Theoretical VE build

[Zend3r]

Hey guys,

Bit of a theoretical here. Looking into upgrading to a Series II Calais V Sportswagon, but for me car audio is a huge part of buying a car.

The iQ system has everything I would like in my H/U except for RCA outs. I'm looking at doing this sound system even bigger than my last (quickly summarised below).

Front splits; Focal 165KRX3
Rear splits; Focal 165KR
Sub; Focal 40KX (16") or the Ultimo 12" or possbly even the Focal 33WX2 (13" from Utopia BE range)
Amped by Alpine PDX again.

My only question here ultimately is; am I able to put in a quality LOC solution that will make having such high end gear worth it or am I simply wasting my time and should look at something else?

[justdofit]

My personal choice would be some Phreddy RCAs out to a processor.

See the following link for 2 good examples compared. In addition there are some new models out from other manufacturers:
Mobile Electronics AU | Articles | Alpine PXA-H800 vs Audison BitOne Processors Compared

Once informed re: working with a factory source unit, head over to your local reputable dealer for expert advice/guidance, a shortlist can be found here:
Mobile Electronics AU | Find a Store

Others would be happy with hi-inputs and a processor, or even a high quality LOC. Just depends on budjet and expectations...

[Reaper]

Hey guys,

Bit of a theoretical here. Looking into upgrading to a Series II Calais V Sportswagon, but for me car audio is a huge part of buying a car.

The iQ system has everything I would like in my H/U except for RCA outs. I'm looking at doing this sound system even bigger than my last (quickly summarised below).

Front splits; Focal 165KRX3
Rear splits; Focal 165KR
Sub; Focal 40KX (16") or the Ultimo 12" or possbly even the Focal 33WX2 (13" from Utopia BE range)
Amped by Alpine PDX again.

My only question here ultimately is; am I able to put in a quality LOC solution that will make having such high end gear worth it or am I simply wasting my time and should look at something else?

Might I suggest you get a 6 litre and 2.5" pacemaker extractors, zorst - all the audio you will *ever* need

Reaper

[MAG00]

Sounds like a quality build mate. I'm a bit anti-phreddy (not sure why, don't bother asking), but having the pre-amp RCA outputs would be the best alternative IMO. Unless you wanted to run active, I don't really see the point in throwing in an expensive processor.

[Zend3r]

Might I suggest you get a 6 litre and 2.5" pacemaker extractors, zorst - all the audio you will *ever* need

Reaper

Haha, considered putting an exhaust on my alloytec, but didn't want to ruin the acoustics :P

Each to their own! I'd love a big 8 weekender.

[showbags]

Some very nice equiptment there bud. I'm using the PXA-H800 & PDX amps and it's an impressive bit of gear. ( I upgraded from PXA-H100 and it's about a thousand times better). Gives you infinite tuning abilities, the only draw back is, you tune for the drivers seat so if you happen to sit anywhere else in the car the sound quality is all over the place.

[justdofit]

Sounds like a quality build mate. I'm a bit anti-phreddy (not sure why, don't bother asking), but having the pre-amp RCA outputs would be the best alternative IMO. Unless you wanted to run active, I don't really see the point in throwing in an expensive processor.

Personally if I was working with a factory head unit, $550 for a bit-ten or even $1150 for a bit-one to provide time alignment and decent eq to mask my sub-par install would be well worth it

Besides who wouldn't run 3-ways (165KRX3) active? when at the point of "requiring" 3-way speakers wouldn't the bug have well and truly bitten? hence MOAR PROCESSORZ

[MAG00]

Personally if I was working with a factory head unit, $550 for a bit-ten or even $1150 for a bit-one to provide time alignment and decent eq to mask my sub-par install would be well worth it

Besides who wouldn't run 3-ways (165KRX3) active? when at the point of "requiring" 3-way speakers wouldn't the bug have well and truly bitten? hence MOAR PROCESSORZ

If you were going 3-way active, why bother for such an expense piece of kit when you could get DIY speakers, run them active, throw a processor in and get major ESSQUES for a lot less? People spend so much on gear like that because it is good right out of the box. If you are going the extra mile, why pay for what you can get for a lot cheaper? Vifa tweeters + SB acoustics mids+woofers = cheap, fantastic DIY solution, just ask Sweefu.

