Pick my components, Part Deux

[fuzzyping 0]

I'm happy with my current setup, but I think the imaging and midbass could be improved. Here is my current system:

Head Unit: Pioneer DEH-P5900iB

Front Stage: JBL P650c comps (tweeter in sail panel, woofer in door panel)

FS Amp: Sundown Audio SAX-100.4 (active)

Subwoofer: SoundSplinter RL-i8

SS Amp: Sundown Audio SAX-100.2 (bridged @ 8 ohms)

The tweeters are mostly on-axis, so I get very little front/center imaging. I was thinking about getting a set of Q-Logic kick panels for my 4Runner, moving the JBL comps there, and getting dedicated midbass drivers for the doors. Space in the doors is very limited; I originally bought Seas comps but they won't fit.

The proposed plans:

1. Move the JBL or Seas comps to the kick panels. Add a set of 6.5" midbass drivers to the door. Use the 100.2 for midbass and get a SAE-1000D for the sub.
   
2. ???
   
3. Nothing, leave it alone.
   

If #1, what midbass drivers would you recommend?

-J.

[fuzzyping 0]

I plugged in the Seas tonight to see how they compared to the JBL comps already installed. The Seas CA18RLY has a much nicer midrange, hands-down. It lacks in midbass, but that's to be expected... especially since it isn't mounted in a sealed/deadened cavity like the JBL. The Seas tweet was not as harsh as the JBL in the high-end, but also seemed a bit cold.

I don't have room for the CA18RLY either way, but it gives me a good idea how the Seas mids sound. I'm going to return the Seas comps to Madisound and order a set of MCA15RCY mids and 26NA tweeters for the kick panels. Still need recommendations on 6.5" midbass drivers that will fit in a shallow depth of 2.5".

Bump...

[ANeonRider 3]

Browsing around Madisound & Parts Express, I cannot find any midbass worth using that are under 2.5" in depth, and I can't think of anything off of the top of my head either.

Maybe a good option is to run the CA18RLYs & tweets in the kicks & stick to 2-way.

[fuzzyping 0]

I'm not crazy about the CA18RLY's in a 2-way, not enough midbass. If push comes to shove, I'll hold onto the JBL mids and cross them low with the SAX-100.2.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Did you check out the neo motor, textile dome SEAS tweets? I have to install mine yet.

[///M5 2,833]

I'm not crazy about the CA18RLY's in a 2-way, not enough midbass. If push comes to shove, I'll hold onto the JBL mids and cross them low with the SAX-100.2.

The CA's midbass should smoke those JBL's, by a significant margin. If they don't it is definitely install related.

As for your question, I think you are going about this a bit backwards. The JBL's will not make a nice midrange/tweet combo for a 3 way system, if you can't fit the CA18RLY in your doors there is no real midbass that you will be able to, and Qlogics aren't really much of a solution (to me they are more work to fix than building a custom set).

I think you will be surprised by the CA18rly if you actually spend the time to mount it. It is a really nice driver. I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to run it in a 2 way.

[fuzzyping 0]

Did you check out the neo motor, textile dome SEAS tweets? I have to install mine yet.

Do you mean the 27TFFNC/G? I avoided them after reading this review.

[fuzzyping 0]

The CA's midbass should smoke those JBL's, by a significant margin. If they don't it is definitely install related.

The CA was basically hanging off the door with no mounting or seal. This would certainly explain the discrepancy.

As for your question, I think you are going about this a bit backwards. The JBL's will not make a nice midrange/tweet combo for a 3 way system, if you can't fit the CA18RLY in your doors there is no real midbass that you will be able to, and Qlogics aren't really much of a solution (to me they are more work to fix than building a custom set).

I think you will be surprised by the CA18rly if you actually spend the time to mount it. It is a really nice driver. I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to run it in a 2 way.

How do you think the imaging would sound if I swivel-mounted the neo aluminums to the stock kick panel, with the CA18RLY in the door panel? I'm absolutely blown away by the custom door pod this guy built for his 4Runner.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Did you check out the neo motor, textile dome SEAS tweets? I have to install mine yet.

Do you mean the 27TFFNC/G? I avoided them after reading this review.

Well it shows that they are location sensitive and get loud easy.

[///M5 2,833]

How do you think the imaging would sound if I swivel-mounted the neo aluminums to the stock kick panel, with the CA18RLY in the door panel? I'm absolutely blown away by the custom door pod this guy built for his 4Runner.

