What 6x9s & Amp? Wallopsri plz help!!

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

Wallopsri, you are the legend when it comes to ICE, i need help from you or any other ICE experts out there I'm planning on fitting 6x9s in front doors and rear quarter panels in my Astra Gsi. I'm currently stripping interior out and giving it a re-fit with 2 Corbeau Forza buckets, and a blinging Roll cage but dont want to lose out on my sound system. I was thinking of 2 sets of Vibe rectangle 6x9s and a Vibe Slick A4 4 channel amp

Any suggestions on different speakers/amps and suggestions on how to do this.

Oh, and i came across these on ebay, check them out and let me know if these would be a better option.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/6x9-3-Way-2000...QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3000w-Car-Ampl...QQcmdZViewItem

Thanks in advance gentlemen. keep ye eyes open on my GSI, got big big big plans next couple of months.

Mark

[steve v6]

if you are thinking of them you best check the how deep they are cause might not fit

[wallopsri]

you have to love the audacity of those guys, they claim these 6x9's will handle 300watts rms input power, they have a higher input rating than some subs, but will still run fine from a head unit lmao

sorry, but tbh i wouldn't fit anything with the loudest written on it, even if you bought it for me .

as pointed out by Steve v6 you would need to check what the available mounting depth is,(do this with the window wound right down), and the same with the rear quarters.

you may well find it helpful to get out and try to listen to some actual systems to give you a better idea of whats possible and what configuration you'd prefer.

you make no mention of a sub, which would make 6x9's a viable alternative, but, have you heard a set of 6 1/2" components playing a full range signal driven by a half decent amp?

before i can start making any kind of recommendation, i would need to know;

1, budget,(does the budget inc, wiring, sound deadening, head unit etc etc).
2, available space,(whether boot space or other for amps & enclosures).
3, type of music preferred.
4, sub or no sub.
5, type of bass required,(hard punchy bass, or deep slow rumbly bass).
5, do you prefer new, or is used equipment acceptable.

with regard rear speakers, these should really only be used if you either carry rear seat passengers, or simply prefer the club sound over the concert sound,(the rear speakers will tend to draw the soundstage toward the rear of the car, this will also play havoc with imaging).

with regard Vibe equipment, i have heard a few cars with Vibe installed, with varying results, which would indicate it can sound good, if installed and set up correctly.

have a read of this thread, it will help you with the basics.
a few audio questions answered


HTH for now, once you decide which route your following, if still a little unsure, post any questions and i'm sure you will get a response.

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

I'm happy with that gent's. With regard to wallopsri, i tend to listen to r&b mainly so would like a nice deep bass if possible. Dnt mind 2nd hand equip and dont really have a budget in mind, maybe £400 for speakers and amp, already sorted sound deadening ect. I dont want to fit a Sub really. I'm up for 6 1/2" in doors and 6x9s in rear if it will sound better. I aint too clued up on this so would like some expertise advice

[Wild al]

I personally would go for a set of components in the front doors mate and a sub in the boot.

Now if you are totally against the sub idea a set of components in the front and good quality 6 x 9 on the rear shelf. A good amp to start off with is a 4 channel jbl 75.4 about 80 to 100 quid. Also a wiring kit.

For components again personal choice and budget around 160 will get you a good set of rainbow. If you must go down the 6 x 9 route try planet audio, dls, rainbow.

Also make sure the system is set up right crossovers gain ets.

Dont worry about the power rating so much its more about the efficency of a speaker.

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

i'm against the sub idea because i am stripping rear seats out and fitting roll cage, so want some nice bassy speakers in rear quarters. I aint gonna have a parcel shelf to mount them, thats why i thought maybe the rear quarters. Any More suggestions gents?

[wallopsri]

with regard rear quarters---i would go with a set of these http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/vibe...ss-p-3750.html low passed at around 80hz.

you could try and source a set of genesis 6x9 subs, had a search but can't locate any on the net,(genesis are yet another manufacturer that are withdrawing from internet dealers).

with regard the fronts---i would opt for these http://www.caraudiodirect.co.uk/dls-r6a-p-5089.html, but tbh you could opt for a second set of the vibe 6x9's high passed at 80hz.

if you do opt for the vibes, you may well decide to run both sets full range, this will promote no cancelation issues, but if you should opt for the DLS comps, you may well suffer some cancelation issues if you allow both sets of different speakers to reproduce similar frequencies,(but tbh you possibly wouldn't notice ).

just to throw a spanner in the works, have you considered a small sub, as an example an 8" rockford PUNCH sub has a recommended sealed enclosure size of 0.25 cubic feet by volume, or a 10" which has a recommended 0.5 cubic feet by volume sealed enclosure size.

just a thought

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

Mate your as bad as my missus, trying to spend more and more of my money haha I think i will prob go for the 2 sets of vibe 6x9s. Like the look of them and apparently they have buckets of ear pounding bass Now, the final question Am i right in thinking the slick a4 vibe amp would be ample to power these beasts?

