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Old Feb 13, 2008 | 11:39 PM
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My stereo equipment has arrived.

I have chosen the Focal Polyglass 165 vr3 3pc component set .

I will be removing the rear speakers.

And will be using a rockford fosgate three sixty interactive signal processor.

----

I need to know if by using the rockfordfosgate 360, will I still have to use a JL Clean Sweep?

And these are the amps that I've chosen. Small but powerful... Can someone tell me what 4/3/2 means in laymans terms? If I'm correct, I should be able to use the base line amp for the 6 speakers at the front of the car. Right>?

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...p?category=AMP
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 04:26 AM
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4/3/2 means channel setup - four channel, three channel or two channel. You can bridge the front and rear channels for more power. 100x4, 100x2+300x1 or 300x2 for example.

That Focal set appears to be a three way, meaning the amp sees it like a normal pair, so two channels can be used. Are you running a subwoofer? or the rear speakers? If a sub, I'd run the front channels to the Focals, teh rear bridged to a sub and the stock 6x9's leave alone.

the RF 360 takes teh place of the JL CS.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 05:26 AM
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Removing the stock rear speakers

No Sub

only need 4 channel

Which amp will I need, from the 5 on that page?
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 05:35 AM
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removing stock rear speakers? why not leave them and just disconnect them then? so, you're running just the Focals, nothing else? Why not get some Tangband 6x9 subs and run them off the back channels of the amp. No box, no fuss. 100% improvement.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 08:49 AM
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cause I'm working on a tight budget. And I don't like subs
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 10:39 AM
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It is a lot of work to get at the rear speakers. I believe you can completely turn them off with the back-to-front balance setting. You might try that before you tear the back apart.

 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 11:17 AM
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I'm paying a place to do this. I'm not doing it myself.

And if the rear speakers aren't plugged in to the new amp, they won't work anyway. So I'll just leave them.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
cause I'm working on a tight budget. And I don't like subs
Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
I'm paying a place to do this.


If you are on a tight budget why would you pay someone to remove speakers that don't need removing?


I'd leave your stock amp in place and let it drive your stock rears. (fade almost all the way forward though)

Use the front inputs to the stock amp to feed your 360. have the 360 feed your aftermarket amp. bridge the amp to two way and have it drive your focals. (you acutally only need a two channel but the 4 would work)

down the road you will probably want a sub of some type as the mids and highs will drown out any bass below about 60hz.

Other than a lack of deep bass your system is going to rock - hard. It's basically the same as mine.
 

Last edited by MotorMouth; Feb 14, 2008 at 11:32 AM.
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 12:55 PM
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I removed the stock amp in my car... and unfortunately for me.. I don't think you can tap into the signals without the stock amp in place.

Given the problems I'm having with my giant toaster (eg the mini)... I am very hesitant to add a nice system .

Oh.. and I meant I was paying a place to install... however, now that I can't tap into the signal without the stock amp. I'm rather SoL.

EDIT: nevermind. I can tap into the stereo signal, though I'm missing the factory amp, using the 360.2 thing from rockford fosgate, I already have.
 

Last edited by enjoyingsilence; Feb 14, 2008 at 02:04 PM.
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 04:01 PM
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Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
And I don't like subs
you've never heard a properly set up one then. if you had, you'd want one....it disappears into the mix and adds impact to the system. unless you are listening to Zamfir exclusively, a sub is beneficial as your Focal set can't play below 60hz and even below 100hz, there's little impact compared to a proper small sub.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by PGT
you've never heard a properly set up one then. if you had, you'd want one....it disappears into the mix and adds impact to the system. unless you are listening to Zamfir exclusively, a sub is beneficial as your Focal set can't play below 60hz and even below 100hz, there's little impact compared to a proper small sub.

x2
Yup there is always something lacking with out one...
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 07:00 PM
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Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
I removed the stock amp in my car...
Did you read this before removing your amp?
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...33#post1852033

...I'm rather SoL.
Very likely.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 08:42 PM
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Ahh Robin. Always the prophet of doom.

Did you see this?

Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
According to the guy that works at my dealership who programs the OBC (on board computer) in the MINIs and BMWs, you do not need to have the hifi amp in place for anything...well.. unless the software in the amp itself needs updating.

I would know, because I removed mine, then my car broke (see thread on it). They had to reflash the entire computer to make sure there wasn't some whacked out software issue, and it worked fine without the amp in place.

According to the guy, Regan is his name, there are no fiber links that are tied to the car going to the amp. And it's not just dependent on options... Some BMW parts vary, say if you have comfort access. My car is fully and I mean fully (retailing at almost 50k) loaded, and as stated, no problems without the stock amp.
And otherwise, I will consider the subwoofer thing. It'll add to the cost of this, however.
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
And otherwise, I will consider the subwoofer thing. It'll add to the cost of this, however.

how much did your MINI cost? It's pretty much fully loaded isn't it?
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 11:26 PM
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It was almost 48k
 
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Old Feb 14, 2008 | 11:56 PM
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Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
Ahh Robin. Always the prophet of doom.
And you seem to be getting your self into "situations." So warnings seem to be advisable.

