Educate me on CDT Audio Speakers please.

Greg S · 08-11-2003, 11:21 AM

I just bought a used truck -- 1999 Dodge Ram 1500 Standard Cab -- and I have to get this stock junk out of the truck asap.

A friend of mine recommended some CDT stuff. I am interested in this even though its expensive.

Who can tell me more about their products and what would be best to go in this truck (I see that CDT has a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 Install on their site)

Currently in my Altima (which I will be pulling before selling)

Alpine CD7977 (Unpowered Head Unit) Was top of the line about 18 months ago
BA Rally Series 6.5" in the rear
BA Rally Series 4" in the Front Door
Alpine 5 channel amp ( I believe its about 75Wx4 and 250W x1 -- I can't remember)
10" Bazooka Bass Tube
12 Disc Alpine Changer
Delphi XM Radio Receiver

Basically I intend to use the Alpine deck, Amp, Changer, and the Delphi receiver in the truck. I would like to move up in the speaker area.

Also does ANYONE have a suggest for a Bass option in this truck as there is no way a Bass tube will fit in this thing. Whatever suggestion anyone has here will either have to fit in the very narrow space behind the seats or under the seats.

FYI the truck takes 6x9s or 6.5" in the front doors and 5 1/4" in the spot right behind the seats.

FYI I should also mention I am not prepared to do any major modifications to the truck.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Greg

Juan Castillo · 08-11-2003, 12:32 PM

The 97 Dodge 1500 single cab I had, used only 6x9's inthe doors, and 4x6's in the rear panels.. you sure you got your #'s right? I had two 6 1/2 " bazooka tubes in mine, and it sounded pretty good. What you put behind the seat, all depends on how big you are, or how far back you like your seat to go.. BTW.. does yours have the 40/20/40 split seats, or straight bench. I have seen some installs where the 20 center portion is removed, and a box is placed in that section, allowing for a single 12" sub, or an isobaric conf using 10's. It was made to maintain the center console storage area, and had two cup holders included as well. I will have to find the website where the pics are posted.

Greg S · 08-11-2003, 12:37 PM

Using Crutchfield's site is where I got the speaker choices. 6x9s are the EZ fit replacement (ie what really goes there) but 6.5" will fit with very simple/basic changes. The 5 1/4" is a stock replacement for the spot behind the seat.

I have the 40/20/40 split seats. I like the table top deal.

I have no space behind the seats as I am 6'0 tall and ride with the seat in the last position.

Thanks for the input.

Greg

Sean Me · 08-11-2003, 01:14 PM

I have listened to my friends truck, a 2003 Silverado regular cab, which has the CDT 62HD with the image enhancement kit, and I must say that they sound awesome. I currently run a Vifa driver component set and I have heard that the CDT designs are a modified Vifa driver, so improvement on an already good thing... I would strongly suggest that you try to audition them. I also really liked the JL XR's but I only heard them on a soundboard, you might want to take a listen to them too.

As far as bass...if you are spending the cash on some good components, I am assuming that you want to put a decent sub in there. I took a look at the JL Stealthbox for that truck, seen here http://jlaudio.com/stealthbox/ramctr2.html
and the design looks like it would be fairly easy to replicate. I called the local dealer and they quoted $475 for the stealthbox (which does include the 12w3). A local installer would probably charge you around $200 to build a similar box alone, and for $275 you could get a better driver than the 12w3, or just save some money. Of course, if you aren't scared of working on it yourself, I think that you could replicate it with under $100 in materials.
Of course, if that sounds like too much to mess with, you could always do the cookie cutter truck box with 2 8" subs...my buddy running the cdt's is actually doing this although he is considering trying to go to a single 10, to get some more low end extension.

P.S. If you are going to spend the money to put some good components up front then do yourself a favor and rip the back speakers out so that you won't ever be tempted to use them.

Greg S · 08-11-2003, 01:42 PM

Quote:

P.S. If you are going to spend the money to put some good components up front then do yourself a favor and rip the back speakers out so that you won't ever be tempted to use them.

Hehe .. So don't use them at eh??? OK can be done.

That stealth box looks very cool!! It may be just the ticket. Does this thing render the seat unusable, ie can I still sit 3 people in the cab??

What you guys recommend putting this type of box instead, a Shiva or something??

Greg

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Juan Castillo · 08-11-2003, 01:58 PM

The JL product is what I was looking for as an example. Here is a link to a site that has a home made version.. plexiglass and all.. You may have to register to see it though.

http://www.the12volt.com/installs/installs.asp

Its the top left picture in the grid. I believe you can mount the brackets for the console to this box, and still use the console unchanged.

Sure you can sit three.. the middle rider will just have more fun!

Yeah, rear speakers, are just that rear fill.. In a single cab pickup, they are even more pointless than in a vehicle with more cabin space. That is, if your fronts are decent with some additional power. Don't waste your money on replacing them. Don't know how clean of an install you want, but most times, to save time, money, or because certain head units don't supply pre-amp sub outs, most will disable the rear speakers and use the speaker wires, into the speaker level inputs of the amplier. If you don't use a crossover, or your amp doesn't cross the signal, you may end up pumping full range to your subs.. check it out before you do anything.

Sean Me · 08-11-2003, 05:20 PM

Like Juan said, there isn't any reason that you wouldn't be able to use the front seat. If you build such an enclosure you might have the opportunity to test the rumor of the magic frequency, 33Hz.

The reason to get rid of rear fill is because all it is going to do is cause interference problems for your soundstage up front. Set up your front speakers properly and you'll never go back.

As for a sub, the shiva won't work because you won't get near enough airspace for it. You want a "small enclosure driver" something that will work well with less than a cube. You need to first find out what the gross amount of space is to work with. Out of that total space will be subtracted the volume of the materials and the sub (whether inverted or not, will still lose space) and that will give you the airspace available for the sub. What kind of music do you listen to? That may have some effect on what sub and whether you go with a 10 or a 12. Here are some subs for around $125 that would work well in my opinion.

A/D/S 310 or 312 rs (used)
Image Dynamics ID10v3 or IDQv2 10 or 12
edesigns e12k or e10k

You might want to check on the CDT offerings as well, I haven't had any experience with them though. There are many, many, other subs that would do a good job as well.

Greg S · 08-13-2003, 01:48 PM

Thanks for all the input folks.

After auditioning several things today I am pretty well set on what I am going to do (except for the sub issue)

Alpine 7997 HU (already have)
Alpine 5 channel amp (already have)
Alpine 12 disc changer (already have)
Delphi SkyFi with alpine KCA-801B adapter (already have)
CDT Audio HD-62EF with the 1" Silk tweeter (each amp channel will power each component separately and leave one for the sub)

The sub I still ahven't a clue on. While I like the Stealth box idea, its just a bunch of money and it affects the use of the middle seat (I know I shouldn't let this bother me). The places I went swear I can get a box or 2 behind the seats with 4 8" woofs but man I cannot afford to lose that tiny bit of storage I have there nor can I move the seat forward, ugggh what a pain!!

Greg