[wallopsri]

correct, the Vibe slick A4 is fine.

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

Mate ye a star. No doubt i'll be in touch when i have everything fitted to find out a decent set up. Got pioneer head unit and i can adjust everything on it think i owe ye a If i'm ever down derby way or you up my way. Tar gent's

[wallopsri]

with regard setup,

i would start by running fronts and rears with the crossover's set to flat or full, then simply tune to taste using the headunits eq's.

if you decide the rears are pulling the soundstage towards the rear, then try running the rears low passed at around 80hz,(this should minimise this effect). other than that i would just say,"if it sounds right to you, then it's right".

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

Any1 got any idea whether or not a jbl grand touring 75.2 amp will run 2 sets of vibe rectangle 6x9s?

[wallopsri]

the JBL GTO 75.2 amp will drive 2 sets of speakers,(providing they are both 4ohm or above), as it is 2ohm stereo stable.

to do this you would wire them in parallel, with the left channel driving the left rear and left front speakers and the right channel driving the right rear and right front speakers.

wiring in this way would mean no fading front to rear or visa versa, it would also mean both front & rears would be reproducing the same frequencies, so you would lose the option of low passing the rears to minimise the soundstage being drawn toward the rear of the car.

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

the JBL GTO 75.2 amp will drive 2 sets of speakers,(providing they are both 4ohm or above), as it is 2ohm stereo stable.

to do this you would wire them in parallel, with the left channel driving the left rear and left front speakers and the right channel driving the right rear and right front speakers.

wiring in this way would mean no fading front to rear or visa versa, it would also mean both front & rears would be reproducing the same frequencies, so you would lose the option of low passing the rears to minimise the soundstage being drawn toward the rear of the car.

Sounds like i'm better off sticking with the vibe amp. Just a thought because i know where there is that jbl going quite cheap. Cheers wallopsri

[Wild al]

Have you heard a set of the vibe qb? I only ask because i know some people who have bought them and not been 100% happy. Top end can be a bit harsh. Just a thought mate before you spend money

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

Have you heard a set of the vibe qb? I only ask because i know some people who have bought them and not been 100% happy. Top end can be a bit harsh. Just a thought mate before you spend money

No mate i aint heard them as yet. They got a good write up in few magazines so auto focused on them if ye get me. I've only ever had planet audio 6x9s, had them in all my cars but decided to sell them in my civic early last year because bought a mv6 omega and didnt think it would suit them. Planned on keeping it forever but built up a nice debt to bank thanks to its love/addiction to petrol!!! result . . . . . It had to go now i got the mod bug back But cant find planet audio speakers anywhere. Any suggestions on different ways to get a decent sound from astra?

[wallopsri]

as beforelmao lmao

amped 6 1/2" components up front with a decent sub in the back

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

as beforelmao lmao

amped 6 1/2" components up front with a decent sub in the back

No no no no no no!!! Sub is not an option remember will spoil the look of my stripped rear and get in way of roll cage (if i ever get 1 that is ) know where ye coming from tho mate. Prob would sound better, and be a lot easier to fit, and work out a lot cheaper. . . . . . . . . . but i defo want 6x9s in rear and whatever in front door's. just when i thought my mind had been made up too hahalmao

[wallopsri]

ok, another approachlmao

amp---Vibe Slick A4

fronts--Infinity Kappa 6 1/2" components,(65.7cs.)
2ohm comps that will play down to 45hz and give good sq, but these do require proper installation.

rears--2x 8" rockford punch subs mounted in rear quarters,(you said your building speaker pods anyway), these subs will run in very small sealed enclosures, rockford recommend 0.25 cubic foot by volume,(about the size of a large rectangular margarine tub).

