Big Dilemma for my New Dodge Dart.

[Catalyst 0]

Okay so I just got a new Dodge Dart a week ago, and I love it! It has 6x9's in the door's and obviously leave a lot to be desired. They have quite a bit of midbass, but lack everywhere else, so the fronts have to go, I don't care about the back door speakers.

My Goals:

- CHEAP

- Decent overall Sound, plenty of midbass

- Loud, Bright, not harsh. I have always been a fan of bright Silk tweets.

- Keep stock HU

- CHEAP

- CHEAP

What I have:

- stock 6x9

- Alpine V-Power 50x4

- spot for an 8" sub in the rear deck.

- Line out for factor HU

- spot in dash firing up for up to a 3" mid/ tweeter

- LPG 26 tweeters I bought when I was going to go active with some CDT ES-06.

What I need:

- Speakers up front.

- 8" sub for the back dash

Speakers I have considered are just replacing them with some good quality 6x9's:

1) Morel Maximo ~ $100

2) Focal Polyglass ~ $150

3) Alpine Type-R ~ $120

4) Other 6x9

5) ​Hi-Vi F1600 ~ $180

6) Other better component sets

I have always used cheapish comp sets: CDT CL + HD, old PG, but I never felt like they had the output I am looking for in midbass, so I figured I may try higher quality 6x9's. BUT if anyone has any better ideas I am all ears. I'd like to stay around $150.

Thanks guys!

[cloud77 28]

I personally like Infinity for my mid range. I have a pair of infinity reference 3 ways and kappa 3 ways and they both express the midbass well. What do you mean by theres a spot to mount an 8"? factory replace an 8"?

[///M5 2,833]

Midbass is given to you in the install more than the speaker choice.

Curious what your stock headunit has for an output. If it is a nice low level this will be easier otherwise correcting it will eat most of your budget. If you happen to be that lucky then a 7" mid run active with your tweet and a little processor like the miniDSP may be a good route for you. Surely will smoke the 6x9's you are looking at. If your h/u doesn't have a nice flat low out then you are going to spend more on a processor to deal with it than your budget allows.

[ssh 924]

Another thing that hasn't been addressed: do the front doors have any large openings between the inner and outer sheet metal?

IE: http://blog.stefanhinote.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-02-03_11-51-46_959.jpg (square hole above the speaker, hole to the right of the speaker, large opening on right, etc)

If so, they should be sealed by any means: mass loaded vinyl, CLD/traditional car audio sound deander/thickfoil+butyl (though not it's intended purpose it could work), fiberglass panel, etc.

Edited January 30, 2013 by stefanhinote

[KyleBrown 121]

Another thing that hasn't been addressed: do the front doors have any large openings between the inner and outer sheet metal? IE: http://blog.stefanhinote.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/2012-02-03_11-51-46_959.jpg (square hole above the speaker, hole to the right of the speaker, large opening on right, etc) If so, they should be sealed by any means: mass loaded vinyl, CLD/traditional car audio sound deander/thickfoil+butyl (though not it's intended purpose it could work), fiberglass panel, etc.

what driver is that?

[Catalyst 0]

I personally like Infinity for my mid range. I have a pair of infinity reference 3 ways and kappa 3 ways and they both express the midbass well. What do you mean by theres a spot to mount an 8"? factory replace an 8"?

Yeah there are several spots for an optional "Alpine 9 channel" upgraded system. Included in that are 4 6x9's in the doors. 4 empty 3" slots - 2 in the front and 2 in the back dashes - and an empty slot for a center, and an empty slot for an 8" sub in the back dash.

Midbass is given to you in the install more than the speaker choice.

Curious what your stock headunit has for an output. If it is a nice low level this will be easier otherwise correcting it will eat most of your budget. If you happen to be that lucky then a 7" mid run active with your tweet and a little processor like the miniDSP may be a good route for you. Surely will smoke the 6x9's you are looking at. If your h/u doesn't have a nice flat low out then you are going to spend more on a processor to deal with it than your budget allows.