What kind of car? Are you running these active? What sort of processing?

[fuzzyping 0]

How do you think the imaging would sound if I swivel-mounted the neo aluminums to the stock kick panel, with the CA18RLY in the door panel? I'm absolutely blown away by the custom door pod this guy built for his 4Runner.

What kind of car? Are you running these active? What sort of processing?

2002 Toyota 4Runner. Active off a SAX-100.4. No other processing except the HU EQ (Pioneer DEH-P5900iB).

[fuzzyping 0]

Now that I think about it, I wonder if going off-axis in the stock kick panels wouldn't open up a whole new world of large tweeter possibilities.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Do I hear Morel MDT-33's in your future?

[fuzzyping 0]

Do I hear Morel MDT-33's in your future?

No, that's the sound of my wife screaming at me when the bill arrives.

[///M5 2,833]

How do you think the imaging would sound if I swivel-mounted the neo aluminums to the stock kick panel, with the CA18RLY in the door panel? I'm absolutely blown away by the custom door pod this guy built for his 4Runner.

What kind of car? Are you running these active? What sort of processing?

2002 Toyota 4Runner. Active off a SAX-100.4. No other processing except the HU EQ (Pioneer DEH-P5900iB).

I'd keep the tweeter as close as possible to the mid then and I'd avoid going three way.

[fuzzyping 0]

I'd keep the tweeter as close as possible to the mid then and I'd avoid going three way.

Any particular tweeters you'd recommend to pair with the CA18RLY? I'd like to go off-axis in the kick panels. Here is a good idea of the area behind the panel and the general shape of the panel. If I go with a large tweeter, it would have to be mounted facing my ankles, approximately 8 inches from the mids (I'm guessing).

[///M5 2,833]

Off axis and small format don't normally go hand in hand. The best off axis response I have seen (on paper) for a small format is the LPG 25nfa. I can say from first hand experience that they mate nicely with the CA series, even though mine are mated with an RNX.

[fuzzyping 0]

Off axis and small format don't normally go hand in hand. The best off axis response I have seen (on paper) for a small format is the LPG 25nfa. I can say from first hand experience that they mate nicely with the CA series, even though mine are mated with an RNX.

I'm considering large format for the kick panel. What do you think is the best off-axis tweeter matched for the CA series? Will it diffuse enough facing into my legs?

[///M5 2,833]

Lots of choices if you have space, do you have a budget?

[fuzzyping 0]

Lots of choices if you have space, do you have a budget?

Let's cap it off at $75 per tweet, or $150 for the pair. I'm not sure exactly how much depth is there, but I'd guess around 2.5".

[///M5 2,833]

I will say that I personally haven't sat and listened to each of these in an off-axis world to compare, but have heard all of them and feel they would all be very good off axis. All of the pairs that I am going to recommend will fit in your budget with shipping included.

If you like your tweeters bright and are running them off axis you may like the extra brightness of a metal tweet. Although neither of these two really sound as metallic as you would expect they will both add a bit of brightness that metal can bring. Also of course, if you prefer metal tweeters you would probably like these as well.

Dayton RS28A

Seas H1212

Now if you prefer the textile sound or are looking for what I feel is a more transparent sound, I'd look at these. If it were my rig, I'd probably go with the HDS's in your price range as I think they are an outstanding buy for the dollar and a great sounding tweet. The Seas and Usher are nice as well.

Peerless HDS

Seas H1189

Usher 9950

[fuzzyping 0]

I think I'll try out the HDS as you recommend. I'll be sure to report back with the results.

Thanks,

-J.

[///M5 2,833]

I don't think you will be disappointed, it is a great tweeter. It will mate nicely with the CA as it can play down to 1.5khz or so which will leave you lots of room to experiment with different crossover points.

One warning I wouldn't completely copy Jmelan's kickpanels. His are made for the midrange and tweet and not for the midbass. If you put the CA into that teeny little enclosure it will be extremely cramped. Instead I would vent the pod into the fender and potentially even vent the fender to outside to make more of an IB mounting. It will allow the driver to dig a lot deeper than if you cramp it in a teeny pod. The trick will then be to seal off the front wave from the back wave, but a copious amount of modelling clay to seal the surface of the kick panel to the fender will be your friend. Some acoustic stuffing may help in the fender as well.

Let us know how it goes!

[fuzzyping 0]

No, the CA18RLY will go in the door panel.

[///M5 2,833]

That is a bit easier then and make a great 2 way!