Hi everyone,
Since time immemorial I’ve always had a nice stereo in my car (and my wife’s too) – that is, until a few years ago when I bought the old “beater” I’m presently driving. I wasn’t sure how long I was going to be using it, so didn’t want to go through all the trouble it takes to do a good-quality installation. (I’m telling you, the older you get the less you enjoy doing things like that!)
Well, it appears I’m going to be driving this thing for the foreseeable future, and I’ve reached the point where I’m more tired of enduring lo-fi sound than I am of avoiding “all the trouble.” So I’m looking to upgrade the stock system. Scratch that – there won’t be anything left of it when I’m finished!
Anyway, I have some old gear on the shelf from my previous daily driver, so I’ll be using some of it as well as picking up some additional gear. I’ll save the details on the old gear for another post, in the interest of keeping the most important stuff (and your attention ) in this one.
Probably should mention going in - since I dabble in more hardware-laden hobbies than I can reasonably afford, I plan on doing this “on the cheap” with quality used gear. Since car stereo is primarily the province of the twenty-something-and-younger set, I figure there’ll be better bargains with “gone-and-forgotten” gear of yesteryear, no matter how good it was.
Okay, my biggest question at this point concerns speakers. Here are my musings:
The best car system I ever heard a few years ago was using Boston Pro Series components, so I’m considering basing my system on those. I am seriously considering going active all the way this time, so I’d be ditching the stock passive crossovers. Since most passive crossovers are 12dB/octave designs, I figure if I use a 24dB/octave active crossover (AudioControl, natch) I could safely push the crossover frequency down an octave. With separately mounted tweeters (I like the Pro’s surface-mounted angling capabilities) this would give better imaging.
So - any reason not to go this route? Would some other component set be better suited for active two-way?
Also I’m a little concerned that the Bostons appear to be fairly deep, and I’m afraid that might be an problem with the only door location I’ll be able to use. Will it be hard to find some kind of spacer, if need be?
Much as I liked the Bostons my buddy was using, they really didn’t compare to the speakers I had back in the 80’s – AR 1CS plates with 5-1/4” woofs and silk dome tweeters. I’ve always been more partial to silk domes than metal, so if someone can recommend a good component set that uses them - I’m there. Since this is an “on the cheap” project I’d naturally prefer something vintage over the latest “hot” thing that all the kiddies will be clambering for and bidding up.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt
Since time immemorial I’ve always had a nice stereo in my car (and my wife’s too) – that is, until a few years ago when I bought the old “beater” I’m presently driving. I wasn’t sure how long I was going to be using it, so didn’t want to go through all the trouble it takes to do a good-quality installation. (I’m telling you, the older you get the less you enjoy doing things like that!)
Well, it appears I’m going to be driving this thing for the foreseeable future, and I’ve reached the point where I’m more tired of enduring lo-fi sound than I am of avoiding “all the trouble.” So I’m looking to upgrade the stock system. Scratch that – there won’t be anything left of it when I’m finished!
Anyway, I have some old gear on the shelf from my previous daily driver, so I’ll be using some of it as well as picking up some additional gear. I’ll save the details on the old gear for another post, in the interest of keeping the most important stuff (and your attention ) in this one.
Probably should mention going in - since I dabble in more hardware-laden hobbies than I can reasonably afford, I plan on doing this “on the cheap” with quality used gear. Since car stereo is primarily the province of the twenty-something-and-younger set, I figure there’ll be better bargains with “gone-and-forgotten” gear of yesteryear, no matter how good it was.
Okay, my biggest question at this point concerns speakers. Here are my musings:
The best car system I ever heard a few years ago was using Boston Pro Series components, so I’m considering basing my system on those. I am seriously considering going active all the way this time, so I’d be ditching the stock passive crossovers. Since most passive crossovers are 12dB/octave designs, I figure if I use a 24dB/octave active crossover (AudioControl, natch) I could safely push the crossover frequency down an octave. With separately mounted tweeters (I like the Pro’s surface-mounted angling capabilities) this would give better imaging.
So - any reason not to go this route? Would some other component set be better suited for active two-way?
Also I’m a little concerned that the Bostons appear to be fairly deep, and I’m afraid that might be an problem with the only door location I’ll be able to use. Will it be hard to find some kind of spacer, if need be?
Much as I liked the Bostons my buddy was using, they really didn’t compare to the speakers I had back in the 80’s – AR 1CS plates with 5-1/4” woofs and silk dome tweeters. I’ve always been more partial to silk domes than metal, so if someone can recommend a good component set that uses them - I’m there. Since this is an “on the cheap” project I’d naturally prefer something vintage over the latest “hot” thing that all the kiddies will be clambering for and bidding up.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions.
Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt