Wife has an '05 xB which has been equipped with an Elemental Designs 11Kv.2 in a 0.5 cf sealed enclosure under the front passenger seat powered by an eD NINe.2 under the driver's seat fed by a Tsunami 8 awg OFC kit. I used an LOC in combination with an RCA in-line amp level controller (bass knob / rheostat) off of the factory head unit. The factory dash, front door and rear speakers are also still in place.
I am looking to give her a little upgrade, both in the front speakers and especially in the head unit for added features. Budget is tight and I'd like to re-use as much as possible (especially the amp kit) as I would like to keep the install efforts limited. So my thought was to remove the eD 2 channel amp and install a 3 or 4 channel to power the sub and components. Possibly running the rear speakers off of the head unit (depending on what it does to staging).
As important and beneficial as I know door treatment/deadening and possibly going active could be, I'm not interested for this install. Not sure how much longer we're going to keep the car. We'll also be installing the components in factory locations (mids in the door, tweeters on the dash). So I have narrowed down my possible options to the following...
Head Unit
Clarion CZ702
JVC KD-R80BT
Both primarily due to feature set, simplicity of face plate and "SQ" attributes.
Amplifiers
Clarion XC6410
Pioneer GM-D8604
JBL GTO-3EZ
All chosen due to decent power for both components and sub as well as a pretty low current draw that would allow me to re-use the installed amp kit. (I knowingly skipped the Polk/PPI/Soundstream/NVX class D amps due to current draw.)
Components
Pioneer TS-D1720C
Polk DB6501
JBL MS-62C
Each of these seems to be highly regarded at their price point.
I've also looked at "matching" subs for all of these components, should the 11Kv.2 take a dive. Those options would be the Pioneer TS-SW2501, Polk MM1040 or JBL MS-10SD2 Slim in the existing 0.5cf sealed enclosure.
Thoughts? Other options I should consider at the given price points? Experience with theses specific products? Any of these you would avoid? Specific order you would perform the upgrades if they need to be done in stages?
I am looking to give her a little upgrade, both in the front speakers and especially in the head unit for added features. Budget is tight and I'd like to re-use as much as possible (especially the amp kit) as I would like to keep the install efforts limited. So my thought was to remove the eD 2 channel amp and install a 3 or 4 channel to power the sub and components. Possibly running the rear speakers off of the head unit (depending on what it does to staging).
As important and beneficial as I know door treatment/deadening and possibly going active could be, I'm not interested for this install. Not sure how much longer we're going to keep the car. We'll also be installing the components in factory locations (mids in the door, tweeters on the dash). So I have narrowed down my possible options to the following...
Head Unit
Clarion CZ702
JVC KD-R80BT
Both primarily due to feature set, simplicity of face plate and "SQ" attributes.
Amplifiers
Clarion XC6410
Pioneer GM-D8604
JBL GTO-3EZ
All chosen due to decent power for both components and sub as well as a pretty low current draw that would allow me to re-use the installed amp kit. (I knowingly skipped the Polk/PPI/Soundstream/NVX class D amps due to current draw.)
Components
Pioneer TS-D1720C
Polk DB6501
JBL MS-62C
Each of these seems to be highly regarded at their price point.
I've also looked at "matching" subs for all of these components, should the 11Kv.2 take a dive. Those options would be the Pioneer TS-SW2501, Polk MM1040 or JBL MS-10SD2 Slim in the existing 0.5cf sealed enclosure.
Thoughts? Other options I should consider at the given price points? Experience with theses specific products? Any of these you would avoid? Specific order you would perform the upgrades if they need to be done in stages?