| blakknight |
Hello All:
New to the forum and have been trying to research upgrading the sound system step by step. It seems, unless I'm missing something, that most recommended installs are for MDX with the Bose speakers/system. I have a 2001 MDX Premium w/o the Bose system.
My first question is regarding the speaker size. Everyone seems to recommend the 6-1/2" Infinity 6002si's as being the perfect fit. Problem is, I took my grills off and measured my speakers - it seems they are 5-1/4" factory unless 6-1/2" speakers have an actual diameter of around 5". Does this sound right for the 2001 Premium MDX?
Second, what size are the front tweeters?
The answers to these two questions would be very helpful as the manual contains absolutely no reference to the dimensions of the speakers.
My planned system upgrade will be step-by-step, as money permits, roughly in this order:
1. Add 6-Disc CD Changer
2. Replace speakers - thinking of components for front, 2-ways for rear doors
3. Replace rear sub
4. Install Amp and additional sub(s)
The goal is a good sounding, but obviously not competition-worthy, system. I am reluctant to replace the head unit at this point but that is also a possibility in the future.
Thanks |
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| blakknight |
| No takers? I'm heading to the dealership on Monday - I'll try to get my answers there as well. |
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| phins2rt |
quote:
Originally posted by blakknight
No takers? I'm heading to the dealership on Monday - I'll try to get my answers there as well.
I'm not sure about the premium model, but I would think Acura would make both speakers the same size for economies of scale. The components I put in have 1 inch tweeters, if that helps. Good luck. |
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| blakknight |
quote:
Originally posted by phins2rt
I'm not sure about the premium model, but I would think Acura would make both speakers the same size for economies of scale. The components I put in have 1 inch tweeters, if that helps. Good luck.
Thanks for the info. I would think so also, but maybe Acura thought it was doing something special by installing a Bose system and upping the power/speaker size a little bit. Like I said before, I find it quite odd that Acura doesn't list the speaker size(s) in the technical specs for the vehicle like so many other car manufacturers do.
Depending upon what I find out on Monday, my next course of action may be to order some components from Crutchfield in the suspected size -- their prices aren't great on everything, but they will take almost anything back if it doesn't work. This may be a trial-and-error thing. |
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| 01MBMDX76 |
Good luck with your install of your system. I would like to know how it turns out. My 2001 has the Bose system and its been good. The subwoofer is ok.
You don't have a electronics shop or specialty that can install one for you or are you going to do it yourself? If you find out can you post your results. Thanks. |
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| 04mdx4sq |
| The speakers are 160mm, sometimes refered to as a 61/2", but there are also 61/2" that are 170mm. I have just installed a set of MB Quart QSD216 (2 way 160mm) in the front doors. I did have to remove the water shield and manufacture a new one. Pics coming soon. The tweeters are 25mm and fit well in the factory sail panel / tweeter mount. If you are interested in a good speaker upgrade, the car audio portion of the store I work for is being phased out. I have deals on MB Quart and JL Audio speakers. PM me if you are interested. |
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| pisay87 |
| 04mdx4sq, do you have a separate amp powering the QSD216s? |
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| 04mdx4sq |
| Yes, but I have changed the head unit to the Clarion DXZ9255, which is pre-amp out only. Currently they are sadly running off a bridged Clarion 4 channel at about 100w each. :( . I am awaiting the arrival of my MB Quart QAA4250. Then I will be happy. |
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| blakknight |
OK Folks...Phase 1 of the Audio System Upgrade Underway. Actually, Phase 1B...I've already gotten the 6-Disc changed installed under the driver's seat. I had hoped to upgrade the speakers all at once, but, of course, money is an issue. So, I've decided to do it step-by-step. I'm going with some upper-tier type equipment...it is an Acura, after all, and rather than to sacrifice overall quality in the end, I'll sacrifice a little sound quality now (speakers).
I just bought two (2) 12" JL Audio subs @ HiFi Buys (Tweeter) today and an amp to drive them...to give me a bit more bottom end. The factory sub will be disconnected. The amp is a 250-watt JL Audio amp. I also plan to line the doors with Dynamat. I am getting a lot of rattle in the doors which is driving me insane. So far, the factory speakers (I've got the 2001 Premium model; speakers are non-Bose, I think Alpines) seem to be very bright in general, so the subs should work nicely to conteract that effect.
