Within the next few weeks I will be ordering my speakers and amp. I want to get opinions from anyone who has done this and I want to make sure I get my facts straight on the install.

1) Alpine Type S 6.5" components in doors SPS-610C
2) Alpine Type S 6x9's in rear SPS-609
3) Alpine MRX-V60 5 Channel amp
4) Alpine SBR-S83V (Type R 8" Subwoofer in premade ported enclosure)

I just want to clarify a few things on the install. I plan to cut off the leads at the x9331(sp?) connector and extend those wires to the high level speaker input on the amp. Then I will run the new wires to the amp. Is everyone who has gone this route having good luck with it? Once I get all this installed will the factory filters for front and rear be gone?

Two questions about panel removel:

1) How does the grille for the 3.5" come off?
2) Does anyone have a link to a rear panel removal walk through with pics?

Lastly...Anyone have any ideas on what I can use for a fill plate to mount the tweeter in place of the OEM 3.5"?

Just to clarify this is on a base system W/O HK.

 

I somehow missed the sticky on speaker removal. I suppose you can omit the panel removal questions. Still wondering about the speaker level input questions and plate for the 3.5" hole.

 

Gonna add one more thing here then I'm done asking questions. I am now considering going with the Alpine MRX-V60 5 channel amp and adding a Type S 10". Problem there is I have no way of building a box and I'm not finding anything but the Integral Audio and JL Stealthbox on the web. Anyone know of a box I can buy for a decent price online that will provide close to 1 cubic foot and still fit without looking ghetto?

 

By the time you purchase a subwoofer, build a box, buy an amp, fabricate the hardware needed for install, and wire it up you won't save much (if anything) over our system, and even then only if you buy very inferior components. A proper low-frequency system requires serious engineering and expensive components. There is a lot more to a proper system than simply finding a box and sticking a speaker in it. The box has nearly as much to do with the final sound as the speaker that goes in it.

I think once you actually look into it, you'll realize that our subwoofer system is far and away the best value available.

1) The factory HU puts out a balanced higher voltage signal, and you'll need an amp that can handle that.

2) The X9331 connector itself has nothing to do with the filtering of the rear channels - it will still be present. Make sure you are careful with the X9331 wires - there is a lot of current passed through one of the ground wires, and there is a risk of fire if not properly dealt with. Solder the connections if you don't have a proper crimp tool (the yellow-handled plier-type tool that is most common is NOT a proper crimp tool)

3) If you aren't aware, we're finishing up our Soundstage upgrade for the MINI. It is a 3-way set for the fronts (includes A-pillar tweeters and the factory trim), ARC Audio amp, and everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) you need for installation. The centerpiece of the product is the custom crossovers that are tailored specifically to the MINI. The speaker mounting plates you ask about are also included. Price will be $1499. Not sure what your budget is, but I can assure you that you can't even come close to replicating this system for anywhere near that price.

 

^^^This. Here's an endorsement, I've been doing car audio as a profession and hobby since 1989 and I'M seriously considering this instead of building my own setup, just waiting on the R55 version to hit the street.


And the next best for that price isn't even close. To get this caliber at my shop would have been $3000 without even trying hard.

 

I don't have that kind of budget. I like what IA has to offer, and I think it is a great package, but I just don't have $1000 to spend on a sub. I have come across an enclosure that Alpine makes which includes a Type R 8". I think I am going to go with that instead of a Type S 10" and a custom box. It should fit perfectly in the boot and the enclosure is a vented type made for their Type R 8". I am not looking for show quality sound and I'm not trying to impress anyone. I chose Alpine because I have had great results from their products in the past and I trust the quality. I chose their x-power 5 channel amp 1)because of it's size 2)the power output is perfect for the speakers I chose and 3) it has high level speaker input, speaker level turn-on, and it gets a signal for the sub through the 4 channel speaker level inputs.

If I had more money to throw at it I would probably try to go with some focal components and a JL 10 or maybe even the Integral Audio set up. Fact is I don't and I can do this entire system for $600 by shopping smart online and doing everything myself.

 

Totally understand. If budgets were unlimited we'd all have different spending habits! Our products are designed to my standards, and unfortunately that doesn't make them inexpensive.

Just make sure you understand about the balanced output and required input capability I mentioned and confirm that amp will work. The MINI HU does NOT like signal ground referenced to power ground. The MINI has some highly integrated and very sensitive electronics (this goes for pretty much all modern vehicles) - shade-tree audio work by non-professionals (or at least those without extensive experience) is not easy any more, and the risks of damage are a lot higher so be careful. If you cook your HU you'll blow your upgrade budget and then some just to repair it.

 

I appreciate your input and since I still have a couple of weeks before I even have my tax money to do this with, I will definitely do a little research first. If I had to call Alpine to get some answers about this amp, what sort of questions would I need to be asking?

As far as connections go, I plan to buy a good crimp tool since I need one anyway. I would solder, but I just don't have the kind of workspace or experience with soldering that would make me feel comfortable with a hot iron inside my brand new car.

 

I have a recommendation for you as I was in the same boat as you right now. So far I have only added a subwoofer in the car. I insalled a mono amp and Pioneer TS-SWX25 (~$125 10 inch sub-woofer). They sit side by side in the trunk.

The pioneer amp lies flat face down in the trunk and it's a neat design and does not really take a lot of trunk space. I also bought a thin piece of wood with pre-made holes in it (the one you use in the garage to hang your tools, i got it at home-depot $5) and cut it to exact size of the trunk, wrapped/glued it with some car interior fabric (very cheap from any fabric shop) placed it on top of the sub and the amp. It's a bit of a work, but i think it was well worth it.

As for the sound, i'm happy with it (but that's very subjective). my buddies feel the same way (o: The trunk does not rattle at all and the bass creates a good sound stage. If you wish, I can post some pics for you, so you can get an idea. Here's the link for the amp:

http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/PU...ount/TS-SWX251

I'm replacing the speakers now with the Alpine Type R speakers and Alpine PDX-F6 amp. I called crutchfield to get the speaker size they told me to get 5.25inches. But here I see you are getting 6.5inches. What's the correct size?