[cpetersen]

I am planning to upgrade my stock stereo system in a 2013 WRX hatchback. I currently have a Pioneer AVH-X4700BS HU, Pioneer TS-A1682R 6.5" coaxials in the front doors, and a Bazooka BTA8100 BT in the hatch.

I'll be running the active crossovers from a Pioneer AVH-X4700BS. I have pretty much decided on running a PPI 900.4 to run the active front stage. I am now trying to decide on the front stage speakers. I may move the Pioneer TS-A1682R 6.5" coaxial to the rear door or just not run the rear speakers at all, until I can get a decent mid base drive. Note that the Bazooka will be replaced in the future as well.

I am trying to decide if it would be better/cost effective to go with a component set or get separates for Madisound/Part Express. My budget is around $200.

Components I am considering:

• Rainbow Audio SLX 265 $180
• PPI PC2.65C $180
• JBL GTO609C $200
• CDT Audio CL61MB $200
• Image Dynamics CTX-6.5cs $230
• JLAudio - C2 Series C2-650 $230
• JBL MS-62C $230 (If I can still find them)

Separates I am considering:

1. Peerless 830946 SLS 6.5" $48 each
2. Dayton Audio RS180-4 7" $50 (not sure this would fit in the front doors)
3. Image Dynamics CX62 V2 6.5" 2 Ohm Mid-bass Drivers $200 pair
4. Dayton Audio ND20FB-4 tweeter $15 each

 

[gijoe]

I don't see any real reason for buying pre-packaged components when running active, unless you really like a specific set for specific reasons. You will not get the same level of quality for the money if buying a component set. Does your head unit have time alignment? Personally, I don't see the point in going active if all you have is the ability to set crossovers. It turns into a lot more work, with very little benefit if you can't time align and EQ.

Either way, without taking the time researching all of your equipment I'll assume you've done that. Personally I would browse Parts Express and buy raw drivers. Consider the Dayton rs180P over the standard version, but I imagine you'll need to do some modifying to get them to fit. I have an 05 Impreza and even a standard 6.5 won't fit without spacers, then with enough spacers to clear the glass the door panel needed to be modified. It wasn't fun, but eventually it all worked out.

Good luck.

 

[cpetersen]

The Pioneer AVH-X4700BS does have time alginment and a 13-band customizable graphic equalizer.

 

[cpetersen]

I took a looked at the Dayton rs180P and they are rated for 60 watts RMS. Are they doing to able to handle the PPI 900.4?

 

[cpetersen]

I am planning on adding some form of a PVC spacer for the door speakers. Would like stay as stealth/stock as possible and would rule out any speaker that would not fit behind the door panel. Would also like to fit the tweeter in the door sail. Unlike the door panel, would modify the sail as needed. I do not want to modify the a-piller for this upgrade.

 

[cpetersen]

gijoe,

I looked on Parts Express and didn't see much for 6.5" 4ohm speakers.

Madisound has these:

• Scanspeak Discovery 18W/4434G-00, 7" Midwoofer, 4 ohm for $67
  
• SB Acoustics SB17NRXC35-4, 6.5" Woofer for $63
  
• SB Acoustics SB17MFC35-4 6.5" Poly Cone Woofer for $65 https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c.../sb-acoustics-sb17mfc35-4-6-poly-cone-woofer/
  
• SEAS Prestige L16RNX 6" Aluminum Cone Woofer (H1488-04) - 4 ohm $105

Does anyone have experience using these in a car audio build?

 

[cpetersen]

From other builds I have seen, the Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7-inch drivers should fit in the 2013 WRX front door with spacers and the 60 watts RMS rating should not matter if I tune the system properly.

As of how I am considering going with the Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7" Reference Paper Woofer 4 Ohm drivers.

What tweeters will work well with these? Dayton ND20FB-4, LPG 26NA or SEAS Alum Neo?

 

[cpetersen]

How would the Dayton Audio RS180P-4 and good tweeter set compare with the Precision Power PPI P65c3 set in the WRX?

 

[gijoe]

First of all, you don't need a 4 ohm speaker, an 8 ohm speaker can get just as loud off depending on the sensitivity. Check the sensitivity of a few speakers and you will see that there are a lot of great 8 ohm speakers to choose from. Have you measured how much room you have to work with? Like I mentioned before, when I finally had enough clearance to not hit the window glass, the door panel needed modifying. Those Daytons are not small speakers, if you aren't willing to modify the door panels you really need to know exactly how big of a speaker you can fit.

 

[teldzc1]

Check out these NVX Components. They are basically rebadged SB Acoustics but come with mounting hardware. Not much rice advantage going with the SB's at this price. Having tweeter grills are nice, unless you don't need them.

 

[damonryoung]

From other builds I have seen, the Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7-inch drivers should fit in the 2013 WRX front door with spacers and the 60 watts RMS rating should not matter if I tune the system properly.

