Hello All, I would like to try one of the following. JL Audio C5-650 or the DLS Ultimate UP6i both run about the same. I have never owned a good component set. I always loved boom and have always had nice subs. I'm older now and would like to try sq. I have read that both component set are nice. Yes I know someone will say go listen to both but its hard to do when your deployed. When I get home I'm sorry but I will not drive 100 miles just to listen to two different component sets some ppl might not this guy. So the real question is if a person walks up to my car at a club meet/show which would sound great. Oh yes ill run them off an amp. thanks for the help

 

What do you mean they run about the same? You mean priced about the same? You have no way of knowing if they sound about the same as you never heard either set before.

As you have never owned a component set before, you will be amazed of the output of any component set in the market. I suggest you drive to a local store and have a listen to whatever company they brand for components.

BOOM needs nothing in the SQ world. SQ is all about the correct tuning for gain and EQ settings to achieve the most balanced output for all frequencies. That is, you don't have your sub outputing 63hz so loud that the other 95% of frequencies becomes inaudible. I feel much more pleasure knowing that I am hearing my music in a level of detail and depth that the car next to me has never imagined before.

The trick to tuning your gain settings is to set the gain of your fronts first (the components) to see how hard they can be pushed THEN set the gain of the sub to match with your components. This will achieve a reasonable amount of balance to your system.

Now if your mission is to impress, you may be interested in going the SQL (sound quality loudness) route. This is basicly achieved by running a higher performing subwoofer such as a JL W7 or a FI Q. Basicly these subs get loud, especially under 1200 or so REAL watts (not best buy watts). You will need a mid level component set to keep up with these woofers. This is the route I went which left my friends in an awe of amazement that they were actually sitting inside of a car.

I suggest doing more research to see what you really want. Find any local shops out there who have a SQ ride they are willing to show you. It is a good investment and I promise it will make your ride a hell of alot more enjoyable.

EDIT: Those DLSs are going to be better than the JLs.

 

Thank you so much for the reply. Yes I meant they coast about the same as in price. I was looking at the jl 8w7 or the 10/12 w6s. You have said what I have read about the sub should not over power the front stage. I guess when I get home ill go check a demo car if there is one in my area. Its just all the car shops I have been to in my area over charged like crazy. I keep hearing great things about dls are there subs good?

 

DLS is a high quality company so I am sure the subs will be better than your typical MTX or Kickers.

You should not have too much trouble finding one if you live somewhat close to a big city. Just look in the phone book. They should also advertise what brands they sell.

Also if you are concerned about price and are trying to work within a budget, you do not have to get JL! There are so many good car audio brands out there. Check out FiCaraudio.com for sub woofers - handmade in Vegas. I had a FI Q 12" and was pushing 1500 real watts to it. That thing was bangin! My fronts were a entry level focal K series 6 1/2" with only 100 watts. That used to be my SQL setup.

Other good to high quality brands:

CDT
DLS
Morel
Hertz
Focal
Alpine
Rainbow

It's not that hard to install car audio. Just look up some diy guides online. Most important thing is to ground your amps firmly then connect everything else accordingly. I had a very bad experience with a shop installing mine. When I decided to change my setup and install it myself, I found they had crimped two pieces of speaker wire together to connect the components! You know how much noise that introduced to the system? I never got to enjoy those speakers to their full potential.

If you got other questions, let me know or PM me.

 

Regardless of the brand/model of component set you choose, speaker location is a far more important factor when attempting to acheive great sound quality. The stock door locations in the tC are far less than optimal for a sound quality system, so if you use the stock locations, your new speakers will never "be all they can be" to your ears. Consider mounting the component set in the kickpanels instead, with the tweeters as close as possible to the mids. Doing that will decrease the channel path length differences, and lessen the near side off-axis problem, both of which will make a huge SQ improvement.

 

Sorry I'm trying to learn I have a few more question. Let me get this straight. The stock location is not great basically because the tweeter and 6.5 driver are away from each other. So a kick panel would bring them closer. Is this right? Could I just mount the tweeters closer to the 6.5s if this is the case?
In the stock location I should still get good sound, better than stock? It just will not be super great sounding right?
I might have to keep them in the stock location for I am getting close to my limit i have set now, (wife just gave me an okay for a boat). But hey I still have a nice build coming up when I get home. I have the Scionpro digital airbags kit, new wheels maybe with a nice off sets (wife does not like the look of off set) and now a nice system. Plus a few cosmetic things here and there. Thanks for all the help and more info is welcomed.