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Ice Opinions

    I can't remember who I was helping with this topic before so I'll repeat 
alot of it.  The Deck primarily is based on user preference.  Control layout 
is my primary concern.  Reliability second, Power third, Functionality 
fourth, some other minor stuff, gimicks last.  I like Kenwood, they're a 
good solid performer and the controls USED to be perfect.  The new one I 
picked up was the KDC X590.  After some months of use and this being my 
third Kenwood I had some high expectations.  Before I go any further I'll 
touch on some of the other brands.  Clarion was last time I checked one of 
the premium decks, lots of power and clarity though maybe very expensive for 
the some models questionable reliability.  Panasonic is a good reliable deck 
I've never heard alot of complaints about.  Alpines I hate, every Vdub I've 
ever bought had one in it, including the Audi and they've all over heated, 
skipped and been general all round junk.  Some people will only have Alpines 
though, just personal opinion.  All of my cars vibrated violently once I got 
my hands on those motors, that may have been the problem.  Sony is a 
standard deck with some neat toys but a good performer for very cheap. 
Worth looking into.
    This new deck I have is good, but I do have one complaint.  The track 
control is a joystick on the face of the deck that has a lateral motion for 
track skip, but also a vertical motion for folder searching.  My jump drive 
only has one folder and a bump in the road while messing with the track skip 
will make me push up and skip back to the beginning of the playlist. 
Bonus's include a built in frequency filter to filter out lows for your 
small speakers (mostly plays high freq's) and you can filter out your highs 
for your subs.  It sounds like a Gimmick but it's actually very good at 
putting the right parts of the sounds where you want them.
    Now for speakers.  I haven't looked into brands very much but there are 
some things that never change.  I like 5.25" or bigger in my doors so I can 
get some mid range up front.  This is kind of big but it makes for a more 
complete sound.  Infinity is what came in the GLI and they're really quite 
good actually.  For some reason the rear deck has smaller speakers but I 
think they were installed to replace stock size 4.5", also Infinity.  I'd 
like to put my 6X9's back there and just haven't gotten to it yet.  They're 
a funny shape but you can get good high power out of them with clear mids 
and a good overall freq response.  Also if you get three way or four way you 
get highs out of them aswell.  I wouldn't go lower then a 6" speaker if you 
decide to stick with round speakers.  My last 6X9's were Kenwood 400W 4way 
with a gel filled driver.  These were overkill for just me who likes to 
listen to my music for myself, not show.  I think my next set will be 
probably Sony 200W 3ways because my tens in the trunk cover more spectrum 
and the Sony's work and aren't a fortune, but keep in mind I haven't 
researched this yet.  Up front I've never messed with the 3" in the dash. 
These tweeters are supposed to be for highs only and I don't think they're 
that good, but are just to fill out the sound in the cabin.  I didn't 
realize how well they worked until I disconnected the drivers side one when 
I rewired my drivers door and bypassed it completely.  A GOOD replacement 
will pierce your ears but my brother had a set of 1.5" Mitsubishi's a few 
years ago and they were damn near a fortune for what I think he got.  I'll 
stick with fixing my dash speakers thanks.
    For the trunk, I use a closed box with two tens because they give the 
fastest hits.  In low frequencies the speakers flex more for the same 
loudness and the reflex takes longer to settle between beats.  If you listen 
to Rap where a low rumble is wanted you can make do with a single 12 or 
larger.  For the Techno I listen to where low rumbling base is rare, two 
tens reflex faster and are ready for the next beat so it gives a good solid 
hit in quick sequence.  If you're putting in one ten then you might as well 
put in two and increase your volume.  Tens also are still capable of playing 
some mids broadening the sound of the overall package.  Now in a Hatch back, 
I don't know how good they'll sound.  An enclosed trunk like my Jetta it has 
a chance to reverberate and it works better.  I think that Boom Tubes are a 
simple solution to cover alot of problems and expense to give a wide range 
of Frequency's for a system that no one intends to compete with.  For 
personal listening it might satisfy you and the price is much easier to live 
with.
    Hope that helps.

      Rave Racer
'81 Scirocco Mk1 1.8L 8V Digifant 2
'89 Jetta 1.8L 16V GTX
'87 Audi 4000 Quattro
 http://www.audifans.com/registry/view.php?action=viewCar&carid=110
'72 Triumph GT6
 http://www.triumphowners.com/uploaded/34/50-50-111014_20raveracer-gt6-1.jpg

http://spaces.msn.com/raveracer77/photos/
http://www.myspace.com/rave_racer
___________________________________________
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lance LaPrarie" <sciroccojunky@gmail.com>
To: "Scirocco-L" <Scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 11:48
Subject: Ice Opinions


> Ok,
>
> *I know that opinions are like assholes, everyones got one. So, I'm hoping
> to pin down some ideas for my car. This will be a full show system. Not a
> blingey neon, lcd fest though. Very basic and clean. My motor sounds good
> but like music too. Thinking door speakers, and rear speakers with a sub 
> is
> fine. Don't want to go overboard. I'm going with separates in the doors 
> and
> separates in the rear sides of the parcel shelf. Also an 8 inch sub in the
> cavity behind the passenger wheel well. Previously occupied by the rear
> window washer resevoir. *
> **
> *So, this is my question, Need to know what amps, speakers and deck people
> would recommend. I've got a few choices I've come up with but car audio
> isn't my forte'. These are what I came up with after doing some searching.
> I've got power window door cards already to build up some custom pods. 
> Want
> to have the speakers and stuff first so I can build everything knowing 
> exact
> dimensions, etc......*
> **
> *Thinking of a Clarion deck not sure what model (Ideas?), MB Quart RCE268 
> in
> the rear sides (custom plates), MB Quart RVF 213 front doors (custom 
> pods).
> The sub is a JL Audio 8W3v2 I know I want JL audio sub. Amps I'm not 100%
> sure what is good. I was thinking of two 400w 4 channel Alpine amps to 
> power
> everything. Also heard Boston makes a six channel that may work. I'm going
> to mount the amp or amp's on the inside of the license plate area in the
> trunk. That way when someone looks in the trunk they don't see any amps
> right away. Want to go stealth but custom as well. Not sure if you can 
> have
> both but that is what I'm thinking. *
> **
> *Let me know what you all think. Got a nice tax return burning a hole in 
> my
> pocket.*
> _______________________________________________
> Scirocco-l mailing list
> Scirocco-l@scirocco.org
> http://neubayern.net/mailman/listinfo/scirocco-l
> 

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