Help with design around Aurum Cantus mids

[jedalton]

I'm sure many won't like this, but I want a system without a subwoofer. I have a 1986 Porsche 911 that I want to keep original, so I ordered some Aurum Cantus AC-130MKII speakers that are on sale at Parts Express. They appear to have a large xmax and can go low for a 5.25" speaker. I was planning an active 2-way using my Alpine 9813 deck for power.

Question #1) Will the power be too low to benefit from the large xmax and low frequency capabilities of the speakers?

Question #2) Please recommend some tweeters that will match well with these speakers. Max $50 each. I plan to mount them the same way as can be seen in the "1979 Porsche 911" thread in the install gallery. I would create a link, but am unable to due to my low post count.

Jerad

[Hillbilly SQ]

i'd try the lpg textiles from madisound. and your headunit won't even come close to giving the drivers enough CLEAN power to get them going good. i'd look into a small 50x4 amp that you can tuck away somewhere to power the set with. if you went with a small 4-channel amp, what would the budget be on it? someone on here could probably hook you up with something that would work.

[solacedagony]

First off, you're going to have to deaden the hell out of your doors if you'd like to go subless. Second, I'd recommend the next size up (6"/7") if you're going subless. I personally think subless is a cool goal if you can pull it off.

Like team said, you're definitely going to need an aftermarket amp to supply some decent power to your stuff. And don't forget about a crossover.

[Hillbilly SQ]

the 9813 has all the crossover power he'll need. and year deadening those doors is a requirement.

[jedalton]

I'm sure this seems crazy on this forum, but I won't be deadening or using an external amp. Unfortunately, in the Porsche community, a low-mile original would lose a bit of value by doing these things. Same with using a larger driver. The primary auditory source is the air-cooled engine, and the speakers will mainly be used for highway cruising when the engine noise gets a bit old. All of the deadening in the world isn't getting rid of the engine noise, so any loss of SQ by not deadening is probably no big deal.

I guess the big question is if I would just be better off going with some coaxes since I'm running the deck for power. The alpine coaxes I installed before are terrible, though.

Which lpg's are the textiles?

Oh, I see they are the 25NFA.

[Preacher]

Several people around here report good things about crystal coaxial's.

Madisound has several interesting coaxials for sale that would whomp big box stuff.

[tyroneshoes]

Yeah, id just toss in some coaxials. Probably these

http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=45_245_315&products_id=1587

However, Id stick with 4 ohm drivers and Im dont know if the deck could power that cantus speaker well at 8 ohms.

If you want I have some soundstream exact 5.25s and BNIB oz audio 5.25s from the old days.

[dBassHz]

x2 If you're not going to deaden your doors and you're only going to use the headunit power go with some car audio speakers. They tend to do better in IB applications (higher QTS) and they are usually rated at 4 ohms.

[jedalton]

That's disappointing to hear that coaxes are the best option. Oh well. I sure miss my Utopia's driven off of Linear Power 2.2. Maybe I'll redo my daily driver.

Anyway, I have Alpine Type S 5.25 in the front, and 4x6 in the rear, and frankly the sound is almost intolerable. The best coaxes I have heard are JLs, but I haven't heard a lot. Would the Audax be a big upgrade for me? Are the Crystals better? I obviously need something with some decent midbass since I'm not using a sub.

[durwood]

I'm going to back you up even though it's not the ideal way, I still think it's better than coax IF you have a spot to mount the separates.

First to answer some of your questions, yes you can still benefit from the low extension of the speaker using the deck power, but you will probably not utilize the xmax of the driver.

I have actually been eyeing up the Aurum Cantus (Although the larger 7" that has car audio specs). I think it would do ok, I mean you are already using the alpines right? Coax would be a step down unless you dumped some money into them at which point you coudl just have separates.

I don't knwo what to tell you about the 4x6. Not much I can recommend unless you do a 3" wide bander or even a 4.5" widebander moutned to a 4x6" plate. Might just stick with the 4x6. Boston and I think Blaupunkt made some European sized 4x6" that seemed good, and it might have had blaupunkts in there originally.

What about these for the rear 4x6?

http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/exodus_fr125/
http://www.acoustic-visions.com/~acoustic/products/subwoofer_drivers/exodus_wr125/

They don't have measurements so I don't know if they would fit.

[jedalton]

My original plan was to not have any rear-fill, and just use the deck on the front speakers. However, if coaxes are the better answer I'll keep rear fill. In fact, the car has an external fader in the console, so I currently have the deck bridged running to the fader, then splitting to the four speakers (probably a bad idea).

I could just run higher quality coaxes in the front or a component set up front, active off the deck if that would be better, and forget the rear fill. I know none of these systems will be great, but they need to be better than the current. My budget is $200-$300 (preferring $200).

Does anyone else have an opinion on whether or not I should send back the ACs and get speakers made specifically for cars?

[durwood]

My original plan was to not have any rear-fill, and just use the deck on the front speakers. However, if coaxes are the better answer I'll keep rear fill. In fact, the car has an external fader in the console, so I currently have the deck bridged running to the fader, then splitting to the four speakers (probably a bad idea).

Yikes! :o How is your deck still working?