GO ON!!!!! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TOlmao lmao

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

ok, another approachlmao

amp---Vibe Slick A4

fronts--Infinity Kappa 6 1/2" components,(65.7cs.)
2ohm comps that will play down to 45hz and give good sq, but these do require proper installation.

rears--2x 8" rockford punch subs mounted in rear quarters,(you said your building speaker pods anyway), these subs will run in very small sealed enclosures, rockford recommend 0.25 cubic foot by volume,(about the size of a large rectangular margarine tub).

GO ON!!!!! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TOlmao lmao

Ye know what mate. . . . . . . I hate you lmao So they need fitting properly, when ye coming up to do this wit me haha liking the sound of that. Would look brilliant me thinks, but will it make my ears bleed?

[Wild al]

k and m acoustics in wigan are planet audio dealers, i know they have 6 x 9 on offer at the moment.

As wollopsri said front comps and 8 inch subs, i think you would be alot happier with that.

If you ever get stuck give me a shout i am in liverpool

[GSI_Marko_GSI]

k and m acoustics in wigan are planet audio dealers, i know they have 6 x 9 on offer at the moment.

As wollopsri said front comps and 8 inch subs, i think you would be alot happier with that.

If you ever get stuck give me a shout i am in liverpool

Hope ye reallise what ye have let yourself in for now mate .

Expect a p.m every weekend hahaha. Thanks matey.

[cheekyalex]

Think your much better going for the 2 8 inch subs mate.

If you want ill show you mine to show you how much of a diffrence it makes.ive also got 6.5 inch infinity components in the front just like wallopsri has reccomended and 6x9s in the back so ill show you with the sub switched off to basically show you how much 6x9s are just not worth the money.at all.

[dogsy]

ive just installed all Vibe in my gsi and so far im VERY happy with it. system consists of ....

17cm components up front, binned the box so cant remember model number
rectangle 6x9s on parcel shelf
Fli 400w x 4 channel amp
CBR12 active sub

components give off a very nice sound, there quite bassy when they need to be but the tweeter gives a nice balance without being too top heavy (a problem ive found with some component sets, Alpine being a particular).

6x9s are VERY bassy for what they are, had the system running without these for a week then wired them in and the difference is amazing. would recommend these as a substitute for a sub BUT they are stupidly heavy !! also you wouldnt stand a chance of getting these near the front door of a gsi - far too big and far too deep !! they easily handle the power from the fli amp and i cant get them anywhere near full volume or make them distort because sitting in the car with these on is VERY painfull at high volume !! that said, turn the volume down and they add just the right amount of rear fill without pulling your ears into the back of the car because thats where the music is coming from.

the active sub is an amazing piece of bass producing kit !! ive not heard a 12" sub make noise like this before, certainly not straight out of the box anyway!! only downside i have noticed is it can be a bit slow to respond to a quick bass line. dance music makes it sound a little confused at times as its still making the 1st bass note as the 2nd kicks in. for R&B or rap tho its a fantastic piece of kit !!

im comparing this to the most recent systems ive had, in exactly the same car in exactly the same state; so its a pretty decent comparison. PERSONALLY i'd stay away from Alpine components as they produce a very disjointed sound, JBL certainly dont produce a quality sound, Sony are plain crap at making speakers, and the Infinity set i had lasted about 3 weeks before something blew in them so i wouldnt buy those again.

[Wild al]

ive just installed all Vibe in my gsi and so far im VERY happy with it. system consists of ....

im comparing this to the most recent systems ive had, in exactly the same car in exactly the same state; so its a pretty decent comparison. PERSONALLY i'd stay away from Alpine components as they produce a very disjointed sound, JBL certainly dont produce a quality sound, Sony are plain crap at making speakers, and the Infinity set i had lasted about 3 weeks before something blew in them so i wouldnt buy those again.

Sorry mate i totally disagree in my opinion jbl components are spot on for the money. The lower end gto series produce a great sound if set up properly and for 60 odd you cannot go wrong, alpine type r for example excellent speaker for the price sometimes a little top end harsh but a well liked speaker.

If you infinity lasted 3 weeks then you have not got your amp set up properly and your system should not distort when played at high level, i would sort that out before you damage the speakers mate.

With speakers it is everyone to there own over the years i have had many sets of components and i still and always will rate JBL. All depends on budget and what type of sound you like.

Best thing is to listen to them for yourself, but sometimes a speaker is only as good as the installation and set up.