New SQ set up in the Scion tC, Need Opinions, Options, Ideas please!

[HunterJohnson]

Now that I've finally decided my direction to go with my rebuild I want some opinions before I start. Most of you guys know what my system looks like, if not check out the buildlog in signature.

Need help with mid range 2/3/4" speaker and subwoofer amp, and if you guys think the rest of the stuff is good I want to be absolutely SQ as possible yet play into 140's area with 3 sealed 12" subs

Here's the equipment

• iPad mini indash
• Pioneer PRS80
• Rockford 360.3

Speakers

• 2 sets Sundown 6.5 Comps
• NEED 3/4" speaker to run 3 way active please help me

Subs

• 3 Aura Sound 5 series 12"
• 2 Aura Sound F shallow 8" subs

Amps

• 2 Alpine mrv-f407 Mids and highs
• Alpine t747 Shallow 8" amp
• Subwoofer amp???? 1500rms tho please

[Kevin M]

Okay. I'm going to hit you with a block of text. Let's start with the sundown comps. Do you want to keep those or are you looking for a nice 4" widebander instead? I can reccomend a few that play up to 20k and sound pretty awesome but without a tweeter they will need to be on axis. You could stick with the woofers you have if you want to and do only one pair up front. I would take the shallow mount 8" Aura and build some kickpanels for them. You should have enough room judging by the size of your kicks and could always vent them into the sheetmetal in there to gain a little cu. footage. I would guess you need to be around.3 to 1.2 cu to get good extension but I am having a little trouble finding more info on them. Madisound doesn't sell them anymore. I would deaden the absolute hell out of the area they will be in. The floor will also need a layer of your favorite deadener, ccf, and some mlv. Any vibrations in the floor are going to head fake you out into thinking your frontstage is lower than it really is.

You must not want to use the sundown tweeters but didn't give a reason or a budget you have to replace them with? I don't want to reccomend one without seeing the sensitivity of the sundown mid and the Aura. If they are within a couple of db's of each other it will be easier to tune and you shouldn't have to throw a ton of power at one or reel the gain back on the other. I would go with a large format tweeter personally. Wide dispersion and excellent off axis response on the good ones and a larger diaphragm. Are you set on the sail panels for their final location? I would go to the A pillars and try out a couple listening locations that will offer you the balance, stage depth, and center image that you want than processing with the 360.3 should be much easier. It should offer a wider stage than the current location but I have to mention that it is all vehicle specific.

I would like to offer some x-over points and slopes but we are away's away from that. Most of that will need to come from you testing, tuning, and critically listening. The idea is to get the right drivers for your application, installing and positioning them properly, and using a processor to overcome any physical obstacles the vehicle throws at you. ie windshield, center consoles, seat positio, etc.

I would run the amps full range if possible and let the 360 do all the heavy lifting. As far as sub amps..."insert fanboy name here" There are alot of kick ass amps in the 1500 watt range that kick ass but some are more expensive than others.

I could write more but I want to bounce this block of text off you and see what you have to say first.

[White Lightning]

I would only use one 3 way active component set if it was mine ... (heck, I'm still running passive in mine ... LOL)

On separate 2 channel amps ... simply because of better overall headroom and dyanmics.

Why would you want to run two different size subs ???

[ric006]

I would switch it up with some Focal, Mcintosh, a/d/s

[Kevin M]

I would only use one 3 way active component set if it was mine ... (heck, I'm still running passive in mine ... LOL)

On separate 2 channel amps ... simply because of better overall headroom and dyanmics.

Why would you want to run two different size subs ???

I think he wanted to use the 8" subs as a midbass. Not sure though.

[HunterJohnson]

Thank you for the replies everyone.

@scottishbear my original thoughts were 12" subs to play 20-50hz the 8" 45-200, 6.5's 120/150-3k (insert small mid range ie 3"/4"/2") 3k-5/6k then tweeter takes 6k and up.

I would switch out the kicks for the 8" shallows and glass my doors whatever is best. I don't want to put tweeters on the a pillars honestly. But if that is the best then I will.