I don't know how to find out if the HU does or not. I was just going to use some Line-out's to the amps regardless. That miniDSP thing looks very interesting. I guess I have been out of the game for a while. I am just trying not to spend a ton of money on this. I would be willing to throw down $100 for the miniDSP, run active if I can get some good mids. Are there any 7" mid will sound better than the Morel's or the Focal around that same price.

[Catalyst 0]

Another thing that hasn't been addressed: do the front doors have any large openings between the inner and outer sheet metal?

IE: http://blog.stefanhi...1-51-46_959.jpg (square hole above the speaker, hole to the right of the speaker, large opening on right, etc)

If so, they should be sealed by any means: mass loaded vinyl, CLD/traditional car audio sound deander/thickfoil+butyl (though not it's intended purpose it could work), fiberglass panel, etc.

I haven't opened it up yet. I'll check tomorrow.

[///M5 2,833]

I personally like Infinity for my mid range. I have a pair of infinity reference 3 ways and kappa 3 ways and they both express the midbass well. What do you mean by theres a spot to mount an 8"? factory replace an 8"?

Yeah there are several spots for an optional "Alpine 9 channel" upgraded system. Included in that are 4 6x9's in the doors. 4 empty 3" slots - 2 in the front and 2 in the back dashes - and an empty slot for a center, and an empty slot for an 8" sub in the back dash.

Midbass is given to you in the install more than the speaker choice.

Curious what your stock headunit has for an output. If it is a nice low level this will be easier otherwise correcting it will eat most of your budget. If you happen to be that lucky then a 7" mid run active with your tweet and a little processor like the miniDSP may be a good route for you. Surely will smoke the 6x9's you are looking at. If your h/u doesn't have a nice flat low out then you are going to spend more on a processor to deal with it than your budget allows.

I don't know how to find out if the HU does or not. I was just going to use some Line-out's to the amps regardless. That miniDSP thing looks very interesting. I guess I have been out of the game for a while. I am just trying not to spend a ton of money on this. I would be willing to throw down $100 for the miniDSP, run active if I can get some good mids. Are there any 7" mid will sound better than the Morel's or the Focal around that same price.

I'd rather run a $25 mid installed right with good processing setup well than ANY of the 6x9's you listed.

[Catalyst 0]

I personally like Infinity for my mid range. I have a pair of infinity reference 3 ways and kappa 3 ways and they both express the midbass well. What do you mean by theres a spot to mount an 8"? factory replace an 8"?

Yeah there are several spots for an optional "Alpine 9 channel" upgraded system. Included in that are 4 6x9's in the doors. 4 empty 3" slots - 2 in the front and 2 in the back dashes - and an empty slot for a center, and an empty slot for an 8" sub in the back dash.

Midbass is given to you in the install more than the speaker choice.

Curious what your stock headunit has for an output. If it is a nice low level this will be easier otherwise correcting it will eat most of your budget. If you happen to be that lucky then a 7" mid run active with your tweet and a little processor like the miniDSP may be a good route for you. Surely will smoke the 6x9's you are looking at. If your h/u doesn't have a nice flat low out then you are going to spend more on a processor to deal with it than your budget allows.

I don't know how to find out if the HU does or not. I was just going to use some Line-out's to the amps regardless. That miniDSP thing looks very interesting. I guess I have been out of the game for a while. I am just trying not to spend a ton of money on this. I would be willing to throw down $100 for the miniDSP, run active if I can get some good mids. Are there any 7" mid will sound better than the Morel's or the Focal around that same price.

I'd rather run a $25 mid installed right with good processing setup well than ANY of the 6x9's you listed.

Duly noted. Ever used Peerless Nomex mids? At $57 it seems they are right around my price range.

[KyleBrown 121]

I personally like Infinity for my mid range. I have a pair of infinity reference 3 ways and kappa 3 ways and they both express the midbass well. What do you mean by theres a spot to mount an 8"? factory replace an 8"?

Yeah there are several spots for an optional "Alpine 9 channel" upgraded system. Included in that are 4 6x9's in the doors. 4 empty 3" slots - 2 in the front and 2 in the back dashes - and an empty slot for a center, and an empty slot for an 8" sub in the back dash.