Did you see this?
Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
According to the guy that works at my dealership who programs the OBC (on board computer) in the MINIs and BMWs, you do not need to have the hifi amp in place for anything...well.. unless the software in the amp itself needs updating.

I would know, because I removed mine, then my car broke (see thread on it). They had to reflash the entire computer to make sure there wasn't some whacked out software issue, and it worked fine without the amp in place.

According to the guy, Regan is his name, there are no fiber links that are tied to the car going to the amp. And it's not just dependent on options... Some BMW parts vary, say if you have comfort access. My car is fully and I mean fully (retailing at almost 50k) loaded, and as stated, no problems without the stock amp.
No, I didn't see that. Good to know that the other dealer was just blowing smoke.

And otherwise, I will consider the subwoofer thing. It'll add to the cost of this, however.
A good sub, that integrates well with the music is excellent. A cheap sub that just booms, isn't so wonderful.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:04 AM
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(smart *** comment edited out)

To go back on topic,,,

For me, it's not practical to have sub(s) (poor grammar, I know, lol. sue me :-p), in the car. PLUS it's always something I can add later, I'm sure.

It's more a matter of personal choice, to me. Right now, I'm open to the suggestion, and research aspect of it... It's not a question of money, for me either.

My mood may change when / if I get the car back, and keep it. A LOT of this is riding on whether or not I keep the car when / if It's fixed by my dealership.
 

Last edited by enjoyingsilence; Feb 15, 2008 at 12:07 AM.
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:07 AM
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Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
It was almost 48k
I thought I remembered seeing that in another thread somewhere.

I don't understand why you are making your budget so tight on your stereo when you obviously didn't hold back on anything else on your MINI. You've got the foundation of an awesome stereo system and you don't want to spend another 600-1000 to finish it off correctly?

Maybe I'm assuming wrong to think that if you can afford an almost $50k car you should be able to afford 2k on a stereo to match the cars performance -especially when you've already spent ~1000+ on it.

EDIT:
I noticed you had posted while I was writing this.
Since money isn't the problem:

Get the sub! Make a false deck and you won't lose any practicality.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:09 AM
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oh I see where you're coming from. TOTALLY. My friend told me the exact same thing.

I don't like subs, really.

And while I own a 48-50k mini cooper, I am a practical person lol... And it's not practical to spend 2-3k on a sound system for a car that I may get rid of in, oh, 1-2 months.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:13 AM
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Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
And it's not practical to spend 2-3k on a sound system for a car that I may get rid of in, oh, 1-2 months.
THAT I can understand.

A sub can enhance music in much more than "bOOm"

If you do keep your MINI, this is what I mean by still being very practical:



That circle hides a very strong grill that I can stack whatever I'd like on top of.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:15 AM
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You know, I had thought about that solution (pictured above)

Tho, honestly, I'd be more apt to use the 6x9 space in the rear of the car...

I'm not looking for competition level audio... so I think that sub would be a bit much. especially given what I listen to ... techno and metal mostly. Which is quite bass-y (is that a word?)
 
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:19 AM
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Originally Posted by enjoyingsilence
so I think that sub would be a bit much. especially given what I listen to ... techno and metal mostly. Which is quite bass-y (is that a word?)
allrighty - I won't try anymore to talk you into it - (but)

Lords of Acid and Ministry have some great bass lines that you're missing out on without a sub!
 
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:21 AM
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(in peter griffin persona)
go on...



NOW you've caught my attention.

Like I said, the rear 6x9s would be better for me...

I'd need a 4 channel amp, and what kind of speakers would you recommend? The ones that you mentioned above? Any pricing on those?
 
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:31 AM
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A 4 channel amp would be fine - as long as it was 100w/chan rms. (ok, 75w per channel should suffice but 100w+ would be idea)

The focals you've chosen can handle much more power than they are rated at. Feed them 100w/chan and you'll be amazed at the clarity and power they project. With the other two channels you could run something like 8" subs in the 6x9 locations or bridge them and have a single 200w chan for a single sub in the boot like above. For a false deck you could use either a 10" or 12". There is a vendor on NAM selling ready made false decks for both sizes (mine was custom built).

There may be a good 6x9 for bass but I don't know of any.
 
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Old Feb 15, 2008 | 12:36 AM
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Could I do it on a 4 channel amp such as this?

http://www.alpine-usa.com/US-en/prod...odel=PDX-4.100

The focal set and maybe 1-2 8 inch subs in the rear panels?

If amps were much smaller, I'd love to put 2 in there,,, for the sake of space, I'd investigate the option of 1 amp for the set... and trying to fit everything in.
 
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