Speaker upgrades

[MySRT]

First let me start off by saying I am not an expert in auto sound systems. But after a visit to a local audio shop that has worked on my cars for the last 20 yrs, they had some interesting suggestions. These apply to the Magnum with the upgraded audio system without changing the head unit or stock amp. After doing some sound tests with my favorite music (Big band, older Jazz, 40's and 50's standards with a little 60's and 70's oldies thrown in) they suggest to leave the Boston 6x9 alone, upgrade the 3 1/2" on the dash and add 1 or 2 10" subs with their own amp. They said if we take the bass away FROM the 6x9's they will work great at the mid range. I had the dash speakers changed with 2 way Advent speakers and it made a big difference in the highs. The sound is crisper and notes are more exact. A lot of sounds I did not hear before. I take it in on Friday to experiment with the subs (10" JL Audio). We are going to start with one and then add a second if needed. They will be mounted in a removable box. Not sure what size amp they are starting with. I will report back after the sub has been added.

[davidl13]

does that mean they are instering a crossover before the 6x9 so that the 6x9 are not pushing the lows anymore...???

also, where will you have the sub mounted?

thanks for sharing your experiment...

by the way, i thought about it and it is a good thing that the 6.9 in the fron doors are not full range and the highs come FROM the dash...this makes it so as your leg moves you don't get a "filtetered or muted" sound FROM the door speakers, becasue this happens mostly with the high end... the lower the frequency the more unidirectional the sound...

[MySRT]

The subs will be in a Q logic box behind the rear seats. We have not looked for a place to mount the subs yet but I hope they will be behind something and not out in the open. They did say something about the wiring to the 6x9's. I will know more tomorrow. After the new speakers were added to the dash the main sound now comes FROM them with the 6x9's adding lows. Before the new dash speakers most of the sound came FROM the 6x9's. He did says the same thing about the highs being direct and the mids and lows just indirectly filling the area. I will get as much info as possible during the install and let all know.

[DigiRaven]

Good to hear that you can mod the system without removing the main raido for better sound. Who is doing this for you?

[kentc1978]

Here's a question that might be hard to answer....anyone know the efficiency rating for the stock speakers? If I REPLACE my 3 1/2's like MyRT did, I'd want it to be close to stock so I get almost the same volume out of them.

[Jim]

I haven't found that info in any of the Dodge documentation... its probably something you'd have to get direct FROM the speaker manufacturer.

[MySRT]

New JL Audio 10W0 sub and JL Audio E1200 amp installed. The sub was installed in a .86 cf Audio Enhancers box and we placed it behind the passenger rear seat facing to the rear. The amp fit perfectly in the rear passenger side stoarge tray. Connected right to the battery and ran a line under the spare tire cover to the sub. They left several feet of wire to move the box around if needed. I had the dash speakers changed with 2 way Advents. The bass on the radio was set low (-4) the mid was set to +2 and the amp set to just the right bass. This kept most of the bass away FROM the 6x9's and set them up for mid range. I still have a good range for the bass to be cranked up if needed. This is the first auto I have had with a seperate sub and it sure makes a big difference. With the new dash speakers the highs are right at you and the bass feels like is coming FROM all directions. You can even hear the 6x9 chime in. The complete set up installed was $600. This was set up for my favorite music Big band, older Jazz, 40's and 50's standards with a little 60's and 70's oldies thrown in. This turned out to be a very good low cost setup and I still have the use of all the rear area if needed.

[JoeCool_TX]

can you post pictures of your setup??

[MySRT]

Pictures of Sub and Amp at http://home.bellsouth.net/p/s/commun...thumbs&ck=

Don

[michealprater]

Is there rca jacks off the back of the stereo or did they have to use a adapter off the rear speaker?

[MySRT]

Is there rca jacks off the back of the stereo or did they have to use a adapter off the rear speaker?

I believe they came off the rear speaker.

[Jim]

There are no low level(RCA) outputs on the stereo or the factory amp. You'll have to use a converter OR buy an amp that has high level(speaker) inputs.

Jim

[michealprater]

Thanks. Once I get my Magnum with the Boston system. I am just going to add a Infinity Basslink for a little kick. I wonder if it would fit in that small compartment on the passenger side.

[Jim]

Cool. Be sure to post some pics when its all setup!

[snickle]

My understanding of the stereo mods done to Don's RT is this:

Replace the dash 3.5 with new speakers, to improve the highs.

Seperate amp installed in the rear, takion gsource of the rear speakers. Subwoofer enclosure sittening behind the rear seats.

No real crossover used, just tweak the setting on the head unit to send less bass (to take the strain of the 6x9s).

Use the amp and the sub to boost it back up.

Interesting idea.

So my thoughts:

Replace dash speakers with Infinity Reference 3002cfs

Replace 6x9 (So I get better sound with no sub) with Infinity reference 9602i's

The add either a Bazooka BTA8100 ro Infinity Bassink. The Bazooka would mount right behind the read seats, the BassLInk I am not sure.

Thoughts?