Midbass is given to you in the install more than the speaker choice. Curious what your stock headunit has for an output. If it is a nice low level this will be easier otherwise correcting it will eat most of your budget. If you happen to be that lucky then a 7" mid run active with your tweet and a little processor like the miniDSP may be a good route for you. Surely will smoke the 6x9's you are looking at. If your h/u doesn't have a nice flat low out then you are going to spend more on a processor to deal with it than your budget allows.

I don't know how to find out if the HU does or not. I was just going to use some Line-out's to the amps regardless. That miniDSP thing looks very interesting. I guess I have been out of the game for a while. I am just trying not to spend a ton of money on this. I would be willing to throw down $100 for the miniDSP, run active if I can get some good mids. Are there any 7" mid will sound better than the Morel's or the Focal around that same price.

I'd rather run a $25 mid installed right with good processing setup well than ANY of the 6x9's you listed.

I'll agree. I've yet to hear a 6x9's that does anything for me.

making an adapter shouldn't be too hard.

[lithium 358]

Another thing that hasn't been addressed: do the front doors have any large openings between the inner and outer sheet metal? IE: http://blog.stefanhi...1-51-46_959.jpg (square hole above the speaker, hole to the right of the speaker, large opening on right, etc) If so, they should be sealed by any means: mass loaded vinyl, CLD/traditional car audio sound deander/thickfoil+butyl (though not it's intended purpose it could work), fiberglass panel, etc.

what driver is that?

i think its an exodus anarchy

http://www.diycable.com/main/product_info.php?products_id=538

[lithium 358]

I personally like Infinity for my mid range. I have a pair of infinity reference 3 ways and kappa 3 ways and they both express the midbass well. What do you mean by theres a spot to mount an 8"? factory replace an 8"?

Yeah there are several spots for an optional "Alpine 9 channel" upgraded system. Included in that are 4 6x9's in the doors. 4 empty 3" slots - 2 in the front and 2 in the back dashes - and an empty slot for a center, and an empty slot for an 8" sub in the back dash.

Midbass is given to you in the install more than the speaker choice.

Curious what your stock headunit has for an output. If it is a nice low level this will be easier otherwise correcting it will eat most of your budget. If you happen to be that lucky then a 7" mid run active with your tweet and a little processor like the miniDSP may be a good route for you. Surely will smoke the 6x9's you are looking at. If your h/u doesn't have a nice flat low out then you are going to spend more on a processor to deal with it than your budget allows.

I don't know how to find out if the HU does or not. I was just going to use some Line-out's to the amps regardless. That miniDSP thing looks very interesting. I guess I have been out of the game for a while. I am just trying not to spend a ton of money on this. I would be willing to throw down $100 for the miniDSP, run active if I can get some good mids. Are there any 7" mid will sound better than the Morel's or the Focal around that same price.

I'd rather run a $25 mid installed right with good processing setup well than ANY of the 6x9's you listed.

Duly noted. Ever used Peerless Nomex mids? At $57 it seems they are right around my price range.

before we start talking which mids would work you need to measure the max mounting depth.

[///M5 2,833]

AND you need to know what your headunit puts out OR be willing to spend a few hundred bucks on a processor.

Installation parameters ALWAYS have to be known before shopping for drivers. This includes mounting possibilities an processing. Otherwise you are spending energy focusing on something that may flat out not work.

[ssh 924]

Another thing that hasn't been addressed: do the front doors have any large openings between the inner and outer sheet metal? IE: http://blog.stefanhi...1-51-46_959.jpg (square hole above the speaker, hole to the right of the speaker, large opening on right, etc) If so, they should be sealed by any means: mass loaded vinyl, CLD/traditional car audio sound deander/thickfoil+butyl (though not it's intended purpose it could work), fiberglass panel, etc.

what driver is that?

i think its an exodus anarchy

http://www.diycable....products_id=538

Yep yep.

[Catalyst 0]

AND you need to know what your headunit puts out OR be willing to spend a few hundred bucks on a processor.

Installation parameters ALWAYS have to be known before shopping for drivers. This includes mounting possibilities an processing. Otherwise you are spending energy focusing on something that may flat out not work.

