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Hi all

I have a 1997 Acura Integra GSR (2dr coupe)

My last HU (Pioneer Premier) was stolen so I replaced it with a JVC
HDR1 mainly for HD radio built in. Also with the HU, they took the
front woofers with the baskets, so there is only an empty space there.

So, need to replace the woofers in front, with either co-axials and
drive them with the HU, or buy components for front, new co-axials for
rear, also buy a 2ch or 4 channel amp.

In addition as the car is pretty noisy (have low profile tires), want
to do underboady coating and or/cheap sound deadening in doors, hatch
and trunk (raammat or second skin).

Question is what order should I do it in, and also for the fronts will
going component instead of co-axial give me much higher SQ (car is
fairly old, so unlikely to keep it more than 2-3 years). Also in either
case what are good brands of speakers and good amps? (Ideally am a
believer in digital amp's so reco's of those would be preferred).

Thanks in advance

Shriram

[MOSFET]

Here's some generalities....

If you plan to do EXTENSIVE sound-proofing, it is best to do this first.
While you have things like your seats and carpets removed to sound-proof,
that is also the time to run all the necessary wiring for an amp/multiple
amps. If you decide to soundproof later, you will end up having to remove
your system (speakers, wiring, amps) as well as your seats, carpeting, etc.,
so it's best to do it first.

Second, generally speaking, separate component speakers sound better than
coaxials. There are several reason for this. First, virtually every
component set includes a dedicated crossover that ensures each speaker gets
the frequencies it's best designed to handle. Coaxials typically don't
include these large outboard crossovers (though there is usually some type
of tweeter protection in the form of a single capacitor).

Also, separates just seem, in general, to be built better than coaxials.
Separates will more often employ exotic materials (carbon fiber, titanium,
etc.), larger magnets, and just plain better engineering for superior sound
quality.

Of course, there ARE drawbacks to component speakers worth considering.
They are usually more expensive than coaxials. Also, mounting is trickier
because instead of a simple "speaker-for-speaker" swap, you have to find a
place to mount your tweeter AND a place to mount the X-over (crossover).
And lastly, my experience has been that separates tend not to be as
efficient as coaxials (this means, it takes more power to get the same
amount of sound with separates). Some separates absolutely NEED outboard
amplification (otherwise, they sound like crap). Makers of separates will
often assume that anyone who ponies up $400 on a component set will
DEFINITELY be using an amplifier to drive them. Coaxials, on the other
hand, are often designed with an assumption that they are simply going to be
a replacement for stock speakers (and therefore will be driven by weak stock
HU's).

As far as an amp choice, I tend to prefer using multiple 2 channel amps, as
opposed to using 4 channel (or more) amps. This gives you much more
flexibility in the future. For instance, let's say you buy a 4 channel amp,
and plan to use 2 channels to drive your fronts and bridge the other two to
drive subs. But then, down the road, you decide you want to upgrade your
sub power. See what I'm getting at? I usually suggest to people they use
multiple 2 channel amps.

Hope this info helps,

MOSFET


wrote in message
ps.com...
Hi all

I have a 1997 Acura Integra GSR (2dr coupe)

My last HU (Pioneer Premier) was stolen so I replaced it with a JVC
HDR1 mainly for HD radio built in. Also with the HU, they took the
front woofers with the baskets, so there is only an empty space there.

So, need to replace the woofers in front, with either co-axials and
drive them with the HU, or buy components for front, new co-axials for
rear, also buy a 2ch or 4 channel amp.

In addition as the car is pretty noisy (have low profile tires), want
to do underboady coating and or/cheap sound deadening in doors, hatch
and trunk (raammat or second skin).

Question is what order should I do it in, and also for the fronts will
going component instead of co-axial give me much higher SQ (car is
fairly old, so unlikely to keep it more than 2-3 years). Also in either
case what are good brands of speakers and good amps? (Ideally am a
believer in digital amp's so reco's of those would be preferred).

Thanks in advance

Shriram

[X-OvrDistortion]

Fet, what about just bridging the 4 channel amp and supplying more
power? That seems to be a little more flexable to me.

I personally run a single 5 channel amp.


--
X-OvrDistortion

[[email protected]]

Given that its an old car, not going to spend too much on sound
deadening, so most likely just doors, hood, maybe hatch and an
underbody coating.

S


X-OvrDistortion wrote:
Fet, what about just bridging the 4 channel amp and supplying more
power? That seems to be a little more flexable to me.

I personally run a single 5 channel amp.


--
X-OvrDistortion

[MOSFET]

.. I've found one roll of Raamat to be more
than enough for at least the two front doors and trunk.

I had never heard of Raamat before. I checked out their site and products
and it looks VERY interesting. Certainly cheaper than Dynamat.

Jackson, do you use that in your car? If so, how do you like it? How does
it compare to Dynamat (I'm thinking of buying some, I still need to deaden
certain parts of my car). Thanks.

MOSFET