New Audio for a 2018 SR5

After reading multiple threads on mods and seeing audio being a common theme as “best mod” I have decided to bite the bullet and get mine done. I love rock, country, and some occasional hip hop, and this stock non-jbl is not cutting the mustard. I am going to list the parts I’ve decided to go with. Please comment below if you have any experience with any of the products.

Orion XTR 6.5 and 6x9 mids
American bass slim fit 10”x2 subs
Custom built box
American bass 800 watt amp for the mids
American bass 1600 for subs
Pioneer 4500 NEX head unit.

If anyone has the 4500 head unit how did it work tying all of the factory steering wheel controls, xm antenna, and backup camera together ?

At the end of the day I wanted to put an affordable mid range system together. The price point on all of this was around 1500. I’ll post pics up when we get it done.

 

I would ditch the set of 6x9s and go with two sets of 6.5" components. You'll need a set of adapter rings.

Also, if you have dash tweeters, those are powered by the head unit, not through the factory amp. I would just disconnect them.

 

Thanks, I may do that. Any reason in particular for going with a second set of 6.5 ?

 

Round speakers produce better sound and linear bass response.

 

This.

 

6x9 had more surface space therefore will give you more bass. Just ask kicker with their square subs. A good comparison is the stock speaker setup. Which sound better, the fronts or the rear? People like to let others think for them.

 

And this is what marketing does to the uninformed. Lol.

 

Louder doesn’t equal better.

 

Sales people love you guys

 

This isn’t my quote, but it summarizes very Nicely.

“Round speakers will produce a clearer sound, due to the fact that they are symetrical. The signal is disperced throughout the speaker evenly, creating a sound that is syncronized. The Oval speakers utilize speaker surface area to create deeper sounds. The oval speaker will not be as clear, but will produce louder frequences. Therefore, its the aplication that will decide which speaker is better. Round=SQ and oval=SPL.”

Oval speakers were only invented to accommodate the rear dash of vehicles in the 70s.

 

have you ever seen oval speakers at a concert?
that should be enough.....

 

Thats all respectable equipment. I don't remember what kinda integration the 4500 has, but its a damn fine unit.

If you don't mind me asking, are purchasing your gear thru a audio dealer, ordering online, or something else?

If you're going to be buying online there's a few options I'd recommend. You know, just to make it hard to decide is all...lol

 

Thanks!

I was going to order it all online, but I have a friend who is working at a shop right now and I am going to let them buy it and install it. I have heard good things about the 4500, I am sure it will be plenty for me.

What are your suggestions ?

 

I don’t know much bout round v. oval....
But for what it’s worth, anytime I’ve built a “custom” audio system, I really didn’t care about how much bass the front and rear speakers were producing as the subwoofers would be handling that job for the low end. You’re probably splitting hairs between the two here and would be hard pressed to really tell a difference at the end of the day.
That being said, I’ve always gone with the the round or 6.5” speakers in my applications and have never been disappointed.
Good luck and rock on!!!

 

Awesome! I got a few things worth checking out. And even some vids!

Midrange Amp suggestions.

-Kenwood kac m3004, $154 @ Amazon
Amp dyno test https://youtu.be/99tiyWuuAGM

-Soundqubed s4-100, $160 @ https://www.soundqubed.com/shop/product/s4-100-s4-100-multi-channel-amplifier-1402?category=1
Amp dyno test https://youtu.be/mIlftEX7D4s

-Dual xpr84d, $96 @ https://www.walmart.com/ip/dual-ele...h-1-000-watts-of-dynamic-peak-power/137888849
Amp dyno test
https://youtu.be/23CVp1nczoM

The Dual is a serious budget gem, but if you can spend a bit more I'd recommend one of the above. This one is pretty damn good though.

--Front woofer suggestions--

-Silverflutes w17rc38-04 6.5, $33 a piece(these are my current front door speakers, and I love them)
https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c.../silver-flute-w17rc38-04-ohm-6-1/2-wool-cone/
(Can be found on amazon for the same price and from the same seller above)

-Sb Acoustic sb17nrx2c35-4, 6", $65 a piece. (These are my second choice when I upgrade) @ https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...c35-4-6-woofer-paper-cone-new-version-4-ohm/l
Mounting depth is really pushing it at 2.95". Could be a problem. I'd definitely see what an installer would say first.

