2005 X-cab Silverado stereo upgrade

[jonny5_silverad]

Hello folks!

Got a X-cab 2005 Silverado looking for upgrade of stereo / bass. Here is what I'm looking at:

2 x 10" Bassworx downfiring sub enclosure model SierraAX210 (info says 1.5 cubic feet space, sealed)

2 x 10 Pioneer TS-W106C (on sale).. was also looking at the shallow mount TS-SW1041D models...

Amp: Pioneer Premiere PRS D2000T
link: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/v3/pg/product/details/0,,2076_310069935_291600326_tab=B,00.html?compName=PNA_V3_ProductDetailsComponent

Head unit: Pioneer Premiere DEH 690UB or Pioneer DEH 6900UB
I think both of these units are identical ... one is cheaper however... the DEH 6900 UB).

Am I throwing my money away? Should I get a single sealed 10" ? I like the downfiring as it protects the speaker from backseat foot hits and from what I've read there is more Bass generated and better sound quality.

My Budget is around $1100 Cdn or so ...

Comments are appreciated both good and bad.

Thanks!

[///M5]

You don't have any front stage or deadening in that list which is a crying shame.

[fej]

As for downfiring putting out better bass and/or sound quality this is absolutely not the case unless the proper air space beneath the woofer is given (even then it is highly debateable). Figure 3" for a 12" sub below the cone, and 95% of all downfires do not allow for the proper airspace beneath the enclosure.

Can they work? Absolutely. Can you get 12's back there and have the space to both give the sub enough airspace AND 3" or so of clearance beneath it? Not much chance. Even when using shallow mounts.

I would save another couple hundred bucks and improve your front speakers as well while you are in there doing all of this .. or at least run the cables while you are in there to do so.

Fej

[///M5]

Good clarification Fej. Downfiring will help out on the lows, but only with enough space to breathe. I would argue that downfiring will NOT help SQ no matter what though. Once you start to look at "real" subs, you will see that the mounting depth is your limiting factor. Upfiring or forward firing will allow you to fit a deeper woofer and considering I have never heard a shallow mount that can even come close to competing with a full size sub I wouldn't see that as a solution either. For a larger diameter sub (10 or 12) forward will require a seat lift, but with upfiring you can get away without.

[Birdie2000]

With upfiring you say you can get away without a seat lift. I bought the custom upfiring enclosure for a Mag 12 on here recently, and the previous owner said I could get away without a seat lift. Well, it barely fits under the seat and the surround is touching the carpet on the bottom of the seat, fortunately not where the seat frame is. However, it seems any little movement from that box will put it dangerously close/touching the surround. Anyways, my question is, if the surround is touching the bottom of the seat, is this dangerous? What if someone actually sits in the seat? How are the upfiring boxes you've seen with clearance?

[///M5]

I wouldn't want anything touching the surround, at least the previous owner was smart enough to design around the metal bars. If it were me I'd attach a few little blocks around the perimeter of the sub to hold the fabric off, if I weren't 2000mi from my truck I'd take a picture and show you ;) If it doesn't buy you enough clearance, you can raise the seat 3/4" without changing the bolting mechanism. You could set them on little pieces of ply, washers, whatever you want. I am sure structurally it isn't quite as good, but it isn't that much different either. Mechanically you could probably rest the seat front on your box via some custom pillars as well.

[fej]

I would argue that downfiring will NOT help SQ no matter what though. m5

My original response
As for downfiring putting out better bass and/or sound quality this is absolutely not the case unless the proper air space beneath the woofer is given (even then it is highly debateable).

I highlight the unless so we see that we are on the same page. I base my opinion on the dozen or so boxes that I have built in cars, and more HT sub enclosures, most of which downfire. The last one being a Adire Tempest in about 6 cubes ported, downfiring and tuned to 23hz on 1000w RMS.

I bought an 8" sub to forward or rear fire for my install (waiting to play around with it) as I have personally never heard a downfire enclosure in a car sound good UNLESS it has the proper space beneath it. But again this is just my experience.

Fej

[jonny5_silverad]

Thanks for the comments folks. I didn't see any suggestions / concerns about the sub / amp / deck... so those items are ok? I know that M5 has concerns about the lack of sound deadening and the replacement of the door speakers. I'm doing this a bit at a time as the budget allows.

Do the amp / subs / head unit combo seem a reasonable combo?

Thanks again

Jonny5

[///M5]

Fej,

I didn't mean to sound like I was disagreeing, but wanted to clarify your response towards the OP comment on SQ.

Jonny,

Why the shallow mount subs when the box will fit others? IMO that is a waste. Of course, I also feel pre-fabs are as well but that is another story.

