I've read quite a bit from the audiophiles here on the board. My level of audio preference isn't super high-end, just good full sound.

Previously, I had a 2001 Honda Accord with an Alpine head unit, Eclipse front, side, and rear speakers with a sub-in-a-tube in the trunk. I'd like to get that level of quality again. (I didn't have an amp for the speakers, just the built-in amp in the H\U and the amp in the sub-in-a-tube.)

I have just installed the Alpine H\U and all is well. I can tell the stock speakers sound much more clear, but the over-all system still lacks lower levels. I plan on eventually doing an eD install throughout the car. Can this be done after a sub & speakers or is it a larger challenge to eD the car after new speakers & sub are installed?

I'd like to investigate the down firing sub that can be installed under the passenger seat or the smaller unit that goes into the spare tire. I'm very sure that I don't want to lose any functioning area of the car. I kind of have the notion that I will need an amp of some kind for the sub but is there a way to get component speakers and a sub that can be handled buy an amp that will fit under the driver seat? Any ideas would be appreciated. Thank you.

-Hattrick

 

Something like this Soundstream 680.5 should be along the lines of what you are looking for.....will run every speaker and perfect for powering that eD underseat sub too. Not sure that it would fit under the drivers seat though so you may need to shop around for some other 5 channel amps if it has to go there.

http://www.soundstream.com/amplifiers-reference.html

 

I put an Infinity Basslink II in mine.

It fills in the bottom end nicely, and actually produces enough boom if you want. It takes up a bit of the hatch area, but there's still usable space there.

 

Hattrick,

You can do it either way. It is so fast and easy to take out the seats and peices to deaden the car, pre or post system install. Pre is best, but...

You can also have 1 2 or 3 amps under the front seat, there is tons of room and the best part of the downfire under the passenger is it keeps crap out from under your seats.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/vie...032&highlight=

and eD does it all I am currently redoing my home system with there equipment and I have been very happy.

 

^^ Hey Eric, good to see that you still using eD!

hattrick, check out his DIY. Good stuff. When you go comps in the doors, I can send you my door spacer/tweeter templates. LMK anytime!

 

Hattrick,
My system is exactly what you're talking about. I'm actually still using the factory front speakers powered by an MB Quart 4 channel amp under the drivers seat which also powers my eD sub in an enclosure I built for under the passenger's seat. I wouldn't even bother with the rear speakers. The way they are mounted from the factory leaves a lot to be desired, and you don't need rear speakers to have a good sounding system. I would recommend doing the floor damping when you install the amp and sub, just so you don't have to pull the seats back out again for no reason.

 

I agree on the rear speakers. I upgraded mine and it wasn't really worth it. If you have the rear seats up it muffles a lot of the sound from back there.

Scosche makes a great sub enclosure for the rear storage compartment. I bought this, and replaced the speaker with an Infinity 1050W 10" sub. (Other speakers might work as well, but the Inifinity has the exact same size specs as the speaker that came with it). Hits pretty hard and is completely stealth. Cheap too.

I probably wouldn't bother sound deadening under the sub unless you were doing the whole car. However, if you replace the door speakers in the front, then it's definately worthwhile to sound deaden the door while you are in there.

 

As one of the audiophile types around here I think it is very beneficial to start with the sound deadening. The less sound your speakers have to compete against, the better they will sound. It ia also a lot easier to workwith without having to remove previously installed components.

Depending on your budget and desired outcome you can apply as much or as little deadening as you want. The minimum would be to do the rear lift gate, the rear cargo area under the spare tire, and the passenger compartment floor area. This will help eliminate both exhaust note and road noise. There are also several types of deadening that can be used in tandem for better results; check www.secondskinaudio.com for more information.

There is a fair amount of room under the front seats to mount equipment. You can look for a single multi-channel amp to cover everything(which tend to get long), or you can get separate amps for speakers and subs. You have room to stack amps; just remember to allow for cooling. Having a true amp(not what comes in a head unit) will improve the sound quality of the system.

 

Definite yes! The car is much more enjoyable and quiet...even with the stereo off. As Boxy said, the rear cargo area and hatch make a big difference. I also stuffed the hatch full of polyfill after deadening. Cheap, light and beneficial.

The thing you will notice is that as you deaden one area, another becomes the loudest. Front doors make a big difference-both in ambient noise and stereo performance.

Lots of room under the seats. I have (2) eD amps stacked under the passenger side and one under the drivers. An amp will add dynamics and volume, even at lower levels, that a HU amp cannot touch.

Rear speakers...forget about it. You want the sound to image in front of you.