troutspinner’s Budget SQ 2014 Crew Cab Build

[Etroze86]

Sweet

 

[BradKnob]

My, what a lovely BBC u have there sir!














Beautiful Black Calibrationtool of course

 

[DavidRam]

My, what a lovely BBC u have there sir!







???






Beautiful Black Calibrationtool of course

Oh, never mind, I see what you did there... lol!

 

[troutspinner]

Took some time this morning and changed the system back to Two-Way Front Stage. Oh sweet stage and heavenly music!

I used a method for measuring as written about by Hanatsu over at DIYMA. I am very pleased with the results. Here is a link if you are interested. First-timers guide to measuring your system - Car Audio | DiyMobileAudio.com | Car Stereo Forum

When I get bored I am going to remove the rear speakers and put back the stock ones as well as reconnect that wiring for the rears to make them work. I can fade to center when I have rear passengers but for now, it's all about me!

 

[BradKnob]

So u like it without rear fill better? Just curious bc I have never had rear fill with a DSP and with 2 extra channels on the helix pro, it may have been a consideration down the road.

 

[troutspinner]

So u like it without rear fill better? Just curious bc I have never had rear fill with a DSP and with 2 extra channels on the helix pro, it may have been a consideration down the road.

I do like it without rear fill better. I like the music up front and wide. No matter where you cross over the rears, it will pull the front stage (mainly vocals) backward and decrease the width of the stage.

After all of my experimentation, I have come to the conclusion that rears are for rear passengers, period.

 

[BradKnob]

Great!! Thank for completing trial and error for me. Lol

 

[DavidRam]

I do like it without rear fill better. I like the music up front and wide. No matter where you cross over the rears, it will pull the front stage (mainly vocals) backward and decrease the width of the stage.

After all of my experimentation, I have come to the conclusion that rears are for rear passengers, period.

And if the rear passengers aren't paying for them, they don't get any!

Edit: spelling

 

[troutspinner]

LOL Brad. I'm just the guy to do things like this, geek!

David, Agreed!

I've got to update the DSP thread with that link I posted a few posts ago. The crossover portion of it alone was ground-breaking for me. I'll explain in the DSP thread.

 

[troutspinner]

I thought I would update this thread since I consider this done. 2 solid days of listening without even a single thought of "this is missing" or "this could use adjustment", just pure listening bliss!

All I can say is Wow! I wish you guys could hear this, it is downright impressive. Thinking about it, it is a simple system, an Amp, a DSP, A Set of Comps and a Sub. ALL of the credit to the sound goes to the DSP, It is amazing what a DSP properly tuned can do.

The clarity is exceptional, the stage is wide, vocals are centered, plucks of strings, artists breaths and every instrument in-between can be audibly located. It is by far the best system I have ever put together. You probably would not even recognize that I have a sub or no rear fill as it smooth and seamless and loud! Even my 80-90's hair bands sound great, if you listen to that music, you know what I mean, it just sounds like noise on a stock system.

A big thanks again to everyone who helped me along the way.

I'm sure I'll be starting a new thread when the weather gets a little warmer.

 

[bfhawki]

What dsp did you wind up going with? Also, I read where you were thinking about adding a 3-4 in mid range. I am about to order either Focal 165 as in the 2 way or 3 way. Sounds like you ars really happy with the 2 ways. I am trying to decide which ones to go with.

I am going to run an Alpine PDX-V9 5 channel amp with an Audio Control dq-61 dsp. I already have both of them. My JL Audio Stealth box will here next week. Just have to decide on speakers

I have a 2009 ram 1500 crew cab with the Alpine system from the factory and I don't like it.

Thanks for any input.

 

[DavidRam]

Troutspinner have you noticed the pricing on the deq-8, now that it's disco? There are a some left on Amazon and ebay and they're $450-$499.

 

[troutspinner]

What dsp did you wind up going with? Also, I read where you were thinking about adding a 3-4 in mid range. I am about to order either Focal 165 as in the 2 way or 3 way. Sounds like you ars really happy with the 2 ways. I am trying to decide which ones to go with.

I am going to run an Alpine PDX-V9 5 channel amp with an Audio Control dq-61 dsp. I already have both of them. My JL Audio Stealth box will here next week. Just have to decide on speakers

I have a 2009 ram 1500 crew cab with the Alpine system from the factory and I don't like it.

Thanks for any input.

I am running a Precision Power DEQ-8. They are no longer in production, from what I understand it was a trial run for PPI to get into the DSP game and it was replaced with the DSP-88R.

I am very happy with 2-way but just because I like to tinker and audio has become a fun hobby for me I know I will be going to 3-way once it gets warm enough to work on the truck again. New Scan Mids in the dash should help pull my front stage a little more forward as well as increase volume as I will be doubling the overall system wattage in my plans.

While I really like the Focal 165 AS Woofer, the TN43 Tweeter that is included with the 165AS or 165AS3 is pretty weak if you will be running active. If running passive, it works pretty nice. I've since replaced my tweeters with Scans and they are exceptional! I thought about replacing the woofers to Scans but the charts are similar and the woofers do sound good so until I blow them up , they'll stay.

So for the 2 or 3 way, I think it just depends how much you like audio. The 2 way will sound great.....but I am sure 3 would add another dynamic.

