New member, first SQ build... Advice and opinions wanted!

[PSI]

Hey all,

Well, the end to another busy winter season is coming, and I've decided to treat myself to a decent audio setup for my truck. The truck is a 2007 Dodge Ram 3500, 5.9 Cummins. Truck has some various performance mods, aiming for 500hp to the wheels, but that's a whole different forum! I'm here to talk about audio!

Okay, so here's the plan. Looking for a powerful SQ setup, not really on a tight budget and I do have a bit of installation and fabrication experience, as well as a fully equiped shop to work out of. I'd really like some opinions and advice on this setup, as I'm a "do it once, do it right" kind of person. Not going to be swapping stuff around in my stereo once it's done and installed, and I also don't want to be breaking stuff and pushing it to the limits. So here's the gear I know I want for sure:

H/U: Clarion NX501. Great interface, lots of configuration, 4V pre-outs, great reviews.

Sound Deadening: Full RAAMat floor, doors, back wall and possibly roof.

Mids+Highs: 3-ways, Undecided... see below

Low range: 2x Sundown SA-12s@2ohms, powered by a Cresendo BC2kD

Box: Undecided... see below

Misc. "Big 3", Alternator, good batteries, etc.

Mids+Highs:

I have a Zapco 360.4 from my previous install that I'd really like to use. It provided plenty of power and sounded great. I'm thinking this will be plenty enough juice to power a set of 3-ways. I'm currently leaning towards either the Hertz HSK 163 or Focal 165A3 setups. My truck actually has pretty great mounting options: 6x9s in the doors, 3x 3.5s in the dash. I plan on utilizing everything I can, including the center dash 3.5 mount. These 3.5 mounts are easily converted to 4", and obviously, the 6.5s will do fine in the 6x9 holes.

Anyways, so my question is: Sound quality wise, would I be better off piecing together my own component setup and use active crossovers? I've heard active crossovers can be much easier to work with, and can sound much better. I'm not a total audiophile, but I do want this to sound nice. Do the passive crossovers that are generally included with 3-way kits pair up nicely with the speakers? Am I just over-analyzing this? :-P

Also, someone suggested that, because I have a 4-channel amp, I should run the front speakers in a bi-amp'd configuration. This is seriously way beyond my knowledge, and the research I tried to do really confused me. Basically, would it be worth it? My rear door speakers will be running off the H/U's power, so they're not a problem.

Finally, I'm pretty intent on running a center channel speaker. I know this can be achieved through mono wiring, but I am worried about the added impedance if I wire them up to the other 4" dash speakers. Any advice here?

Box:

The box that I am looking at is a pre-fabbed under-seat box called FoxBox. My two selections are the following:

Sealed:

Divided, 1.2ft3 per side

Ported/vented:

Divided, 1.55ft3 per side.

Tuned to 35hz.

I am seriously leaning towards the ported box? Why? So I can experiment... If I get the ported box, I can seal off the ports if it doesn't sound good. They can either be sealed off from the outer vent, or the port entrance inside the box. However, I'm pretty sure they'll sound the best in the sealed configuration, especially considering that I will be giving the subs full power. Any thoughts?

I've been looking through various build logs for other Dodge Rams, but would appreciate any advice from people who have done installs on them, or know of any specific build logs that have a similar setup. Any advice, opinions and ideas would be greatly appreciated! I'm not afraid of criticism either! This project will be underway very soon, and I will be posting a full build log.

Thanks in advanced!

-Kyle

[BoomZoom808]

I think if you don't add a secondary EQ or processor the 3 band EQ on the HU will limit your tuning capabilities to get the most out of your equipment. It will also give you higher S/N with higher voltage output from a EQ or processor with a built in line driver. Get the Rockford 360.3 or a Head Unit that can do active for you.

[john253a]

Personal drop the 6x9 and get a 3 way in there like http://www.woofersetc.com/p-7066-slc-365-rainbow-slc-3-way-component-system.aspx

[TITUS1985]

I can give some input on the 3 ways I have the HSK 163 and I love them! very good low end response and the highs sound very natural. I've got them hooked up to an Audison Voce 5.1k with the cross overs that came with them, and for me they sound perfect with the 140 watts running to them. Also just as something I've noticed with my system, I've got 3 ways up front and 2 ways in the rear (both Hertz High energy) and the 2 ways just don't sound as full and as rich as the 3 way.

Hope this helps a little, sorry I haven't heard the Focal's to give any input. Good luck on the build.