System Makeover

I just purchased an Eclipse AVN-5435. For those in the military, AAFES now sells Eclipse. Can't wait. This what I will have:

Head Unit: Eclipse AVN 5435 w/ipod adaptor
Audiocontrol DQX w/DDC, ESP-2, and Overdrive (maybe)
US Amps USA-2000x, USA-400x, USA-200x
OZ Audio Matrix 6.5" separates
RE Audio XXX 12

For competitions, I plan to change my amps to a USA-600x and a TU-4360.

I've dismantled the trunk and will begin on the cabin this week.

That will be an amazing sound system, I want an RE XXX. Do you like OZ components, how are you planning on installing them on the actual door or will you create an enclosure to them as well, not sure if you have the depth necessary to do so but im sure with some craftsmanship it can be done. Im still designing my sound system but havent made up my mind im thinking of going with either Morels, zapco or rainbow, Alpine F1 are out of my league, not sure which of these are better but now that you said OZ they might be very crisp and nice for what i want them. Those U.S Amps are nice aren't they? I think they are best bang for the buck, Zapco are expensive and not as much juice i think.

Great system setup

The OZ Audio Matrix Elites take some work to fit and they do fit barely. You have to cut the door, shave the back of the grill, and do some sanding on the backside of the door pocket to get them to fit. The mids are 3.25" deep and that's about the physical limit of what can fit unless you mod the door panel. I like small companies because they generally offer better value. And OZ Audio, IMO, beats the MBQ Q series and the Focal Utopias (not the Utopia Be) easily. And cost less than half. If you call OZ Audio, you are probably talking to the president, that's how small the company is.

As far as a balance raw power, SQ, and cost, nothing out there beats US Amps IMO. I think the newer models are the beginning of the end of US Amps. We'll see.

Here are some pics of what I'm gonna do. Thanks to Bad107 for trading me his mini spare. I will fit an Audiocontrol DQX, all of the wiring and 2 caps on top of the tire like so.

Then I am going to create an amp rack to mount the 3 US Amps, not sure if I'm gonna to upside down or right side up. The black amp needs to be replaced with a chrome one.

I'll make a new tire well cover from FG. I will then install the XXX 12 in a regular box. The plan is to be able to remove the sub box and use my entire trunk.

Head unit done.



Preview of things to come...

good job dude, would love to hear it.

Looks awesome bro, keep at 'er.

Mark

You're going to need a huge false-floor to fit that whole barbie car into the trunk.

j/k - be sure to post a review once you're done! I was looking at the eclipse too (or the new Pioneer) - haven't decided yet!

I am considering buying a set of OZ speakers. I have MB Quart PCE216s for now. The midbass is ok but the tweeters are deadly! I have already cut my doors and sanded the back of the grills, but I am curious how much sanding and where is required to make them fit? Also, can you tell me how the two sets compare? I can't locate a dealer close by but have heard great things about them. Please hurry....ears...bleeding...all over the ...leather...seats!

yeah, those MBQ tweets are killer, omg, youre not kidding when you say your ears are bleeding....

i like the lotus by seas or even the performance set by seas. the midrange are the most details and accurate ive ever listen to from a car speaker. the ref tweeters are pretty smooth but could be better...however, the detail and snappy midbass are well worth the price...www.mobilesq.com <---great guys to deal with.

Thanks for the suggestion low, but the Seas are just a little out of my wife's budget for me. Get the way that was phrased. My wife would spend 20G on a plasma because she loves TV. A 1943 crystal radio sounds like Klipch to her though so it's 500 or less on the speakers. Feel my pain?

I don't have any experience with those products, but their reputation is very good.

Where are you mounting everything? What speaker locations? What kind of sub enclosure?

Gonna be good!

Originally Posted by MaulMaul

I am considering buying a set of OZ speakers. I have MB Quart PCE216s for now. The midbass is ok but the tweeters are deadly! I have already cut my doors and sanded the back of the grills, but I am curious how much sanding and where is required to make them fit? Also, can you tell me how the two sets compare? I can't locate a dealer close by but have heard great things about them. Please hurry....ears...bleeding...all over the ...leather...seats!

I think the Quarts have a more lively midbass but the OZ Audios are definitely a lot smoother. The OZ Audios will not get as loud as the quarts either. Not sure about the PCEs but the QSDs had a much nicer crossover than the OZ Audio.

The amount of sanding on the back of the door panel will depend on how well you center the speaker. You shouldn't need to do too much sanding. You will have more of an issue with the depth.

Originally Posted by bigjae1976

I think the Quarts have a more lively midbass but the OZ Audios are definitely a lot smoother. The OZ Audios will not get as loud as the quarts either. Not sure about the PCEs but the QSDs had a much nicer crossover than the OZ Audio.

The amount of sanding on the back of the door panel will depend on how well you center the speaker. You shouldn't need to do too much sanding. You will have more of an issue with the depth.

Thanks bigjae. I guess I'll wait until I can listen for myself. So many choices, don't want to make another mistake.

Today's progress...





Maybe I'll be done in a year or two.

Big Jay, Have you done the big 3 and if so, how did you go upon doing that? I think we must have some kind of audio connection because it's funny how I started my system today too.

bigjae, lookin good dude!

Originally Posted by headbussaboi

Big Jay, Have you done the big 3 and if so, how did you go upon doing that? I think we must have some kind of audio connection because it's funny how I started my system today too.

Nope, just the cable from the positive post under the hood to the trunk. There's actually 2 runs of cable but I only replaced one since a second 1/0 wire would have created a large bulge in the carpet.

Yeah, we must. Hopefully yours goes quicker. I just found out that I have to rebuild my box. I installed 1/4" driver mounting hardware and it won't fit through the damned holes in the sub frame. Now I have to down to #10 mounting hardware and the holes are too big. Rather than risk the inevitable leaks, I'll just rebuild. SH*T!

BTW, if anyone was wondering, that battery is a 1100 cca Scosche ***. It was about $50 cheaper than a comparable Stinger battery. Not only is the Scosche battery smaller, its a lot lighter.

Wish I had some DIY skills, your double din deck install is SWEEET, is that trim from Rich? I just purchased the same trim and hopefully getting my screen re-fitted next week.

Anyways mad props on your install

How much was the Eclipse?

Originally Posted by bluecougar

is that trim from Rich?

I made it myself and its 10x better than anything he could ever do

Originally Posted by Cruzer03

How much was the Eclipse?

First, are you in the Army? I'll see ya in a couple of months.

I got it for $1600 from the PX. They go for $1400 on ebay but I went a more legitimate route since I'd hate to be out $1400.

And yes, the PX sells Eclipse, check out the website.