[indelible5]

I know that M5 has concerns about the lack of sound deadening and the replacement of the door speakers. I'm doing this a bit at a time as the budget allows.

Jonny5

I am in the process of building a system for my truck as well and thought I would share with you my list order as I am also on a limited spending budget per month.

-headunit
-amps (not installed yet of course)
-sound deadening (placing order within next couple weeks)
-front components / amp wire kit / misc. install items
-subs / mdf and misc. items to make enclosure

I cant wait to get some subs in my truck but I know I need the components first as the subs will drowned out my factory front stage. I know my list order is not perfect, or how you need to do yours, its just to give you an example of someone elses perspective. I ordered the amps early in the game as I knew they were gonna take a few weeks to arrive and I wanted to make certain the vendor didnt change his price quote on me.

Anyhow, I know that I gave you no helpful info on your items in question but I have no experience with them. I just thought I would throw my 0.02$ in on the choice of order in the install, as many people will tell you that a good front stage and some deadening really makes your system shine.

-indelible5

[vexter0944]

Jonny5 -

I'm in a similar situation - I've been in contact with M5 - he knows what's up and has set me in the right direction with this vehicle (I've been doing car stereo since like 92 - but as a hobby - not a job - so I'm not a pro - but I've got some stripes on my shoulder) -

This vehicle seems to be a ROYAL pain to get subs in if you still want the bench seat in the Ext cab. I usually run 2 12's and I'm cutting back to 1 12 - but hoping to go ported - and really stepping up the wattage from a JL 500/1 to a Diamond audio 1200.1.

I've been doing a TON of reading about this vehicle, boxes etc - and although I was going to go downfiring, I've talked to more than one person off of serveral forums that have been dissapointed after they got it built and just weren't happy with it - so hence the reason I changed - I'm hoping to do a front firing with a port - we'll see - I'm still working on the box mock up.

I hope this helps a little - take care!

[fej]

As for the sub choice? There are better performing subs on the market for sure, but at the same time you do not have to spend $1000 on a sub to get solid quality bass output. The pre-fab enclosure I have no experience with, and unfortunately have always either built enclosures or had something made by someone with superior fab skills and tools, however like M5 I don't feel that they are better than having one made to fit your vehicle and component choices.

[jonny5_silverad]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. It really gave me something to think about. Perhaps I'll hold off until a very good head unit comes on sale and see if I can scoop up some deadener for the doors.

Any suggestion on a good quality 6.5 units for the doors? Want it to keep looking stock (not into modding a whole lot). Should the speakers be run from the head unit or have a amp running them?

Again, thanks for all the information !

Jonny5

[vexter0944]

I have a set of Phoenix Gold Xenon 6.5's that I love - they've been very very good to me - you can find them for sale on flea bay often - or watch caraudio.com forums in the classified for this set or another good set too.

[indelible5]

You are going to want to get a decent set of components and amp them. You can do a search on here for Crystals, I seen many members running them and are happy, also a great bang for your buck and can handle a lot of power. I am planning on using the Crystals but I also plan on making MDF door pods. Although I believe they can be mounted in stock location with minimal work, ie: trimming of panel, an MDF ring and possibly some moulding clay. Most any component install will entail some labor similar to what I mentioned, or at least should for better sound.

Do a search on "components" and you should come up with a lot of info. You can then read up on what other people use in certain price ranges etc., there is endless info on these forums about components. Do a little reading and shoot some questions back ;)

-indelible5

[Nova]

If you are on a budget you could also consider the Pioneer 5900 deck, basically the same features as the 6900, only without the USB and motorized faceplate. I was deciding between the two and went for the 5900, reason being I don't have any use for USB, motorized face plate is just one more thing to break (not that Pioneer is the type of stuff to break), and it is $50 cheaper.

[///M5]

To pick components a budget is helpful as they can vary from negligible amounts of money to somewhere over half the price of your truck.

[jonny5_silverad]

Well boys (and girls (?)) as I said earlier, my budget is going to be about $1100 total... The reason I priced out pioneer was due to the fact they were the only ones in the city that offered a decent mdf pre-made box and a reasonable price. Another place said sure ! we can do up a box for ya... only $600 ... 3/4 mdf with a fibreglass bottom... I nearly choked!

Thats why the budget, and the pioneer pieces. PS, Nova... I thought the ability to use my thumb drives instead of burning cd's of mp3s was a nice feature of the pioneer 6900.

Thanks again M5 for all your advice. When it comes closer to the date i'm dropping the $$, I'll keep you all apprised. Long live this forum!!

Jonny5