Alpine PDX-4.100 + Boston Pro60's ?

**EuroSteve** · 01-01-2008 12:35 PM

Hi All,

I'm looking at replacing the factory speakers in my Euro, and was wondering if any of you had any opinions/thoughts?

I'm travelling to the US in a few weeks, and plan to pick up some gear over there. It's just astonishing the price difference (esp. with the good exchange rate at the moment).

Currently I have my sights set on an Alpine PDX-4.100 amp. and Boston Pro60's splits. The amp. should fit nicely under the passenger seat, but I still need to check if the Pro60's will fit ok.

Anyone have any advice on a pair of 6x9's that would work well with the Pro60's?

Thanks!

-Steve

**arverson** · 01-01-2008 02:36 PM

obviously dont spend pro60 kind of money on rears, so maybe a lower spec boston 6x9s?? or anything really. shouldnt really matter much in the end.

if the pro60s dont fit, make custom pods! no point forking out that much on em in the first place if your only gonna give it a half-ass'd install...

going 'active' with the 4chan??

**euro_tr4sh** · 02-01-2008 09:06 PM

i wouldnt bother with rears honestly, unless you cart around carloads of people often its would be money wasted... spent the extra dosh and up-grade on front splits or even a small 10" in a sealed box would yeild much better results and make the listening all the more pleasurable, unless ofcourse boot space is at a premium, and the pro 60's will fit, they may need to be spaced out 15-20mm to clear depth wise

**EuroSteve** · 02-01-2008 09:29 PM

Thanks for the comments euro_tr4sh.

Yeah, i'm not sure what to do at the back. Another option is to d/c the 6x9's and wire in another set of splits in the rear doors. At this stage boot space is pretty important, so i'm going to leave the sub for a bit.

I want to leave the car looking as stock as possible. Today I pulled out a tweeter lid and measured the stock tweeter, 40mm by the looks of it. The Pro60's come with 45mm tweeters, bugger! I might still be able to fit them under the lid though.

Also, check out http://www.millionbuy.com/aihsb518.html and http://tsx.acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=28846. I'm going to use these in the doors, but the Pro60's need 65mm of clearence, so I might need to space them out even more. I haven't pulled a door panel off yet, do you know how much room there is between the speaker and panel (>20mm?).

S.

**integraz** · 02-01-2008 10:42 PM

65mm is a good depth. compared to some larger ones [70mm-90mm]

you will just need a mdf spacer ring, that will increase your depth.

Also note the pro's are 6 3/4" so slightly larger.

the gear will be great, but correct installation is a must, and also sound deaden your doors, a must for quality gear, IMO there is not point in spending on good speakers if u don't deaden it with dynamat.

**EuroSteve** · 02-01-2008 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by integraz

the gear will be great, but correct installation is a must, and also sound deaden your doors, a must for quality gear, IMO there is not point in spending on good speakers if u don't deaden it with dynamat.

Totally agree integraz! I already have the Dynamat Xtreme on the list... ;-)

S.

**Pumped** · 03-01-2008 08:18 AM

For my front speakers ive got Alpine Type X Splits, they have a mounting depth of 70.2mm.

My speakers will fit with a spacer, you shouldnt have much trouble, one thing ive found though is that the plastic ring on the inside of the trim around the standard speaker did need to be cut inorder to fit the spacer properly and you cant go with a spacer thats to thick or your trim wont fit on properly. there isnt much room there, I had a set of morel elate 6's to go in but they were going to be to much effort to fit.
Theres not much of a hole either, its not a full circle, kinda of an odd oval shape so make sure the magnet set up on the pro60s isnt huge.

Pro60s & Alpine PDX should sound great!

**EuroSteve** · 05-01-2008 09:22 PM

Well today I pulled the passenger front door panel off to take some measurments. I wanted to be sure these Pro60's were going to fit before I order them!

Well, without hacking away some of the car door, I really don't think they are going to fit....

So, now I have my eye on the SPZ-60's. They are considerbly more expensive, but are smaller and perform better, and should fit. It's going to be close, but I made a cut-out of the side view of the speaker and "trial" fitted it. The SPZ60's have these "cooling vents" at 4 points around the back of the speaker, I think if I rotate the speaker so the vents are on the diagonals, it should give me enough room. The speakers will need to be spaced out from the chassis by about 30mm. (The factory speakers sit ~25mm out from the chassis).

