A&Q about 350Z
Q:
I wasn't sure about this but I had to do something and right now I do not have enough money to put in the stereo I want. The next big money is going for suspension, wheels and tires so I figure it will be a year before I can do real upgrades.
I had been reading threads about people replacing their rear speakers and enjoying their stereo more. Now, before we get into the bit about stage presence etc... Let me state, there was no presence in my stock stereo.
I have a Base which means; I think that thing in dar' is a Clarion. Someday it will be an Alpine with nice amp, sub, blah...blah...blah. But, for now I have to improve the sound so that I can even hear the words. It was so muddled and I didn't even know it.
So here is what happened:
I was going to replace the rear speakers with Sony Explodes with HOP for improved Bass. The fitment guide showed that these would fit along with a lot of other speakers. Well they might fit if you modified or drilled new holes or made some sort of adapter plate. Actually the speaker I ended up buying had a nice adapter plate with them but the Sony's didn't.
Anyways, after spending an hour at Circuit City. I found some MTX Thunder Dome Axials P/N TDX6502. The screw pattern was perfect for mounting i the rear position of our 350Z's. I had listened to the Sony's and they were quite tinny. Of course the MTX had an amp on it and I think the guy tweaked the Bass on me too. There are a couple other things to note:
1) They are 4ohm speakers and the stock ones are 32ohm. I knew I might have a problem there. But, what the heck, I'm on a mission and it worked OK in the Motor home. Huh??? Had to mix 4ohm with an 8ohm there just to get a fit. If I blew the thing up I would just bite the bullet and buy the system I want on credit. I'm a cash only guy right now and would like to keep it that way.
2) The other problem is power handling and freq response. I liked the fact that the SONY was rated at 22O watts and 30hz-30Khz Freq response.
The MTX only handle 120 watts and 48hz-20Khz. However, this worked out, as you will see.
So after tearing out most of my rear interior; I know, I should have taken pictures however, it was just too much to do and too hot today. How did you like that run-on sentence? Anyways, back to project. I installed the MTX temporary in the back. Oh no, way too tinny and loud. Wait a minute, lets see what happens if I fade to the front and tone it down a bit.
We'll wasn't sure if I like it or not. However, it sure was LOUD! So, I took apart my temporary set up and reinstalled the stock speakers. Yuck, even worse tin ness that I hadn't noticed coming from the rear and I couldn't hear nearly the clarity. So, back goes in the MTX's. Not so bad. OK, so lets play with it some more.....
I soon found out that because of the improved efficiency the MTX's were way overdriving the sound coming out of the front separate speakers.
So, if I fade it to the front (FF3) it had great Bass up front now with nice highs being enhanced and blended with the mids that the rear was helping with. The amp was now freeing up power to run the low freqs up front. Sounded pretty good. Presence was good. Now, if I went just faded to (FF2) the music started to be more biased towards the rear. Kind of like when I used to use 6x9's in the rear decks of my older cars to get some punch out of them. But this was much louder, clearer, and still had great thump coming out of the front speakers.
So, actually how it works out is like this:
Setting 1) If I want good presence I set the fader to FF3 and keep the volume down under 25 on the volume scale. I boost the bass to +3 and drive the treble to -2 since the highs are so crisp. It's pretty loud but has fantastic sound for what it is.
Setting 2) If I want to go ear piecing loud I set the fader to FF2 and I can drive everything to 30 on the volume scale with the bass set to +2 to be safe on the fronts. Captain, Captain .... I think she's going to blow. This is more biased towards the rear ..... But, I can hear the lyrics clearly and crisply now so I'm really enjoying that setting.
I really can't believe the difference between the two settings. It is like having two stereos or a booster. There is a radical difference between the two.
I drove around for 30mins using both methods with Van Halen playing as well as Smithereens. All I can say is WOW !!! My ears are still ringing six hours later. More than I'll ever need. This was with the windows down.
I felt like a menace at the lights so I would turn it down under 18 at that point.
Who would have ever thought?
Not the perfect set up. But darn nice mod to a stock stereo if you understand how to tweak it. It is now one or the other setting. Anything else sounds like high-pitched squeal or I am afraid I'll blow the fronts. You could break windows in any other mode. ;)
I was truly shocked. Let's see what it's like tomorrow.
I'm going for another ride now ...... Good thing I don't have to hear to type.
I'll update tomorrow. Hopefully, this thing holds together and I don't blow something up. I could be eating my words tomorrow.
But, for today ...... THIS THING ROCKS !!!! All for $99 bucks, rock on!
"Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting"
Quote - Steve McQueen
'04 350Z Silverstone 6spd
Previous owner of 240, 280, and 300 Z's
Post Edited (Aug 25, 1:41am)
A:
I have to agree that those speakers bite... That is the only complaint about my Z...
Please let me/keep us posted.... cause I'm in the same boat. I want to replace/upgrade my sound system, but I want something that sounds good...
____________________
03' LeMans Sunset, Track Ed, Brembo Brakes, Nismo Exhaust, Nismo Intake
A:
mecinoid, All of them are Clarion! Even the bose! I strongly recommend FusionAudio.
04.5 silver Touring, JWT-filter, Maya Gr-5's, Fusion/audio, StrosekAeroKit.
A:
Hum I thought Bose and Clarion were two completely different companies.
Thanks Solidus, I have to look into Fusion Audio. I do want a kick a$$ system in a year or so. This would be after my suspension mods. :)
Have a great weekend at your new digs ......
"Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting"
Quote - Steve McQueen
'04 350Z Silverstone 6spd
Previous owner of 240, 280, and 300 Z's
A:
So did I, untill I ripped my Bose out and noticed that its made by Clarion.
Maybe they are a division of Bose or something? Beats me?
04.5 silver Touring, JWT-filter, Maya Gr-5's, Fusion/audio, StrosekAeroKit.
A:
All I can say is ...... WOW.
"Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting"
Quote - Steve McQueen
'04 350Z Silverstone 6spd
Previous owner of 240, 280, and 300 Z's
A:
Recieved a response from Bose on the topic:
Thank you for your inquiry. The speakers and amplifiers are manufactured by Bose Corporation and the radio/cassette/cd portion of the system is manufactured by Clarion Corporation in Gardena, CA.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.Thank you for contacting Bose Corporation.
Patty Bolack
Consumer Relations Division
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Bose Corporation
US Telephone: (800)231-2673
International Tel: (508)766-9522
Fax Number: (508)766-9103
"Racing is life. Anything that happens before or after is just waiting"
Quote - Steve McQueen
'04 350Z Silverstone 6spd
Previous owner of 240, 280, and 300 Z's