The only problem with your current approach is that if you buy a comp set you actually like you will never go active. If one of your goals is to go active, I'd buy a set I expect to NOT like. This will allow you to play with processing to fix things which will train your ear and prepare you to actually buy real drivers. It'll also be the encouragement to get you to actually do it once the install is done.

I never had a goal to go active but to just be as loud vocally as the ethos. I just thought active would be the better way for me to go now but I didn't realize all the work that went into it.

From the looks by the pics ... It seems like you could work with your tweeters and get them a little more on axis behind the panel ... Seen it done many times ...

From the looks by the pics ... It seems like you could work with your tweeters and get them a little more on axis behind the panel ... Seen it done many times ...

Which way would be on axis?

Towards your ears Pointing directly at is on the axis of them.

I'm keeping stock head unit and using an audio control lc2i.

Not sure on what amp yet, but I'm thinking of using the miniDSP. Good choice?

instead of going with stock headunit, Audio Control, and mini DSP ... Why not keep your stock headunit and go with this ...

HELIXDSP - Digital 8-channel signal processor http://www.helixhifi.com/products/product_details.asp?item_id=454204# should have all you need !!!

 

From the looks by the pics ... It seems like you could work with your tweeters and get them a little more on axis behind the panel ... Seen it done many times ...

Which way would be on axis?

Towards your ears Pointing directly at is on the axis of them.

Correct ... May not be the best location for tweeters like earlier posted in this thread ... but a good way to make better due with what you have to work with ...

Edited February 11, 201411 yr by Cablguy184

I wouldn't run them on axis, but definitely playing with getting them closer to it.

And holy hell is that Helix overpriced.

And holy hell is that Helix overpriced.

I just looked up the product ... not the prices

However ... They work REALLY well in the field. I know SEVERAL Sound Quality people that run them ...

I know SEVERAL Sound Quality people that run them ...

That means nothing, especially considering how many confused people you seem to know.

Seriously, this isn't rocket science. ANY processor that has the capabilities that are needed will do the job. I personally don't see any value in paying that much for a proc. If you do, then stating why would be beneficial. Stating someone uses one is not a reason that adds any validity, in fact it does just the opposite.

 

I know SEVERAL Sound Quality people that run them ...

That means nothing, especially considering how many confused people you seem to know.

Seriously, this isn't rocket science. ANY processor that has the capabilities that are needed will do the job. I personally don't see any value in paying that much for a proc. If you do, then stating why would be beneficial. Stating someone uses one is not a reason that adds any validity, in fact it does just the opposite.

The "people I seem to know" as you say that use this product is some of the most "active" Car Audio Sound Quality competitors in this industry.

One of them winning top honnors in MECA this year Josh Kleckner ...

I'm not sure who you "think" I'm referring to Sir. You would know this if you actually went to major events ...

It was just a suggestion anyways ...

Edited February 11, 201411 yr by Cablguy184

I know SEVERAL Sound Quality people that run them ...

That means nothing, especially considering how many confused people you seem to know.

Seriously, this isn't rocket science. ANY processor that has the capabilities that are needed will do the job. I personally don't see any value in paying that much for a proc. If you do, then stating why would be beneficial. Stating someone uses one is not a reason that adds any validity, in fact it does just the opposite.

The "people I seem to know" as you say that use this product is some of the most "active" Car Audio Sound Quality competitors in this industry.

One of them winning top honnors in MECA this year Josh Kleckner ...

I'm not sure who you "think" I'm referring to Sir. You would know this if you actually went to major events ...

It was just a suggestion anyways ...

And if you'd use your brain instead of blindly following you'd understand my posts. Laughable.

I'm not sure if I will be going active now. Too me it seems like too much work in a way. I have limited time to a lot of things now since college is my top priority now. I appreciate you guys making me realize I would be over my head if I jumped right into doing active now. I'll go with a set of components and when summer comes maybe I'll have time and understand more about this to change over to active.

 

Thanks guys.

Unless you care about rear stage, you should be able to pick up an Audison bitTen.D with DRC for 429 plus tax.

I'm not sure if I will be going active now. Too me it seems like too much work in a way. I have limited time to a lot of things now since college is my top priority now. I appreciate you guys making me realize I would be over my head if I jumped right into doing active now. I'll go with a set of components and when summer comes maybe I'll have time and understand more about this to change over to active.

