[PeteyGoesBoom]

DLS Iridium 8" Midbass (4ohm)

MorelUSA WR8"s (4ohm)

Seas Excel 8" (8 ohm)



These are my FINAL THREE CHOICES!!! I know the Peerless XLS's, Scan Speak Revelators, Vifa's, etc., are all GREAT options, but this is my final 3.

I wil have running them a Zapco Reference 750.2 (175RMS X 2 @40hms). The speakers will be in my doors, HEAVILY dampened, with "egg crate" foam all in the back, set in model clay. My subs will be 4 IDMAX' sealed off of 2 Zapco 1100.1's. My highs will be the Focal Utopia 165W's in kick panels. Head unit will be an Eclipse 8053, all Symbilink to a Zapco 1000.4 for the highs, and a 200.2 for the rear components in the rear doors. I have a very good electrically upgraded system. All Zapco signal processing througout.

I like Classical rock, metal, jazz, hip hop, ALL types of music! I like that quick hitting, snappy, punchy bass that can get pretty deep at times too. Also MUST be VERY musical. With 4 IDMAX's, I guess low extension bass wouldn't have to be that important for the mids.

WHAT would be the most ideal mids for THIS setup?!!!
The 8 ohmers scare me since I'll be losing power a bit, but npdang says it's no big deal. Curious to know which of the above mids would fit all these necessities.

I started to think about this last week, and need to decide now, since my final piece to my install is coming next week! Will miss my friggin' EAST COAST MEET this Sunday, but I guess doing it right is ore important! Bill Acevedo, my installer from Highlands, NJ (Sounds Impossible) is in Asia for 2 weeks. This was my only holdup! He is incredibly awesome, so it's worth the wait... I hope. (LOL)


Thanks for your final help!!!
Pete

 

[blackreplica]

Whats your intended frequency range of use

IMO, its not even a choice, the SEAS Excel is the one to choose. Although i suppose that the lower the lowpass freq you choose, the less of a difference it makes, but i cant imagine the morel or DLS being superior to the excel at any frequency

 

[PeteyGoesBoom]

Most likely, with 4 IDMAX's back there, I should stay around 80-100 hertz up to around 1.5-2K, depending on the mid being used. Low end shouldn't be all that significant, since I have all that bass back there from 90hertz and under. I know that I can go even lower than 80 hertz from those mids, but it's not critical that I do.

I LOVE the Seas Excel's for a choice, but in your experience, how would the 8 ohm configuration play a role in the Excels getting less power from the Zapco 750.2 amp? Theoretically, the Zap will probably push around 100RMS X 2 @ 4 ohms, instead of the full 175RMS X @!

I know the Excels are very efficient, but do you think of that? My Zapco Reference 1000.4 will be feeding my Focal Utopia's, all 4 channels of it, so there will be alot of power on the tweets and midranges. The midbass's should have about the same to keep up?

Do you think the 8 ohm thingy will be underpowering those Seas or would it not be a big a deal as I think?


Thanks!!!
Pete

 

[smee]

keep in mind that cuting your volume in half is theoretically = to loosing 3db. so efficiency wise you can sum that in to see how efficient the excels are compared to the others. I dont know there specs but from what ive seen 8 ohm drivers are generally more efficient that your 4ohm drivers.

 

[tf1216]

I think you will have plenty of power man. How come the Focal Utopia 165W's? Just curious? How come 4 subs?

I have Seas L18s in my doors and I am using a modded 6.0 to power them. Way more than enough. I am only using them for dedicated midbass but playing them up to 2 kHz is a piece of cake. You will be fine with the power you have.

 

[simon21]

What are the prices?

 

[PeteyGoesBoom]

Seas Excels are 90.5 db @ 1w/1m
DLS Iridium 8.3"s are 91db's
Morel WR8's are 90db's

All very efficient drivers.



Why the Utopia's?.... Well, I've been in car audio for only 1 1/2 years now, and have found the Utopia's back then to be "The Ones". Since I have learned better, but really have spent a lot of dough on all this and will keep them till my system is finalized, FOR NOW, but will move on to more "DIY" related equipment. The Focal's are too harsh along with other issues.

