Poll! Can't decide what I want to do.....

[Impious 1,476]

So, I've finally come to the realization that it's quite cumbersome having a large, complex stereo. My original goal was to have adequate equipment for 3-way active frontstage plus substage....but the fucking gear just doesn't fit in my trunk the way I'd prefer. I want to maintain as much trunk space as possible plus have access to my spare....and it's just not working out well. Too much equipment, not enough space.

So, I'm contemplating some potential system revamps/simplifications. I currently have (of importance to this question) an Alpine 9860, H701, two JBL GTO75.4II's and a GTO1201.1II [all of which are fucking huge], and for the substage two JBL 2241H's (18").

The possible paths I've decided on, that you will be voting on;

1) Say screw it, original plan was awesome, live w/ the consequences. Essentially, just keep plugging ahead with the original plan and don't change a thing.

Pros: Would make for a pretty kick-ass setup and would have enough processing power, amplifier power and amplifier channels to do anything I would want to do. 3-way frontstage, dual 18's for the subbass, good EQ/Xover functions, etc.

Cons: Takes up a ton of space, way more space than I really want. It's frustrating, period. Trying to convince myself that the ends are worth the means.

2) Keep everything, but only run one amp. Basically, keep the 9860 & H701 but only run a single 75.4II to my passive 2-way comps in kicks off the front two channels and bridge the rear two channels to a single 12" IB sub. But I wouldn't sell anything....spare equipment (i.e. two amplifiers and the 2241H's) would be stored away for now.

Pros: Would still have good processing power and would save on space.....plus I'd still have everything for future use should the upgrade bug bite again.

Cons: Limited on power, still have additional equipment to mount & wiring to deal with plus the storage of the excess equipment. And if the bug does bite again, I would just be back in the same position of trying to fit too much stuff in too small a space...so I'm just delaying the headache.

3) K.I.S.S. Sell it all, and go super simple. Something like a Denford for a headunit (which I loved), powerful 4-channel amplifier (MB Quart QAA4250?) and single 12" sub IB.

Pros: Super simple. Minimal components. Super space saving. Yet still provide good sound. Puts a little $$ back into my pocket. Since I lack access to an RTA at the moment, I haven't EQ'd my current setup, I currently run passive, and I don't use any T/A with the kicks....and I'm pretty happy. I could live w/ it. So I don't know that I'd really "miss" the processing, per say. And actually I'm pretty fond of the idea of going back to just a basic yet good sounding setup.

Cons: Completely screwing myself out of future upgrades as I'd essentially have to start over from scratch. Having to deal with selling all of my current equipment and buying/finding new equipment.

VOTE

[sick6ness 1]

I voted to say screw it man, honestly in my opinion the bug WILL bite again. After having your 2-ways setup for a month or two, you will still wonder what it would be like with 3-way. Put in the 3-way from the start like I will do when i get my new ride.

[jonbearsmt 919]

for years i allways did AS MUCH AS I COULD TO KEEP MY SPARE.

at one point i have 4 12's 2 15's, spare tire 2 jacks air pump, tire tools for my rims,. a hammer jumper cables, and more tools.. o yea car wash shit too...... but.. after years of planing and trying to keep room for all my BS... went bye bye when i planed a new system,

i still have a jack air pump hammer and tire tools... but no spare.

i didnt help at all here.

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

Have you considered going with smaller foot print amplifiers?

[///M5 2,833]

The difficulty is that I don't like your other two options, so you know which way I voted.

How about using one 4chn and the sub amp, the 9860 and H701. You can go down to one 18 and then everything is simple and you already have it. If that is still too much space, sell those amps and get something you can hide away easier.

[sqguy 0]

I guess I would figure my top priorities if I were doing this. Do you really want 3-way stage? What about your equipment, do you have to use those amps? I'd put my priorities together and look hard for some small amps and try one big sub or smaller subs if you really want to do the 3-way, drop to 2-way if you have to....but just IMO. Had a std cab ranger long ago with 2-way+sub and it was a pita. I had my high amp mounted to the defroster duct behind the HU, most of the rest near the steering column but it was all smaller stuff and only 8" subs and 100w amp on those behind seat...but that cab was tiny and I had to have the seat all the way back just to fit in there.

[Impious 1,476]

Well, the main reason I was trying to avoid just switching amplifiers is because I was trying to avoid spending any out of pocket $$, and the only amplifiers I could find that offered the power I was looking for either saved little space, or would have required a decent amount of out-of-pocket expense.

But, in the interest of experimenting I made an impulse buy the other day An MB Quart Qaa4250 should be arriving at my doorstep a little bit later this week. 250w x 4 @ 4/2ohm is a whole lotta power. It makes a great single amplifier for a simple 2-way passive + sub setup, and if I can pick up a 2nd one that would give me 250w x 6 for a 3-way active frontstage (what can I say...I like headroom) plus 500w for a sub (more than sufficient for my listening habits). Depending on what all I sell (3 current amps, for example) I should be able to get it done for little to no out of pocket expense. And being they are a tad smaller than the 75.4II's in LxW, and I'd only need 2 of them......it'd save a decent amount of space even in a 4-way total configuration.

I think the 18's may go.....they're just impractically large for my plans for the car and don't have the WAF necessary for the home......