How would I go about finding out what the hu puts out? I have never done a system with a factory hu before.

[///M5 2,833]

You can either test it or search on the internet. I'd try the latter first, but usually end up double checking things myself as I never trust information I find...it's usually right though.

[Catalyst 0]

Okay so I have just over 3 inches of clearance, possibly more when I make a custom baffle. I am going to use at least the miniDSP and see how it sounds. If need be I can get an eq later.

Any suggestions for a 6-8" midbass/midrange driver?

[ssh 924]

Okay so I have just over 3 inches of clearance, possibly more when I make a custom baffle. I am going to use at least the miniDSP and see how it sounds. If need be I can get an eq later. Any suggestions for a 6-8" midbass/midrange driver?

The miniDSP does EQ also, so no need for another device. You do need a computer for tuning (setting XO points, slopes, EQ, T/A, etc). With a laptop you can sit in the driver seat, and adjust everything on the fly.

[altoncustomtech 773]

Okay so I have just over 3 inches of clearance, possibly more when I make a custom baffle. I am going to use at least the miniDSP and see how it sounds. If need be I can get an eq later. Any suggestions for a 6-8" midbass/midrange driver?

The miniDSP does EQ also, so no need for another device. You do need a computer for tuning (setting XO points, slopes, EQ, T/A, etc). With a laptop you can sit in the driver seat, and adjust everything on the fly.

I could not find any info on the miniDSP site on anything other than crossover and EQ controls. I wasn't aware they could do T/A as well. Nice price for such a powerful little box, lol.

Reading > me. They just call it output delay. LOL

[ssh 924]

Okay so I have just over 3 inches of clearance, possibly more when I make a custom baffle. I am going to use at least the miniDSP and see how it sounds. If need be I can get an eq later. Any suggestions for a 6-8" midbass/midrange driver?

The miniDSP does EQ also, so no need for another device. You do need a computer for tuning (setting XO points, slopes, EQ, T/A, etc). With a laptop you can sit in the driver seat, and adjust everything on the fly.

I could not find any info on the miniDSP site on anything other than crossover and EQ controls. I wasn't aware they could do T/A as well. Nice price for such a powerful little box, lol.

After Sean had good luck with his I bought one to replace my MS-8, and never looked back.

[Catalyst 0]

Okay so I have just over 3 inches of clearance, possibly more when I make a custom baffle. I am going to use at least the miniDSP and see how it sounds. If need be I can get an eq later. Any suggestions for a 6-8" midbass/midrange driver?

The miniDSP does EQ also, so no need for another device. You do need a computer for tuning (setting XO points, slopes, EQ, T/A, etc). With a laptop you can sit in the driver seat, and adjust everything on the fly.

Nice! I just glanced over what it did, thats awesome. I guess I should just order it now.

[djjdnap 78]

my brother has a 09 lexus gs.

I dont know what the door speakers are but thiers a 8 inch sub and it makes a world of difference.

He turned it up and i was pretty surprised at how loud and clear it was.

But anyway, i had the cheaper 8" cdt subs in my doors and they were ok.

I upgraded to the crescendo 8"s and they seem to have a little more low end.

Take it for what its worth, but im no SQ guy by all means.

[Catalyst 0]

So I was looking at these mids to pair with my LPG 26 active:

CDT ES-06 - $169 Shipped

or

ID CX2 V2 - $149 Shipped

My favorite mid was a Seas Performance that I used years ago, and I am trying to get back to that snappy sound. I feel like the CDT might be more like that judging by some reviews, but I really don't know. Anyone have any input? Experiences?

[///M5 2,833]

STOP. If your headunit has processing in it a miniDSP won't do ANYTHING for you. Before you shop for anything else you need to figure that out. If it has a wacked out signal you are going to need a few hundred bucks JUST to solve that which if it has no effect on your budget then fine although being you claimed to want to do this cheap I don't see how that is the case.

[///M5 2,833]

And the CDT's & ID's are terrible for the money.

I'm done with your thread until you focus on what you need to first. Let us know the response of the headunit and THEN we can start to determine what to do.