Hey all,

I am speccing an audio system for my 05 MCS (non HK / with Nav) . I have a pretty good amount of Home Theater experience but not much in the way of car audio installs. I plan to do it myself though, parting out through ebay.

I have auditioned the speakers at a local shop and like them very much. Mostly looking for thoughts on the setup and amp. I'd like to stick to Alpine so i can have maximum control with the HU.

Alpine CDA-9855 (already have, awaiting installation)
Alpine 420i Ipod unit (already have, awaiting installation)

JL Audio VR525-CSi in the doors
JL Audio VR690-CXi in the rears
JL Audio 10W3v2-d4 in the boot

Alpine MRD-M345 amp w/ Amp link to HU

I was thinking I'd just run the amp in bridged mode for now only pushing the sub...or possibly running the 4 VR's off of it and picking up a MRD-M301 for the sub. Depends on whether the Nav integration requires that the fronts be driven by the HU.

I've calculated that I can create an enclosure/false floor that will be roughly equivalent in height to the rear seatbacks when folded down with enough room to have one half as a sealed enclosure and the other half for the amp.

One specific question...where is a good place to mount the VR525 crossovers?

 

Curious why 5.25s and not 6.5s?

hs

 

I got a heck of a deal on the 5.25s, and I auditioned them and was quite pleased.

 

That's all that matters!


hs

 

You will love the HU....i have the 9833 and it has treated me very well....im putting in some component 5.25's as well, let me know what you find out about the crossover location

 

Should be fine to use 5.25" front speakers- it's more or less a perfect fit.
Usually you'll need spacers to raise the speaker level a bit from the mounting area so that it is close to the grill which is fixed in the inner door panel.
Spacers can be made from wood or other material. Larger front speakers can also work, just make the spacer a little wider.

The difference in sound quality isn't that much but depends on speaker efficiency, your amp and it's quality and your desired audio volume. If you don't have a noisy car and don't need the stereo volume too loud you should be just fine.

Subwoofers should help with all the low range sound so that your front speakers don't have to work overly hard. Fronts do mostly mid range at that point.

 

Your choice of components is excellent. Without getting drawn into a long protacted debate over brands... I've always loved the Alpine / JL Audio combination... perhaps with some MB Quart thrown in.

As for your question...
where is a good place to mount the VR525 crossovers?

I am not sure the physical dimensions of the Alpine cross-over but Ian Cull's recent install into GBMini #3 actually squeezed his crossover behind the door panel but still out of the way of the window mechanism.

Ian also has a pretty cool approach to installing a small sub in the rear 6x9 stock speaker location.

Check them out here...
X-Over -->http://www.gbmini.net/gallery/GBMINI...IMG1030?full=1
Sub -->http://www.gbmini.net/gallery/GBMINI...IMG1043?full=1

 

I've upgraded the fronts to the XR series so current lineup us:

Alpine CDA-9855 (already have, awaiting installation)
Alpine 420i Ipod unit (already have, awaiting installation)
Alpine Sirius tuner

JL Audio XR525-CSi in the doors
JL Audio VR690-CXi in the rears
JL Audio 10W3v2-d4 in the boot

Alpine MRD-M345 amp w/ Amp link to HU

I am also toying with the idea of adding a Pioneer Vehicle Dynamics Processor just for fun. Got busy at work and cannot do the install probably until 4th of July weekend...for now gotta spec and purchase cable, dynamat, etc. How much dynamat does it take to do a mini? I'd like to do both doors very well covered and perhaps some inside the boot and rear 6x9 locations. I got the nav and MFSW integration kit from Mike at NewMiniStuff.

 

When you posted this thread last week, you got me interested in JLs. I went out to hear some and now they are on my short list.

Where are you putting the amplifier?

hs