Here's some photos I took:

As I mentioned above, i've purchased some brackets that should make mounting the speakers very easy.

Hope this information can help others!

S.

PS. I'll take more photos and post my notes when I actually get the speakers and fit them.

**ticklenow1** · 12-01-2008 11:00 PM

I have the alpine PDX4.100 in my 04 Euro and the fact that it is a small amplifier (for the power output) makes it a good fit for the Euro. I have it mounted on brackets under the rear parcel shelf. I also bought it from the states and only paid about $375. A big saving from the $699 shelf price over here. I agonised over front speaker selection and now wish I had gone with the Pro 60's (I have used Boston in past cars and can't fault them). I went for the new Alpine X Types (SPX-17REF), which I think will be released in Oz this month or next. They are a decent speaker, but for the money I think there is better out there. The tweeters fit straight into the original mounts with the use of a couple of clips. I had to manufacture a 24mm spacer to get a good fit to the door trim for the woofers. They fit perfectly inside the lip of the door trim. The only down side was that I had to cut about 3 or 4mm of the door away. I was told that they would fit but I couldn't get them to without cutting. I didn't want to cut but in the end, what the hell. I also dynamatted the doors. I installed Alpine R Type 6x9's in the rear.

I used a Rockford Fosgate CP1 LOC. I want to change this to a Sven or Navone.

I must say that is more than enough bass in this setup. Put something like Sneaky Sound System on and the bass is tight and loud. Even with ablusey type music it is bassy and clear. It is not as good as a system with subs but I am more than happy with it. I also need boot space (Golf Clubs and Prams etc!) and did not entertain the idea of a sub. I would like to maybe try a set of Boston SL95's or the top of the line JL Audio's, but until I hear them the Alpines will have to do.

If you go with your Boston speaker/Alpine Amp setup then seriously, put a good set of 6x9's in the rear and you will be more than happy!!

Good Luck!

**EuroSteve** · 12-01-2008 11:21 PM

Thanks for the post tickelnow1, that's good info!

What's your reason for changing LOC's? Any opinions on the Phoenix Gold SLD44? (See ftp://www.rodinaudio.com/Phoenix%20G...D44_Manual.pdf and http://www.onlinecarstereo.com/CarAu...roductID=18460)

Yeah, at this stage i'm not interested in a sub. I need the boot space and i'm actually quite impressed with the bass response the factory speakers produce. If I can get the same or better with aftermarket fronts and 6x9's i'll be happy.

I also sourced the Alpine amp. and Boston speakers in the US....HEAPS cheaper! I have 32 sq ft of Dynamat arriving next week...going to do all 4 doors to start with.

I'll keep you updated on my progress.

Cheers!

S.

**ticklenow1** · 13-01-2008 07:09 PM

EuroSteve,

You will get much better base response from a quality set of aftermarket 6x9's. The factory ones are quite frankly, crap. My first upgrade was fitting the Type R's and it made a huge difference.

I also would not bother with sound deadening the back doors if you are not going to put speakers in them. If you want to do it well, do the front doors (both skins) and the back parcel shelf.

I am going to change the LOC because I have the dreaded 04 Euro buzz (seems to be a common problem, with plenty on this forum experiencing it). I am going to order a Pivot Raizin as well to try and beat this problem. I have been told by a good installer that the Sven or Navone are the best although a couple of guys on this forum (I have read) like the Alpine LOC's. The only problem with the Alpine LOC's is that they have no gain adjustment. Whether this is a must is debatable as my local Alpine dealer swears by them. I went with the Rockford because it had a remote turn on which was a mistake as it doesn't work as stated (not enough power to turn the amp on)

Let me know how you go. Once again, good luck!

**lieos** · 25-01-2008 06:22 PM

you should think about using all the channels from the amp to your pro60's they love the power also to get the most out of them dynamat your door, cut up some mdf and put it over your service holes and make sure you mount the speakers securely and you will find you wont even need 6x9s.