| kormaster |
Looking to purchase the MDX after LOnG LONG research and comparison between BMW X5, GX470, and RX330 (i hate that car)
Anyway, i have a beat-up 96 nissan 240sx with MB Quart 6x9 in the back and component by the door with crossover tweeters (5 1/4 ?)
Could i transfer these speakers to my new MDX?? I just LOVE the MB Quart speakers and i paid alot for those about 3-4 years ago. I had a pretty good system in my old 240sx but got it stolen. BUt they didnt take the speakers.. just took and ripped apart my car in half.
So I am planning out a system in my new X.
Willing to spend around $2000 ish.. i can go more if i really like the setup. I basically dont want to change too many center console setup. Meaning, replacing the whole center console to put headunits and EQ stuff. I think I would want to leave it OEM-LOOK as much as possible while setting it sounds really good.
I can go with upgraded MB Quart speakers replacing the useless BOSE speakers. Hooking those up with 4 channel amp and another amp to hook up to a 15inch sub,.. i need this to be installed really clean and stealthy. I still want to use my cargo space.. Reason I am getting the X is that I am sick of those 2 door cars with useless backseats and trunk.. so i am going big!
Please help me find a audio store with a nice proffesional installers.. This is my passion... sound systems... but i dont want to get ripped off or break my arms and legs just to buy them.. My first setup in my 240sx cost me around $1700(3-4 years ago) which had:
Pioneer organic display deck (forgot the model #)
Pioneer half din EQ sound processor
MB Quarts component with tweeter and 6x9 in the back.
2 12 inch Solobaric in the trunk in a box (took the whole trunk)
1 2 chanel 500a 500W Kicker amp
1 4 channel 400W PPI competition amp
moster cable throughout the car
anyways, i liked this system.. i BUMPED and turned HEADS everywhere.. probably the reason why i got it stolen.. darn it
I know you can do more in the MDX.. but i think im gonna go with 15inch subs... or 2 12s?? still dont know... like to recycle the MB Quart speakers from the old car to save me some money..
Can i factory player in MDX to hook up external amps?? DO i have to get new decks??? DO new decks have that EQ capability as good as the $350 Pioneer sound processor that i had?? I dont know too much about these things, but boy.. i loved that sound.. i miss it.. and i am trying to make it the same... or better in my car..
thanks guys... |
|
|
| kormaster |
| bump anyone please? |
|
|
| pacpal1 |
| See Jason Lee at Competition Soundworks (Cerritos). He was a very patient source of assistance on my install (Alpine 9813 head unit, Alpine ERE G180 graphic equalizer, a/d/s/ 336 is front speakers, a/d/s/ 336 im rear speakers, Boston Acoustics 10.5 Pro subwoofer, a/d/s/ P4100.2 amplifier, a/d/s/ PS5.2 amplifier and various cables and 0.5 farad capacitor). I purchased all my equipment from Jason except the a/d/s/ P4100.2 and the capacitor; these were salvaged from my prior automobile. Competition Soundworks stocks nearly any brand of equipment you could think of, I just happen to have had very good experiences in the past with a/d/s/, so now I simply build systems around a/d/s/ equipment…unfortunately, a/d/s/ doesn’t make head units. I also received invaluable direction from “TheyCallMeBruce”, an active member of this site, with respect to building a system based on the stock Bose head unit (thanks again, Paul, if you’re listening). FYI, as I’ve stated in other posts on this site, I ultimately concluded that the signal quality of the Bose head unit was too poor to be part of a truly high quality system and replaced it with the Alpine equipment noted above. |
|
|
| kormaster |
thank you so much pacpal1. Do you have any pics of the install?
the A/D/S speakers are something i have not heard of (i havent kept up in the business since my last built system around MB Quarts)
But since I am going to salvage the 6x9 MB Quarts and the front comp MB Quarts, i can save some money there as far as buying all breand new speakers. I spend good money on them 3-4 years ago. Now i understand that maybe these speakers are not the top of the line high quality speakers compared to a/d/s speakers, but i gotta try anything to save little money here and there.
I understand that OEM headunits are not great. Aftermarket headunits are of course by far carry out better signals with more functions that the amp and EQ is providing. But i just cannot imagine how much they have to rip out and modify the center console to do that. I have seen some install pictures on this forum, but it seems like they cost A LOT of $$. I can spend around 2000 or little more...
I guess i want a "clean" looking install that blends into the MDX console without having to sacrifice full effect of the upgraded system. Maybe I am asking too much.