 

Thanks guys.

 

sounds great!  no reason to jump in over your head. 

 

if you have a home stereo or computer speaker set up it might be fun to pick up a 2x4 minidps unit and play around with the software and tuning. i think this would be a great way to learn before trying to do it in a car. 

Unless you care about rear stage, you should be able to pick up an Audison bitTen.D with DRC for 429 plus tax.

Way over my budget.

I'm not sure if I will be going active now. Too me it seems like too much work in a way. I have limited time to a lot of things now since college is my top priority now. I appreciate you guys making me realize I would be over my head if I jumped right into doing active now. I'll go with a set of components and when summer comes maybe I'll have time and understand more about this to change over to active.

 

Thanks guys.

 

sounds great!  no reason to jump in over your head. 

 

if you have a home stereo or computer speaker set up it might be fun to pick up a 2x4 minidps unit and play around with the software and tuning. i think this would be a great way to learn before trying to do it in a car.

I'll keep that in mind thanks man!

None of them are beginner friendly in that if you don't know what the hell you are doing, your results are going to be subpar.  Going from running coaxial to active, even if it's "just" 2-way, is a  big leap.  IMO it's better to start out passive and work on understanding how to improve your system through basic tuning, EQ work and installation and understanding what you like/dislike in terms of speakers and frequency response and how adjustments in the EQ affect the sound you hear is needed before you go active without making it an exercise in futility.  Once you throw crossover points and slopes into the mix along with EQ and time alignment and other install issues, a novice is going to have a hard time making heads or tails of what needs improved, where at and how to go about fixing it.

 

Sure, you could throw an active setup in, guess at a crossover point and slope and call it good.  But at that point you might as well just go passive as they're virtually performing the same task and there's little advantage to active at that point....in fact it's probably worse.

 

I'm not discouraging you from running active at some point, I just don't think if your experience level with front stage speakers and sound quality is virtually non-existent that active is a good step for you right now.   

 

 

ehh what your saying is not entirely true, i was completely new to car audio like 2 years ago and knew nothing whatsoever. i first started with my own car audio installtion of wiring, the big 3, etc. installing my headunit. then i bought good speakers (HAT Imagine, Rainbow tweeters, Crescendo bc2k, crescendo concerto c1100.4) and worked from there. i did extensive research on everything till i knew i would be satisfied. im running my speakers active from my crescendo c1100.4 amplifier. front channel tweets are on like 3200 high pass  and the midrange imagine woofers on 100 low pass and 3000 high pass band pass filter. it sounds fantastic

Problem is I don't have time to research, test, research, test and test some more. I'm always on a right schedule.

None of them are beginner friendly in that if you don't know what the hell you are doing, your results are going to be subpar.  Going from running coaxial to active, even if it's "just" 2-way, is a  big leap.  IMO it's better to start out passive and work on understanding how to improve your system through basic tuning, EQ work and installation and understanding what you like/dislike in terms of speakers and frequency response and how adjustments in the EQ affect the sound you hear is needed before you go active without making it an exercise in futility.  Once you throw crossover points and slopes into the mix along with EQ and time alignment and other install issues, a novice is going to have a hard time making heads or tails of what needs improved, where at and how to go about fixing it.

 

Sure, you could throw an active setup in, guess at a crossover point and slope and call it good.  But at that point you might as well just go passive as they're virtually performing the same task and there's little advantage to active at that point....in fact it's probably worse.

 

I'm not discouraging you from running active at some point, I just don't think if your experience level with front stage speakers and sound quality is virtually non-existent that active is a good step for you right now.   

 

 

ehh what your saying is not entirely true, i was completely new to car audio like 2 years ago and knew nothing whatsoever. i first started with my own car audio installtion of wiring, the big 3, etc. installing my headunit. then i bought good speakers (HAT Imagine, Rainbow tweeters, Crescendo bc2k, crescendo concerto c1100.4) and worked from there. i did extensive research on everything till i knew i would be satisfied. im running my speakers active from my crescendo c1100.4 amplifier. front channel tweets are on like 3200 high pass  and the midrange imagine woofers on 100 low pass and 3000 high pass band pass filter. it sounds fantastic

Your fantastic could be someone elses nightmare. Strange crossppoints, obviously you made some compromises along the way.