For Phase 2, I will replace the components up front and the rear door speakers and add another amp to drive them. The speakers I've got my eyes on now are the Boston Acoustics Pro Series. I also like the MB Quarts, so those are in the mix too. Both of these are a little on the high end as far as cost from what most of you have been putting in your MDX's...and it's on the high-end as far as my wallet right now (LOL), so they'll have to wait awhile. Depending on what the system sounds like after the subs are installed, I may purchase some of the cheaper Infinity's to "bridge" me over until I get up the dough to rewire and replace all the speakers with the Bostons.
I'll post pics!! My install is next Saturday!! :D |
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| eurohazard |
quote:
I also plan to line the doors with Dynamat. I am getting a lot of rattle in the doors which is driving me insane.
Good call on the Dynamat! I installed Dynamat Xtreme at the subwoofer-side quarter panel, tailgate, and all doors. There was a huge difference in the sub area. I haven't noticed too much improvement in the doors as far as sound. I have yet to take it on the freeway to test the sound quality. Check out eBay.....I recommend buying the "bulk pack" I had it delivered to my house for less than $130. |
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| 04mdx4sq |
quote:
Originally posted by blakknight
For Phase 2, I will replace the components up front and the rear door speakers and add another amp to drive them. The speakers I've got my eyes on now are the Boston Acoustics Pro Series. I also like the MB Quarts, so those are in the mix too. Both of these are a little on the high end as far as cost from what most of you have been putting in your MDX's...and it's on the high-end as far as my wallet right now (LOL), so they'll have to wait awhile. Depending on what the system sounds like after the subs are installed, I may purchase some of the cheaper Infinity's to "bridge" me over until I get up the dough to rewire and replace all the speakers with the Bostons.
I'll post pics!! My install is next Saturday!! :D
Congrats on getting underway! Good choice on amp and subs. One thing to be aware of with the Boton speakers is that they can seem extremely bright in the factory location. I have a friend with Z6 set and tweeters in the sail panels, and they are HARSH. If you plan on doing the Bostons, I would recomend a good EQ.
My amp is in and I absolutely love my Quarts now that I have my Q amp to run them. :D |
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| blakknight |
quote:
Originally posted by 04mdx4sq
Congrats on getting underway! Good choice on amp and subs. One thing to be aware of with the Boton speakers is that they can seem extremely bright in the factory location. I have a friend with Z6 set and tweeters in the sail panels, and they are HARSH. If you plan on doing the Bostons, I would recomend a good EQ.
My amp is in and I absolutely love my Quarts now that I have my Q amp to run them. :D
Yeah, I'm torn between the Quarts and the Bostons...anyway, that's a little ways down the line as my finances will be directed to other sources for the rest of the year.
One question, though: my salesman said that in MB Quarts sound more natural, but the Bostons will perform better with the music I listen to mostly (rap, r&b, rock). Also, he said that the Pro Series and the Z's are the only speakers he's seen that will take virtually any power that you put on them and not "crack under the pressure," so to speak.
Are these true statements? |
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| EXCALIBUR |
blakknight,
I've got Boston Pro 6.5's in the front, Boston Nx67's in the rear, and 2 Boston Pro1054 subs in a custom carpeted enclosure in my MDX. They are powered by a Rockford Fosgate G550X amp for the speakers and Rockford Fosgate G15002 amp for the subs. I retained the OEM head unit. This system works for me.:29: |
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| 04mdx4sq |
quote:
Originally posted by blakknight
One question, though: my salesman said that in MB Quarts sound more natural, but the Bostons will perform better with the music I listen to mostly (rap, r&b, rock). Also, he said that the Pro Series and the Z's are the only speakers he's seen that will take virtually any power that you put on them and not "crack under the pressure," so to speak.
Are these true statements?
I would agree that the Quarts sound more realistic, the tweeters are very revealing. As far as performing well with rap, when we did a Mercedes for Nelly, it got Quarts all around. That is a good testimonial to how well they work with rap. I listen to a very wide variety of music, and the Quarts are a very well rounded speaker. When it comes to power handling, I run 250+ watts RMS to my Q series Quarts and have no problem. They handle the power well and are very dynamic. I have run as much as 400w RMS to them with no ill effect. The key is to have good, clean power. Clipping and distortion tear up speakers faster than power. |
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