RNS510 + audio upgrade suggestions?

[spiff]

The sub that sits flush was an 8" Image Dynamics then upgraded to a 10" Image Dynamics IDQ sub. The box is bigger and takes up more room but still leaves almost all of the boot space. You'll prob get more rattles with the 10" but I tend to keep it at a balanced level not fully sick low bass. Upgraded as i'd improved the rest of my system too and it gives more authority.

Thanks for this info. I get rattles but I think it's because there is too much flex in the box and too much power going to the sub - can't be tuned yet because they haven't installed it properly.

A guy that customs these boxes for the Jetta (http://www.freewebs.com/uber-stealth/volkswagen.htm) has on his site showing the space to be around 0.5 cu ft. Soundstream figures are min 0.5, optimum 0.75, max 1.0 cu ft.

What happens if I'm running at minimum or below minimum? Will that cause rattles or some other problems? I think I'm better off trying to get a smaller sub, like the Pioneer 10" that needs only about 0.45 cu ft.

Also, does anyone know of any 3-way component front speakers which are good and more readily available in Australia? Reason being, the shops won't warranty the gear if they didn't sell it and it seems there are only 2-way components in the shops I'm going to, including the one I'm at now.

My stock had 3-way component on the fronts and are now being replaced by 2-ways. It just doesn't sound right - possibly because of where the midbass location is located in the Jetta (near the ass). Don't these things make a difference?

ps. G-rig, your inbox is full

[G-rig]

I posted this on another forum, some 3-ways that I know fit.

Sounds like they installed 2-ways and agree that wouldn't be the way to go (unless you wanted to do custom pods at the front of the door but that involves hacking up the doors and a bit pointless).

Some I can think of straight away to check out are:

- Rainbow IQ 320.25
- Focal 165VR3
- Dynaudio Esotec 362 or 342 (362 = 8" midbass, 342 = 6.5")
- Hybrid Audio Legatia L831-3V2 Set
- DLS Performance series C36*
- DLS Reference 6.3*

(* Don't know for sure about these but Northfield are going to stock them as another option to the dyns, should be a bit cheaper but possibly around $1000 still).

I've got the Dynaudio's which are quite detailed, smooth and good quality. They are perhaps a bit laid back but with an after market processor (such as the BitOne) can get them sounding however you want - still never really hear any complains about them.

Rainbows would be ok too, not exactly a straight drop in as advertised and not as good as the more expensive rainbow range or Dyn's.

I don't know of many/any cheap 3-way sets besides the combo i listed on the previous page but would require running active or building passive crossovers). I thought there was an Alpine set but can't find them on the site.

[Swallowtail]

The Alpines I have are 2-way and they are brilliant...

[G-rig]

The Alpines I have are 2-way and they are brilliant...

Yeah, the good thing about the Passats (and the new MK6) is that the midbass are in the conventional location front of the door, so you can do a 2-way system. I don't think 2-ways work in the MK5 that well though.

[spiff]

Got the car back and it's still not totally done. Waiting on parts to fix the clips and panels they broke. Nearly had a fit when they suggested I pay for most of the cost on Friday, when the project wasn't completed. They threatened to keep the car over the weekend; refund my deposit; and return it to stock by Monday. I wouldn't have minded the latter two, but losing my car for another 2 days was not an option.

In the end, I walked away with my car; had a further discount and paid most of the cost. A compromise I could live with.

I've been in the car for the past 4 days and I could tell that something just wasn't quite right from the moment I had it. It's only taken me till tonight but I'm quite certain it's the sound staging. I sat in the front and back and listened the different music and watched a live concert dvd. The sound from the front is 'weak'. When driving, the sounds seem to be louder from the rear, and if I lean towards the middle of the car, it sounds better. It sounds more complete and even fuller from the rear seat. Had a friend who is a musician and front/rear seat passenger say the same when she moved to the front. I'll probably get a few other opinions, but I'm quite certain moving from a 3-way to a 2-way component in the front was a bad idea in the MkV Jetta.

Now, I wonder if I'll even be able to get them to take these back, and just stick my stock 3-ways until I purchase better 3-ways since it seems this shop doesn't sell any 3-way components.

Or can I just put the stock front mids back over the 2-way component in front to try and even it out? Would that be worse?

[G-rig]

Bit average you have to pay for the broken clips/parts, but hopefully get it sorted soon. Better to get the proper parts than have them using blu-tak or something i guess.

Would have been tempting to go for the refund but they probably wouldn't put it back together as well (or as badly).

I'm sure the problem with the imaging is from using 2-ways not 3-ways. The sound would be coming too low and from behind you almost because of where the midbass is located.

[spiff]

Would putting the stock mid back in front while leaving the newly bought two-way component help or just mess things up? Would there be quite a lot of re-wiring?

[G-rig]

Would putting the stock mid back in front while leaving the newly bought two-way component help or just mess things up? Would there be quite a lot of re-wiring?

You probably can't if they are different resistance (ohms) and the 2-ways would be using a 2-way passive crossover, 3-ways need a 3-way crossover etc.