perfect stereo placement for DIY - 91+ 201 - 190Es

[Chiragp]

Well I've haven't visited the forum in forever. Decided to drop a note since I'm finally back in the 190E until the M3 comes back from its many planned transformations...

Driving the car, I realized how much I disliked my MB Quarts, as weird as that may sound.

So, now working in Car Audio and Video at Myer-Emco, a high-end chain local to Washington, DC...I decided to use the resources available to me and redesign my setup.

I centered everything around the Alpine CDA-9815. Great Head Unit, Time Alignment, clean display, easy to read, MP3/WMA, and 4 Volt 3 PRe outs, with Crossover slopes and EQs....Everything you need. Even has a tilt mechanism to angle it right inmy sweet spot.

I removed the Cassette holders out of my 190E dash. I went and used a Porsche CD-holder and installed it in the larger then Din opening thats left when removing the Cassette holders.

Using all new wiring, Monster Cable only, I took a Micro XLN 6 Channel RCA to the back where the amps will be. I then ran individual Speaker Wire to each speaker. I left the factory inputs the way they were, and actually installed a Honda Plug, and then a Honda Wire Harness, so that I can return the car back to stock if need be.

I decided to use Boston Acoustics Speakers all the way around. Driven by enough power, they truly sound amazing. Using Boston Acoustics Pro 6.5 3-ways, I placed the 4" Midrange in the dash, dynamated properly and enclosed well. I placed the Tweeter in the Dash Opening, and am custom flushing them to the existing grill. For the 6.5" Woofer, I removed the door panel, and completely dynamated both the door panel and sheetmetal. I removed the Factory 4" Woofer Enclosure, and Installed the 6.5" woofer to a 3/4" MDF board siliconed around the grill opening. With the sealed woofer along the door and spaced properly, and with the removal of the woofer from the door, the woofer can play as loud as possible without having to worry about rattle.

Moving to the back, I carefuly removed the old speaker, and used the bracket the speaker is placed on as an adapter for a Boston Acoustics NX 57. Initiall I was going to use Boston Pro 5.5 (which can be coax mounted) and placed back in the factory location, but decided against it due to the lack of power my amp will have in the rear. And this actually is a good thing, because having too much volume from the rear will throw off Imaging. I then took the time to Dynamat all the weak spots of the car. I did the front doors, rear doors for good measure, and rear deck. I aslo did the front kicks due to many holes that go back and forth between their, and the doors and engine firewall.

The Final part was to get a good placement for some bass frequencies. I decided to get rid of the First Aid kit. But Instead of using a free air sub, or Bass Box like the Infinity Bass Link, or an incredibly huge subwoofer or 2 taking up my trunk....I decided to take the opening and use it for placement for a new enclosure. I Decided to use 2 JL Audio 6w0-4 ohm subs. They require a very small amount of air space (.15 cubic feet) so by expanding the box deeper by 2" and enlarging the width slightly, you are able to place 2 in that opening. We kept the factory First Aid kit lid, and just removed as much lining as possible to allow air movement.

The amp used to push all of this is a JL Audio 500/5 amp. The amp is going to be placed below the enclosure, suspended upside down. The Crossovers for both 6.5-3ways are quite large...so they are lined up next to the enlcosure, nicely and neatly. The JL Audio is a beautiful amp, it has great crossover capabilties, incredible amounts of power, and no regard for resistance which makes it very versatile. The 250 watts rms that jl calims, works from 1.5-4 ohms. The fronts are pushing an amazing 125 watts RMS to the fronts, and 25 RMS to the rears.

The fact that I required no real additional space, I have achieved about the best sound possible, with incredible Mid Range, and Mid Bass response. The 6" subwoofers actually do sound incredible. for a 6" sub, its very hard to take seriously, but does do its duty.

In all, I now expect many do wish to see pictures. So I will do my best to include them next time I post. Since the east coast here is bracing for Huricane Isabella, me and the installers had time to invest. Once we finish the final touches, I will deff take pictures.

Again, sorry for the long write up, but thought it would be encouraging for many 190E owners looking for a great setup.

[pentoman]

Charlie -

Nice to see you going ahead with a decent system in a 190E. I wonder if you could help me with my install.

Firstly, what I have:

1) Kenwood MP6090 MP3-CD HU
2) Kicker Impulse IX404 amp - run at 2 ohms it makes 60W per channel, into:
3) Boston Acoustics 4" coaxials, front and rear. I agree that Bostons sound particularly good up in the dash
4) 1x Alpine Type-R 10" sub, in 0.75 cu ft sealed


Why I'm thinking of upgrading:

1) Lack of mid-bass between 4" bostons and 10" sub
2) Bass somewhat lacking as it has to come through the boot & fuel tank
3) Because I can


I was looking at the 6w0 recently, pleased to hear they sound good for you.

Without buying a new amp, I'm looking at a few options:

Replace rear 4" with 6w0's. Will be in free air, and I'll have no rear sounds. Will the sound be dragged to rear of the car?

Replace 10" sub with 6w0's in first aid kit space. But I'd like to keep the kit, and generally keep the car standard.

Replace rear 4" with, say 6 1/2 inch components. Requires cutting, will drag sound rearward.



I'm quite happy with the sound now otherwise, so don't want to mess it up too much.
What do you think?
Could you send me some photos of your setup, especially the 6w0 installation? My fronts are installed 'loose' in the existing dash holes, held down by the existing grilles. Cheap and nasty I know.. what should I do about it and will it sound much better? Dynamat? More pictures?



thanks

Russ

[Chiragp]

1) If you have an opening for door speakers (which is a box built into the door for a 4") then replace that with a custom box built for a 6.5" woofer, and do a 3-way setup. Hands down beautiful. I used Pro 6.5-3

For the rear, I ws able to squeeze 5.25" coax Boston NX57s in the rear. They required a lil triming, and remocing the factory speaker in the bracket. I've tried 6.5" before, doesn't sound right if its not sealed of well.

Using 6w0 free air will never work. You'll burn them up. They won't work in the first aid kit, it has to be removed and a box has to be built in its place if you wish to do so. My modification looks stock, but non of it is besides the rear speakers. The door woofer is now permanent. The fronts are now permanent as the tweeter will be flushed.

I get just as much bass (soundwise, but not the feel off course) of 2 10" Alpine Type Rs. That is an amazing sound. I've just changed from the JL 500/5 to 2 Small 4 Channel amps doing 4x100. I'm bi-amping the fronts, so all 4 channels of one amp ar used strictly for the fronts. I'm using 2 chanels of the second amp for the rears, and bridging 3+4 for the sub. Truly works well.

If you want mid-bass, replace rears with 5.25" get a head unit with some EQing ability, and place more sound from the fronts, but mid bass from the rears without increasing the volume of the vocals (read highs) to the back and throwing of front stereo imaging.

Hope that helps.
Charlie.