As of how I am considering going with the Dayton Audio RS180P-4 7" Reference Paper Woofer 4 Ohm drivers.

What tweeters will work well with these? Dayton ND20FB-4, LPG 26NA or SEAS Alum Neo?

I am currently running RS180-4 (aluminum) and the ND20FB-4 in a 3-way setup plus the RS75-4. I enjoy them immensely...

Oh, and on power handling, don't worry. I have 200 watts going to my ND20FBs and 500+ going to my RS180s... I think the 900.4 will do just fine.

 

[cpetersen]

Check out these NVX Components. They are basically rebadged SB Acoustics but come with mounting hardware. Not much rice advantage going with the SB's at this price. Having tweeter grills are nice, unless you don't need them.

These NVX XSP6ACT 6.5 look like a good deal.

I have not been able to find a review on them. How do they compare to the Dayton Audio RS180P-4?

 

[cpetersen]

Check out these NVX Components. They are basically rebadged SB Acoustics but come with mounting hardware. Not much rice advantage going with the SB's at this price. Having tweeter grills are nice, unless you don't need them.

Trying to figure out which SB Acoustics components the NVX XSP6ACT 6.5 are using. Looks like maybe the SB29RDCN-C000-4 tweeter and either the SB17NRXC35-4 or SB17MFC35-4 6.5".

Not finding a lot of information about the SB Acoustics SB17MFC35-4 6.5" Poly Cone Woofer, however turbo5upra recommended it here.

 

[BlueGhost]

That the correct tweeter, I believe the woofer is based on the SB17NRXC35-4. If you looking for info related to the NVX set you might also look at what people have to say about the ARC Black series. The ARC 6.2 uses basically the same woofer paired with a different SB Acoustic tweeter.

 

[cpetersen]

What tweeter would have the best synergy with the Dayton RS180P?

Note sure I want to go with the SB Acoustics or NVX 6.5", since I have not heard a reason.

• Vifa XT25SC90-04 $40
• Vifa DX25TG09-04 $50
• Morel MDT 12 1-1/8" $60
• Vifa NE19VTS-04 $65
• SEAS 27TAFNC/G $90
• Dayton Audio RS28A-4 1-1/8" $110
• SB Acoustics SB29RDCN-C000-4 $120
• Usher 9950-20 $130
• Other?

 

[cpetersen]

That the correct tweeter, I believe the woofer is based on the SB17NRXC35-4. If you looking for info related to the NVX set you might also look at what people have to say about the ARC Black series. The ARC 6.2 uses basically the same woofer paired with a different SB Acoustic tweeter.

Appears the ARC Black 6.2 has the SB Acoustics SB26STCN-C000-4, from the spec sheets. How can they justify the $899 price tag?

 

[teldzc1]

You're asking a lot of valid questions there...but its basic business and marketing. They need to make some money too. NVX must be taking a beating on each set they sell.

There isn't much information out there on the RS-180P. Lot's of people use the RS-180 Aluminium version. One of the caveats about the AL version is that it has ringing high up so generally you need a lower crossover over point. That would either require a 3 way or a tweeter that can play very low. Its unclear whether the paper version is can reach up higher, but given its larger size, I'd still want to cross it as low as possible.

You've listed a couple large format tweeters in your options. Do you have room for them? That would open up possibilities like the Vifa XT25G large format. Or even the Scan HDS or others.

 

[cpetersen]

Not sure I am all in for three way front stage. Want to keep the tweets and front speakers in their stock locations. Don't need extra attention by having speakers on the a-piller. That would also require another amp, unless they share with the sub(s) on a four channel??? Maybe another PPI 900.4?

Currently biased to the NVX kit. May look for a tweeter under 1" and run the SB Acoustic 6.5".

 

[1998993C2S]

OP -
And yet another version of the Seas Prestige L16RN-SL (H1480) .. 6" woofer; https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c...estige-l16rn-sl-h1480-5-aluminum-cone-woofer/
A sealed enclosure is better suited to the QTS 46 parameter. (Pluto kit speaker)

gijoe,

I looked on Parts Express and didn't see much for 6.5" 4ohm speakers.

Madisound has these:

• Scanspeak Discovery 18W/4434G-00, 7" Midwoofer, 4 ohm for $67
  
• SB Acoustics SB17NRXC35-4, 6.5" Woofer for $63
  
• SB Acoustics SB17MFC35-4 6.5" Poly Cone Woofer for $65 https://www.madisoundspeakerstore.c.../sb-acoustics-sb17mfc35-4-6-poly-cone-woofer/
  
• SEAS Prestige L16RNX 6" Aluminum Cone Woofer (H1488-04) - 4 ohm $105

Does anyone have experience using these in a car audio build?

 

[cpetersen]

Very interesting. How will the SEAS work in the front doors?