[elementale]

Just got through Installing Infinity Kappa 60.5CS in the front and Kappa 63.5i in the rear. What a difference over the stock, although now my lack of real amplification is noticable as I turn it up, it starts distorting about a bit over 3/4 way full. But still way better sounding than the stockers.

Hey Emass, how important are the Baffles, and should I mount the crossover inside the cab rather than the doors?

 

[ShaneS]

I would definatly get baffles for the front doors because it actually gets wet in there and because of this I would mount the xovers under the dash or something. Now there is a jumper inside those Infinity xovers, did you change it for "custom contour" or did you leave them "flat"? I have the 6.05's myself and for the most part i love them, I thought about the 63.5's for th back as well, but i was concerned about the tweeter pod, if the height would be a problem, did you have any problems? I went with Focal 165 CA's instead for the back, they don't have "screaming" tweeters like the Infinitie's but for the back I don't need that anyway since I fade +3 to the front anyway




[quote:6e614b7be2="elementale"]Just got through Installing Infinity Kappa 60.5CS in the front and Kappa 63.5i in the rear. What a difference over the stock, although now my lack of real amplification is noticable as I turn it up, it starts distorting about a bit over 3/4 way full. But still way better sounding than the stockers.

Hey Emass, how important are the Baffles, and should I mount the crossover inside the cab rather than the doors?[/quote:6e614b7be2]

 

[elementale]

I left the front crossover settings at flat for now, but I do wish that the middle range on the 60.5 was a little better, it seems to be pretty flat, but I should be able to fix that once I replace the head unit with one that has a better equalizer settings. I had no problems mounting the 63.5's in the back,after removing the plastic speaker backing cup, it fit perfectly.
Now I just have to figure outwhat I want for a head unit. I have a Clarion Auto PC, which is abut 4 years old, which is cool for the nav features, but I want to keep the aux jack, and the Auto Pc dosent have an imput in. I guess I could just tie in the aux jack into the RCA imputs in the electronic crossover that I have, as it has two rca imputs. Heh, I could actually listen to MP3's from the iPod while the Nav is working. Guess I'm talking myself into remounting it Does anyone know if any of the dash mounting kits come without the pocket, and just aq flat cover? The autopc has a seperate unit that plugs into the deck and would fit well in the space below the deck.

 

[Silk]

Rear: Polk 602a 6.5" Coaxials ($-from old car; 15 mins. to install)
This was the easiest part of the whole speaker upgrade. I cut off the plastic nubs sticking out and in it went. I decide to use #8 - .75" screws instead as this prevents the screws from hitting the 2 cross beams in the door. (Bloody factory screws are ridculously long). They do a decent job as rear fill.

Front: CDT Audio Classic CL-61 2002 ($130; 2 hours)
I got these 2002 models from www.mainstreet-audio.com for $130 only and free shipping. (Thanks eMass). I think they are the speakers to beat for the price. It cleared up the whole midrange and female vocals have presence they lacked with the OEMs. The midbass thumps well too .

The installation is a bitch since I think I have found the upper end of what one can fit in the Element. The mounting specs are 5 11/16" diameter and 2 7/8" depth! I had to totally cut out the rear plastic cup but it still does NOT sit flush as the basket is larger then the 5 1/4" opening. It sits about 1/4" above the door panel and the speaker terminals bump the lower metal cross beam. I mounted it with the terminals on top and the speaker grill panel will fit back on barely. I had to remove the foam on the speaker grill panel and the lower front corner does not sit flush (about a 1/8" off but totally unnoticeable). I think I will borrow my buddy's Dremel and enlarge the speaker opening so it sits flush over the weekend.

Addendum: I finally got around to cutting out and enlarging the speaker opening. I took a rotary tool and cut 1/8" around the entire perimeter of the opening and the basket can then be removed. I reinstall the speaker with XTC foam baffle inserts. The speaker grill now sits flush and the speakers now sounds tighter than before.

I also ran two 16 gauge wires to the speaker opening so I would not have to cut the factory wiring. If you want to do this I would recommend using 18 gauge wires instead since 16 was very tight. The crossovers were secured underneath the dash on either side with 2 wire-ties.

The tweeters were a breeze once I figured out which mounting bracket to use. CDT ships 1" tweeters with flush and angled suface mount. I used the angled surface mount and 2 layers of double stick tape. I stuck this on a sheet metal bracket I made much like what Element-J did. This made a wonderful fit and the tweeters are aimed higher then before.

 

[ShaneS]

Once I installed my 85 watt x 4 amp the 60.5's mids really came to life, I too prefer the "flat" setting because the other way makes the tweets way too LOUD



, but I do wish that the middle range on the 60.5 was a little better, it seems to be pretty flat, but I should be able to fix that once I replace the head unit with one that has a better equalizer settings.