What tweeter do you recommend. I was looking at vifa tweeters, I have a pair and they sound very warm and smooth

[HunterJohnson]

I would only use one 3 way active component set if it was mine ... (heck, I'm still running passive in mine ... LOL)

On separate 2 channel amps ... simply because of better overall headroom and dyanmics.

Why would you want to run two different size subs ???

How loud does your one set get? I know most people who have heard your truck says it gets decently loud. I'm hoping to be decently loud. I don't want to say numbers but it would be nice to be loud enough to be heard over 130db of bass

[Kevin M]

I would do the traditional 3 way setup and do a 4" midrange. If you like the vifa tweeters I would hang on to them and use them.You could use the Aura's as midbass still but you will need a location to mount the tweeters and you don't want to use the A pillars. You could do a 4" and tweet in the kickpanels and put the midbass in the doors. There are a lot of locations to experiment with. I can recommend a tweeter but it might force you to put the tweeter into a different location.

Here is the 3 way setup I would use. I am familiar and heard these components before.

Tweeter

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=275-140

Midrange

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=264-914

Midbass

http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-8-woofers/silver-flute-w20rc38-08-8-wool-cone/

You could use the 6" if you don't have the space. I have heard people say the 6" has better extension but if you want them to dig lower I would go with more cone area. The 360 does have the capability of 36 or 48 db slopes so you might be safe there.

There is no best that fits every vehicle like I mentioned you will need to experiment. Alot of people aren't fans of kickpanel setups but I like them. Randall is the expert so I will let him answer anymore in depth questions I can't answer.

[HunterJohnson]

I would do the traditional 3 way setup and do a 4" midrange. If you like the vifa tweeters I would hang on to them and use them.You could use the Aura's as midbass still but you will need a location to mount the tweeters and you don't want to use the A pillars. You could do a 4" and tweet in the kickpanels and put the midbass in the doors. There are a lot of locations to experiment with. I can recommend a tweeter but it might force you to put the tweeter into a different location.

Here is the 3 way setup I would use. I am familiar and heard these components before.

Tweeter

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=275-140

Midrange

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=264-914

Midbass

http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-8-woofers/silver-flute-w20rc38-08-8-wool-cone/

You could use the 6" if you don't have the space. I have heard people say the 6" has better extension but if you want them to dig lower I would go with more cone area. The 360 does have the capability of 36 or 48 db slopes so you might be safe there.

There is no best that fits every vehicle like I mentioned you will need to experiment. Alot of people aren't fans of kickpanel setups but I like them. Randall is the expert so I will let him answer anymore in depth questions I can't answer.

Thanks again for getting back to me.

I'd like to use what I have, the vifa tweeters I believe will sound great with sundown 6"

I really like those tang bang 4" midrange. Its between a pair of those or 2 pairs of these http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-2-fullrange/aurasound-nsw2-326-8at-2-full-range/

Ok so some more thoughts:

• 3 way active speaker configuration will be

1. 6" sundown midbass (http://www.amazon.com/SA-6-5CS-Sundown-Audio-Component-Speakers/dp/B00AFFEVWS)
2. NS-2's or Tang Bang 4" (http://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-2-fullrange/aurasound-nsw2-326-8at-2-full-range/)
3. Vifa Tweeter (http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?partnumber=264-1032)

Followed by...

1. Aura F8 shallow sub (http://www.quint-audio.com/qaudio/files/nsf8-495-8b.pdf)
2. Aura 12" 5 series (FS 27hz)

[skittlesRgood]

I have the older neo version of those tang bands. they work quite well. I replaced them with some peerless 4"s that are better though.

I've never liked how subs sound when used as midbass. if you have the room, look at the peerless SLS in whatever size you want to use. those are killer for midbass. I just got a pair because I couldn't find anything better anywhere near the price.

lose the 6.5" driver. a 4 way front stage is just too much. my 3way setup can definitely be heard over a 145db sub stage.