BrianK

Wow, that's exactly what I was looking for (everything you wrote). I was interested in the Nakamichi MB-100 with its 24 bit D/A converter and analog filter (love the analog sound - if only you could put tube components in a car), but haven't found it for sale anywhere.... I'm headed out to a Nakamichi dealer this weekend, maybe they'll have one (if the price isn't too high).
What is the hideaway unit? It's not the CD changer is it (I thought the changer was in the head unit).

I'll take a look at your other recommendations too.

Now on the speaker topic... educate me. I plan on staying with the bose speakers for now, but will more than likely move up in the future. I don't want to put a box in the back, but wouldn't mind filling those side storange bins behind the seats.

Awesome info... keep it coming.

ATPRX7

Actually the Nakamichi MB-75 Right now is the same as the MB-100 as far as the mechanism and speed go, the MB-100 adds in a couple better options like the better converters, etc. The MB-75 sounds great, and we have sold a lot of the new versions in the last year, and honestly we have not had one problem. Beautifal sounding. Also consider the Nakamichi 45-Z which is basically the same as the MB-100 with the exception of the 6 disk in-dash, this is a single disk.

Email me at IndoAudio@aol.com with any inquries, the MB-75 is $430.00 with full warranty, and the CD-45Z is $330.00.

Thanks!

Ravi

spyfish007

well, I just thought I would point out that the Nak has had problems just to be fair. They have done a good job of fixing them though. Probably a little better job and Eclipse. The hideaway part is just a small 1/2 din sized object that contains half of the functions of the MB100. It helps isolate the noise to keep it simple. If you run it to the back and you run the amp in the back, then your RCAs can be REAL short so you lessen the amount of noise the RCAs can pick up. This can be the BIGGEST sources of noise in cars, because they are low level signals than just pick up noise. High $ cables help and high voltage outputs from decks help. (Hence the trend in car audio to go from 0.5 volt outputs to 5V++)

Speakers are obvious weak link and they are the final say in your car audio. However I've heard many of systems with so called average speakers sound awesome with a good source and great amp. The amp will be one of the biggest factors in how good your stuff sounds. We can cover amps later.

Now in order to pick speakers you must do listening test. Go to many dealers and listen. In shop demos can be deceiving, because you know they set it up to be 100 times better than you will get in your car. However, you can get an idea of the type of sound a speaker makes. Also see if you can get some good demo time in the sales guys cars or current customer cars. This will help you decide. You need to listen for detail in drums, guitars, and vocals. Figure out what type of sound you like the best. One big thing is the tweeter. The tweeter material will go along way in determining brand you choose. I have three basic categories: paper, cotton/silk, & metal. Most people who complain about metal tweeters being too harsh have probably not heard them setup correctly--I'd put money on it. There a few people that they are probably just too bright for them. The detail in guitars is amazing with metal tweeters. If done right you can hear the attach on the guitar strings ... DMB!! Way cool. Companes like Boston, MB Quartz, Diamond, Focal, and many others use the metal tweeter. The cotton/silk tweeters are a little more warm and mellow and can have great detail. I've noticed that the drums sound better on these. But lots of that is from company putting more emphasis on mid than tweeter and using a very strong/low oriented mid driver with more bass in it. Companies like this are Dynaudio, Polk, and I think Soundstream? There are several true hi-end companies (like Focal) that do multiple tweeters so for example Focal has a paper tweeter for flat as a board EQ sound. Most people don't like, but some do .... you just need to listen. I would say $200 to $250 is a good entry price for a set of components for the front stage. I am personally a Boston Acoustics fan. I have taken many friends to various places to listen to speakers and they usually like the Boston or the MB Quartz. Just tell me what kind of music you like and I can see if that is the right direction for you.

rx7speed811

i agree, speakers are probably the most common weak link in a configuration with otherwise good potential. also, no matter what components you choose to go with, dont disregard the need for good wiring and decent capacity caps. our cars have pretty rough electrical systems.