And here's the poly cone version. Supposed to have a smoother response and UV/sun resistant.
Sb sb17mfc35-4, 6" $61 @https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.com/approx-6-7-woofers-sb-acoustics/sb-acoustics-sb17mfc35-4-6-poly-cone-woofer/

- SSA Evil 6.5, 4ohm $44 a piece (currently these are what I want to get, possible with its matching tweeter). @ https://store.soundsolutionsaudio.com/ssa-evil6-5-mid-bass-speaker/ (mounting depth is 2.85". Im pretty sure they will fit, but that's cause I will make them if need be)

--Tweeter suggestions--

-SSA Evil - 1.25" silk dome tweeters, $90 a pair. Paired with the SSA mids. @ https://store.soundsolutionsaudio.com/search.php?search_query=Tweeter&section=product


-Seas Prestige 27ffnc/g 1" tweeters, $42 a piece. @ https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...stige-27tffnc/g-h1396-1-textile-dome-tweeter/
I'd pair these with the silver flutes and SB acoustics, possibly the SSA Evil mids. Really nice tweeter for the price.

--Rear speaker suggestions--

None. I personally dont run rear speakers. I would if I had a high end DSP with a lot of time alignment ability.


--conclusion--

I checked out the sub you listed but I'm a little confused by the sub's RMS rating and the rating you posted for the amp. The sub amp in your post said it was an 800 watt. The sub, which as far as I know is the only slim AB's makes. So, do they make another one, or are you getting 2 of them? Or is the amp a 800watt max but 400 watt RMS?

Also, I didn't find neither of the american bass amps you listed, granted I only checked one site but they typically carry AB's full line. I kinda got lazy.

All the speakers I suggested are component types instead of coaxial. Coaxials are fine, even preferred by plenty of ppl but the ability to mount you tweeters in a more optimal place really does a lot for you sound staging.

And given that your head unit can run an active network you don't need to buy the passive crossovers, which are normally the most expensive part of a component set.

Lastly, all the speakers and amps above are well regarded in the dyi audio communities. The speakers especially. SB acoustics are the manufacturers of the Arc audio black series component speakers. The retailed, last time I checked for $500 a set. The SB's above are BBB basically those same speakers, they are just branded by the actual manufacturer.

Seas is also one of the top high end speaker designers too. Many high end car/home audio brands use their stuff. Really legit company.

So..... Either way, the gear you listed is all fine equipment. Nothing wrong at all with going with it. You'd be quite happy but its good to have some other brands to compare each against. Especially when the prices are so competitive.

Oh, yeah! Sound treat your doors regardless of the speakers you put in your doors. That is what your speakers want so they can play as intended.

Good luck and have fun!

 

Great suggestions @Twinky.

I will get the model numbers on the sub and both amps and get back to you. I am sure they are good, I know absolutely nothing when it comes to car audio.

 

Completed and sounds amazing!

Here are a couple of pics, they are not that great!

Equipment installed is as follows:
Pioneer 4500 NEX
Orion 6x9 XTR
Orion 6.5 XTR
American Bass SL-104 10”x2 in a custom enclosed box
American Bass PH-4100.4-FR-V2
American Bass PH-1600 MD

Does anyone have any experience with the NEX 4500 and mirroring with an IPhone?

 

my guess is you would need the lightning to hdmi adapter and connect hdmi to the back of the unit. I think pioneer has an app that you would need to download and a has controls through there to mirror.

 

Right on!
And sorry, no idea about settings for mirroring. Well, there is a pioneer app for android so there should be one for iPhone.

American bass makes nice gear. Im rocking their XR 12D2 1200rms sub and its my favorite sub I've owned to date. And Orion is well... Orion. The xrt line has a good reputation. You should be Rollin with some authority now.

 

Yeah buddy it gets pretty loud! I haven’t listened to music at this quality in a long time haha.