I guess I can drop to even lower than 80 hertz if need be? Up to 1.5-2K should suffice, or C/O lower, around 800 hertz, and have the Utopia 6.5"s take over till 2.5K for midrange, then the Focal TN51 tweeters finish above say 2.5K+?

The 4 subs... hmmm, I LOVE my SQ more than anything, really, but I really have that SPL bug n me at times, but not too often. I almost didn't go there, but had to try it ONCE and get it out of my system. I can listen to SADE, Dire Straights along with George Benson and Pink Floyd, then turn it up to BlackEyed Peas, Metallica, even50 cent when feeling edgy (LOL)

I guess I'm as verstaile as they get. Love it all! Just really has to be a good recording more than anything.

The Excel's... about $340 a pair before shipping
The DLS Iridiums... about $660 a pair at my shop
The Morels WR8's... $345 a pair with shipping. Spoke to MorelUSA and they have a big sale.


So, the Seas Excels shouldn't be a compromise over the 4 ohmers because of them being 8 ohms? The Zapco 750.2 should overide that problem? Don't forget, theres an awful lot of power, EVERYWHERE in that system, and I'm just making sure they dont get "cheated" or underpowered, RELATIVE to what ever else is going on in the vehicle, loudnesswise.


Thanks for your help, and PLEASE recommend what tweet and midrange to replace the Utopias with when the time should arrive. They will be in kick panels, while the midbass' will be in heavily dampened doors with egg carton foam, etc. A Zapco 1000.4 (150RMS X 4 @ 4ohms) will be feeding the twwets and midranges.

 

[10K2HVN]

i think as long as you have over 100watts, youll be fine..

for dedicated midbass duties, you should consider the L22's, IMO.

8" woofer at 80hz on a 12db slope should be killer!

 

[demon2091tb]

Dunno how your going to stand 4 IDMAX's but man thats crazy, should sound pretty good hopefully, Go with the Excel.

IMO if i had a 3way setup (not sure if your going 3way or 2way from the info given) But i'd go with a nice nice 4-5" midrange, horns, and a really beafy 8" in my doors, if i could fit them, that being said i'd most likely choose the XLS 8" for dedicated midbass duty, hopefully it would be able to keep up with your massive low end, but if your going for a 2way setup then Excel would be a good choice.

I wish i could go 3way soon, i really want to give those xls 8"ers a try. But i'm very very happy with Seas as of now.

 

[Rbsarve]

Efficiency is not really what you should be looking for in the first place.

Since this is dedicated midbases you are going for what you need is really strong output in the 70-100 Hz range, with a crossover at around 200. (Most 8"-ers extend well up to 2k so it should not be a problem.) Since they are to cope with 4 twelves in the back, you need something with lots of excursion first and foremost. Do you have limited depth to work with?

 

[npdang]

I wouldn't spend that much on a dedicated mid/bass. Imho, you have some better alternatives in terms of output and clarity.

1. Peerless xls 8"
2. Dayton Reference 8"
3. Seas L22

In that order of preference. I believe all 3 should be under ~$150/pr. I am not a fan of DLS or Morel, as they have rather limited clean output and aren't built quite as nicely.

Midrange and tweeter... Seas Excel w15cy and an LCY 110 of course

 

[Derek]

I wouldn't spend that much on a dedicated mid/bass. Imho, you have some better alternatives in terms of output and clarity.

1. Peerless xls 8"
2. Dayton Reference 8"
3. Seas L22

In that order of preference. I believe all 3 should be under ~$150/pr. I am not a fan of DLS or Morel, as they have rather limited clean output and aren't built quite as nicely.

Midrange and tweeter... Seas Excel w15cy and an LCY 110 of course

ditto.

why pay 2x the money for less performance....