I really like the PDX-V9, I contemplated getting that myself. I am kind of glad that I did not because I'll it would not have been enough for my future plans. Adding another PDR-V75 however will give me plenty of power and keep it budget friendly.

I had a DQDX at one time, the DQ-61's sibling. It was impressive that a turn of a knob could move the stage. I really liked it but soon after I installed it I traded that vehicle in so I returned the DQDX, got to love Crutchfield's return policy!

 

[troutspinner]

Troutspinner have you noticed the pricing on the deq-8, now that it's disco? There are a some left on Amazon and ebay and they're $450-$499.

I did not notice that. Hmmm, makes me wonder if I should throw it on eBay and use the profits to go towards a Helix Pro. Hmmmm.....

I did that once with a USB XM radio tuner that used to be sold. If you were into Car PC's and wanted satellite radio, you had to use a USB module meant for the PC. XM stopped producing it because it enabled people to record music very easily and DRM was just getting big at the time. I had 2 that I bought for $50 each.....I can't even remember why I bought 2 at the time but I ended up selling 1 on eBay for $500 the day production stoppage was announced. A nifty little profit.

 

[DavidRam]

I did not notice that. Hmmm, makes me wonder if I should throw it on eBay and use the profits to go towards a Helix Pro. Hmmmm.....

^^^
You should, you are gonna get one anyways as soon as that bug bites again, lol!

I did that once with a USB XM radio tuner that used to be sold. If you were into Car PC's and wanted satellite radio, you had to use a USB module meant for the PC. XM stopped producing it because it enabled people to record music very easily and DRM was just getting big at the time. I had 2 that I bought for $50 each.....I can't even remember why I bought 2 at the time but I ended up selling 1 on eBay for $500 the day production stoppage was announced. A nifty little profit.

^^^ Nice move!

I wonder who would buy the PPI at that price when the Helix is less than $100 more...

 

[bfhawki]

I am running a Precision Power DEQ-8. They are no longer in production, from what I understand it was a trial run for PPI to get into the DSP game and it was replaced with the DSP-88R.

I am very happy with 2-way but just because I like to tinker and audio has become a fun hobby for me I know I will be going to 3-way once it gets warm enough to work on the truck again. New Scan Mids in the dash should help pull my front stage a little more forward as well as increase volume as I will be doubling the overall system wattage in my plans.

While I really like the Focal 165 AS Woofer, the TN43 Tweeter that is included with the 165AS or 165AS3 is pretty weak if you will be running active. If running passive, it works pretty nice. I've since replaced my tweeters with Scans and they are exceptional! I thought about replacing the woofers to Scans but the charts are similar and the woofers do sound good so until I blow them up , they'll stay.

So for the 2 or 3 way, I think it just depends how much you like audio. The 2 way will sound great.....but I am sure 3 would add another dynamic.

I really like the PDX-V9, I contemplated getting that myself. I am kind of glad that I did not because I'll it would not have been enough for my future plans. Adding another PDR-V75 however will give me plenty of power and keep it budget friendly.

I had a DQDX at one time, the DQ-61's sibling. It was impressive that a turn of a knob could move the stage. I really liked it but soon after I installed it I traded that vehicle in so I returned the DQDX, got to love Crutchfield's return policy!

Thanks for the info. I have had JL Audio 3 ways in my last 2 vehicles and like the sound of them but want to try something new. I will probably go with the 165 AS3. I will be using the passive cross overs. The 2 ways would be easier to mount but I never seem to do any easy!

 

[Hipps2000]

Hey David ram and troutspinner I have been lookin at windows laptops that are about 300 to dedicate as my tuning device for audio as well as my new trinity t1000. My question is I have narrowed down to 2 sizes 10.6" and 11.6" screens. Just was wondering if the smaller size will be too small to tuning software? I'm Will be running the new helix pro.

 

[DavidRam]

Hey David ram and troutspinner I have been lookin at windows laptops that are about 300 to dedicate as my tuning device for audio as well as my new trinity t1000. My question is I have narrowed down to 2 sizes 10.6" and 11.6" screens. Just was wondering if the smaller size will be too small to tuning software? I'm Will be running the new helix pro.

Laptop or tablet?

Well since we are talking about size, I have an 8" and is seems adequate, lol! J/k. I have the Dell - Venue 8 Pro - 8". The picture shows the PPI software open on the screen (I downloaded it onto the display unit at Best Buy before I bought it).
But I don't know about the Helix software... You might want to ask Bradknob about that, he has the HelixPro.

 

[Hipps2000]

Yes I need a windows machine, I really like this Asus it's a 2-1 full blown windows machine 10.6" and about 350. I can tune and load my trinity as well. Small enough to keep in truck. What do u think?

Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR(S) Net-tablet PC - 10.1" - In-plane Switching (IPS) Technology - Wireless LAN - Intel:Amazon:Computers & Accessories

 

[DavidRam]

Yes I need a windows machine, I really like this Asus it's a 2-1 full blown windows machine 10.6" and about 350. I can tune and load my trinity as well. Small enough to keep in truck. What do u think?

Transformer Book T100TA-C1-GR(S) Net-tablet PC - 10.1" - In-plane Switching (IPS) Technology - Wireless LAN - Intel:Amazon:Computers & Accessories

Yes, that is very cool! Multi purpose and compact. I think it would be ******* to have that dedicated to tuning. I am sure it will run the Helix software, it has pc specs...