BrianK

I'm game... I write electronic music and have been for 7+ years. I listen to a wide variety of music, but it's mainly all electronic - I don't do a lot of classical or acoustic (at least, not for the most part).

My studio monitors are the KRK V8's - 1" silk dome for the high end and 8" woven kevlar for the bottom end. I love their sound & would be impressed if I could get anything close to them in the car. I have never had good experience with a metal tweeter, but - like you say, I may not have heard them set up correctly.

Thanks again for the advice!

spyfish007

Another question before another long answer ..... what do you think of paradigm home speakers? They use a titanium tweeter ......

BrianK

Never heard them or heard of them. Chances are, if they aren't studio monitors, I know nothing about them... All my cash goes into either studio or car stuff - I don't even have furniture. hehe I'm 6'5" and sleep in a twin bed (with my feet hanging over the edge) because 1) I don't want to spring for a new bed when that money could go towards more fun things, and 2) A bigger bed would not fit in my room amongst all the keyboards and sound equipment. I don't have quite as good of an excuse for having no furniture.

Let me tell you about having two people sleep in my bed - it's not the most fun thing you could possibly do (well, once the sleeping commences, anyway)

... anyway, back to the original subject... Sorry, I have no experience with home audio.

spyfish007

Well then ... where were we? I might suggest that you look at Polk, Diamond Audio (Hex w/ silk tweeters), and Dynaudio. These vary in price and performance. The Polks and Diamonds are pretty similar, while the Dynaudio speakers are out of this world -studio like!!! The drums are incredable on these speakers. If you want close to studio sound (or as close as you will get in a noisy car environment) then add a layer or dynamat/roadkill to each door. It won't add too much weight but it will increase performance BIG TIME.

One final note: I have yet to hear the new Diamond amps, but the rep brought them by my friend's shop about 2 weeks ago and EVERYONE was drooling. I am curious to see if they sound 1/2 as good as they look. If they do, wow.

Flybye

Well, in case you are curious, here is my setup. I have a Blaupunkt. Interesting to see that noone has commented on it. I have been VERY happy with mine, and have had it for almost 3 years now. The ONLY problem I am having with it is one section of the LCD display is not lighting up right away. I am VERY ****, and I picked this model because I am able to change the lighting to red to match my gauges, and the round buttons almost perfectly match with the interior.

JaySpec7

Carson... wow.. your on a roll!!! lol..

Do you know which MB Quartz speakers fit in an FD? I'm hearing the magnets hit the glass... hit me up on IM when you get a chance..

thanks

ATPRX7

Actually you say that the Nakamichi's have problems? We have had less to zero Nakamichi MB-75's and MB-100's come back for warranty repair work than any other headunit, even though we sell a lot of them. Nakamichi would not sell a product that is that problematic. And correct right when they came out a couple years back they did have some problems, but all of them are worked out and they work beautifully.

Email me if you want MB Quart Speakers, there are many I can reccomend that fit in a FD or you can go with JL, Boston, Infinity, basically anything!

MB Quart's use "titanium tweeters" that is why most people think they are a little too "bright".

Email Indoaudio@aol.com!

Thanks,

Ravi

ATPRX7

Pretty much no Focal speaker will fit into the FD, the magnet's are too deep on those speakers!

spyfish007

depends on how you mount the Focal's ........

dclin

iTrader: (4)

Not sure about headunits (I've always had Sony's, up to the old ES), but I love my Soundstream amps. Mmmmm, nice n warm fuzzies!

ATPRX7 - can you hook me up with some Exact 5.3 components? Last thing I need (other then a head) to finish off the system I'm building for my 7.

spyfish007

I used to run a pair of Soundstream Reference amps ... you know the ones everyone smoked? I only smoked my 4 channel twice ..... great amp though. I still recommend!

I've run McIntosh, Kenwood, Profile, Soundstream, JL Audio ... to name a few ....