 

[tf1216]

I am going to have to agree with npang. I have taken his advice a number of times and I have never been disappointed. From listening to my system it is sometimes hard to enjoy the save hip-hop, rap, and R&B (only sometimes) music that I used to enjoy when hearing in a not so great install. For me anyway, having my subs play from ~75 Hz and down doesn't have the same thump as my old 15" woofer did with a huge peak in the response. It is a different taste now that I have developed.

Also, with the music that I used to over indugle with bass does not sound the same with the Excels. Granted you will be using Utopias but I think it will be along the same lines where you will have an extra hint of harshness and sibilance due to their ability to play that extra detail in tracks. It gets irritating.

Another thing, I bought the Eclipse 8454 the day it came out and I rather enjoyed it. It had a much different sound than my P9 but I noticed it combined with the old CDT ES series was very harsh. I really hate to speak negatively about your plans, because I have been there and done that, but spend less on woofers and those Utopias and I suggest buying cheaper drivers and a processor and you will notice a world of difference. Even go 2-way like npdang, from what I hear those LCY ribbons will take your breath away. That is why I am trying to incorporate them into a home design.

Best of luck man and if you have any questions feel free to hit me up or any of the more knowledgeable peeps.

 

[PeteyGoesBoom]

I have roughly under 4" to work with. Can mod the ddor if need be a bit. I spoke to MorelUSA and they said their WR8's work best around 100 Hz up to 2K. They can go a bit under that as well while maintaining good SQ. They're listed as a lot lower, but these are the true SQ #'s given by them.

This will be a 3 way. Focal Utopia comp set for my tweets and midrange in kick panels, and the new addition of whatever I get here for midbass in my heavily dampened doors with egg crate foam, etc,.

The Utopias will come out AFTER all is said and done. I want to use it as a reference point by keeping the Utopias in there to compare when I do go to other midranges and tweets. I had them since the beginning a year and a half ago, and have learned since.

So, I'm hearing Excels, Morels, XLS'.

 

[PeteyGoesBoom]

npdang...

Thank you and everyone else for so much great advice and help!

I will definetly take your advice on the 3 selections you have given me. My question is, with my unusual setup, the 4 IDMAX's Utopia's which I ALREADY own, and listed preference in music (versatile), what would you say is the best for my Zapco Reference 750.2 (175 RMS X 2 @4ohms) to run from the ones you have offered? They will be in my doors while the Utopias will be in kick panels. A Eclipse 8053 will be on them with all Zapco C/O, EQ's etc.

I enjoy a loud, clear, musical sound with a nice quick hitting tight midbass. Anything too low is I guess nit needed since those 4 IDMAX' are back there?


I noticed that I can purchase the Seas and XLS on this site. How long is delivery on the average to NYC?

Thank you so much for all of your help and puttingme in the right direction!
Pete

 

[10K2HVN]

you guys are hysterical...

 

[PeteyGoesBoom]

I know...LOL

 

[3.5max6spd]

If you wanna wait , swing through the East Coast meet and hear my 8"Morels.

 

[kevin k.]

Bill Acevedo is a VERY cool guy and an accomplished installer and competitor... you're in good hands. As Rbsarve stated, for a dedicated midbass, you probably won't need to run them any higher than 150 Hz to 200 Hz before x-ing to your Utopia mids.

 

[PeteyGoesBoom]

That sounds great, and ideally the only way to truly decide. The problem is I'm dropping off my Explorer at sounds Impossible in Highlnds,NJ (your turf lol) on Wednesday, Sept. 21st. It is about a 2 hour ride. If I decide on the 18th at the meet which set to get, then I would need the speakers in by the 20th to have it to give to my installer by the 21st. Unless I have it shipped STRAIGHT to his shop! The vehicle will be there till Saturday, the 24th, so it can arrive during the week. I could put an 2nd day air on whatever I buy and have it sent to Jersey instead of my house here in Queens.

Wow oh wow what I go through to quench my appetite for car audio. Pretty ridiculous I think, but nevertheless this is what we do. Once I'm completely done, I'll just take some long drives to AC and some softball tournaments, etc., and just enjoy this system once and for all!