rear deck? How would dual 10's look in the rear deck...too much? Like I said I really only care about sound quality. I have a black 335xi and I live in the city, so I have no interest in "pimping around" with my trunk rattling :-P I'm hoping the 2 10s will counteract the loss of power from aperiodic accuracy. I'm also not sure if the W6V2 are good for aperiodic (Qts of ~0.46 slightly too high) but I'm looking into other options

I won't be able to do this for a while but I'll be working on it little by little and will definitely post pics as I go!

Thanks in advance,
Dave

[avincar]

Wow... whip it on out there.

First off, the H650 MAY be the shiznit - but no one really knows, since it isn't shipping yet. If it's like that F1 DVD HU, it might be a while...

Secondly, the audison website still doesn't reflect the fact that the amps you mention are no longer made and haven't been for some time. There is a new system. I like the audison amps, but I would suggest you consider Zapco DC as an alternative - one with internal EQing that simplifies your integration.

Your HU may have the F and R analog outputs, I didn't notice any Logic 7 ID, which means you should pop off the panel on the driver's corner of the trunk floor and see if there is a green cable coming out of the L Front corner of the amp.

If there is, that's the MOST Fiber Optic cable, and you need some means of de-equalizing the amp's output signal AND possibly of summing the channels back together. (the xover is around 80, which I personally think is fine, but if you're using amps with no EQ ability, you might prefer a summed signal).

If there is NOT, then your HU has analog outputs, and then I would jettison the entire H650 idea and go with some sort of balanced solution. In that car, I personally like to use Zapco amps and take the balanced output of the HU directly into the balanced inputs of the Zapco, with 100 ohm resistors in series for current limiting.

Per Audison, you can't run balanced straight in, since they use common-grounded inputs, not balanced-compatible inputs. Great sounding amps, but not balanced in.

You could also use some other solution - what I'm going to suggest is that you use the Zapco DSP6. It has true balanced inputs, so you can use the analog HU outputs, if you have them. If you don't, you can use the Front output and the Sub output on Zapco BTL transformerless adapters, and sum them with a Symbilink "Y" adapter, and reverse the processing using the DSP-6's dsp abilities (10 parametric bands of EQ, far more powerful that 30 bands of graphic).

Then you also have digital crossovers, digital gain controls by channel, and time correction by channel, to use with your audisons. the DRC 1/2 DIN controller can be stashed somewhere, and allows changing from a driver's only preset to a driver-passenger-equal preset (but with sub still time corrected).

As far as your speakers go, I think it's a bad idea to try to use the dome mids with the Dyne midbass under the seat. The kicks would be better... but I think you should go with the Morel Hybrid Ovation 4, and then use the ADMW6 under the seat. That Dyne dome mid can't play as low as would serve you here.

I also am not a JL fan, nor am I a fan of chopping rear decks. If you're going to go that route, I'm not certain what to tell you.

Other than that I have no opinions.

[longodj]

Hey thanks for the reply!
I didn't realize Audison didn't produce those amps anymore...they're still available, but in any case I'll look for other options. The reason for my Dynaudio selection is that I have their home line and absolutely love them. I think I will be doing a kick maybe not with the 172 but with a 162 GT to save space. But what do you mean about the dome mids not playing low. Aren't they made to three-way with the other Dyn midranges?

I do have Logic 7 so I'm aware that I'll need to do some work. I guess I'll just have to wait for details on the new Alpine and compare it to current offering.

In terms of cutting the rear deck. I only want to cut the rear deck because I really want to try aperiodic (http://www.elitecaraudio.com/article.php?sid=18). They are supposed to be able to sound much better than sealed or ported but they need to vent somewhere. I don't want to vent to the outside, so the next best option is into cabin through the rear deck. I could actually probably use the stock rear locations as a vent hole with some minor modifications. I'm very open to other options, this won't be starting for a decent while.

Thanks,
Dave

[canucklion]

Dave, regarding your sound deadening material usage, I've heard great things about B-Quiet Ultimate when compared against Dynamat, any thought?

[longodj]

I've heard great things too. I've also used Raamat and heard great things about SecondSkin. The only problem is the installer I'm using only used Dynamat. I'm going to try and open them up to the idea of using another deadener but we'll see. I normally wouldn't use an installer but I want this car to be done really well so I'm kind of at their mercy. Thanks for the recommendation!

[avincar]

Dynamat Extreme is not really Dynamat as we know it, it's just another butyl aluminum sheet, works fine. I'd be more interested in the fact that it's cost rose 5-10% this year (depending on the install shop's buying deal).

[longodj]

avincar...I've heard that as well, I'll have to get my hands on the Piccolo Supremo and the MD102 and see the difference. There's always the old Esotar tweeter which I think is actually what I have in my home speakers. The only thing I've heard that was bad about morels is their tendency to be muddled and also they require craploads of power. Have you experienced any sort of muddled sound from the morels?

Thanks,
Dave

[avincar]

Dave, private messages are private for a reason, and if I wanted that posted in public I'd have done so. Please take it down.

[longodj]

avincar: I apologize for the PM post...I didn't see anything that was...private and figured your knowledge would help everyone on the forum. it won't happen again

[canucklion]

same as B-Quiet ultimate, but B-quiet costs less than the Dynamat extreme, so you might want to look into it to save some $$

Originally Posted by avincar

Dynamat Extreme is not really Dynamat as we know it, it's just another butyl aluminum sheet, works fine. I'd be more interested in the fact that it's cost rose 5-10% this year (depending on the install shop's buying deal).