Which 3" mid to add, if any?
Current setup:
Vifa xt25 small format ring radiator in sail panels.
Polk SR6500 woofers in fairly well damped/sealed doors
JBL MS8
JL 450/4
Problem: I just cannot get the stage height I want. Snares seem to hang right around the middle of the dash and guitars pull down to the doors at times.
Possible solution: add a small midrange driver on the A-pillars.
I have a car with a fair amount of road noise (Subaru Impreza STi) and tend to listen to pretty aggressive music (metal, punk) at fairly high levels. This is introducing two problems. First, the Vifas work well crossed low, but I worry about overdriving them at the volumes I need to overcome the road noise. Second is the aforementioned staging problem. I have a 300/4 sitting around that I could move the tweeters and mids onto, since they will be close enough to not need time alignment between them.
So, should I add a mid to try and improve the system, and if so which and over what frequency range? I'm thinking something like 600-3500 give or take 100hz at the end and 500hz at the top end. Obviously, I like cheap, but I also prefer to do things right the first time. Also, it seems the prices on most neo magnet based drivers has really climbed over the past few months.
Here are the drivers I am considering:
HiVi B3N: Zaph's favorite, super cheap, really flat frequency response in the potential range
Fountek FR88EX: Higher output than the B3N, shallow depth, slightly more expensive.
RS52n: Highest output of the three. Seems tailor made for the frequency range I am considering. Most expensive of the three. Biggest of the three (about a half inch larger around).
The rest. Most of these have limited info or are expensive enough require a REALLY compelling reason to choose them over the top three choices.
RS75
TB W3-881SJ
TB W31364SA
TB W3-881SI
To start off, I will most likely mount in a PVC setup to dial in the aiming, but will eventually move to a more permanent mounting in the pillars.
Any one use any of the drivers above on the dash? How about the second tier of choices, any feedback on these compared to the top three?
Current setup:
Vifa xt25 small format ring radiator in sail panels.
Polk SR6500 woofers in fairly well damped/sealed doors
JBL MS8
JL 450/4
Problem: I just cannot get the stage height I want. Snares seem to hang right around the middle of the dash and guitars pull down to the doors at times.
Possible solution: add a small midrange driver on the A-pillars.
I have a car with a fair amount of road noise (Subaru Impreza STi) and tend to listen to pretty aggressive music (metal, punk) at fairly high levels. This is introducing two problems. First, the Vifas work well crossed low, but I worry about overdriving them at the volumes I need to overcome the road noise. Second is the aforementioned staging problem. I have a 300/4 sitting around that I could move the tweeters and mids onto, since they will be close enough to not need time alignment between them.
So, should I add a mid to try and improve the system, and if so which and over what frequency range? I'm thinking something like 600-3500 give or take 100hz at the end and 500hz at the top end. Obviously, I like cheap, but I also prefer to do things right the first time. Also, it seems the prices on most neo magnet based drivers has really climbed over the past few months.
Here are the drivers I am considering:
HiVi B3N: Zaph's favorite, super cheap, really flat frequency response in the potential range
Fountek FR88EX: Higher output than the B3N, shallow depth, slightly more expensive.
RS52n: Highest output of the three. Seems tailor made for the frequency range I am considering. Most expensive of the three. Biggest of the three (about a half inch larger around).
The rest. Most of these have limited info or are expensive enough require a REALLY compelling reason to choose them over the top three choices.
RS75
TB W3-881SJ
TB W31364SA
TB W3-881SI
To start off, I will most likely mount in a PVC setup to dial in the aiming, but will eventually move to a more permanent mounting in the pillars.
Any one use any of the drivers above on the dash? How about the second tier of choices, any feedback on these compared to the top three?