[vrollin]

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. these can be had for less than $300 from american online stores right now! Seeing as though I cannot get in contact with phreddy it will be the next stage of my install.
Id also recommend you buy a decent battery too, although Im sure thats already on your mind

[showbags]

Alpine Electronics of America, Inc. these can be had for less than $300 from american online stores right now! Seeing as though I cannot get in contact with phreddy it will be the next stage of my install.
Id also recommend you buy a decent battery too, although Im sure thats already on your mind

Buy that out of the USA is point less as it tunes to the wrong side of the car. That alright I guess if you sit in the passenger seat all the time.

[Luke V8]

Personally if I was working with a factory head unit, $550 for a bit-ten or even $1150 for a bit-one to provide time alignment and decent eq to mask my sub-par install would be well worth it

Besides who wouldn't run 3-ways (165KRX3) active? when at the point of "requiring" 3-way speakers wouldn't the bug have well and truly bitten? hence MOAR PROCESSORZ

I'm running factory unit and spent $2k on my setup .. Massive audio throughout.. Does sound impressive but that did include installation

[vrollin]

Buy that out of the USA is point less as it tunes to the wrong side of the car. That alright I guess if you sit in the passenger seat all the time.

Please do not listen to this uninformed poster, if he had the slightest clue he would know that the Alpine processor comes with a mic to set up listening positions based on where you place the mic in the car over three or four steps....
As per this Alpine PXE-H660 installation on 2007 Toyota Camry - YouTube

[showbags]

Buy that out of the USA is point less as it tunes to the wrong side of the car. That alright I guess if you sit in the passenger seat all the time.

Please do not listen to this uninformed poster, if he had the slightest clue he would know that the Alpine processor comes with a mic to set up listening positions based on where you place the mic in the car over three or four steps....
As per this Alpine PXE-H660 installation on 2007 Toyota Camry - YouTube

Lol, really?, uninformed. You obviously haven't set up or tuned alpines imprint before. The microphone takes measurements from 6 different positions inside the car and then uses those parameters to time align all of your speakers, including subwoofers, to the drivers position, which here in Australia is on the right side of the car and in America is on the left. So if you buy a processor sold for the American market, it's going to align to the wrong side of the car. BTW, what side of the car is the camrys steering wheel. I've had both PXA-H100 & PXA-H800 processors and I've set up and tuned both of them, so it's far from being an "uninformed poster". So check your facts first next time before you go off on your own little rant.

[commoVT]

Lol, really?, uninformed. You obviously haven't set up or tuned alpines imprint before. The microphone takes measurements from 6 different positions inside the car and then uses those parameters to time align all of your speakers, including subwoofers, to the drivers position, which here in Australia is on the right side of the car and in America is on the left. So if you buy a processor sold for the American market, it's going to align to the wrong side of the car. BTW, what side of the car is the camrys steering wheel. I've had both PXA-H100 & PXA-H800 processors and I've set up and tuned both of them, so it's far from being an "uninformed poster". So check your facts first next time before you go off on your own little rant.

this crackers wack...

[vrollin]

hooooly shit, all those blokes running the 660 in their commodores better send that shit back right away, because clearly, although they think its working, its really working backwards, if only the microphone supplied could signify the listeners position??? Holy upside down soundwaves Batman, what about people with utes? How can they tune the rear seats in?.....

At the end of the day mate, lets say for arguments sake it mattered, a bit of ingenuity would tell you to simply place it in the american seating positions if need be, ie unit tells you to tune drivers position, but oh no the american cars drivers is on the left, how can we overcome this?!?!?! :O, wait a minute, the drivers ears are no different to the passengers ears.... NO...Wait.... You couldnt maybe just place it in the passenger seat... tune it.... then move the mic to the drivers seat when it tells you tune the passenger seat could you? Outrageous!

So to the OP, yes you can, as many commodore owners have been, use this product....

[MAG00]

/snip

Eh who cares, just buy something decent like the Audison Bit Processors or the upcoming Arc Audio Processor, screw Alpine.