BrianK

Nice! looks great... this is also one of the reasons I'm upgrading - to have room for the Saab gauge adaptor (mine should be in on Friday - it cost all of $14). Is that the Saab unit you have? How did you get it to mount flush with the stereo and the trim? I was under the impression that it mounted flush with the stereo mounts, which would be inset about 1/4" from the actual face of the stereo and the trim around it.

ATPRX7

Email me dclin @ Indoaudio@aol.com

dclin

iTrader: (4)

Hey Carson,

What do you think of these speaker placements.

- Exact 4.2 4"coaxes in the kick panels (bi-amped), around 300-400hz up

- Exact 5.3 5 1/4" comp with the mid-woofers in the doors, around 300-400hz down, and the tweeters (level turned down) at the base of the a-pillar aimed across from each other, but angled a bit forward along the curve of the windshield base.

May or may not do rear fill with a pair of 5" mid woofers, I'll have to see.

My logic is that the tweeters in the a-pillars will help bring the soundstage up, and with it off axis will help fill in the centerstage.

Of course, I'll play with it a bit once I gather everything together.

Wacha think?:p

R Xplicit

imho, eclipse makes the best head units. different volt outputs, multiple rca connectors and subwoofer controls. e-comm, and other cool stuff can be added. they also guarantee their product like no other. i have had an eclipse unit in all of my cars dating back to 1994.....

Flybye

Thanks
I actually made it myself. I used the face of the factory CD player, I cut out the center area, epoxyed a piece of plastic to it, then I put finishing bondo on it, sanded it down several times, painted it, and there you have it

You can find some premade din things here.
http://www.omorimeter.com/prod02.htm

potatobbq

This isn't about head units but I have a question for you audio guys...

Can ALL amps be bridged? For example I looked on the Phoenix Gold website and there were no specs that say any of their amps can be bridged or anything whereas some other brands would actually give bridged specs... Also what door speakers at what size will fit in the FD? ... I went to a stereo shop today and they said a LOT of speakers won't fit. I'm thinking of buying the Boston FS but I want to see what the options are pricewise and everything. I don't know much about audio so please excuse me if those were stupid questions, heh...

spyfish007

Well I think you have too much going on here. You need to simply your system because it is going to be near impossible to get all of those speakers to sound good together. Go with a 6.5" or maybe a 5.25" in the door with a 4" & tweeter in the kicks. You can use co-ax aligment for the mid and tweeter if you like. Spend the time and really find the best placement for the mid and tweeter. It will pay off. It might pay off enough that you don't have to run tweeters on the A-piller. The a-piller is good, but only @ above 10k for the tweeters. The choice for speakers is ok .. just get a good amp like I was talking about earlier.

One point to make on setting up speakers .... you must know what the music should sound like. In other words spend some time listening to music in a good home environment and learn sound stage ... that is if you are really looking for that next level. Most people will think that your system sounds great with speakers and amps because it is clean .... but it can sound so much better with good or perfect placement. Remember keep it simple stupid (KISS )

mightyslash

Alpine, no doubt about it

dclin

iTrader: (4)

Thats exactly what I meant hehe. I didn't word it clearly in my earlier post.

4" coaxe for mid/highs in the kick panel, grouped together with a 5 1/4 mid bass in the door (would find a place in the kickpanel to group it tighter, but I don't want to spend months on building pods hehe).

Basically a three-way.

The tweeter that came with teh 5 1/4 would serve as 'fill' in the pillars to bring the soundstage up. May also use a pair of midbass for rear fill, but will have to listen first.

My only worry is that the tweeters at such proximity to the windshield will color the sound. I guess I'll just have to play with it.

I may take my loyalty to Soudstream a bit far with the speaker selection (I know there are better), but i love my amps. I'm on my 5th and 6th Reference, and I love the warm sound. Funny that none of my amps ever died? I guess I've been lucky. I remember back in the late 80s, it was common to pull a Soundtream out every week to resolder...

BizarroTerl

I've got a older Sony unit that's 35W*4. Damn thing gets so hot CDs will almost burn you when they come out. When I replace it I'll use outboard amps.