body and interior Who is in the Know About Sound Systems for Our '02?

[Captain Manly]

I know, I know, the engine is the best sound system BUT I need to make sure I can hear my Spinal Tap up to 11.

 

I have been picking up bits and pieces of sound parts but want to get an assessment of what work in our limited interior space.

 

Kenwood radio, 2 pair of 6.5 Kenwood speakers (door panels already cut for them by p.o.)  2 - 6" JBLs sub woofers I am installing below the back seat, and Kenwood 5 channel amp.

 

Should I consider getting some 6X9s for the back window area (the p.o. already cut space for them) or use the second set of 6.5 Kenwoods that I did not realize I had already purchased (hence the 2 pair)?

 

I am pretty sure I can exchange the additional one if needed, but the temptation of more cow-bell is severe.

 

Thanks again as always!!

Justin 

[theNomad]

I'd venture a guess that the 6.5 in the rear deck would be fine along with the fronts. It's a small car. If you're really needing deep bass fill or to entertain the neighborhood your two small 6" subs should take care of the punch. They are smaller and punchy so you'll probably be using the other 6.5" for mid and treble. 
I personally prefer seperate component 6" speakers with an amp for better clarity. Very nice punchy bass and tinkling highs when you're not using coaxials. A single larger sub can take care of the much lower thunder.

[2002Scoob]

Funny you should ask.

 

I just got done putting in a 2.1 system into my car, and just powered it up for the first time today

 

From what you're talking about doing, i think you're headed down the right path. two 6' subs under the rear bench, and if your door cards are already cut, I'd go 6.5's front and rear. To me, 6x9's always sound good with solid bass, but they're a bit overkill, and the look doesn't fit our little cars IMO.

 

I went with a full Focal Audio setup, with Focal Access 6.5in' components, and an Focal Ibus 2.1 Compact Sub/Amp combo that also drives the components. 

 

I didn't want to go hacking stuff apart in the front of the car to add speakers to door cards or fabricate kick panel pods, So I ended up mounting the midbass drivers on the rear parcel shelf, and the tweeters in the corners at the top of the dash in angled pods. I had originally hoped to put the sub underneath the rear bench seat, but it ended up being too tight to fit, and it could have fit under the passenger or driver seat, but I didn't want exposed wires or have it visible from out side the car, or where it could be kicked by passengers/have a drink spilled on it. So I ended up mounting it in the trunk, against the back wall.

 

Honestly, the Install came out great, and I was a little worried about separating the tweeters from the Midbass drivers, as i know this is a no-no for purists, but honestly, it sounds friggin amazing, and the cabin is small enough that with some volume leveling between the tweeters/midbass, and the sub rounding out the bottom end from the trunk... for me it's absolutely perfect, and the quality is excellent. 

 

I kept the factory single-speaker center console radio for the stock look, and did an Ipod/iphone mount into the ash tray and a bluetooth receiver as well so I can stream music from my pocket. 

 

 

[2002Scoob]

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[Captain Manly]

I like the back window platform, is that available, where I can use my own upholstery?

 

Justin 

[2002Scoob]

I made the rear parcel shelf, was pretty easy, I used my original warped panel as a template. It's fabricated from two layers of masonite, the bottom layer has the whole cut to fit the speaker basket, and the top layer is cut the diameter of the speaker grill, so the rear speakers sit flush and tight. It was wrapped with some store-bought automotive grade vinyl and some hard core contact adhesive.

[KFunk]

He's probably getting ready to head to Vintage, or on his way now, but Jason / eurotrash on the forum is probably one of the knowiest in the know on the audio stuff, and has several products for 02s (kick panel pods, parcel shelf, and sub boxes).

http://boltonbliss.bigcartel.com/

Edited May 19, 2016 by KFunk

[visionaut]

Hi Justin,

 

I think you'd be fine running your extra set of 6.5s on the rear shelf vs 6x9s.  Especially since you'll also be running a Sub.

 

I run 6x9s on my parcel shelf, and components up front in custom-fabbed fully-enclosed boxes in the outer footwells. Amp sits under my drivers seat, iPod connection in the glovebox. Soundstage is great, set with a little front bias...

 

I still often drive with the stereo on mute, so I can get me that DCOEs symphony. ;-)

 

Tom

 

 

[peterschop]

While we are on the subjects of sound systems, will a stock alternator be adequate to power four or five speakers along with a five channel amp? If not, how many amps is needed?

[2002Scoob]

That's a question I was curious about too, I've been doing some research lately and it seems allot of people seem to get away with moderate stereos just fine.

There's this calculator you can use to get you a close estimate, but I'm not convicted our simple cars are putting out near the power draw of modern cars

https://xplicitaudio.com/electrical-systems-calculator/

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[willys]

my 74 had the stock alternator and an amp under the rear seat - headlights are stock as well.  the amp was not working when I bought the car but I assume based off the age of the equipment that it worked fine for many years.  Amp was a 4 channel unit with rear parcel shelf speakers.  New Sony system with 4 new speakers works great until about 70mph with the windows down - then all bets are off,  lots of competition for the ear in an 02.

 

Jeff

[jrhone]

Rear 6x9s are almost useless in our cars. I went with 6.5" 2 way components in the doors. Then went with a single 8" alpine sub under the rear seat in a custom made box. For an amp I used a 6 channel Soundstream digital amp. I could have done a smaller amp but if I want I can bridge it for more power as well as run all components on their separate channel for even better sound. Went with Hertz speakers as they sounded better than the Focals and were less money. They had more mid bass which would be better for our cars. Went with an 8" sub vs 6.5 because of the low end response. 6.5s are not really subwoofers and miss a whole octave of low end. I have a Nakamichi head unit for clean signal and it's got an aux in for the iPhone. The results are amazing. PLENTY loud wh bruising at 90 with the sunroof open and the windows down. That was the goal. I had a weaker system in the car and it was ok around town but useless on the freeway with the sunroof and windows open. I went without 6x9s or any rear deck speakers as the distance can cause phase and if you listen to any good audio system the stage is in front of you mostly. The rear is for fill in and in a small loud car it would get lost anyway. I tested my wife's Audi S5 with the bang and olufsen system which is one of the best factory audio systems I have ever heard. I turned the rear speakers off and it had zero effect on the sound. They were there for back seat riders. I had no issues with the stock alternator and my system. The digital class d amp is a much lower draw than an analog class a or a/b amp. I did install an e21 alternator for more current just in case though when my old alternator went out. Eurotrash on the board makes custom sub enclosures for under the rear seat. They are for 6.5" woofers but the alpine 8" was shallow enough to fit just by widening the opening just a bit. If anyone is in SoCal I'm open to letting anyone hear the system.

[Road trip]

Clarion Builds

what they did with their 02

is a sound extravaganza

[2002newb]

The sound stuff for sale here on the site look very clean, and are already set up for your car. Simply install and call it a day. 

 

I installed sound systems professionally for years and I will be buying Eurotrash stuff when the car gets to that point. 

[jb]

Eurotrash:  Dood has a volume knob disguised as the choke.  All the panels you might ever need, perfect fit.  He's hoonin tonight or you'd have heard from him already. 

 

jb