 

[haler17]

With the focal and JL's does your E have a good bass thumb w/out the SUB? I wanna put new speakers all around but I cant put any subs in because we use the back to much and the PS2 is going where the factory sub is now. :?

 

[eMass]

To be honest w/you I wouldn't know since all my speakers go through crossovers to cut bass to the mids and everything except highs to the tweeters.

You should look for full range speakers from polk, infinity, pioneer and the like - they are better suited for full range sound vs. component sets like Focal and JL.

 

[haler17]

What would happen if I put mid bass in the back and some two ways up front with new tweets

 

[ChumsGum]

This is all so confusing. OK, using the stock EX head unit, what are the best speakers for the front and rear doors? We're talking direct replacements here, none of that fancy stuff, just a straight speaker swap. Any suggestions?

 

[eMass]

This is all so confusing. OK, using the stock EX head unit, what are the best speakers for the front and rear doors? We're talking direct replacements here, none of that fancy stuff, just a straight speaker swap. Any suggestions?

Sorry this is confusing for you. However there is no single "best" speaker for the E - the "best" speaker for you might be one that fits without any modifications and sounds better than stock. In addition, some speakers sound very different than others and so you should listen to a number of them to decide which sound best to you.

My suggestion would be to visit a local auto stereo shop and have them tell you which speakers will fit. You can then listen to them in an audio board to get a feel for what they might sound like vs. other speakers that will fit and make your decision accordingly. These guys will install the speakers professionally and for a minimal cost in most cases and thier advice is indispensable.

Alternatively, if you don't feel you need to hear them, go to Crutchfield and check out a list of speakers that fit in the Element and install yourself.

 

[Charlie_mo]

Hey has anybody changed out the factory sub? If so what did you use?

NBPEX4WD5SP

Charlie Mo

 

[Hgood1]

I don't care about price. I want to know which speakers will have the best clarity and range. Anyone have thoughts? I want the best sound quality possible. Not so much boom ability but rich, clear sound. Thanks.

 

[Hgood1]

Would be grateful for advice as to the best, not necessarily best bargain, but the very best speakers available on the market that would fit the Element without having to alter existing car parts. Thanks for your help

 

[isdkelly]

Look at the Infinity Perfects 6.5 component system I think they are about the best sounding speakers I have heard http://www.crutchfield.com/cgi-bin/...bin/S-j0py9yLv28R/ProdView.asp?s=0&c=10&g=76400&I=108perf61&o=m&a=0&cc=01&avf=N

 

[ShaneS]

Would be grateful for advice as to the best, not necessarily best bargain, but the very best speakers available on the market that would fit the Element without having to alter existing car parts. Thanks for your help

Focal 165 K, 165 KP

 

[isdkelly]

I had thought the Foacls were not as efficient? but the spec says 93 db.
I had thought Emass recomended against the Focals if you were keeping the Stock Head unit and Amp?

 

[Hgood1]

ISDKELLY recommends the Infinity 6.5. I was wondering...the Crutchfield site actually recommends 5.25 for the Element. Is it certain the 6.5's will fit? Thanks much.

 

[ShaneS]

I just recieved my Focal 165kp's tonight and I could not wait to get them in, so I installed them and they fit perfectly inplace of the Infinity Kappa's that were in the doors. Now my system consists of all Focal speakers and it sounds amazing compared to before. I am amazed of how much more detailed the highs are without being too harsh like the infinitie's were. These new speakers even have much better midbass with a little punch as well. Overall the quality of these speakers is great, the baskets are made of this Zamak metal and they are pretty heavy. Now I'm a firm believer that heavy is good". I was a little nervous when I pulled one of the old Kappa's out and noticed that the depth was about an inch deeper. once I installed, I carefully rolled the window down and nothing blocked it "sigh of relief". The crosovers are realy nice as well with a 0 to -7db tweeter level adjustment, for now I have it set at -2 and I still have to play. Anyway these are great speakers and well worth the $329.00 off EBay. From what I understand these retail for like $450

 

[tbcar]

DEI Viper 5.25 Neod tweeter components.
Front and Rear.

Had to cut the plactic baffle and made a custom baffle but that is fine and man... they sound good imo and run about 129.00/pair plus shipping at sounddomain.com

Runnin off a memphis belle 4x75 @4ohms 4x 135@2ohms 1100 x 1 @1 ohm

thanks. email me with any questions

 

[whistler]

I've had a pair of Infiniti Kappa 60.5cs and a pair of Infiniti Kappa 652.5i sitting in their original boxes for two years now. They were gonna go in my VW, but since I now drive the E full time I thought about putting them in there.

Using the Stock HU, do I have to get an amp to power these speakers? Where does one suggest putting the amp? Is there a 'safe' place in the E to put an amp?

Will the sub still work?

Where do I put the thing that comes with the component system?

Sorry for my lack of knowlege. I'm good with computers but not car audio. I also don't know where to take it to get it done. What if they hack up my E. I'll be seriously upset!