Speakers in roll bars

[cysp]

I've been thinking about getting a completely new sound system for my 2000 model s2k for some time. I listen to a lot of lectures, so the crispness of the sound is quite important to me. The problem is, I hate the fact that the original speakers are right near my legs. Why bother replacing those speakers with good ones when my legs are going heavily interfere with the sounds anyway? So, I'm thinking about getting these roll bar speaker brackets from ebay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Honda-S2000-Speaker-Bracket-Lowest-Price-World-Wide-/251179167010?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AHonda|Model%3AS2000&hash=item3a7b71ed22)to throw in some speakers. I just want the sound to come out of them and not the ones near my legs.

For those of you who have roll bar speakers similar to these, does this plan sound like a good idea? Advice?

Thanks in advance.

[-JC-]

Whilst I don't have a speaker setup like this, I do have speakers 'right near my legs'.

If you are really interested in getting your sound stage right, you are better off trying to pick yourself up an audio processor (pre-loved is fine). I recently added an Alpine unit to my system and it has allowed me to create a deep, wide sound stage in the front of my EP3 without having to move the speakers from the factory locations. Some basic time correction alone will sort the issues around where the speakers are placed, they won't sound like they live where they live anymore, and by leaving them where they are, you have the best chance of mounting them nice and solidly and sound deadening the areas around them, which will improve the sound greatly.

'Staging' or 'Imaging' is all about getting the music sounding like it is coming from a band positioned on a stage in front of you. Placing speakers directly behind your head is going to make them loud in your ear, which may make it very difficult to hold a conversation with your passenger with any kind of music volume, it will definitely kill any chance of getting your sound stage right

In a cabin as small as the S2K, I'd spend as much as I could afford on front component speakers, amplification and sound deadening, you'll be surprised at the results.

[VeYzZii]

If you can template your own front pieces and drill 6inch hole for the speakers, i have a set of the back covers the go in the roll bars. I never installed them.

[cysp]

Thanks for the suggestions. I went to lifestyle store in North Parramatta and listened to some good quality speakers. I think it's going to be much easier for me to get high quality splits and forget about putting speakers in the roll bars. Although the mid bass woofer will get blocked by my legs, I can place the tweeter in a better position and face it directly to me. If I put speakers in the roll bars, then they're just going to be pointed directly at the back of my head, which isn't that great either.

For a pair of high quality splits, 4 channel amp, head unit, and woofer (including a custom built enclosure in the boot and installation of everything), they said I'll be looking at around $2500 to $3000.
At the moment, I have my eyes on these:

Focal 165KRX2 for $949 (http://store.lifestylestore.com.au/165krx2.html)
Alpine iDA-X305SBT for $207.05 (Amazon) (http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-iDA-X305SBT-Package-receiver-Bluetooth/dp/B004R8ZVA0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1353301948&sr=8-2&keywords=iDA-X305S)
Focal Solid 4 channel amp for $429 (http://store.lifestylestore.com.au/products/car-audio/amplifiers/4-channel-amplifiers/solid-4.html).
Woofer -- I still have to choose. I like punchy bass, rather than deep/mindnumbing bass. Not sure how much to spend. I'm thinking about this 8" Dynaudio MW-172 woofer for $299 (http://store.lifestylestore.com.au/products/car-audio/car-subwoofers/8in-subwoofers/mw-172.html).

Upon recommendation above, I'm now also thinking about getting this Alpine imprint audio processor for $130 (http://www.amazon.com/ALPINE-IMPRINT-AUDIO-PROCESSOR-ADD/dp/B001AQVTWQ/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1353304996&sr=1-1&keywords=ALPINE+IMPRINT+AUDIO+PROCESSOR) and this imprint sound manager kit for $50.75 (http://www.amazon.com/Alpine-KTX-H100-Imprint-Sound-Manager/dp/B001BWX6NY/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1353304996&sr=1-3&keywords=ALPINE+IMPRINT+AUDIO+PROCESSOR).

So all up, I'm looking at about $2000 just on the parts. The guy at lifestyle store said the installation will cost around $800. How does all this seem to everybody? Is it a good deal? I'm willing to change anything and everything if there are better ways to go about it. This will be my very first system, so I'm open to suggestions and help.

[TbM]

Focal are great speakers so excellent choice there but with the amp imo id get one of these 2 over the solid 4 ch.
http://store.lifestylestore.com.au/products/car-audio/amplifiers/2-channel-amplifiers/fps-2-160.html
http://store.lifestylestore.com.au/products/car-audio/amplifiers/2-channel-amplifiers/fps-2-300rx.html

you havent included sound deadening in your budget, thats one of the most important things. speakers will sound hollow without deadening and proper mounting.


id be contacting FHRX instead of lifestyle store, you can see some of their work here

http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?170143-How-to-install-component-speakers-into-a-DC2-Integra.&p=3601930&viewfull=1#post3601930

[cysp]

Thanks for the tips. If I were to go with a 2ch amp, then I would be needing a mono amp for the sub, right? I still want to be able to use my boot with ease, so I wouldn't really want to cramp it with another amp...

How much would I be looking at for sound deadening?

I'll definitely be looking at multiple audio stores, including FHRX, to get the best price.

[TbM]

Thanks for the tips. If I were to go with a 2ch amp, then I would be needing a mono amp for the sub, right? I still want to be able to use my boot with ease, so I wouldn't really want to cramp it with another amp...
yeh you would need a mono block if you wanted to run a sub too, i prefer to run subs on d class amps and splits on ab class hence my recommending it, if boot space is a priority then 4 channel may suit you better.

i have fully deadened focal 165 kr in my civic and i leave my sub out most of the time as imo they produce sufficent bass when deadened, some of my friends think the subs in due to the ammount of bass they produce on full range. i only add the sub in when i want to damage my hearing then take it out when i need boot space

How much would I be looking at for sound deadening?
depends on how far you want to go, door kit is about 100 ish iirc, bulk pack is a bit over 200, i have no idea what they charge to install because i diy everything.

I'll definitely be looking at multiple audio stores, including FHRX, to get the best price.
fhrx probably wont give you the best price, they are however the only store id let install something in my car, the work i see come out of most audio shops is below par, ive had to redo a few stereos from "professional installers".

[-JC-]

fhrx probably wont give you the best price, they are however the only store id let install something in my car, the work i see come out of most audio shops is below par, ive had to redo a few stereos from "professional installers".

This man speaks the truth.

'Professional' = Just because someone does something for a living, doesn't mean they are any good at it.

Forget shopping around for the best price. Find the best audio store you can find, then tell them your budget. In fact, I'll give you another $20 toward your budget if you find a decent audio store and 'What is your budget' isn't among the first few questions they ask you.

If the price is too high, spend more time saving or learn to DIY.

[ALPS]

when i had my s2000.. The sound system i had in there was amazing. I'm an electronic music producer and no joke, the sound was crisper than my studio monitor speakers at home. Bass was nice n responsive, no loss in crispness.. GL Pro Sound in melbourne who i bought the gear from and got installed from.

The splits were German Maestro CS6508
subbie was a rockford fosgate P2 which was mounted into the tool kit area.
and the amp, all i know is it was a rockford fosgate enough to power the sub and speakers.

Top down, bass and sound still soo very loud and clear. i'm about to buy another s2000 and im definately putting in the same setup. THE BEST!

if i were you, call up GL Pro Sound n ask for a quote just for what they would install in an s2. get the part/model numbers. source em yourself. They charge way over what they're worth lol

All up it cost me like 2.3k with installation.