Looking to run a Sound Quality system just wondering when it comes to SQ is sealed better thing ported I here if you run sealed you need more power to push the subs.

The one that integrates better with your front stage....for sq the bass part is uber easy

Ok thanks 

Front stage is where you need to focus, that is HELL in comparison.

Ya I'm going to try my first active set up for my front and rear stage checking out what parts express has to offer going to run a DSP not sure what brand a friend of mine told me to check out a company called minidsp or maybe Zapco or Helix. 

MiniDSP has been nothing but good news to my ears. 

 

I don't use rear speakers in my mountaineer, I find it sounds cleaner and allows you to position the sound field far easier. Choose quality drivers, nail crossovers and more than enough sound is possible for all passengers with a decent amp. I only have 50w x2 currently on some RF prime 6.5's and it's keeping up fairly well with a FI BTL 18 on 1500w. 

 

I hear the PPI 900.4 recommended often as a great powerful budget amp. At under 200, it's the next thing on my list to buy. Haven't heard any complaints; I want it because it's tiny and powerful with enough control to run active with no processing. 

 

Also, focus on nice solid baffles for your mids. Look into deadening at least your front doors, it'll help insanely. 

Edited April 13, 20169 yr by SpeakerBoy

Cool thanks for the advice. 

Welcome to the forum bro!!

 

I'm echoing M5 on this, once you get the front stage mastered the substage becomes minuscule in comparison. 

 

Look ok at it like this, if you agree the average human can hear frequencies from 20hz to 20,000hz and let's say your sub can play from 20hz up to a crossover set and very popular frequency of 80hz, the sub is only playing about .3% (yes you read that right, point three percent) of the entire spectrum of frequencies you hear. In the grand scheme of things that just doesn't sound very important anymore does it?

 

Now there's nothing wrong with having enough bass to get down, dirty and loud with when the mood strikes but it still doesn't change the fact that the sub's importance to overall response just doesn't measure up in comparison to the rest of the response from the system. 

 

I mentioned on the phone that the Zapco DSP is just the MiniDSP in a pretty case with Zapco logos in the software but I would still recommend just using the miniDSP. You'll save money and have more expandability. 

 

Check out Madisound as well, they offer brands Parts Express doesn't. 

 

The quality of the installation of the speakers will make or break the sound in the end. If you ever make it down to my neck of the woods I'll demo the Jimmy and the Traverse for you. It would make what we mean by this a little easier to understand. 

 

Be be sure to check out all the previous posts on this and similar subjects, the search function is your best friend when researching this kind of information. As always we're here to help with any questions you have along your journey. 

 

Also so everyone understands how serious he is about this being an SQ build, when I talked to him earlier today he was talking about dropping a huge needless coin on Focal components and Audison or Mosconi amps. I suggested he hit up the forum to read, learn and see what really makes a quality sounding system. It's not name brands and money, its good design with attention to detail and quality of the installation. Of course there's nothing wrong with name brands but you can buy expensive equipment and if it's poorly installed it can be outperformed by inexpensive equipment with a great installation. 

Hey Shannon thanks again for the info I will definitely have to make a trip there to check out your set ups take care my friend. 

Welcome to the forum!!

Thank you 

Welcome to the forum.

You're on the good track !

Nothing wrond with Focal speakers and Mosconi amplifiers, if you can get them.

I have ran Focal sets for 10 years and I loved them. But big money equipments are not the only ways to sound good.

 

Good luck.

 

Thanks

1 hour ago, Notorious97200 said:

Welcome to the forum.

You're on the good track !

Nothing wrond with Focal speakers and Mosconi amplifiers, if you can get them.

I have ran Focal sets for 10 years and I loved them. But big money equipments are not the only ways to sound good.

 

Good luck.

 

J, This is the member I mentioned on the phone who recently switched from Focal to raw drivers. 

Notorious, You want to give him a run through of your experience with the switch so far?  I believe you're using the Seas ER18RNX woofers, correct?

On 14/04/2016 at 11:55 AM, altoncustomtech said:

J, This is the member I mentioned on the phone who recently switched from Focal to raw drivers. 

Notorious, You want to give him a run through of your experience with the switch so far?  I believe you're using the Seas ER18RNX woofers, correct?

I had a set of Focal 165KP, on a powerful amp (2 x 225 w rms @ 4 OHms). I loved it for (8) years.

The I finally blew a mid : I think a lead went bad and I tried to fix it. Impossible.

M5 told me about the SEAS Prestige and I bought them. I was afraid to run those because of the 8 Ohms impedance, instead of 4.

I hooked them on the inputs of the Focal passive filters, and kept the tweeters on those filters.  First listening session put a big smile on my face. It really was not a downgrade from the Focal. No tuning, no eq, nothing, and I loved it !

Then I bought a mini dsp to set my x-overs and adjust everything.  I'm still playing with the dsp, but not so much (I need time).

I must say those speakers sound VERY good. I hate those PA style speakers that screams, like Barry White sings like Celine Dion !

Those Seas are "warm", accurate.  Not Cheap too ! They do get loud ! In that active way, the mids are on 2 channels of my amp, and the tweeters are on the last 2. This amp is rated at 4 x 65 w rms @ 4 Ohms. So I don't know how many watts at 8 Ohms ! Not much, but they're loud enough for me. I did not loose anything from the Focal to this set of Seas Prestige. (They're a little bigger than the KP, 6.5" to 7").

I am very very happy with this purchase.

Good luck.

BTW this forum is amazing, you'll get the best advices available.

Thanks for sharing. 

Welcome - looking forward to see your SQ setup ;-)

Welcome to SSA!

If the sub enclosure is build to correct specs, you honestly can't go wrong with either set up. Mr. Alton is the man when comes to designing enclosures, so your in good hands there too.

Sealed will be easier and smaller but ported can be made to sound just as good if done correctly.