Anyways, what do u think of 2 12inch subs... is one enough without taking up space? how about 1 15inch? too much?? overkill?? Im not going into any competition or show-offs... but for simple pleasure of listening to some good music while cruising....
Thank you so much for your input. Since Competition Soundworks is so close to my house (I live in Buena Park around Beach st and Imperial.. so about 10 minute driving will get me there.
Also is Competition Soundworks a good store to kind of negotiate the price and flexible at it.. Giving good advice is one thing, but getting a real deal is another... thanks guys |
|
|
| pacpal1 |
1) I believe one 10 inch sub in the factory location is plenty. If you try to install two subwoofers, or one larger than the factory 10 inch mount, it will 1) be a huge time sink for you or 2) you’ll incur significant additional install costs if you have a professional installer do it.
2) Don’t salvage your 6x9s. Where will you put them? All the door speaker locations call for 6 inch rounds. Once again, if you decide to stray from the factory speaker mount design, you’ll have to invest a ton of time…for what…a used set of 6x9s? You’d likely mount these in the rear doors anyway, where you only need a “fill-in” speaker…so you can get by with a cheaper set of 6 inch coaxials there anyway (spend lots of $$ on your front door separates). |
|
|
| kormaster |
Thank for the info.. I guess front door components are a lot important... I gotta remember that the car is bigger and longer than my previous car..
So i guess a lot of people are happy with a/d/s speakers and as well as amp... I have heard good things about it and read few reviews... but it is worth that eextra $$ over other speakers? |
|
|
| pacpal1 |
| If you're into saving a few hundred buck here and there, a/d/s/ may not be the right equipment for you (you might be able to argue that some of it is overpiced...although I don't think MB Quart speakers come cheap (although they may have higher and lower priced lines). Ask Jason what he has on hand that's good...my understanding is that he stocks a lot of inventory...maybe he has some high quality stuff that's been discontinued (some of the a/d/s/ stuff I purchased from him may have been older model equipment...I didn't care...it works great). My view is that there have not been any significant developments in car audio technology in the past few years, so I'd be happy with the best stuff from last year's line-up |
|
|
| kormaster |
| do you have any pics of your install?? that would be great! |
|
|
| AikiMDX |
| I would also highly recommend Speaker Works in Orange. They have done my last three installs including the X. You can find them here: linky . |
|
|
| kormaster |
quote: Originally posted by AikiMDX
I would also highly recommend Speaker Works in Orange. They have done my last three installs including the X. You can find them here: linky .
How's the price? Who do i have to talk to over there?? Quality of service?? warrenty? |
|
|
| AikiMDX |
quote: Originally posted by kormaster
How's the price? Who do i have to talk to over there?? Quality of service?? warrenty?
Eric Holdaway (one of the owners) is who I usually talk with when designing my installs (if you mention Andrew with the MDX he'll know who I am). He helps design and tune national championship cars. The quality of service is absolutely top notch and you do pay a bit extra for it. I've never been disappointed with how much I have paid vs the quality of the work. They include a lifetime warranty on the install. I can attest to it since I had a head unit go nuts on me and they ended up uninstalling and reinstalling it three times (at no cost) before the repair shop (another company) got it fixed.
I've seen them do basic systems up to restitching leather for a lamborghini after a speaker install.
If you don't mind paying a bit more, they do wonderful work. I would encourage you to pay them a visit and talk with Eric yourself. He's very good at designing a system that YOU want and how much you want to spend. I was their first MDX, but from talking with the installers, they know it very well after my install. |
|
|
| kormaster |
thanks for the info.. i am willing to spend around 2000.. i misee my old setup in my old nissan 240sx.. those damn thieves stole them from me!
Anyways, Im thinking about 12 inch subs... what do u think |
|
|
| AikiMDX |
quote: Originally posted by kormaster
thanks for the info.. i am willing to spend around 2000.. i misee my old setup in my old nissan 240sx.. those damn thieves stole them from me!
Anyways, Im thinking about 12 inch subs... what do u think
The sub Eric recommended for me sounds outstanding! It's their house brand but don't let that turn you off from it (they designed it). Originally they were going to do fiberglass for my enclosure but were concerned about the thickness of the metal on the outside of the car. There is an old thread with all the details of my install.
I think the size of the sub depends on the location you want it installed in. For me, keeping a factory look was very important. The single USD 10" sub fit perfectly into the factory location. Nothing on the outside looks changed. If you like a musical sub, this puts out more than enough excellent low end.
Here is a link to an old thread on my setup:
linky
Keep us updated on your plans and please say hi to Eric for me if you go see him. |
|
|
| Skewbeedeaux |
| Sent you a PM, Aiki. |
|
|
|