Question for all you stereo guys...
06-10-2003, 05:37 PM
#1
Drifting
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Question for all you stereo guys...
ok in the last few months I've posted quite a few questions about stereo stuff. I'm still trying to get the optimum setup in here. Well I have the 10 speaker system, and a few months ago I went and repalced all 6 door speakers with MB Quarts, a 5.25 and 1" component set and they didn't have any 3.5" component ones so I have full range with a separate tweeter for that. All using the factory crossover since it was easier and I don't know much about this stuff.
Now what I'm thinking is that it would sound better taking the 3.5" out and wiring in the MB Quart crossover that I hear are some of the best in the world. Do you think it would sound better with the 4 on that crossover vs the 6 on the factory Nokia one? Or can I take the 3.5" and just wire it in outside the crossover and have it play everything since it's a full range one?
What do you think would be the better setup?
1) Factory crossover with all 6 speakers, 5.25, 3.5" full range and 1" tweeter
2) MB Quart crossover and 5.25" and 1" tweeter components
3) MB Quart crossover and components and the 3.5" wired in independent of the crossover?
Now what I'm thinking is that it would sound better taking the 3.5" out and wiring in the MB Quart crossover that I hear are some of the best in the world. Do you think it would sound better with the 4 on that crossover vs the 6 on the factory Nokia one? Or can I take the 3.5" and just wire it in outside the crossover and have it play everything since it's a full range one?
What do you think would be the better setup?
1) Factory crossover with all 6 speakers, 5.25, 3.5" full range and 1" tweeter
2) MB Quart crossover and 5.25" and 1" tweeter components
3) MB Quart crossover and components and the 3.5" wired in independent of the crossover?
06-10-2003, 05:42 PM
#2
Three Wheelin'
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I vote for 3. We switched a set of older Boston Acoustics crossovers out with crossovers from a new kicker component set. And it made a huge difference. Even though, IMHO, kicker is not near the quality of BA. Its just the old BA's weren't as great as newer Kickers...
I'd keep the 3.5 for proper imaging, as without it you won't have sound coming from its location. May sound awkward.
I'd keep the 3.5 for proper imaging, as without it you won't have sound coming from its location. May sound awkward.
06-10-2003, 07:00 PM
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Well the 3.5 sits right next to the 5.25 so there will still be sound there. Is it gonna be difficult to wire it in independent of the crossover?
06-10-2003, 07:05 PM
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Depends. Where is the signal coming from for those speakers. From what I understand, what comes stock is a 5.25 woofer, a 3.5 woofer, and a tweeter? So you had a 3-way crossover?
If this signal is coming from an amp, you can run a wire to the head unit for the 3.5. If the signal is from the head unit, possibly purchase an amp. For a 3.5, you can buy 100-200w amp (depends on what the speakers can handle) and use the internal crossover built into the nicer amps.
This way you would still be running that 3.5 on a crossover (and it wouldn't be attempting to play low tones).
If this signal is coming from an amp, you can run a wire to the head unit for the 3.5. If the signal is from the head unit, possibly purchase an amp. For a 3.5, you can buy 100-200w amp (depends on what the speakers can handle) and use the internal crossover built into the nicer amps.
This way you would still be running that 3.5 on a crossover (and it wouldn't be attempting to play low tones).
06-10-2003, 07:09 PM
#5
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Wellt he 3.5 I replaced the stock one with is a full range speaker that has its own tweeter on it, so it can play anything. Right now through the factory crossover it only gets the signals for what the stock 3.5 played. From what the guys told me I can runt he 3.5 outside of a crossover and it would be put to better use..but like I said I know very little about this stuff.
06-10-2003, 08:46 PM
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Well yes, it would be of more use outside of the crossover. However, the way its set now is your 5.25 plays lows, the 3.5 is mids, and the tweeter is highs. So the 3.5 isn't really getting a high signal to put to full use its built-on tweeter.
