System is finally done...pics inside

[firefly]

I know most of you will disagree with me here because from what I've read CDT tweets are considered to be on the mellow side. I just installed my CDT CL-61 today and the first thing I noticed is female vocals sounds a bit harsh compare to what I had before (Just some Infinity Reference Coax).

I have the XO set at 0dB, tweets are the newer CDT-10 1" silk and they are flush mounted low on the door panel (close to the mid bass). Do they require some break-in time? Or did I do something wrong?

This is my setup...from HU to Sub.

Update on the harshness: I've set the tweet to -3dB. Most of the harshness is gone but I'm still getting a bit of S. Right now the sound is a little bit dull, not as lively and musical as before. I'm not sure whether this is a good tradeoff. I would like to have the musical sound I had before but I can't really stand a harsh tweet.

Verdict: Still no where close to my B&W 805 and MF A3 setup at home.

 

[REMillers]

hehe clean your trunk out!! j/k

Looks pretty nice, but least plan on future concelment of the wires from the amp. Sorry just a neat freak here.



btw I was going to ask this,but figure I'll do it here

What face kit did you get?? Going to work on installing all my old stuff from my Saturn this weekend, just want a good face kit. Been to busy to shop around.

 

[firefly]

Yea...I know it's a messy install but it's -20C out there so it's hard to get any decent work done. Hopefully by summer I can make an amp rack of some sort and make everything look nice and tidy.

I didn't use any face kit. The dash pocket you see there is actually a Mazda part. Compare to the MP3 pocket (with the flip door) this one is only $15 and it fits perfectly. Sorry but I don't have a part number nor I know which car use this pocket. But go to the dealer and ask them to check on the computer...just ask them to call up a list of dash pocket without a flip door.

 

[REMillers]

Ahh I see, great thnx. I got to go in for warrenty service (free oil changes wahooo) and will probably see if they have one in stock.

 

[Natey]

The stereo install is OK. But the Bungee install is TOP NOTCH!!
J/K Nice job , It actually looks a little bit like my own set-up.

 

[firefly]

I should go and get a patent with bungee cord installation. I've post the same thing on other forums and that's the first thing everyone comment on!

 

[1sty]

Ahh, my amp!

J/K.

Do you have rears playing aswell or just the fronts.
I know they have been advising you to swap the polarity on the tweeters on the other board and thats not a bad idea. Its just something to try. Also how is the headunit setup any MX settings on or trebble controls being used. I hope your not testing with MP3s! Swapping both tweeters polarity will keep them in phase but cuase a cancellation at the crossover point which may be an issue or it may help.

 

[firefly]

Don't worry Craig...I'll make it look nice. I promise!!

I don't have rear fills anymore...just the front CDTs now. MX is disabled, treble was at 0 when I had the XO at 0dB, and +1 @ 15.0k for XO at -3dB.

No MP3s. Although I listen to MP3 discs regularly but I would never use them to test and tune my system. In fact most of my reference CDs sound so good that when I tune my system with them it sounds weird playing less well-recorded material.

 

[1sty]

Just a s a quick tip it may be eaiser to install the amp flipped around sol the slant is toward the floor that way the power wire can sneak wight under it.

 

[chuyler1]

The CDTs should definatly be set to -3dbs I bought the 3-way set for my gf's corolla and even with the tweeters in kickpanels they are pretty bright. They are a great set of speakers for the price, but with your Xtant amp you might want to invest in some higher quality components.

You didn't happen to get a measurment of the front speaker opening while you were installing them did you? I want to put my Eclipse 6.5"s in but I know there is going to be a clearance issue...and I don't want to cut anything.

 

[firefly]

You didn't happen to get a measurment of the front speaker opening while you were installing them did you?

Are you talking about depth wise or the diameter of the opening?

The CDT bass driver is 2 7/8" deep and I manage to fit that into the door. The mounting bracket is 1/4" MDF...make that 1/3" after putting dynamat on both sides. I do have to trim away the molding on the inside of the grill in order to snap my door panel back. Don't know if this helps...

 

[chuyler1]

That helps some, seeing as my Eclipse speakers have the same 2-7/8" depth. But what I'm really worrying about is the diameter of the hole. The speakers have a rather large cast aluminum basket which has yet to fit into any stock location. It has to be raised over an inch to fit into a 5-1/4" opening (standard for 6.5" speakers).


I'm begining to think its time for new speakers. Time to do some research.

 

[firefly]

What's the mounting height of the speaker? Like how much higher does it go above the mounting surface?

With the molding trimed, I say there's about 1" - 1 1/4" between the door sheetmetal and the grill. So in your case, if your Eclipse is no taller than 1/4" then you're fine. But I agree that it's probably time to shop for new speakers.

 

[chuyler1]

It may work, but it will be a close call. We'll see. I got a friend who might buy my speakers off me. Then I'll be in the market for new ones. Any suggestions for the $300-400 range?

 

[firefly]

What kinda sound do you like? And what do you listen to most?

 

[chuyler1]

Mostly rock, classic rock, and jazz. Occasionally hip hop and upbeat pop music, but not on a regular basis. I'm a big fan of silk dome tweeters, but it seems they are being phased out by metal domes.

 

[1sty]

JL audio VR series components. Only $300 for a 6.5" set

 

[firefly]

I thought you can get XRs for about $350. I've never heard one installed inside a car but they sound alrite in the showroom.

Or...CDT HD series. Take a look at their braxial components as you don't have to drill into anything to mount the tweeters. Not as strong as Focals in mid bass but they do have very good imaging and the soundstage is very wide. Seems that all the sounds are coming from outside the car.

As you can probably tell by now I prefer a mellow but detailed sound. That's why MBQs are not on my list. I've heard mixed comments about Focals. Some say they are detail but aggressive sounding...others say they're harsh. I guess they're very installation dependent and it has to do with the car. Knowing my Protege 5 has lots of glass area for a car of this size I want to stay away from something too aggressive as glass tends to exaggerate the harshness effect.

Edit: Just an update for the harshness fix....

I don't know why this is working but somehow it fixed the problem. What I did was I removed the right tweeter from the door and put a thin layer of foam strip between the flush mount bracket and the door panel. No more harshness all those sibilance that I heard before are gone.

 

[1sty]

The only speakers i like better then the VRs that Tweeter carries are the new Boston Z series.

 

[chuyler1]

I've got the mid-level CDTs in my girlfriends car but I haven't finished the install. (waiting for the good weather to fiberglass the kickpanels. Its the 3-way set but I was disappointed at how little bass the woofers put out...even after dynomatting the doors. They are running off a bridged PPI 5-channel amp so each channel gets about 120watts RMS.

The way I had my components in my previous car I was sending 250 watts to each channel. A bit overkill but definatly noticable in the midbass. They were in kickpanels that were partially sealed in the back (a 4x4 hole was cut out to allow them to breathe).

I would like to get similar bass response from whatever speakers I buy. I know I can always add a sub, but that should only compliment the sound of the speakers, not make up for them.