If you simply run the 3.5 outside of the crossover, it will end up getting the full-range of lows to highs. Unless, however, you connect it to either an amp with a built-in crossover or run a second crossover to it independently.
The main problem which MAY arise from running it without a crossover (from either an amp or a crossover), is the speaker may distort at high volume due to it attempting to produce tones too low for its construction.
If you simply run the 3.5 outside of the crossover, it will end up getting the full-range of lows to highs. Unless, however, you connect it to either an amp with a built-in crossover or run a second crossover to it independently.
The main problem which MAY arise from running it without a crossover (from either an amp or a crossover), is the speaker may distort at high volume due to it attempting to produce tones too low for its construction.
06-10-2003, 09:20 PM
#7
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If you just hook up the 3.5" outside of the crossover and you are running this off of your head unit that will not be good. When you put two speakers in parallel you get a lower ohm rating which could fry your head unit. Some day I want to run my 3.5" off of the head unit with a base blocker then run the 5.25" and 1" tweeter off of an amp.
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06-11-2003, 12:46 PM
#9
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Dave,
You don't mention how these speakers are being powered. Off the head unit or an amplifier?
I would suggest using the MB crossover no matter what. It is most likey that the factory crossover is only 12db and the MB's are at least 18db.
Based on the info. I have from your post...I'd choose option #2.
Jason
You don't mention how these speakers are being powered. Off the head unit or an amplifier?
I would suggest using the MB crossover no matter what. It is most likey that the factory crossover is only 12db and the MB's are at least 18db.
Based on the info. I have from your post...I'd choose option #2.
Jason
06-11-2003, 01:37 PM
#10
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Dave We discussed stereos earlier this winter,I think i would reccommend option 2 and add the subwoofer,nothing compleats the sound in a car like a sub!Email me if you want specs on my inexpensive sub!and pic.
06-11-2003, 02:27 PM
#11
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Of your options, number 2 is the best. Can't beat the factory-intended crossover setup for a particular set of speakers, and MB Quart are indeed very good, have these in my S2 (which came with the 10-speaker option). Any other crossover (like the factory one, which is fine for the factory speakers) is unlikely to be ideal for your MBQ speakers.
You probably don't want to run an essentially midrange speaker (the 3.5" as stated in option number 3) alongside the Quarts unless you feel you have a midrange deficit, which is usually not the case - human hearing tends to be most sensitive in the middle ranges, and it's the extremes of the frequency range that generally need bolstering.
Like someone else here said, if you want high fidelity, EVERYONE needs a subwoofer to make up for the usual problem in cars: low-frequency road and car noise, combined with low-freq system weakness due to the small driver sizes.
YMMV
Al Nelson
former audiohead
You probably don't want to run an essentially midrange speaker (the 3.5" as stated in option number 3) alongside the Quarts unless you feel you have a midrange deficit, which is usually not the case - human hearing tends to be most sensitive in the middle ranges, and it's the extremes of the frequency range that generally need bolstering.
Like someone else here said, if you want high fidelity, EVERYONE needs a subwoofer to make up for the usual problem in cars: low-frequency road and car noise, combined with low-freq system weakness due to the small driver sizes.
YMMV
Al Nelson
former audiohead
06-11-2003, 02:36 PM
#12
Number 2 is the best option, assuming you are using the MB Quart x-overs. The question has been raised above, but to reiterate:
A. What is your plan for Subwoofers(s)?
B. What kind and power are your Amps?
You could actually introduce phasing issues by using the 3.5s at full range along with the tweeters, if they are far enough apart and powered equally. This will sound bad!
A. What is your plan for Subwoofers(s)?
B. What kind and power are your Amps?
You could actually introduce phasing issues by using the 3.5s at full range along with the tweeters, if they are far enough apart and powered equally. This will sound bad!
06-12-2003, 01:27 PM
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since you guys seem like you know this well, i just got an 85.5 944 n/a there was a crappy deck in there so i want to replace that with my sweet pioneer...is there a harness or am i gonna have to go wire to wire?